Chiniguchi Canoe Trip - July 2012

My sister and brother-in-law, and I, spend a week together every year doing the "Big Canoe Trip." We've been many places over the years, especially Killarney, which we've paddled basically through every lake and bit of water there is! So for 2012, we decided on something different in the Chiniguchi area, which is south-west of the Sturgeon River, between Temagami and Sudbury. I had done one trip there in the Fall of 2010, which was fantastic. I've always been biased toward reservation canoe parks over crown land, due to concerns about over-use. But this area is beautiful, and surprisingly unspoiled once you get a portage or two in. As long as you are prepared in advance to spend 30 minutes a day cleaning camp sites, it's worth exploring this area. An added benefit of tripping in crown land is that you do not have to worry about making reservations in advance, there are no fees (except on the Sturgeon River, which requires paid permits), and you can change your route on the fly. My advance concerns about this crown-land area being crazy-busy in peak canoe season turned out to be completely unfounded, and overall we saw less people than some of our trips into the remotest areas of Killarney.

Large-scale maps of Chiniguchi

As part of the planning for this trip, I scoured online resources and maps. Unlike reservation parks, the camp sites and portages are not available in a single published map: you have to do a bit of work to prepare for a trip in this crown-land area! During the long winter months waiting for our trip, I compiled all the information I could find into a single large-scale map of the Chiniguchi area, using public-domain Canadian government maps. The two maps below show every camp site and portage in the area (if you know of additional information for this map, please feel free to e-mail me at: 'dan at deepnettech dot com'.)

small-scale detailed area map covering all routes below, with portages and campsites noted: 3 meg.

Large-scale detailed area map covering all routes below, with portages and campsites noted: 30 meg.

The best place to get information online about the Chiniguchi area is: ottertooth.com.

Farther below, you'll find a large list of several other routes we considered, which may appeal to some travellers.

Our trip: Kukagami, 112.5km

  • Map of this route (an interactive zoomable Google map).
  • This route covers some scenic lakes east including Carafel, using a longer first day.

    Day 0, Friday. July 20, Toronto to Motel

    Chiniguchi 2012

    I drove to Toronto for noon to pick up my sister and husband. From there, we drove north to the Norvic Motel off highway 17, not far from the dirt road north to Lake Kukagami. We figured we'd be arriving late, and the cheap motel would be fine for one night, allowing for an early start the next day.

    Man, what a mistake! The Norvic was a stinky noisy dive. We got completely stuffed up from the moldy smells, which did not improve for days. We had considered staying at the Sportsman Lodge, but that meant another hour of driving at night on a dirt road, and the cost would have been very high. In the end, we got up early and went to the lodge for breakfast, from which we'd be starting our canoe trip. The lodge is one of the nicer cottage resorts I've seen, and breakfast was very good. For future trips, we'd probably just plan to arrive at dusk, and take a camp-site in the north end of Lake Kukagami. The (new) owners of the Sportsman Lodge are very nice people, and parking your car there is safe and affordable at $5/day. Click here for driving details to get to the lodge from highway 17.

    After breakfast, we packed our canoe, enjoying the bright sunny weather, and headed out.

    Day 1, Sat. July 22, Maskinonge Lake

  • Ottertooth.com map of this south-east area.
  • 14km: p80, 110, 440

    Chiniguchi 2012

    Our plan for the first day was to travel east through Carafel Lake to lower Maskinonge. These lakes are all boat-accessible, with cottages on Kukagami and Maskinonge. We expected this, so we were not surprised by the boats and fishermen on Carafel. The presence of boaters on these lakes compelled us to carry on a bit farther that day, so we avoided the southern-most sites on Maskinonge and carried on to the island sites 4 km north. By that point, we were tired, and the winds had picked up, so we stopped at an obviously unoccupied site (several others had campers on them.)

    After beaching the canoe, we walked the path into the site, to be greeted by a disappointing "hunter's" camp site: stripped of trees and bare, tattered tarps spanning trees, and garbage on top of garbage everywhere. A depressing sight for sure, but we were tired, so we made the best of it. After an hour of cleaning the site and re-digging several latrines (complete with toilet seats), we felt like we could bare staying there. Thankfully, we didn't see any other sites quite this bad for the rest of the trip. Unfortunately, staying on boat-accessible lakes in crown-land usually means hunter camp-sites like this. There's no doubt someone thought that all this structure they built was a positive addition, but leaving a mountain of garbage is just unacceptable and sad.

    Chiniguchi 2012

    For the duration of this trip, I settled into a usual pattern on arrival at our camp sites:

  • Dig a new hole near the existing latrine and bury the existing mound of crap
  • Cover the existing mound
  • Dig a second new latrine hole and move the box or seat to the new location
  • Clean the site of the usual litter of food wrappers, elastics, bottle tops, twist ties and "toilet paper flowers"

    This would take 30 to 60 minutes, and then I felt better! Besides... it was my small contribution to improving this beautiful area. I would definitely not travel here without a full metal folding shovel though.

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to McCarthy Bay

  • 17.5km: p180, 170, 340, 60

    Chiniguchi 2012

    We had originally planned to stay at a camp site along the Chiniguchi River between Edna and McCarthy Bay, but the water levels were very low, making the rough open sites somewhat unattractive. So, we carried on and took one of the island camp sites at the top of McCarthy Bay.

    Although this lake is boat accessible and there are a couple of modest cottages in the north part, it is very 'canoeist friendly', and the camp sites were unharmed, and clean. The southern part of Matagasami Lake has many cottages, but once you get into the North Arm, it is scenic and natural.

    We arrived early enough to enjoy some swimming off the excellent deep shoreline, and I got to fish a bit as well. My sister does not fish at all, and Jorge only does so reluctantly (he didn't bring his Spongebob rod and reel on this trip!) I was able to quickly catch us up a couple of large bass for dinner as well.

    Chiniguchi 2012

    As I cleaned up the fish away from the camp site on the point into the bay, a boat that had been fishing in the area for hours passed day. Of course I presented my fish, caught within 30 minutes right from the shore of the camp site with a plastic grub! Some reluctant kudos were offered from the jealous boaters as they continued on.

    We heard the strangest screechy bird calls from across our site along the opposite shore, and had assumed it was an eagle or hawk's nest. But we saw two adult heron's flying over from the area to the northern tip of our site later on, and they made the same grating screech. We guessed that the calls were chicks in a nest, although it seemed too late in the season for hatchlings. I've seen hundreds of herons over the year, but had never heard their call. A bit of a let down, to be honest, for such a graceful bird!

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Evelyn Lake

  • 13km: 580, 150, 100, 360, 700
  • Ottertooth.com map of this west area.

    I had received just prior to this trip a small weather radio. I've never brought a radio before, but liked the idea of these cheap and simple devices. They are programmed to search for these special weather forecast frequencies, so all you have to do is turn it on and listen. This worked surprisingly well, especially for such a lower powered device. There was one drawback though: no matter where we were, this radio would only pick up the station if you held it in the most awkward stance, at the most annoying spot in the camp site. I was impressed that such sophisticated AI could be built into a simple $20 radio, since it immediately stopped receiving as soon as you put it down, or tried to sit comfortably. But as long as you held it "just right", it did work extremely well. In Canada, the weather broadcasts are repeated in English and French, and are about 10 minutes long (including marine forecast.) So it does take a bit of effort to hear the relevant forecast.

    The radio proved helpful that day, as it was grey and overcast, and a big rain storm was coming in. So, we decided to only partially pack up, keeping one tent up to wait it out. As we did so, we could see a group of young girls packing up their site 1 km south of us, heading our way. We flagged them down as they passed, and warned them about the coming storm. Just then, the winds picked up and a torrential rain started coming down: the girls made it safely to an island 500m north of us (I think they wanted to be on their own, rather than wait out the storm with us.) After the storm subsided, we got out and packed up, smiling at the sounds of camp songs across the way, as the girls packed up as well. I like seeing well organized youth groups while on my trips: I've never had a bad experience with them, and it's good to know that an appreciation for our wilderness lands is being spread to younger generations.

    Chiniguchi 2012

    We now were going to begin the traditional "Laura Lake Loop", which I had done two years back, although in the other direction and with higher water levels. The portages in Chiniguchi are surprisingly well maintained for crown land. At worst, you have to deal with some blow-down and occasional challenges finding the trails.

    We had planned on camping farther north on Laura Lake this night, but the weather was starting to look ugly again, and our trusty radio said more thunderstorms were on the way. So we stopped at Evelyn Lake, staying at the elevated island site on the east side. We had just managed to get our tents up when the rain and lightning started, so we were able to wait out the storm. 30 minutes later, the rain stopped and the sun came out, bringing with it intense humidity and heat. Some other canoeists passed by then, looking soaked to the skin and beaten.

    As I sat in camp in the increasing heat, suddenly large fish started jumping crazily in the lake 50m off shore! Changes in barometric pressure always seems to do this, probably due to the bugs blown onto the now calm water. I couldn't reach the jump spots from shore, so I jumped into the canoe and headed out. Within 30 minutes, I had caught a nice 18" bass for dinner.

    Day 4, Wed. July 24, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 17.5km: 270, 130, 850

    Chiniguchi 2012

    We woke to another great sunny day, although surprisingly cool from that point on in the trip. The journey here would take us north and west, across the dreaded 850m McConnell Bay portage. When I had done this portage a couple years back, there was an unavoidable 200m swampy section in the middle that, combined with cold Fall rain, proved unnerving at best! I cautioned everyone to expect the worst, especially with the day-prior's intense rain.

    At the narrows at the very bottom of Laura Lake, is a cut across an old (closed) logging road. We decided to stop and have lunch there. Since I was last in this area, hunters have built a log bridge across the water. The MNR does not allow this, and I was mighty tempted to destroy the bridge. But I did not have the right tools for the job, given the serious construction. Next time I'll bring dynamite... ya, that's the ticket!

    Like all hunter camp sites, this was a barren disaster, with rusted out kitchen items, ruined tarps, beer bottles, and broken glass. It did have a plastic table and chairs still useable, making for a comfortable lunch I suppose. I would have preferred an unspoiled rock face overlooking the water though.

    Chiniguchi 2012

    The winds were picking up, so we would have a tough paddle north on Laura Lake. We stopped at the island site 1/2 way up for a break, then carried on to the dreaded portage. I steeled myself for the worst, and we set off. But when we got to the wet swamp, I was astonished to find it completely passable, and only a bit spongey! We simply walked across, not having to fear hidden mud sinkholes up to your neck. It had been a dry summer so far, as witnessed by the low water levels, so I guess the conditions at this section vary a lot.

    The beach sites on McConnell were empty, but we pushed on, hoping to get a camp site on Chiniguchi, so we could sneak in a hike up to "The Elephant". We took the site at the point of Telfar Bay, which I had stayed on before and is very nice. But, by the time we got there, looking out across the white caps, we decided to stay put and not do the hike that day. I did catch another nice 16" bass though from shore. We didn't see any paddlers or boats in Chiniguchi that day or the next morning.

    Day 5, Thurs. July 25, to Wolf Lake

  • 10.5km: 450, 160

    We woke to a grey and rain-threatening day with fair winds, so we pushed on and didn't stop to hike The Elephant. That's two trips now that I've passed that hike up... next year! We paddled south to Wolf Lake, and stayed at the northmost camp site set into a steep hill side, as there were other campers on the lake. We did see a small bear on the east shoreline of Dewdney, scrounging in the bushes. We had wondered if the complete lack of blueberries this summer due to no rain, would be a problem for the bears. This one seemed pretty desperate to come down to the shoreline.

    Dewdney and Wolf are beautiful lakes, very reminiscent of parts of Killarney, with some exposed quartz rock faces. Sadly, mining interests in the area may be re-opening, which would destroy it. The government's recent changes to the Environmental Act will make development of this area far easier to start, since ecological assessment requirements have lessened, allowing mining without consideration to the impact. I was just a teenager when activists in the 80s and 90s successfully fought off lumber development in some Temagami old-growth forests. If mining in Wolfe Lake ever becomes a reality, I think I would have to stand up and fight to save this area. Being a vocal advocate is one thing, but clearly not enough to save this important land. Sometimes you have to fight to defend what you believe in. For now, it appears that the economic value of the minerals at Wolfe Lake are not enough to justify the business development: let's hope it stays that way.

    After my usual hour of cleaning the camp site and re-digging thunderbox privies (note to girls in youth groups: plastic tampon applicators do not decompose! Pack them out, or use paper ones!), I cast my rod into the rainy drizzle. And... every single cast for the first 30 minutes brought in a bass, without exception! It was fun, but they were all too small to keep. Eventually, I got a couple good 15" keepers for dinner, but it was tons of fun. That's the kind of fishing my kids have always enjoyed... insta-catch and release.

    This camp site appeared well used, as evidenced by a very brave ground squirrel that kept sneaking into our food bags. Just three feet from us, it crawled into our dirty dishes and tried to make off with a spatula!

    Day 6, Fri. July 26, to Matagamasi Lake

  • 16km: 240, 300

    Chiniguchi 2012

    I was looking forward to this stretch of the trip so we could see the native pictographs along southern McCarthy Bay. Most pictographs I've seen are barely visible, requiring some creativity to imagine in full. These ones are very prominent, and easy to make out.

    After the portage from Wolfe to Matagasami, you're back into boating and cottage territory. But, the 'arms' have very few cottages, with most being in the southern bay. Despite this, we really did not see very many people at all, cottagers, boaters or paddlers. This really surprised me, as I was prepared for zoo-like conditions given the time of year. By comparison, the French River in prime-time is insanely busy, sometimes very difficult to find unoccupied camp sites.

    We ended staying at the same island camp site we had chosen on the way south, since it was so nice. The fishing was not as good and easy as before, which goes to show much depends on the weather!

    Day 7, Sat. July 27, to Donald Lake

  • 12km: 230, 150, 120

    Chiniguchi 2012

    For the return section of our loop trip, we portaged to Donald Lake via Gold and Colin. These two small lakes were pretty gems, and in the future I would probably try and find a way to camp on them if I could (there did appear to be some rough camp sites visible from shore.)

    But Donald is another Killarney-like lake, with some soaring cliff faces in the north part. We wanted to shorten our last day out as much as possible, so we continued south as far as we could. Unfortunately, the Lake was very busy with many camp sites taken. We ended up at the south-most camp site on the west shore, which was very open but OK. It was surprisingly cold that day and the night prior, so some shelter from the wind would have been nice, but not possible on this high open site.

    This was the only site at which I didn't catch any fish (another benefit of the Chiniguchi area over Killarney is that there are no fishing restricted lakes.) But I could not possibly complain, given the quantity of bass I caught with such little effort. And although they were all bass, I had caught several pike in Killarney and the French River on other trips in 2012. As I like to tell people, "I'm a canoeist who fishes, not a fisherman who canoes."

    Day 8, Sun. July 28, to Kukagami/Lodge

  • 12km: 1000, 340

    For the end of July, the temperatures on this trip had dropped surprisingly low. That night on Donald was the coldest, probably around 8 or 10C. I only brought a super microlite sleeping bag, and had to put on full clothing and fleece in the night to stay warm.

    I'm never happy to end a trip and come back to civilization, no matter how long I'm out there. I suppose that funk, combined with the cold wind, contributed to me forgetting my water sandals at the camp site. I only discovered this hours later, at which point it was too late to go back.

    The north section of Kukagami has very few cottages, compared to the dense settlement in the southern bay. I would certainly consider making camp at night on an entry day, rather than stay at a motel in Sudbury.

    So, another great "Big Trip" with my sister and brother-in-law! A tradition I hope we can keep up for many years to come. I suspect we'll return to Chiniguchi next year, possibly taking the Sturgeon if the water levels are high enough, or getting into some of the more remote lakes.


    Alternate Trips Ideas in the Chiniguchi Area

    Route #1: Kukagami, 108km

  • Map of this route
  • This route covers some scenic lakes to the east side of Chiniguchi.

    Day 1, Sun. July 22, Donald Lake

  • Leave Toronto 6am.
  • Arrive at Sportsman Lodge at 2-3pm. Park car there ($5/day)
  • Ottertooth.com map of this east area.
  • Camp in Donald Lake, south end preferably, first night.
  • 10km: p340, p1000

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to McCarthy Bay

  • 15km: p60, p180, p60, p70, p320, p140, p180, p170, p340, p60
  • We do not have to complete the outer loop, can repeat the inner loop both ways, as it's easier.
  • There's a chance that a portage from the north-west end of Kakagami through Doon to Matagasami may be re-opend by July 2012: the lodge owner will let me know, as that adds options for our trip.

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Evelyn Lake

  • 13km: 580, 150, 100, 360, 700
  • Ottertooth.com map of this west area.
  • Evelyn Lake is very pretty, and the camp site is on a high elevated island: nice.

    Day 4, Wed. July 24, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 18km: 270, 130, 850 (hard one, low and wet)
  • Chiniguchi Lake is very pretty. I'd like to try and squeeze in a hike to "The Elephant" (see map)

    Day 5, Thurs. July 25, to Wolf Lake

  • 13km: 450, 160
  • Will be a fairly busy lake: popular.
  • There is an old fire tower hike to the east.

    Day 6, Fri. July 26, to Matagamasi Lake

  • 15km: 240, 300
  • Not many cottages on the North Arm. Some OK camp sites.
  • Amazing pictographs in one spot, very impressive.

    Day 7, Sat. July 27, to Donald Lake

  • 14km: 230, 150, 120

    Day 8, Sun. July 28, to Kukagami/Lodge

  • 10km: 1000, 340

    Route #2: Sturgeon River, 109km

  • Alternate Route #2: Chiniguchi and Sturgeon River
  • As shown, allows for one layover day along the route as we see fit.
  • Alternatively, we could shorten a couple of the days, and make it an 8 day route (see route #3).
  • To lengthen the trip to 8 days, we could: day 2 Marjorie (there is apparently a small camp site on it), day 3 Doughterty (many camp sites), then connect to remaining trip on Sturgeon, to make 8 days.
  • Regardless of 7 or 8 days, this is a hard trip! I'm a bit worried about what the Sturgeon River would be like, but online sources promise me it's not bad at all: MYCCR Sturgeon River discussion.
  • Overall, I think this trip would be extremely remote, quiet and very adventurous (but long)!
  • We need permits for the nights we camp on the Sturgeon River (like when on the Lady Evelyn River in Temagami). Call: 705-569-3205 Finlayson PP in advance to purchase, and get mailed to us.

    Day 1, Sun. July 22, Wolf Lake

  • Leave Toronto 6am.
  • Arrive at Lakeland Lodge at 2-3pm. Park car there ($5/day)
  • Wolf is a popular lake, and we arriving late. But, We're coming in on a Sunday, so I expect it won't be too bad (and there are lots of camp sites).
  • 13km: p100, p300, p240

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 17km: p160, p450
  • I had originally planned the alternate route through Marjorie, but it's much more portaging, and the portages will not be great. Since we're not stopping on the route, we might as well take the more common and well travelled outer loop.
  • But, if we decide to not have a lay-over day, then we could stop on Majorie, which would be remote.

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Sturgeon River (off Stouffer)

  • 20km: p620, p480, p220, p200, p680
  • A long day, and we can stop early on Stouffer if pooped out, or if we skip the layover day.
  • If the camp site on the top of the Sturgeon is taken, we'd have to setup camp nearby I guess (too far to next site).

    Day 4, Wed. July 24, to Sturgeon River (off Halleck Creek)

  • 19.5km: 5 to 10 200m portages, depending on water levels and our comfort level.

    Day 5 and 6 (layover day), Thurs./Fri. July 25/26, to Rawson Lake

  • 14km: p1600, p280, p700, p750
  • Probably some tough portages, not well travelled.

    Day 7, sat. July 27, to Matagamasi Lake

  • 15km: p600, p130, p270, p700, p360, p100, p580
  • Initial p600 may not be well travelled.
  • We could stop on Wessell to avoid crowds on Matagamasi, but I don't recall that camp site being nice.

    Day 8, Sun. July 28, to Access Point

  • 10km: p100

    Route #3: Sturgeon River, 107km, no layover day

  • Alternate Route #3: Chiniguchi and Sturgeon River, with no layover day
  • This trip avoids heavily traveled areas, and is still a complete loop.
  • The Majorie Lake route (Wolfe to Chinguchi) is new and not traveled much at all, so very remote. But, we're not stopping along the route, so it's not proving much going this way (bit harder than around west, which is more typical).

    Day 1, Sun. July 22, Wolf Lake

  • Leave Toronto 6am.
  • Arrive at Lakeland Lodge at 2-3pm. Park car there ($5/day)
  • Wolf is a popular lake, and we arriving late. But, We're coming in on a Sunday, so I expect it won't be too bad (and there are lots of camp sites).
  • 13km: p100, p300, p240

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to Marjorie Lake

  • 10km: p300, p240, p1000, p700, p50
  • Would be isolated and quiet going this way.

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Dougherty

  • 14km: p150, p140, p120, p620, p480

    Day 4, Wed. July 24, to Sturgeon River (mid way)

  • 17km: p220, p200, p680, p150, p80

    Day 5, Thurs. July 25, to Sturgeon River (near Halleck Creek)

  • 14km: p180, p190, p110, p420, p270, p150, p255.
  • Some of these portage may not be necessary in summer, simple CI water.

    Day 6, Thurs. July 25, to Rawson Lake

  • 14km: p1600, p280, p700, p750
  • Probably some tough portages, not well travelled.

    Day 7, Fri. July 26, to Matagamasi Lake

  • 15km: p600, p130, p270, p700, p360, p100, p580
  • Initial p600 may not be well travelled.
  • We could stop on Wessell to avoid crowds on Matagamasi, but I don't recall that camp site being nice.

    Day 8, Sat. July 27, to Access Point

  • 10km: p100

    Route #4: Interior sneak route, 106.5km

  • Route #4: Chiniguchi interior
  • This trip avoids the Sturgeon River, while still covering some lesser-travelled interior areas.
  • The trick is to leverage the Kukagami Lodge's owners offer to drive us to the start point on the McClaren Creek (which connects directly to Matagamasi Lake), but finishing at their lodge on Kukagami.

    Day 1, Sun. July 22, Matagamasi

  • Leave Toronto 6am.
  • Arrive at Sportsman Lodge at 2-3pm. Park car there ($5/day)
  • Camp in Matagamsi, north arm, before Wolf Lake (busy lake).
  • If time and energy permits, we could push into Wolf (Sunday... better chance of sites available, and no boat traffic.)
  • 13km: no portages

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to Marjorie Lake

  • 14.5km: p1000, p700, p50
  • Would be isolated and quiet going this way. If Wolk Lake is a zoo, may be appealing to switch the trip to this route at this point.

    Day 3/4, Tues. July 23, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 12.5km: p150, p140, p120
  • Layover day here. Good fishing, and hiking the Elephant hill.

    Day 5, Thurs. July 25, to Evelyn Lake

  • 19km: 850, 130, 270
  • Evelyn Lake is very pretty, and the camp site is on a high elevated island: nice.

    Day 6, Fri. July 26, to Donald Lake

  • 16.5km: 700, 360, 100, 150, 580, 230, 150, 120
  • Claimed to be a very beautiful lake, very Killarney-like.

    Day 7, Fri. July 26, to Carafel Lake

  • 20.5km: p60, 180, 60, 70, 320, 140
  • Potvin route is not well travelled, but very pretty and rugged (see contours.)
  • Carafel is popular, but good fishing.

    Day 8, Sat. July 27, to Sportsman Lodge

  • 10.5km: p440, 110, 180
  • Our car will be here (lodge owner drives it back to his lodge after dropping us off at the Matagamasi creek start.)

    Route #5: Kukagami, 112.5km

  • Map of this route
  • This route covers some scenic lakes east including Carafel, using a longer first day.
  • It covers more area, so there is no rest day though.

    Day 0, Friday. July 20, Toronto to Motel

  • Pick up N & J after work, and drive north.
  • Stay at the Norvic Motel, just east of Hill St. onto the Trans Canada (closest to park, cheap.)

    Day 1, Sat. July 22, Maskinonge Lake

  • Leave Motel early, breakfast 5 min. east of Motel.
  • Arrive and park at Sportsman Lodge.
  • Camp on island site in Maskinonge (See Callan book, notes on good island site.)
  • Ottertooth.com map of this south-east area.
  • 14km: p80, 110, 440

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to Matagamasi Lake, north

  • 17.5km: p180, 170, 340, 60

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Laura Lake

  • 19km: 580, 150, 100, 360, 700, 270, 130
  • Ottertooth.com map of this west area.
  • We could stop on Evelyn, and maybe we should! Only one site on Laura Lake, and the next portage is hard.
  • Evelyn Lake is very pretty, and the camp site is on a high elevated island: nice.

    Day 4, Wed. July 24, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 11.5km: 850 (hard one, low and wet)
  • Chiniguchi Lake is very pretty. I'd like to try and squeeze in a hike to "The Elephant" (see map)
  • If the crowds were bothering us, we could take the middle Marjorie section (but miss the Elephant.)

    Day 5, Thurs. July 25, to Wolf Lake

  • 10.5km: 450, 160
  • Will be a fairly busy lake: popular.
  • There is an old fire tower hike to the east.

    Day 6, Fri. July 26, to Matagamasi Lake

  • 16km: 240, 300
  • Not many cottages on the North Arm. Some OK camp sites.
  • Amazing pictographs in one spot, very impressive.

    Day 7, Sat. July 27, to Donald Lake

  • 12km: 230, 150, 120
  • Pretty lake. First north camp site is bext apparently, but makes for a long last day.

    Day 8, Sun. July 28, to Kukagami/Lodge

  • 12km: 1000, 340

    Route #6: Kukagami, 96.5km

  • Map of this route
  • This route covers some scenic lakes east including Carafel, using a longer first day.
  • It uses the Doon Lake return portage, to shorten the distance and allow a rest day.

    Day 0, Friday. July 20, Toronto to Motel

  • Pick up N & J after work, and drive north.
  • Stay at the Norvic Motel, just east of Hill St. onto the Trans Canada (closest to park, cheap.)

    Day 1, Sat. July 22, Maskinonge Lake

  • Leave Motel early, breakfast 5 min. east of Motel.
  • Arrive and park at Sportsman Lodge.
  • Camp on island site in Maskinonge (See Callan book, notes on good island site.)
  • Ottertooth.com map of this south-east area.
  • 14km: p80, 110, 440

    Day 2, Mon. July 22, to Matagamasi Lake, north

  • 17.5km: p180, 170, 340, 60

    Day 3, Tues. July 23, to Laura Lake

  • 19km: 580, 150, 100, 360, 700, 270, 130
  • Ottertooth.com map of this west area.
  • We could stop on Evelyn, and maybe we should! Only one site on Laura Lake, and the next portage is hard.
  • Evelyn Lake is very pretty, and the camp site is on a high elevated island: nice.

    Day 4 and 5, Wed. July 24, to Chiniguchi Lake

  • 11.5km: 850 (hard one, low and wet)
  • Chiniguchi Lake is very pretty. I'd like to try and squeeze in a hike to "The Elephant" (see map)
  • If the crowds were bothering us, we could take the middle Marjorie section (but miss the Elephant.)

    Day 6, Thurs. July 25, to Wolf Lake

  • 10.5km: 450, 160
  • Will be a fairly busy lake: popular.
  • There is an old fire tower hike to the east.

    Day 7, Fri. July 26, to Kukagami Lake

  • 15km: 240, 300, 1100, 300
  • Amazing pictographs in one spot north of Doon Lake cutoff (must detour to see).
  • Doon Lake portage was re-opened this year, but may not be easy.
  • There shoul dbe a poor site on Doon Lake, if we didn't want to go through to Kukagami.

    Day 8, Sun. July 28, to Kukagami/Lodge

  • 9km: no portages