Difficulty: Intermediate (Read description below)
TOTAL DAYS: 5 (FRI-TUES)
TOTAL PADDLE DISTANCE: 71.5km
TOTAL PORTAGE DISTANCE: 4370m (4.3km)
COST: Park Fees $25 each + rentals, gas & food.
(SEE IMPORTANT PAYMENT INFORMATION BELOW)
Drive Time: 5.5-6.5hrs
Limit – 9 People
This is a similar trip to last years august long weekend with an extra day and more time to rest & relax built in.
#######-------PAYMENT---------
(Important, read this section)
To ensure that we get paddlers that are eager and able to attend the trip I have decided to collect the park fees up front. This $25(+processing fee) is your confirmation into this trip.
All other costs (Boats, transportation, food, gear etc..) are your responsibility.
I understand not everyone wants to use their credit card online which is why I’m offering both a Paypal option as well as an interac transfer option. Paypal will cost about $1.05 to process and Interact is $1.25 if my memory serves correct. Links are below:
Paypal
Simply pay during your RSVP and it will go to the groups Paypal account.
Interact E-Mail Transfer: Send $25 – it will cost you $1.25 to send the money. Send to: adventureswithken (at) hotmail (dot) com
– make the password “canoe”
####-------TRIP OVERVIEW---------
Located approximately 100km north of North Bay ON, Temagami is my favorite canoe trip location in Ontario. From its spectacular sunsets & its vast backcountry network of lakes and rivers; Temagami never disappoints.
Generally quieter than Algonquin & other parks closer to Southern Ontario Temagami also offers additional challenges; portages are harder, longer, and sometimes wet. The large lakes can make for some windy days and you feel a little more remote compared to some of the other areas. Campsites are spread out and fewer in number than in other places. Most sites are equipped with a thunderbox, but occasionally you'll find one that is not.
Highlights of Temagami include:
· A section of remote 2-300yr Old Growth Forest to explore
· Spectacular sunsets
· Fantastic fishing
· Opportunities for some great vistas from both Devils Rock and the Temagami Tower back in town.
Difficulty: Intermediate
If you are a beginner and looking for a challenge this trip will challenge you.
If you are up for a challenge and to see some beautiful surroundings, then this trip is right up your ally.
Be prepared to paddle & portage from 9am to approx. 5-7pm most days depending on how fast the group moves & weather conditions. Breaks will be taken; lunch and swimming can happen as we move most days.
Wind – there can be lots of it in Temagami. This can cause us to work harder to meet our destination goals and to wake up very early to make some miles on calm water (if required).
#######-------GEAR---------
Make sure that you are well setup for portaging. Pack gear into large backpacks or barrels to make moving it faster & easier. You should be able to portage your boat & gear in a maximum of 2 trips down the trail. If we all plan for a single carry portage it will make our days much shorter. So please plan accordingly. Leave your coolers and lawn chairs at home or in the car.
Boats:
Canoes only – this trip is not suitable for kayaks of any kind.
If you are renting, please pick up your boat, or have it delivered to the access point on Thursday night because we will be launching promptly at 9am on Friday morning.
Food:
Each person is responsible for their own food & cooking gear (Lightweight Stove, pots, utensils etc…)
Coolers are great for the car and parking lot, but please don’t bring them as part of the trip. If you need some meal suggestions check out the link below:
4 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
4 Dinners
Snacks & Drinks
DINNER SUGGESTIONS LINK: http://bit.ly/TUwZY0
Water:
We will drink lake water during this trip. Do not plan to carry bottled water beyond a 1L personal bottle that you can refill from the lake. Bring purification tables, a Pristine water purification kit or your preferred method of purification.
Personal Gear: Please see and review the gear list at the link below.
PERSONAL GEAR LIST LINK: http://bit.ly/SfMqsy
FOOTWEAR:
We had some footwear problems on the last trip (A badly sprained ankle) and some broken sandals that caused it. So please make sure bring 2 types of shoes for the trip, a pair to wear while paddling/portaging that has some ankle support and will get wet during the day and a dry pair for the campsite at night.
####-------LOGISTICS---------
Thursday, June 30th
Leave for Temagami after work, pick up rentals on the way up or arrange to have your boats delivered (More expensive) to the Red Squirrel Rd access point (Access Point #3 on your adventure map). Assuming a 5-6pm departure from KW, arrive at the red squirrel lake parking lot around 11pm-Midnight & camp for the night in the parking lot.
Fri July, 1st
· Up at 7:30, Eat Breakfast and be on the water for 9am.
· Paddle to first portage (3.5km)
· Portage to Ferguson Bay (600m)
o Stop and admire small waterfall just off the portage trail
· Paddle up small river to Ferguson Bay, Cross the bay to North arm Portage (4.5km)
· Portage to North Arm (760m)
o OPTIONAL: Walk to the top of Mt Napoleon for a vista view of the area
· Trail/Canoe Lunch
· Paddle to Diamond Lake portage (6km)
· Portage to Diamond Lake (70m)
· Camp on eastern side of Diamond Lake
Total Paddle Distance: 14km
Total Portage Distance: 1430m
Sat July 2nd
· Up at 7:30, Eat Breakfast and be on the water for 9am.
· Paddle to first portage to Wakimika Lake (11km)
· Portage 300m “Boulder Hop” portage
· Portage 400m portage
· Lunch
· Paddle to Wakimika Lake (3-5km)
· Afternoon Off to relax
Total Paddle Distance: 15-17km
Total Portage Distance: 900m
Sun July 3rd
- Paddle to Wakimika River ~ 2-3km
· Paddle Wakimika River to Obabika Lake (4km)
· Paddle To Old Growth Trails (2km)
· Hike old growth trails (1-2km)
· Paddle to campsite on eastern side of Obabika (3-4km)
Total Paddle Distance: 13km
Total Portage Distance: 10m
Monday July 4th
· Sleep in / Lazy Morning!
· On the water for 10-11am
· Paddle to Obabika Inlet Portage (4km)
· Portage to Obabika Inlet (870m)
· Paddle to Devil Bay portage (7.5km)
· Portage to Devil Bay (570M)
· Paddle to Devil Mountain (6km)
· Camp in Devils Bay OR optional portage to Kokoko Lake (670m)
Total Paddle Distance: 17.5km
Total Portage Distance: 1440 (OPTIONAL: 670m)
Tues July 5th
· Up at 7:30, Eat Breakfast and be on the water for 9am.
· Paddle to Red Squirrel Portage (11km)
· Portage to Red squirrel (600m)
· Paddle to parking lot (4km)
· Pack up, head to town – each lunch
· Head to Temagami Tower
· Climb the tower
· Return Rentals, Head home
Total Paddle Distance: 15km
Total Portage Distance: 600m
## --------LOCAL OUTFITTERS---------
Algonquin Outfitters – Huntsville, ON – 1-800-469-4948
http://algonquinoutfitters.com/rentals/canoes-kayaks/
This may be the best option for most, they should be open until 8pm on Thurs night (Please call to confirm) and you can request pick up your boat at their downtown Huntsville location.
Expedition Kevlar 16’ (Swift Algonquin) $29.00/Day
Expedition Kevlar 17’ (Swift Algonquin) $30.00/Day
Smoothwater Temagami N, ON- 1-888-569-4539 - temagami@ontera.net
http://www.smoothwater.com/html/rentals.php
I have used them several times; they are also north of town closer to Red Squirrel Rd. You may be able to arrange to pick up of a boat on your way through town late on Fri night. Call to find out if that is possible at such a late hour.
They charge $200 to deliver boats to our access point. If multiple people rent from here you could share that cost.
Rates:
Standard 16' or 17' kevlar canoe (60 to 64 lb) - $25/day
Extra-light 16' kevlar canoe (less than 55 lb) - $32/day
Temagami Outfitters -
http://www.icanoe.ca/service_canoe.html
Call to find out about pickup or delivery options. May not be open past 5pm on Thurs.
Rates:
Ultralight Kevlar Epoxy Canoes
16' Quetico 42lbs $38.98 per day
17' Quetico 44lbs $39.98 per day
Standard Expedition Kevlar Canoes: 52–65lbs $32.98 per day
14' Solo Canoe Kevlar Ultralight: 33lbs $31.98 per day
Gear/Boat/Ride Sharing
Use this google doc to arrange any carpooling, gear sharing or to find a paddling partner.
Inspiration:
Civic Holiday long weekend 2015 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/26313714/
Canada Day long weekend 2015 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/26239800/
This is the planning doc. Use it for carpools, gear share or whatever else you need to arrange.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g0NKsY_Vc_gQc0sICnP0w73dOXexv4qtgNLCFEtWmqU/edit?usp=sharing
How to find us: We'll be meeting at the parking lot access to Red Squirel Lake. Look for the big parking lot, generally full of RVs on the long weekend!
Photos
57 photos
