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Message |
yossarrion
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 5:52 pm: | 
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A few days ago a friend and I snowmobiled into the north end of Obabika and hiked the portage into Chee-Skon lake. Our primary intention in going in there was to hike the old growth trails. But although we did find one well established trail heading east from the portage we were unable to the find the trail leading to the west, which was the trail we were really hoping to find as it was our understanding that this was the trail that led to the largest of the pines in the area. It’s possible that the trail was there and we just overlooked it although I kind of doubt it, we were fairly thorough in our searching the west side of the portage. So, I guess if anybody could confirm that this trail has completely grown in or that the map on this site is inaccurate and the trail head was elsewhere from where we looked that would be great. Thanks,
Mark |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1286
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 5:59 pm: |
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It's there. Hard to spot in the winter. Next time go to Alex's at the mouth of the river. He'll show you if he is around. |
yossarrion
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:11 pm: |
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I’d say it’s extremely hard to spot in the winter if it is there. But if I make it back sometime this winter, and I hope to, I think I will take your advice and pop by to see Mr. Mathias. Well thanks Brian,
M
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ed
Moderator
Post Number: 930
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 8:27 am: |
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All trails run north and east from the start of the portage from the north of Obabika. I think the trail you were looking for just runs west for a short distance then turns north and east and parallels Shish Kong Lake in places.
I was on those trails in early September. They are all clear and useable. But... Ontario Parks did go through last summer and removed a fair bit of the marking tape that had been put up on the trails over the years as well as a number of the hand drawn maps attached to the trees to mark your location.That may be why you had a problem finding the trails.
I think it is their intention to remark the trails, hopefully this next season.
If you made it up to Shish Kong on your machines (the portage is ocassionally used by a trapper coming from Bob Lake area) you could have accessed the "west" trail from behind the campsite. I don't think I would snowmobile it though as it is fairly steep in places and has some spots where hikers need to scramble up/down rocks for several feet. Also a section runs close along a cliff area that overlooks the Spirit Rock on the other side of Shish Kong,a nice view, but another poor spot for a snowmobile. |
yossarrion
Member
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - 9:13 pm: |
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So that’s good to know. I had definitely had the impression from the map that there were two distinct loops, one to the west and one to the east of the portage. But I guess as you say it’s mostly just a trail system to the northeast of the portage/lake. We had found that main trail heading northeast although we didn’t get a chance to explore it as we spent too much time wandering around Chee-Skon lake and off into the forest to west of the lake, but for next time I definitely will just head up that way.
As for snowmobiling, we actually just parked at the campsite on Obabika and hiked in. And since there are a couple large trees over the portage it wouldn’t have been possible to make it in with the sled anyways. And even if I could I wouldn’t take a snowmobile onto the hiking trails, the scenery would be better enjoyed on foot I’m sure.
Thanks for the info Ed,
M
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ed
Moderator
Post Number: 931
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2011 - 10:57 am: |
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yossarrion:
I realized later that I had misread your post as to where you had left your machines.
The map: http://www.ottertooth.com/Temagami/Nature/og-trail 1.htm
does show 2 trail systems.One on the east and one on the west side of the portage to Shish Kong.The loop on the west starts a fair distance NE of where the trail starts on the portage.
The Map does not show the side trail from the campsite on Shish Kong, but you can reach the loop part of the west trail from the campsite.
The campsite is not on the map either, but it is almost directly across the lake from the Spirit Rock. |
yossarrion
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 01-2011
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2011 - 4:10 pm: |
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The link you attached with the map of the trails is the one I had while in there. And yeah basically we were just having trouble finding the trail head to that western loop. As Brian said, it probably is there but just difficult to find. But if I can access it from the campsite on Chee-Skon that definitely answers my question. So that’s great, when I next make it back in there I should now be able to find it without much difficulty hopefully, and if I’ve got time I’ll check out the loop to the northeast as well. Thanks again,
M
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