| Author |
Message |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 11:41 pm: | 
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I live about as far downtown Toronto as you can get, the huss and fuss can get to me sometimes. My cure has always been a 10 day trip to Temagami. I love it and come back to Hogtown ready to go.
Problem this year....My friends ditched me. Not their fault..my work screwed me over and lost my planned vacation time that my friends and I had crossed off}. (They will be under the stars a few nights from now running around on too many mushrooms and Jagermeister in their boxer shorts.....and complaining the next day about the length of the portage) So....I just turned 30 and I thought what a great year to take a solo trip. I remember this episode of Northern Exposure (greatest show of all time!!!..cbs remember??? Alaska?...yeah) where one of the main characters (Maggie) turns 30 and goes out in the woods to solve all of her problems. She almost dies but a Jewish doctor saves her but I don't think there and many Jewish doctors north of the 401 so whatever.. Anyways....
I need some help to plan my trip that will be taking place on the week of the 27th of August 2006. I will be grabbing a canoe from Wanapitei off of Red Squirll road. I have always found it a great spot to start a trip and the people there are always great.
Problem # 1
I don't have a car (You don't need a car in Toronto). I will be taking a bus from Union Station in Toronto that will leave me in the town of Temagami. Is there a taxi company in Temagami that would be willing to take me down Red Squirrel road to Wanapitei? Is there a guy with a truck that would be willing to take me for a fee? If anyone knows of such a service, please let me know. I have looked for a Temagami taxi service but have come up empty.
Problem # 2
Should I hitch a ride with my thumb from the town of Temagami? I have never done this before and am a bit shy about it. Once on Red Squirrel Road....what would be my chances of getting a lift?
Problem # 3
Will I die going on a solo canoe trip? Is it safe? I'm very good with a canoe and can swim and all that.....Anything that I need to know that I may be forgeting??? Has anyone reading this ever done a trip sans people? Will I go crazy after 10 days and start talking to my paddle??
Thank you for reading this and thank you soooo much for any help I can get.
Love from Toronto |
temagami_bob
Member
Post Number: 23
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 7:21 pm: |
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Rent a canoe in town and paddle to from here. No hitching necessary. I wouldn't hitch if I were you, low success rate. There is no Temagami taxi, but there is water taxi and floatplane, both too expensive. Solo trips rock, if you are confident enough in your skills. Be very conservative, especially with big waves or sharp objects. |
prospector
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 8:08 pm: |
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Try contacting Wanapitei they may have a bus pick-up in Town or most local outfitters do provide shuttle services to various points around the area. You can arrange for a drop off and pick up from some good locations. Lastly if you have the money, (I think it is called Lakeland Airways?) is right in town and fly you in and drop you off. I get a real kick out of being dropped from an airplane and paddling back out. Yeah some will say it is cheating but the immediate tranquility and view are worth it to me.
Also some lodges provide a water taxi(also expensive?) could that could drop you off further up the lake and you can rent canoes in town.
Good Luck. |
woland
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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Wanapitei has shuttles. (I'm taking the train to Temagami and they're picking me up.) Take the train if you can from Toronto - much more comfortable and faster than the bus, and not much more expensive, I don't think (it's about $85 each way.) It gets in at about 3:30 in the afternoon, but you should be able to set up camp near Wanapitei.
Do you have any suggestions for a 5-6 day route from there? 2 people, some whitewater experience, looking for solitude. |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Thanks for the help. I would love to fly in one way but the price is a joke.
Woland: When are you going on your trip? Perhaps we could share the cost of the taxi to and from Wanapitei? The north channel and south channel of Lady Evelyn river (southern tip of Lady Evelyn) is the greatest place I have ever paddled. Amazing....although the portages are back-breaking. |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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Also....the only train I can find to Temagami is from North Bay? What train from Toronto should I be looking for? |
otter_mel
Member
Post Number: 55
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Try Ontario Northland train |
nature_freak
Member
Post Number: 19
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 4:08 pm: |
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 The only train to Temagami runs from Toronto to Moosenee... and yes it is The Northlander...a.k.a. Ontario Northland Railway.
The road in to Wannapeti is really good as we were up there two weeks ago to swim at the beach.
There may even be some kind locale folk willing to drive up there for a small fee to drop you off...Let me know...I'll see if I can find you a ride! } |
kim
Member
Post Number: 172
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
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nature_freak
There may even be some kind locale folk willing to drive up there for a small fee to drop you off...Let me know...I'll see if I can find you a ride!}
Now that is Northern hospitality!!!!! |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 5
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 12:54 am: |
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The Ontario Northland site says nothing about a train from Toronto to Temagami...only a fall sightseeing trip. I looked online for an hour today and found nothing...am I missing something??? I have heard about this train many times but can't find squat.
The only reason I want to get up to Wanapitei is I know the area. Lake Temagami is a bit out there for me. I'm looking at the map right now - at the end of the north east arm there is an Island with 2 huge trails on it...is that the old growth trail I have been hearing about? How busy is Lake Temagami?
Nature Freak: Thank you so much. Now that I think about it, if I get a lift from Temagami down the Central S lake Temagami access road...that would save me a bunch of bother doing the north east arm when I arrive. I can then mess around in "cross bay" or "Shiningwood bay" or do the two portgages into "Cross Lake"? (any tips on these places???)...then I can just paddle back to the town of Temagami and get my bus/train home.
I keep going to Lady Evelyn year after year, so Lake Temagami is all brand new to me....if there is anything at the base of the North East arm that I should check out or a quiet lake to chill at, PLEASE let me know.
There is nothing like Northern Hospitality.
? |
kim
Member
Post Number: 173
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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mushrooms1
There are some nice trails through some old growth on Temagami Island that are worth a visit.
You might also be referring the the old growth that is on the north end of Obabika Lake?
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mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 6
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 8:41 pm: |
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Kim: It's to the right of bear Island at the end of the north east arm of Lake Temagami. |
otter_mel
Member
Post Number: 56
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 12:55 pm: |
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Here is the link and info for TO to TE trip:
http://www.northlander.ca/newnorthlander/nlhome.htm
TORONTO TO TEMAGAMI
Departure Arrival Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
8:40 A.M. 3:35 P.M.
RATES (plus applicable taxes)
Fare Type Adult Child Senior Student
ONE WAY $78.15 $39.10 $70.30 $66.40
RETURN $156.30 $78.20 $140.60 $132.80
Rates and schedules subject to change without notice. No reservations required.
© 2006 ONTC
(Message edited by Otter Mel on August 2, 2006)
(Message edited by Otter Mel on August 2, 2006) |
otter_mel
Member
Post Number: 57
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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The link directly to schedules did not work so I'll try again to a diferent page
http://www.northlander.ca/newnorthlander/nlhome.ht m
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woland
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
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Mushrooms1, I'm going up on the 13th - too bad we can't share, but hopefully you'll find someone who can!
If you're not totally committed to starting your trip from Wanapitei, the train station's just a short walk from the put-in, so your plan to take a shuttle to the start of your route and finish up there is a good one, and you'll only have to paddle the Northeast Arm once. The train's really pleasant and comfortable, and usually not crowded, especially past Huntsville - I take it to North Bay regularly. You shouldn't have a problem buying a ticket even the day of the trip, but the ticket counter opens at 8 and the train leaves at 8:40, so I like having the ticket ahead of time (no online ticket sales, unfortunately.)
We're probably going to work out a route that includes the North and South channel of the Lady Evelyn River, or the Lady Evelyn/Anima-Nipissing loop. We were contemplating a fly-in to Solace, but we're too short on time to do this comfortably (we're planning to spend at least a day or 2 just camping and enjoying not being in Toronto- it feels like a garbage-and-car-fumes-scented steam bath right now!)
Good luck finding a lift! You might try posting on the board at MEC to see if anyone's going to be up there who's willing to share a lift. |
bush_pilot
Member
Post Number: 95
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 1:36 am: |
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Mushroom
Try renting a canoe in town then walk EAST! Snake lake to Cassells, Sunrise, Rabbit,Matabichuan River, Cooper, Maxim, Glassford back into Rabbit then back to Temagami. No real killer portages plus you are never really that far from civilization for your first solo trip. Old growth trail in the White Bear Forest makes a nice hike. And you don't once have to get into a car after you leave your home in Toronto.
Just a thought.
Andy |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 334
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 8:09 am: |
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Mushroom;
That is a good suggestion that Bush Pilot has given. It is written up in Hap Wilson's book as Route #10, page 85.The route is also described in a monograph by Bob Groves: entitled "Temagami's Matabitchuan River" that may still be available from the Temagami Chamber of Commerce. It takes about 2 to 3 days to do or you can add onto the trip to extend it out for 4 to 6 days.
One side trip can be seen by going to :http://nastawgan.ca/breeze.html
Ed. |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 7
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 10:44 am: |
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Thanks guys, that walk east from the town..is that a walk on the main road in town or is it a trail...what is the put in point called? |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 337
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
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Mushrooms1:
Get the outfitter in town who rents you a canoe to point you in the right direction.I think the trail/route starts behind the train station.It is 675m from the train station to Snake Island Lake put in.
Also, Ontario Northland operates bus routes to and from Toronto to Temagami via North Bay. You may want to check this option out to see if it is more convenient than the train, for you.
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ed
Moderator
Post Number: 338
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 11:26 am: |
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Mushroom:
The only other advice I can provide is that since you are going solo.... and everything you do out there depends on your own abilities .....you should leave your "shrooms' at home, so you have a clear head and a safe trip....... |
bush_pilot
Member
Post Number: 96
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 12:52 pm: |
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Mushroom
I'mm pretty sure the outfitter will drive you to Snake Lake for free, otherwise its a 5 minute walk from the train station on a paved street with very little traffic.
Have fun. |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 8
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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Oh man don't worry about the mushrooms, I would go nuts up there doing shroom all alone. I would never come back and you would begin to hear stories years later about a hairy crazy woodland ape living up a tree on Makobe Lake. Just some booze for the lonely nights.
I wish Ed was dad. My dad is Italian and he doesn't like camping too much (hard to portage with bottles of wine.)
I'll see y'all out on the water |
kim
Member
Post Number: 174
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |
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mushrooms1
Ed can get cranky and I am not sure if he needs any more kids.
He might hire you to portage some gear for him though? |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 9
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 3:35 am: |
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must I worry about the bear situation?...alone? |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 345
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 9:22 am: |
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Mushroom:
Educate yourself about bears by going to some websites that try to do that.
goto: http://www.bearsmart.com/bearFacts/
or read the MNR material on Bear Wise at:
http://bears.mnr.gov.on.ca/
Statistically, you will have a greater chance of being hurt/killed by a car as you cross the street to the bus terminal in Toronto on your way up to Temagami.
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rob_in_angus
Member
Post Number: 12
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 10:02 am: |
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carry a knife just in case ala Tom Tilley. |
mushrooms1
Member
Post Number: 10
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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They wanted 89 bucks for a can of bear spray at a store in Toronto. I'm sure I can find it cheaper up north. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 347
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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For a discussion on this sort of stuff go to:
http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?t =17386&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=bear+spr ay&start=15
And if you really want a laugh read the post by paulr37 at:
http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?t =17062&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=bear+spr ay&start=15
Personally, I would save my money on bear spray.
All the bears, I have ever seen out in the bush have taken one look at me and ran the other way as fast as they could go.
I am not sure if that is because I look a lot like they do and frighten them away. |
hillbilly
Member
Post Number: 203
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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Quote from Kim, "Ed can get cranky".
Quote from Ed, " All the bears, I have ever seen out in the bush have taken one look at me and ran the other way as fast as they could go.
I am not sure if that is because I look a lot like they do and frighten them away.
I think maybe a lot of both.   
(Message edited by hillbilly on August 13, 2006) |
Temagami general