| Author |
Message |
sblakeley
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2016
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 7:23 pm: | 
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Hello everybody, this is my first time taking part in the Ottertooth forum although I have been following it for a while. I spent all of my summers on Temagami when I was younger as my dad had a cottage there. I know the lake itself pretty well and most or the surrounding ones but this summer I am planning on trying something more ambitious, mainly the Forence Lake route. My plan is do this in 10-12 days starting and ending back at Sandy Inlet.
I plan to go through Wakimika and the series of lakes west of there on the way over although I know that is not the recommended direction to go. The thing is I would like to make the return by the Lady Evelyn River as I have been on it before.
My question is whether it is possible to go through Lewbert Lake to Ames Creek. On some maps the portages are listed as unconfirmed. Would this be a better route than coming up the Ames from Pinetorch? I am little worried about finding the portages on the Ames as they seem hard to locate. Also, is it possible to make it through that mud hole they call Skooztagan? I understand in dry years it can be a challenge and I don't want to get stuck there.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1734
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2016 - 10:11 am: |
|
If it is on a map on Ottertooth, it is confirmed. Unlike other maps that are published using info from other maps or info in forums, everything on an Ottertooth map is there from actual exertion. And they can be revised regularly as conditions change.
So yes, the Lewbert route is there and well used.
http://ottertooth.com/Temagami/Maps/heartland01.ht m
If you are coming from Wakimika, heading to Florence, Lewbert is the easier route. Thanks to the beavers, the route around Skooztagan has changed dramatically, for the better. Check the above map. |
sblakeley
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2016
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 1:20 pm: |
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Thanks for the information Brian. I'm glad to the see that beavers are making things easier for the canoers. |
yellowcanoe
Member
Post Number: 158
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - 11:10 am: |
|
What is the recommended direction for this route, and why? |
grncnu
Member
Post Number: 409
Registered: 08-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2016 - 2:28 am: |
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Recommended direction is slightly controversial actually. Hap's guide says clockwise. On Ottertooth the preference I think is counterclockwise, and for one reason- the portage from Nasmith to Hap's "lake #13" which is now named, though I can't recall the name- the very steep uphill portage, I believe it's around 1700M.
Having done that portage in both directions, I'd say yes obviously it's easier downhill, but in the end maybe it makes a half-hour difference in a week-plus trip (an hour if you double portage).
So it's just a minor difference when you get right down to it.
Personally I prefer clockwise because then you get to run down the LER- to the extent that's possible of course depending on water levels! |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1746
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2016 - 6:43 am: |
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The portage from Ames to Lewbert going counterclockwise would be a brute. So six of one and half a dozen of the other. But as grncnu said, that actual difference in time is minor. |
yellowcanoe
Member
Post Number: 159
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, June 4, 2016 - 9:58 pm: |
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Thanks brian and grncnu.
Another question. Is nine days too short to complete this loop...generally speaking?
|
grncnu
Member
Post Number: 410
Registered: 08-2010
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016 - 11:34 am: |
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Hard to answer that as everyone travels at their own pace- if it was me I would prefer a couple extra days- then again last time we were on Pinetorch lake we shared the campsite with a couple of Norwegians in their 20's who said it was only their 2nd night out from Sandy Inlet... |
Temagami canoe routes & backcountry travel