| Author |
Message |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 22
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2021 - 4:21 pm: | 
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Father/son trip fly into Smoothwater Lk. Ispatina ridge down Sturgeon Solance wetlands, Florance Lady Evelyn rivers, Willow island lk. up to Maple Mountain back crossing into Lady Evelyn, Diamond, Obabika, Obabika inlet possible Kokoko lk. Kokoko bay east arm lake Temagami back to village. Duration 3 weeks late August trip. Thoughts? |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 186
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2021 - 4:50 pm: |
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Two. A) lucky you! B) camping fees will probably run higher than the fly-in charge. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 23
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2021 - 10:03 pm: |
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You are correct on both accounts. Fees are too high yes! Son turned 18 starts career schooling January 2022 so this fall will be the right time to do this. Fees can not alter once in a life time trip. Will have questions as to weather drought and what if any route changes we may make. example The upper Sturgeon river, lower South lady Evelyn water levels late summer? Enjoy conversation about route other high lights we may take in. |
bushwhacker
Member
Post Number: 7
Registered: 03-2019
| | Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2021 - 8:08 pm: |
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Should be an amazing trip. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "Solace Wetlands" or how much of the Sturgeon you will be doing, but if you're heading to Florence from Solace, I am guessing you're heading east off the Sturgeon from Ghoul Lake towards Selkirk? If this is so, your water levels should be just fine from the Hamlow Nastawagan on to Ghoul Lake, though, the first part of Stull Creek after finishing the Nastawagan can be a walk but only until you reach the Sturgeon proper (about 100-200m) . I did this part of the Sturgeon in October 2016 and don't remember any issues with the low water levels I had on that trip (other than the very last part of Stull Creek). In terms of the LE River, even if the water levels are low for you, you should still have no problem navigating the river at any point east of Florence Lake. I would think that most of the rapids that can normally be run, can still be done in low water. |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 187
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Monday, May 3, 2021 - 1:40 pm: |
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As you have plenty of time on your hands you might consider stepping outside of the parks territory for a night on the way to Florence. The portages might be difficult sometimes (and one is absent altogether), but a detour south from Bluesucker through the Upper Yorston to numbered lakes (as per Hap Wilson) and back north to Florence by Ames creek in my opinion has this preciously untold feeling to it. Talking falls will be within your reach if the road construction crews are not there yet. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 24
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - 11:48 am: |
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Thanks for reply. Yes plan on leaving Sturgeon from Ghoul Lake through Solace Park to Blue Sucker. My mistake! In low water the other possibility was from Hamlow to Regan south into Solace maybe more lake travel. The detour south out of Blue Sucker Yorston back up Ames to Florence looks interesting. Southern Ontario rivers not runnable summertime. Glad you feel we have time, as I am not sure. Not new to Temagami mostly spent east of Hyw. 11 at cabin 5-7 day trips. Looking at maps on rainy days this trip was a day dream. Building canoe, paddles adding to gear, booked holidays told work I would be back upon my return. Not our first trip but looking forward to memory and challenge. |
bushwhacker
Member
Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2019
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - 6:10 pm: |
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I hope to be on the Sturgeon this May and plan on taking the same portages east to Solace Lake, through Selkirk etc. If I can make this happen I will let you know the condition of the portages. I did the Hamlow to Regan to Solace Lake portages back in 2016. I don't remember anything too eventful so you should be fine there if you choose not to take the Sturgeon and then on to Selkirk. As eddy_turn mentioned, the route through Talking Falls is a special part of Temagami so you wouldn't regret that route if you can make it happen. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 25
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 8:46 am: |
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Thanks Have a good and safe trip bushwacker |
bushwhacker
Member
Post Number: 10
Registered: 03-2019
| | Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2021 - 4:34 pm: |
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Hi gone_paddling. The portage from Ghoul Lake to Selkirk is a relatively easy portage despite its length. There are some fresh blowdowns and one stretch towards the end of a 100m of wet slogging but will probably dry up a bit by the time you arrive. It was not marked with a yellow portage sign on the Ghoul Lake side so I actually paddled past it at first but it can be found at a campsite (not marked) and there are some old blazes there on the trees. Once found it is an easy trail to follow.
The Selkirk Lake campsite is a nice one with a great fire pit but water access a bit of a hike from the fire pit.
The five portages from Selkirk Lake to Solace Lake are also uneventful.
The portaging hardship begins when you get to the Bill Lake portage into Maggie. While not too long the undulations are crazy. To start going east from Bill Lake you have a hard climb uphill. Its even worse of an uphill climb going back to get your pack or if you were attempting this portage from the east going west. For me, this was a real tough one.
Even worse though is the portage from Maggie Lake into Pilgrim Lake. The uphill climbs here were insane. I felt like I was a pack mule doing navy seal training. It was hard on me. I approached this potage from east going west but either way it is a tough portage.
However, after those two portages are out of the way next three little short ones into Blue Sucker (through Benner) are easy.
I also did the portages going north west from Solace into Regan Lake. The portage going west out of Broadbent Lake has a steep hill to climb at the beginning but after that these portages into Regan are relatively easy. The long one from Melanson to Regan (or Regan to Melanson) follows a skid road the whole way (except the last 100m which is a bit of a hike uphill) as does the longer portage from Hamlow to Regan.
Finally, the portage from Hamlow to the Sturgeon River is long but easy. Once at Stull Creek you may have to walk the canoe through a 100m or so of Stull Creek before you hit the Sturgeon. Otherwise, you're good.
Hope this helps with your trip. Let me know if you have any other questions. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 26
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2021 - 8:36 am: |
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bushwacker Thanks for your insight, looking forward to the trip. I will check back here mid summer to see how dry the year has been. Thanks |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 27
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 2, 2021 - 11:51 am: |
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Just checking to see how the weather has been this summer. What is the situation in regards to fire bans? How has the summer been for rainfall, has anyone information as to interior water levels? |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1978
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - 1:53 pm: |
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No bans. It was dry into June, but there has been rain since. Water levels are good in the interior, but don't know about Chiniguchi. Bad news: no blueberries. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 28
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 8:55 am: |
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Thanks, has been suggested that we go south out of Blue sucker and back up through Ames creek back into Florence. My concern is summer water levels? Any thoughts? Why no blueberries? |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1979
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 11:24 am: |
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For blueberries probably because spring too dry to get them started. |
gone_paddling
Member
Post Number: 29
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2021 - 8:02 am: |
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Returned from trip, fantastic time, portages tougher on old guy then first thought would be, slowed down the pace enjoyed the trip. Slower pace we cut out our visit to Maple Mountain may do that from Mowat another time. A father and son flew into Smooth water thanks Darren great flight. Two men returned one older had my 64th birthday on route and wiser. One with his eyes and mind opened to all the things life may offer him. He pissed me off for he would throw the canoe over head and just scramble over the rock boulders areas, gracefully slid through the trees on portage well I was just keeping up. He made it look easy, not unlike myself in my twenties. Great trip met a few great people along the way. Enjoyed wilderness watching my son become a man. Close to conclusion 22 days in I asked him if he would ever do it again his answer yes it was the hardest thing he had ever done but it was not that hard and he could see himself doing trips like this again.
Ten months from hatching the idea, designing, building mold, laying up canoe, paddles, planning meals, dehydrate, package check gear add gear, maps, plan route and safety. It was a real learning experience. Mission accomplished. |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 199
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2021 - 11:34 am: |
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Great to hear it, g_p! I know how it feels when your son joins you enjoying a tough trip - probably, one of the most satisfactory and long-lasting experiences to be brought back from the wilderness. Now, it would be a proper time to start planning the next trip. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1989
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2021 - 11:32 am: |
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I know how it feels to slow down and reflect on your younger self. But it is great to know you can still do it, for now. |
Temagami canoe routes & backcountry travel