| Author |
Message |
typhoonit
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 4:07 am: | 
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I'm planning a trip around Smoothwater Lake and Ishpatina Ridge.
I'm hoping start with Beauty Lake to Kaa Lake, and across through Waburn and Sunnywater, towards Smoothwater. However, I've read that the Lady Evelyn River might not be Navigable from Beauty Lake to Kaa at the end of June.
Does this mean it is impassible muck, or simply might need more liftovers?
My route then includes a trip to Ishpatina and back up the Montreal River to Beauty Lake Road.
Also, I would appreciate any input as to the viability of this route for a 6 day trip at the end of June, or any changes you might recommend. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 808
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 7:58 am: |
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typhoonit:
The future water levels at the end of June are a bit unpredictable this year. The snow melt was very low this Spring and there has been little rain in the area.In previous years the water levels would have been adequate for your trip.
People will soon be tripping and we should begin to get some good quality feedback on water levels over the next 4-6 weeks.So stay tuned.
The trip you are proposing seems to be a bit long for 6 days. 7 days would be better, unless you are prepared to put in some long hours.
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typhoonit
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 6:38 pm: |
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Thanks Ed, this is what I was concerned about. I appreciate your insight.
We are looking forward to putting in a few long days.
Is the major concern about water levels on this trip related primarily to the Upper Lady Evelyn between Beauty Lake and Kaa Lake?
As a backup route if the water levels are low, would it be possible to put in closer to Kaa Lake and avoid some of the Upper Lady Evelyn?
To facilitate this, if required we could bring a bicycle to return the car to the nearest reasonable parking area. This would also cut one day travel off the trip.
What do you think of this backup plan? |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 809
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 7:36 am: |
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typoonit:
I am concerned about water levels throughout Temagami, not that we can do anything about them.
http://www.ottertooth.com/Temagami/newsbriefs.htm
This picture taken by Brian Back on April 16th at Twin Falls on the Sturgeon tells a lot.For this time of year, the Falls should be a raging torrent. Brian says it looks more like the water levels experienced in June 2008 after considerable rain in the spring. So unless we have significant rain as spring progresses, levels will drop. Brian also says, water levels for Temagami are not set in granite just yet either.
____________
I haven't travelled from Beauty Lake south to Kaa, so I don't know if that will be a problem this year. I have travelled upstream fom Gamble to Kaa, in the spring and that was doable. Also from Kaa through Barr, Wabun, Sunnywater etc.is usually OK.
The bike idea is a possibility and would save some trip time for you..
I would plan your trip, but keep an eye on the canoe forums to see what develops waterwise as we move into May and June.
Typhonit, to keep things in perspective, this is the first time, I can recall that we have ever considered low waters in the Temagami area in the spring.
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typhoonit
Member
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 4:24 pm: |
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Thanks Ed. |
typhoonit
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 11:31 pm: |
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I just heard from Temagami Outfitters that a group last year were unable to navigate the portages from Kaa lake to Wabun Lake.
Has anyone had any recent experience with that route? |
pager
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 1:03 pm: |
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If you are still planning this trip, you can drive to and put in at Kaa.
I was there this past weekend and the water is low. |
rootbrian
Member
Post Number: 19
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 4:02 pm: |
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I have a cabin on Beauty Lake and have done Beauty to KAA. Last year the water was high.. there are quite a few lift overs (Beaver damns) but I kind of like the trip. Isolated.. From back beauty to Island is a portage about the size of a football field.. You can Drive to KAA but unfortunately you can drive almost anywhere back there now. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1185
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 9:47 am: |
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What shape are the portages in between Beauty and Kaa? |
rootbrian
Member
Post Number: 20
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 3:58 pm: |
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The portages are rough but only one main portage and that is from Beauty back to Island Lake. You can also drop in at Island from the Beauty Lake Road. Otherwise, if the water is high enough you can follow creek the entire way to KAA with just some lift overs.
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typhoonit
Member
Post Number: 8
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 4:13 am: |
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So no word on the Kaa to Waburn then? I might just go in and out the Montreal river then and go a bit past Ishpatina. I'd rather get lost in the middle of the trip rather than the start.  |
Temagami canoe routes & backcountry travel