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hillbilly
Member
Post Number: 175
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 6:10 pm: | 
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It has been my understanding that as long as there was an existing portage or Nastawgan there is no problems in reopening the route.
Bill |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 43
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 8:29 am: |
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Bill and Alex,
Yes, according to the MNR, as long as you stay away from merchantable trees, you can clear an existing portage. I don't plan to cut anything near 4" in diameter, you would have to spend a week clearing it that way.
No worries Alex, I'll walk it first and look for existing signs of the Nastawgan. I’m hoping the traditional route will be pretty easy to see, it appears to follow the natural contours from comparing the Nastawgan Map to the Base Maps, the landings at the several lakes/ponds will be harder to spot I would imagine.
What if anything did you and Chris have to go by when you guys re-opened Solace Lake to Hamlow lake? Where the original portages easy to see and detect? Any suggestions on what to look for as clues?
Regards,
Bill
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c_mel
Member
Post Number: 86
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 9:33 am: |
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Hey Bill,
The thing that became most apparent to me was the need to slow down.
We have always been, I guess you could say "impatient" when tripping. We tend to paddle hard and portage heavy and like to do the distance. This is not always a bad thing, but we have found ourselves pushing the safety envelope a couple times and probably missed some things on the way. We are starting to give ourselves more time so we can still do the distance and not have to rush to make a takeout deadline.
What we did see - some obvious landing points that weren't, some authentic trails that would be easy to miss as they were grown in with bushes - but the footpath was there underneath.
Beware of game trails - I've had it explained to me thusly, "Game trails are distinct in the vicinity of water, but disappear as you move back into the forest. Animals don't travel from lake to lake like humans. They are dispersed in the forest and find their way onto the same trail only as they near the water." - Francis Boyes
So you might find an obvious take out and trail, as we did, but after you travel away from the water it disappears.
We also found, what I believe to be, the ends of the original trail from Hamlow to Regan. We found the take-out on Hamlow. On the Regan side, in the logical location, I believe I saw the original trail under a ridiculous amount of blow-down. I would like to be able to go back with proper tools and time and open it properly.
I've also heard that the best time to locate old trails is in the spring, before the leaves are out. The weight of the snow-pak on the leaves may leave the indentation of the foot path. - Brian Back
Look out for "heritage trees" apparently they used to cut sections out of cedars; "They used the wood for implements and runners on sleds, etc. It was their way of accessing cedar without cutting down the whole tree. Ingenious." - Francis Boyes
We were definately on some nawstawgan going up the Yorston as well. The landings and trail ends were obvious and you just found yourself on portions of the original trail - I believe anyway.
In my opinion, time is the key. Set up a base camp and poke around. Try a couple of different angles of approach. Take some ribbon and mark your way - when you find the original trail, mark it up and down and try to get it as close as posible. Then, in my opinion, blaze the trail and remove the ribbon. I expect disagreement here - that's fine. But make the trails end as apparent as possible.
Contact Craig Macdonald - he is the acknowledged nawstawgan expert.
I have a bunch of related thoughts and how all this reltes to the TIP...We should start a new thread...
Chris
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onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 44
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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Chris,
Thanks, it all sounds like good advice. I’ll write to Craig Macdonald for his expert opinion, and I need to get a new copy of Nastawgan too.
As for allowing enough time, I’ll be on Obabika for a week. I plan to do a day trip, and fish for pike but that won’t take long in May. A few days walking the bush and clearing trails, will be a fun diversion. If I’m going to phart around, it may as well be to some good purpose. (hope that clears the digital mouthwash, Brian.)
Too, It may be that clearly marking these portages, and documenting them with MNR could eventually save them from destruction. It’s something to hope for anyway.
I’ve got some folks going with me to help, and we're taking proper tools too. You’re welcome to sign on, many hands and all that....
Regards,
Bill
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kim
Moderator
Post Number: 134
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 6:52 pm: |
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Bill
What dates are you up there in May? |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 45
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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Kim,
The plan is the 21st through 27th. I have to go over to Temagami one day (the 22nd I think.) You thinking about going around then? We're planning a one day kayak - Thistle Lake to River Valley on the Temagami River.
Bill |
kim
Moderator
Post Number: 136
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
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onlypassnthru
I just might be up there then?
I will get back to you.
Sounds like the kayakers are invading Temagami.
Look out Ed! |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 46
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:26 am: |
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Kim,
You'll be welcome to throw in with us. Let me know.
Regards,
Bill |
hillbilly
Member
Post Number: 183
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
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onlypassnthru,
Please let me know what sites you have placed the thunderboxes and if you were able to get the portage into Clearwater and then through the small ponds or lakes south and back into Obabika Lake at Chinaman's Bay. If you were unable to complete then I will finish when I am up there the last week on June. I also plan on checking out and if needed will clear the portage (nawstawgan) into Upper Bass and Allen Lakes unless you or someone else knows of one out of Obabika area that has a higher need to be cleared.
Bill |
kim
Moderator
Post Number: 149
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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I checked out the T box at Ranger Point last weekend.Heavy snow load broke the roof....again.I may have to reconsider the design.
Vandals destroyed the solar light and threw it in the "hole".I was not retrieving it.
Lots of new journal entries from last season. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 568
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:21 am: |
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If you open up new portages, let me know ASAP so we can try and get them mapped and posted.
Brian |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 55
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
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Brian,
I'll send GPS co-ordinates on the Clearwater Route, T-box locations, and the new portage into south Obabika. Pictures too, I hope. The Clearwater route is not new, it is on Craig Macdonald's Nastawgan. We are just brushing and marking it.
Regrets at my splitting hairs, Brian. It is important from a PC perspective for me to make it clear that this is a documented route(and CYA.)
The new southern route into Obabika is courtesty of unknown snow-mobilers last Winter. I don't think they had MNR sanction to do it, but I hope some canoe people will benefit from it.
I'll try to send some stuff around the 1st of June. Please be sure to credit the Nastawgan Network for re-claiming the Clearwatter portage, and potty installations. http://nastawgan.ca/index.html
Regards,
Bill
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onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 56
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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(Hillbilly) Bill,
I was planning on putting a t-box at the Upper Bass portage, and also one at the camp site on the north bank Obabika River (accross from Mathias'.) If there are other places that are more in need, let me know and I can change the plan.
Thanks,
(passn) Bill |
alscool
Member
Post Number: 86
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 8:56 am: |
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There is a pretty good TBox on the point accross from Al Mathias. He put one there himself only a few years back. Shimmy's Point, the beach campsite in the first bay south of Mathias' also has a new half barrel crapper that I installed two seasons ago. (coutesy of Ed and Kim)
You may want to check out sites further south, or a good site would be the first rapids on the Obabika River. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 569
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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Onlypassin, splitting hairs is good. Fur balls bad.
Not sure why a TBox on a portage is a good location. There are a couple of campsites just south of the Narrows (Goulard's) that get heavily used that I would think are in more need of help. |
alscool
Member
Post Number: 87
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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There is a campsite at the rapids across from the old logging camp is there not? |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 57
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:41 am: |
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Hi All,
Ed had mentioned (back in Feb) one on the north bank of the Obabika being fallen down, but he may have been talking about the rapids rather than at Mathias'.
I guess I'll get up there and look around, I know camp sites near the portages into Temagami get alot of use during the season. I was trying to be accomodating with the accomodations.
I don't think they will be wasted where ever they end up. They will be properly placed back from the lake bank, actual portages, and camps. Powder blue blazes too.
Regards,
Bill
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kim
Moderator
Post Number: 151
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:22 pm: |
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Here is the poop on poop
http://www.poopreport.com/
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otter_mel
Member
Post Number: 40
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Boy, Kim!!
I'm pooped from reading all that |
kim
Moderator
Post Number: 152
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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Makes me feel like I am fairly normal when I read a site like that.
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hillbilly
Member
Post Number: 184
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 3:42 am: |
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I did not see a T Box at the old logging camp at the portage on the river (right side or West side) I may put one there in late June when I am there.
Bill |
onlypassnthru
Member
Post Number: 59
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 8:33 am: |
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Hillbilly Bill,
The Nastawgan into clearwater is paint blazed, burshed and cleared. There are beaver active in the area, so how long it will remain so is questionable, but they don't usually chew anything real big.
The portage is really nice. Hugh trees, some show native ax blazes seamed shut, the trail itself is well worn. It is in good shape, and an easy 0.3 km with 3 small hills and one muskeg area. One negative, Obabika Lodge has a boat cache at the put in on Clearwater (although the lodge is closed to customers again this year.) It is well marked on the Obabika side, third bay south of the sand bar. The Nastawgan camp site north of the return on the point at Clearwater is nice too.
We looked at the route from Clearwater back to Obabika. It goes into the 1st bay north of Chinaman's Bay. There is a fair amount of work there.
We had some weather issues while we were there, and didn't get the t'boxes out. I wanted to blaze Clearwater, because I knew you were going to followup. If you want, I left one t-box at my cottage, and you are welcome to get it and the hardware. It is (mostly) pre-drilled, and ready for assembly, in 6 parts (sides, top and lid.) If not I place it next trip up.
Regards,
Bill
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hillbilly
Member
Post Number: 187
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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onlypassnthru,
Thanks for the info Bill. I will beup there on the 24th June and will be there for a week. I will try to cut the route from Clearwater back down to Obabika. I do not know where your cottage is but I plan on bringing plastic barrels up for thunderboxes.
If you want to e-mail me the location of your cottage you can at bsuabill@netscape.net
or if Alex knows where it is I could ask him. I will put yours up if I need and have time to put up a 4th box.
Bill |
paul_hammersten
Member
Post Number: 242
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
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Speaking of ' poop reports ' !
BLACK WATER
“ The dark water wells along, and the branches droop to kiss it. “
from the story “ Black Water and Shallows “
in PONY TRACKS
by Frederic Remington
- 1895 -
Tripping territories, especially those canoed with the younger boys, changed a lot over the years. For example, when tripping Lake George in New York forty years ago, the first thing we did on arrival was paddle out to the island and check in with the Ranger, go over our itinerary with him then reserve our campsite and pay for permits. If he was not in his cabin, we simply paddled on down the lake to our first nights campsite. Sometime during the next four days and nights the Ranger would catch up with us.
There were always campsites available and wood for cooking and campfires was plentiful. However the last time I tripped Lake George, still as beautiful a lake as any to canoe with it’s clear deep waters, we had to reserve our campsites weeks in advance and also had to truck in our supply of firewood and carry it from campsite to campsite in the canoes. The lake had become so crowded with other campers and boaters, that the type of wilderness canoeing experience I most enjoyed and liked to expose the boys to was no longer possible on Lake George.
One tripping territory that remained a good place to canoe throughout the 1970's was the Oswegatchie River and Cranberry Lake in New York State. Known to old timers as The Land of the Loon, it had the special distinction of being one of my favorite artists chosen Adirondack retreat. Frederic Remington became famous as an artist of the Old West, but it was here in The Land of the Loon he was happiest and created his wonderful illustrations for Henry Longfellow’s epic poem about the land and people of the northwest wind Keewaydin, THE SONG OF HIAWATHA. Remington’s short story, “ Black Water and Shallows “, tells the tale of a canoe trip he took on the West Branch of the Oswegatchie River. We canoed the East Branch, also known as the Main Branch, of the Oswegatchie [ pronounced ‘ aks-wugh-GAH-chee ‘ which meant Black Water to the Indians who gave the river its name. ]
If the water in the river was high enough one could put in and take out at the lumber camp that became the village of Wanakena [ pronounced wa-na-KEE-na ]. Our trips began with a ‘ guzzle ‘ in the Wanakena General Store. We would then walk over to Herbert Keith’s house for a visit. Keith, then retired, knew the river like the back of his hand. Herbert F. Keith was the last of the “ old Adirondack guides “. He wrote the north woods classic MAN OF THE WOODS that tells of his life on and love for the Black Water. MAN OF THE WOODS was first published in 1972 and the book was our guide for opening up the wonders we re-discovered each trip.
The Oswegatchie was a windy river about thirty feet wide with a few rapids class two or less between Inlet and High Falls. Most of the rapids were found in a mile and a half stretch of the river that ran between Inlet and Wanakena. These rapids were rated a class two with one drop rated class four. The boys were assured some shooting, setting, poling, snubbing, lining and, when the water was low, dragging and portaging.
The trip from Wanakena to High Falls along the narrow windy river was difficult to paddle because we also had to buck the current. However the boys hard work was rewarded by sightings of deer in the alder thickets, and bear paw prints in the mud along the bank.We were also privileged to view the magnificent white pines, the largest stand of virgin timber in the North East about which Remington wrote in his story, “ The original forest tree has a character all its own, and I never see one but I think of the artist who drew secon-growth timber and called it ‘ the forest primeval ‘ “ .
The secluded High Falls, with it’s fifteen foot drop, was another wonder to behold. Few canoeists took the two hundred yard portage around the falls and continued up river. If they had, they could have seen beaver dams, heard the report of their tails smacking the waters surface, drunk crystal clear water from the “ hidden “ spring hole and watched for hours the multitude of native brook trout swim in the shallow waters under and along side their canoes.
My last trip with the boys on the Oswegatchie River was one of my best especially because when we canoed in late August we noticed the numbers of our normally voracious “ two winged friends “ - the black flies, mosquitoes, moose flies, deer flies, horse flies and no-see-ums - had considerably dropped because of the cold nights.
That trip the boys had a great ‘ guzzel ‘ in the store and a memorable visit with The Man of the Woods. The work ascending the river was fun and challenging. Our second nights campsite within hearing distance of High Falls seemed so good we decided to camp there on the forth night of the trip after spending a night with the beaver in the wilds of the upper reaches of the river.
When we camped for the second time at High Falls, one of the boys awoke with a severe case of diarrhea. Although the temperature would reach eighty degrees during the day, each night it would drop well below 40 degrees. Unknown to me, throughout the night Rocky had to repeatedly leave the warmth and comfort of his sleeping bag and tent and make “ Fort calls “. [ Keewaydin trippers called restrooms, toilets, and outhouses “ Forts “ in those days. ]
When boys are the age my trippers were they often find “ toilet humor “ especially funny. However no one was singing the song they found so amusing when they sang it two days earlier as we paddled up the Oswegatchie River to High Falls.
“ When your paddling up the river and you feel something splatter - it’s Black Water! “
Poor Rocky was not a happy camper. We hoped he did not have a serious infection. I believed his condition was his systems response to the rigors of the trip, the extremes in temperature, residues of dish washing soap on the pannikins, combined with the rich spaghetti dinner we ate the night before without the cheese I forgot to pack in the food wannigan.
Because of my training, I knew to make sure Rocky had adequate water to drink and only small portions of food to eat. There was no medicine for diarrhea in the med-kit supplied by the camp Doctor the contents of which I had gone over with the camp nurse before we left for the wilds.
We broke camp as soon as we could and paddled as quickly as we could down the river. We didn’t take the time to work the lower rapids but left the canoes at Inlet. While Rocky stayed at Inlet with the assistant trip leader and some of the boys who started to set up our final camp, with the rest of the trippers I ran over the portage trail that followed the river. We got to the Wanakena General Store just as it was about to close and bought medicine.
Rocky only had to make a few “ Fort calls “ that night, and by the time the truck and trailer arrived shortly after breakfast to take us back to camp in Vermont, he was once again a happy camper.
Best
Paul |
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