| Author |
Message |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 117
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 10:49 am: | 
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Heads up for those traveling south of Scooztawagan lake: some portages in this area are not in the best shape. Particularly:
- northern part of P1035 Scooztawagan-Ames portage, before the crossing of Ames creek where Lewbert portage merges. There are 2 large deadfalls obliterating the trail with bypasses marked by flagging tape. The woods are open in this area, which makes detour relatively painless.
- portage further south, from the creek crossing to Ames lake: there's a huge deadfall beginning right at the crossing. It requires some serious cleaning. I didn't find a way around it. Tape here marks the general direction of the trail, which is possible to follow with some perseverance. After you done with it the remainder of the portage is mostly in good shape.
- portage P650 between Ames creek and Lewbert lake has some large downed trees at both ends, with many smaller trees on top of them. Everything except the bigger trees could be walked through following the tape.
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brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1836
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 3:14 pm: |
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Super helpful info. Thanks Eddy. |
grncnu
Member
Post Number: 442
Registered: 08-2010
| | Posted on Monday, September 11, 2017 - 11:09 pm: |
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Gee, I wish I'd read this thread 3 weeks ago...
Anyway the situation is much better now... I haven't done that much axe-work in Temagami in more than 20 years! It was all exactly as Eddy described it. I cleared both ends of the Lewbert to Ames Creek portage, which was about 6 or 7 decent-sized trees, but not the biggest one, an 11-inch Jackpine just before the creek, but that one's OK as it's just the right height to pass the canoe over as you duck under. I did remove all the branches so you can do this.
Heading towards Scooztawgan, we used the go-around Eddy described for the 2 downed trees but they wouldn't take long to clear (I just didn't have the energy at that point).
Also, at the north end of the short portage just before Scoozatawgan the trail just ended at a pool with a 6-foot beaver dam so I cleared a short portageable trail to the lake. It's tricky with the canoe, you have to back up at one point to get through, it should be improved upon.
I also had to chop several big blowdowns on the portage just east of Beaver Lake and... on the Shangri-la portage on the LER... go figure! |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1849
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 8:55 am: |
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I'll watch for your blood, sweat and tears the next time I'm there. |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 119
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 2:33 pm: |
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You are a hero! My guess the 11" pine is there to stay, and as you said - it's fine. It's amazing how much could be done with 8" folding saw, but sometimes I regret that I don't carry an ax on my trips. Well, I'm almost at my single-carry load limit as it is. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1850
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 9:51 am: |
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I replaced my axe with even lighter loppers, and have never regreted it. I may not get that deadfall out of the way but can carve a trail around it. |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 120
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 4:01 pm: |
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Loppers are priceless for clearing an overgrown trail and combing out unmovable deadfall. Together with saw they can take care of most problems in a safer way than an axe. And they weight less than my camp chair, which kind of brings things into balance. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1851
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2017 - 8:09 am: |
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The camp chair: have you found a gem? |
eddy_turn
Member
Post Number: 121
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2017 - 10:47 am: |
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May be. Alite Mayfly with front leg. It weighs around 1.5lbs and packs small. I broke it twice in the first season (2013) and it was twice replaced by the manufacturer, but I believe they improved the design since then. Have to admit I'm way over 200lbs. My wife's Mayfly has no issues. |
Temagami canoe routes & backcountry travel