By:  Chris Melanson

I have been considering many of the so-called “lost routes” in Temagami for quite a few years now. It is one of the region’s great attractions that a few untrammeled areas have managed to somehow endure, despite the constant pressure of development, access and extractive land-use. It is a particularly rare thing in this day and age, that one may yet take a treasure map and embark upon a mission of high adventure, filled with questions, unknowns about The Land and mysteries of the past.

Lest anyone construe that The Land is traversed in routes just waiting to arise from 50 or 150 years of growth, be assured that this is not the case. There are yet a few routes though, that with a bit of time and patience, sweat and suffering, may yet be found. It is with some reluctance, and perhaps a bit of selfishness, that I compose this. But it has come to light recently, perhaps in part due to my own actions, that there seems to be a renewed interest in this type of activity. Please don’t not infer from this writing that I am in any way an expert in the art of way-finding, for this is certainly not the case. In fact, had it not been for the GPS, I would have lost both my canoe and duffle, and probably myself, on some bit trail that was in fact not.

However, in spite of whatever else is lacking, I would like to relay the following notes: This is not a game for those who are planning a typical backcountry style canoe trip. The route will be very difficult, obscure at best and the way-makers may have long fallen away to age, growth or the boot of industrial man. Camping may be very poor and improvisation will be required and one may have to make do with whatever is at hand.  One should also be willing to spend days looking for that trail; trying either end, and if neither reveals the path – be willing to make your way through with gentle respect for The Land. Look closely for those way markers and be wary of “turning-trees,” flag and re-flag as required and go back to remove what is not essential to navigation. Be willing to throw away hours or days, mark softly and walk softly. The trail will be where it needs to be, not where you think it should be or where any map says it is.

The last thing that anybody should want is to see a historic route become trashed, lost to a hastily pushed line, or graphitized in unnecessary blazes and miles of flagging tape. Best to leave it alone, should that be your intent, skill or allotted time available for such a task.

This is not an activity for the brash, the impatient or those interested in “doing the distance.” Nor will there be any glory waiting on the other side. For those plan-makers and bureaucrats that have become somehow entrusted with The Land may very well ignore your efforts, refute the validity and importance of your discovery and dismiss all of your concerns due to an apparent lack of lineage and for their own convenience.  However, all is not lost on this end: that part of the trail still lies before us…