I thought it would be interesting to explore this route, as a part of my last trip during the 2007 canoeing season.

A map of the area published recently by Brian Back on Ottertooth.com indicates that the route from Sugar Lake through Nichol Lake and into Isbister is included in the Sugar Lake Conservation Reserve and is therefore protected from logging. The route from Isbister through Deadtree to Barter and on into Turner Lake is on Crown lands and is not shown on the Temagami Canoe Routes Map.

Time - 2-3 days
Total distance - 21 km
Portages - 10, totalling 3610 m
Longest portage - 1260 m
1:50,000 Topo map - 31 L/13 Ingall Lake

For a detailed Google Earth map of this route, click here.

This is a nice route, ideal for beginners, as it is close to access points, does not involve long, rugged shuttles, and has cell phone coverage. It’s worth doing if only for the beautiful wetlands, which are somewhat unusual in Temagami. Also, Ardahl Lake is an unexpected treat. As for negatives, almost the whole route is within earshot of the highway, especially at night. Expect to see boats and cottages on Brophy, Wilson and Herridge Lakes.

Put in at the Herridge Lake Public Access (5740 Hwy. 11, approximately 8 km south of Temagami). Paddle across Herridge to the Violet Lake portage. Unfortunately, this ten-thousand-year-old nastawgan is now an ATV trail. The portage is 1260 m and is easy to follow. There is a fishing boat cache at the end.

Pondering Violet Creek

Paddle down Violet to the south end. A portage leads down the west side of Violet Creek. This leads to a hunter’s stand, then crosses the creek and continues on to a second stand for a total of 230 m. The creek has enough water for a canoe, but that could easily change with a dry summer or beaver activity. There is beautiful scenery to the next portage, 150 m, on the west side of the creek. The final portage to Wasaksina Lake starts on the west side of the creek, about 30 m upstream from the beaver dam. All three portages along this creek were easy to find and follow, even after a dry month. There are numerous campsites on Wasaksina Lake to choose from.

Set off east, to the 60 m portage from Wasaksina Lake to Greenlaw Creek. This is the second of three lovely paddleable wetlands on this route. If you want to explore a little more, there is a 150 m portage into Beauty Lake here. A 90 m portage takes you into Greenlaw Lake, and a 590 m portage then takes you to Brophy Lake.

Pines on Ardahl Lake

Paddle to the northeast bay of Brophy and Ardahl Creek, the final wetland of the route. Two easy beaver dam liftovers and a 50 m portage bring you to Ardahl Lake, a beautiful small lake. There is a small campsite on a point in the southwest of the lake. The 650 m portage to Wilson Lake is easy to find and follow, with a spectacular old growth white pine about half way along. Wilson is a small recreation lake, with a cottage on nearly every island. Two portages start in the western bay and loop back to Beauty Lake. At 1010 m and 750 m, these make nice hiking trails as well. The 500 m portage to Herridge Lake was cleared, so it should be easy to find and follow.

Temagami Forest

Barter and Isbister are two popular lakes in the Muskego Tract, southeast of Lady Evelyn Lake. They share the misfortune of being right in the middle of Grant Forest Products’ Block 11, which is approximately 28 square kilometres. The two portages here are recognized on the Historic Map of Temagami, but not on the Temagami Canoe Routes map. They are used annually by the youth camps of Lake Temagami when in search of more remote and rugged routes. These portages are recognized by the MNR as Cultural Heritage Trails.

Route #1 - Barter to Isbister Lake via Dead Tree Lake - Disclaimer and Map

Temagami’s Most Endangered Canoe Routes 2007

Once again, we are sorry to present you with the second annual list of Temagami’s Most Endangered Canoe Routes. The first was published last year by the Nastawgan Network, before the Network, Friends of Temagami, and Friends of Chiniguchi joined forces.

After publishing last year’s list, you responded. Thanks to your letters, explorations, and route rehabilitation efforts, we won protection for the Breeze Lake canoe route. Logging on another of last year’s routes, the Charley to Sutton Lake route, has been postponed indefinitely due to operational concerns.

Of course, we will again be seeking your assistance in protecting this year’s Endangered Canoe Routes. Stay tuned to the Nastawgan Traveller newsletter and our forum on Ottertooth for more information.

This also marks the first year that the Endangered Routes list has included routes in the GTA (Greater Temagami Area). The traditional family lands of the Teme-Augama Anishnabe, known as n’daki menan, have been dispersed to four political districts by the MNR: Temagami, Temiskaming, Sudbury, and Nipissing. These boundaries are arbitrary, with little concern for ecological, historical, or recreational realities. They have served to divide the attention of environmentalists and canoeists for years. With the inclusion of endangered routes in all four districts, 2007 marks the end of this distraction.

Seven canoe routes made the 2007 list of Temagami’s Most Endangered Canoe Routes, and are posted below.

Links
Temagami’s Most Endangered Canoe Routes - 2006
Nastawgan Network Forum