Canoe Route Conditions – October 2018 Update

[caribou]

WCPP offers nearly 2,000 km of interconnecting canoe routes with many more yet to be established. With only 2 maintenance crews to cover 1.2 million acres of wilderness parkland, we can only hope to make a dent in 1 summer’s work. This thread serves to provide updates on our crew’s progress, identify freshly cleared routes as well as known and reported problem trails and areas. Note that we rely largely on visitor trip reports to share current information on this thread as well as in prioritizing our work efforts in the park.  Your feedback at the end of your trip is very valuable.

“Snow Down, Sawyer Beetles, and now Jack Pine Budworm” – a combination of heavy wet snow and a strong north wind in early October of 2012 resulted in considerable damage.  Snowdown impact is still visible along the shores and the portage trails. It is a good idea to have a hand saw as part of your standard equipment. An infestation of Sawyer Beetles and Jack Pine Beetles is also very noticeable as these insects settle in to take advantage of a damaged forest canopy.  Just as wild forest fires, snowdown events and insect infestations are natural occurrences to which we need to adapt… another reminder that “Nature still Rules” here.

Visited and Cleared this Season 

• The Knox Lake portage reroute has now been completed.  Enjoy the new boardwalk
• The Bloodvein River from Artery to Murdock is done
• Leano to Kilburn to Upper Kilburn to Paull to South Aegean to Aegean was cleared
• Johnson and Onnie Access to Onnie Lk have been cleared
• Eagle to Irregular except for the last portage
• Rostoul thru Cyclops, Adventure, Adventure Creek to Donald
• Upper Chukuni River to Olive Lake and down to Linge and to Knox Lake was recently cleared
• The Dutch River from Thicketwood to Burntwood Lake – anticipate a return in the spring of 2019.

Visited and Cleared in 2017

• Bloodvein River from Murdock to Artery
• Leano to Kilburn
• Garner River to Haggart
• Haggart to Irregular to Beamish, Triangle and back to Haggart
• Haggart to Broken Arrow to Crystal and Wanipigow Ri to Haggart Ri
• Leano to Paull to Burntwood to Mexican Hat Lk – inquire about new reroutes
• Mexican Hat Lk to Glenn to Hansen to Wrist to Welkin to Aegean
• Knox Lk trail – NEW reroute to bypass the 300m stretch of much
• Aegean, South Aegean, down the Bird Ri to Eagle Lk
• Bulging to Adventure Creek to Donald Lk
• Donald west to the Haggart River and down the river to Carroll Lk

Known Problem areas

• Mex.Hat to Nutria stream is a “drag” now until such time as the resident beaver repairs the mega dam.  Water is escaping leaving the upstream segment of the stream a tad difficult to float your boat.
• 1,500m Knox trail has just been rerouted to bypass the 300m stretch of muck at its SE end – the reroute extends from original trail straight South to the shore of the Unnamed Lk and avoids the muck, the creek, the beaver dam – the new trail segment is well marked, has already received traffic, relatively flat terrain but a footpath still a bit rough – a short boardwalk over a wet area has been completed this spring.
• Knox Creek from Young to Knox has a resident beaver that constructed a dam across the creek, leaving very little water to float a boat downstream – not advisable route option at this time
• Indian House Creek to Murdock has several trees across following the 2011 fire which needs clearing
• Routes from Murdock to Irvine is reported to require clearing “again” – choked up with fast growing shrubs and fallen trees post fire
• Welkin to Wrist – 300m – Goat Trail- watch your footing – portage with great caution
• Cyclops Creek from Rostoul – water very low – may require walking the creek bank – trails all need clearing
• Boomerang to Dragon – still a challenge – needs a fix
• Still some issues reported along the MinJim route – the Nile passage is confusing
• Upper Gammon to Prairie Lake route is dry in some areas due to very low water levels

NOTE: We love hearing from your experiences in the park. We rely on your trip reports to share this information with our viewers. Your feedback is valuable to us and to those who are yet to follow your route. Please keep them coming.

<b>Water Levels</b>:   July status = very low.    High or low, each brings its own set of challenges. High water translates to dramatic chutes and rapids, strong currents to consider, and the challenge of keeping feet dry. Generally, in the spring, Knox Creek, Upper Chukuni River, Haggart River, Bird River, eastern parts of the MinJim route, and the small creek east of Upper Gammon Lake all have strong current when high water prevails. Low water means trudging through shallows in smaller systems. The “bony-prone” Simeon Creek, Garner Creek, Cyclops-Rostoul and Linge-Young systems are those to get updates for. The Wanipigow River is moody regardless of the trend for the season – shallow, muddy and choked up one day and gushing with water the next.

**NEW**– Let’s do the Bunny Hop! We re-establish a short little loop option in the Bunny Lake area. This is caribou country and there is lots of sign.

**NEW** –  The link between “C” Lake (south of Donald Lk) to Hammerhead Lk is complete.  Two short portages (70m & 200m) is all it took to create this new link.

**NEW** – The Minjim route and Poodle link have also been completed and added to our network of routes. Foot trails may not be easy to follow in some place seeing that these routes had not been used in many many years. You may have to rely on blazes left by the crews to guide you along the trails.

Sydney and Rowdy –  We have grown in size. All of Sydney and Rowdy Lakes in the southeastern corner of the park, as well as a smaller area along the east shores of Douglas LK, are now regulated as “Park”. This means that these areas now receive the same degree of protection and management consideration as the rest of Woodland Caribou Prov. Park.  Park permits are required. Approved entry to Sydney/Rowdy is via Leano to the north and via Rowdy’s outlet to the south. There is no authorized entry via Sideous Lk in an effort to minimize motorized activities. The large waters of Sydney/Rowdy Lks are an excellent addition to the park as they offer great kayaking opportunities.

RipRap – The placement of “rip-rap” or corduroy in a wetter section of trails helps minimize the impact of visitors walking around a wet or muddy obstacle as well as prevents boots from being sucked in completely. You must still step carefully, for, despite our efforts, these crude boardwalks fall out of place, rot, or float away. Trails are rugged and challenging… a miss-step could prove critical. Exercise diligence in every step you take.

Canoe Route Map– This map is a “must” for planning out your trip.  It is a product of Chrismar Mapping Services and compliments the popular “The Adventure Map” series – waterproof, colored, and very detailed.   Lots of great planning information at your fingertips. You may purchase a copy on this website (store), via your canoe outfitter or by phoning the park office at (807) 727-1329.

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[vern.dewit]

Thanks for the great updates! So glad to see much of the park has seen recent attention – especially the areas in the RED3 burn.

[Author]

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