Quetico -- Last of the Summer

Submitted by Serenest on
Outing Type → 
Flatwater

Twelve days in the Park, catching the last of the summer. Water levels are relatively high, and the bugs are gone. There are fish. The portage crews have been through. The park had about 14 % burn last year, but there are currently no fires in the park. The plan is to seek the virgin forest in the park. From Baptism Creek to Baptism Lake to Cache, a rather long portage; if water levels are high, Cache River; if not, another long portage to McKenzie. Then over to Shan Walshe and back up through Kahshahpiwi/Chatterton and out through French.

The Basics
Event Location

Quetico

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
12 nights in the park
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
08/24/2022
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Quiet strong types and anyone else who can pretend to be one.
Maximum Group Size
3 boats
Minimum Group Size
2
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Meetup at French Lake; Plan is to head in from Baptism Creek. Skirting newly burnt areas, the trip will visit the Virgin forest of Shan Walshe Lake, the old pines which survived the recent burn. Tentative: Baptism, Trouser, McKenzie, Kawnipi Lake, Agnes, Shawn Walshe, Kahshawpiwi, Sark, McDougall, Chatterton, Sturgeon, Lonely, Walter, Jesse, Maria, Quetico and out at French.

Required Items to Bring

It can get chilly in early September in Quetico, particularly when it rains. So it is important that cool weather gear be brought, although some summer conditions are also expected. Boats, paddles, food etc.. as per back country; there are rentals available near the park.

Recommended Items to Bring

Fishing gear is a plus.

How to Get There
Event Directions

French Lake is on Highway 11, about 14 hours from Toronto. Thunder Bay airport is possible, shuttle is possible for one or two with my car, or can be arranged with local outfitters It's an hour and half from the Park. There is a campground on French Lake, where a night can be booked before the trip. Cars are left there.

Carpool Info

Possible from Toronto for one or two. Gas is about 700 return, split however many ways.

Other
Notes

I've done Quetico many times, often over the labour day weekend, although I never made it down to Shan Walshe. Like to leave early and paddle/portage til mid afternoon; winds pick up in the late morning. The trip will avoid white water. I plan on renting a satellite phone for the journey, just in case.Try as I might, portages are a two-carry.

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