YCCC...............Ottawa's Canoe Camping Club

This trip was taken August 12 - 17, 2003. Take Highway 17 through North Bay and Sturgeon Falls to a point roughly 11 kms west of Markstay. Turn right onto Kukagami Lake Road (McEwen Gas station at the corner) and drive 22 kms to Matamagasi Lake Road. Turn left onto this road and drive 5kms. Bear right at a fork and drive 1.4 kms to where the road splits 3 ways. Keep to the right and park in this area. The put in is just over to your right.

Using topographical map 41-I/15 Milnet, paddle north on Matamagasi Lake. There are a few campsites on the western shore after you pass Goalscap Island. As you reach the northern tip of the lake there is a swift coming at you (lining up may be possible but was not checked). The portage (350m) is to your right (relatively flat). The put is in a bit rocky.

Paddle a short distance (200 m) and take out on the right side. Take the steep - mainly gravel and firm ground - portage (360 m) over fairly good ground. Shortly after a shallow ditch bear left to the put in. This is a good spot for a swim or paddle over to your left and check out Paradise Lagoon.

Paddle up Silvester Lake and through the narrow swift into Wolf Lake. With the right water conditions, you can paddle up the swift. Check out incredibly clear aquamarine water of the southwest bay of Wolf Lake. There is a large campsite on the western shore.

In the northwest corner of the lake, just to the right of a small waterfall there is a short (190m) portage to Dewdney Lake that crosses a road. The put-in is a fairly steep rock slab.

Dewdney Lake (disappointing after Wolf Lake) is an easy paddle. At the norther end of the lake take the flat (but muddy in spots) portage (540 m) to Chiniguchi Lake. We did the long paddle up and around to McConnell Bay. McConnell Bay has excellent camping spot with dozens of flat tent pads (trees are bit sparse in spots) and a huge sandy beach). This is a great spot for a break day.

The portage (750 m) to Laura Lake is on the eastern shore and is the worst portage of the trip. Bear right at a fork about 250 m in. You have to straddle fallen trees. The worst part is a boggy section where you will need to step on logs and branches to avoid sinking to knee level. As you approach Laura Lake watch for the short steep rock slab (make sure to wear proper footwear).

There are a couple of good swimming stops on islands in Laura Lake halfway down the lake. As you enter Laura Creek you encounter the most significant inaccuracy in Lost Canoe Routes. The portage (800m) is on the left (east side) not the right and is further south as the creek narrows and becomes plugged with trees. There is a rocky take out onto a narrow path in the trees. You will reach a road 60 m later. Turn right and walk over the bridge about 700 m down the road to the put in on your left. The put in is a bit steep with long grasses (easiest just to wade in the water to install your packs). Paddle to the east (left)to the next portage.

The next portage is on the east (left) side of the creek (not on the right indicated by Kevin Callan). The portage (400 m) is up a steep embankment and then is an excellent trail for about 340 m. The trail then dips down to creek level and may be a bit mucky. You may need to wade with your canoe for a few metres before paddling. Paddle into Evelyn Lake.

There are two good campsites on islands at the southern end of Evelyn Lake. The one to the right is small (two tents max.) and is full of blueberries). The island to the left has a high embankment on its western shore with camping on this shore. The interior of the small island is, unfortunately, a sea of toilet paper.

Paddling south from Evelyn Lake, avoid the 200 m portage (we couldn't find it anyway) by wading your canoe for all of maybe 10 metres. The portage (950 m) is on the left (west side)(not to the right indicated in Lost Canoe Routes)up a fairly steep embankment. The portage trail is excellent for most of the way. At one point the main path continues south with a fork (marked by a ribbon on a bush) to your right. Take the fork and walk along the rocks to the put in. Paddle then into Irish Lake.

Paddle down Irish Lake to the portage on the east (left) side of the lake. There is a fairly steep rock slab at the take out, but the portage is otherwise quite easy. Put in at Bonesteel Lake and paddle down the lake to a take out on the west (right) side of the lake. The portage (about 60 m) is a bit rocky at the put in.

Paddle south on Wessel Lake. There is a portage on your left (east side)of the lake halfway down the lake. The portage is just south of the creek. Unlike the lift-over indicated in Lost Canoe Routes, the trail is about 200 m and includes a fairly steep drop on a good trail (covered in pine needles)to an acceptable put-in.

Paddle south on the river to a rocky take out on the east (left) side of the river. The portage (700 m) is generally in very good condition. The put-in at McCarthy Bay is acceptable ( a bit narrow)with an acceptable island campsite immediately across.

Paddle down McCarthy Bay through a narrow section with pictographs on the north shore. The rest of the paddle is wide open and may be subject to significant wind.

Overall, this is a very good trip, particularly if the weather is co-operative.