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Route description: Nunikani route
- Posted by
- msandwun
- Date posted
- Jul 29, 2005
- Date last travelled
The region does not seem quite as congested as Algonquin, albeit the topography and watersheds are the same. There is a large block of crown land, the Leslie Frost area, that sits on the highlands. Adjacent to this is a private forest reserve with a continuation of the routes all the way through to Algonquin. (The Haliburton Highlands Reserve does require permits and reservations.)
Maps of the Leslie Frost area can be obtain from Chrismar, from the township of Kawartha Lakes, and from the Frost centre directly. The campsites and portages are well marked on all 3 maps.0 Be aware that there was a campsite limit of 10 people and 3 tents, with a $100 fine for exceeding this. The signs advising this are still there, and MNR may still be monitoring the lakes.
To get to the Kennisis-Red Pine-Nunankani-Big Hawk loop, drive to Haliburton, and continue through on the 118 till you hit West Guilford. Turn right onto Kennisis Lake road, and follow this for 25 km. The road meets up with Kennisis Lake and follows it around - continue all the way till you come to the dam, ignoring the various turn-offs and early accesses to the water.
The route follows the still-water through to Red Pine and across to the dam above Nunikani. There are boats, albeit not many, on Red Pine, and some excellent campsites on the group of islands facing as you emerge into the lake. The campsite on the island immediately to the right, as well as immediately facing you, both look like prime real estate.
Follow the stillwater below the dam into Nunikani. If you have not paddled moving water ... there may be a strong return eddy below the chute - walk downstream a bit if so. Nunikani has one glorious campsite with rock, sunsets, large pines and small mosquitoes - follow the lake south till it opens to the west, and the campsite is on the rock to your right. There are several other campsites, all of which look quite passable, but which don't have quite the space.
The exit from Nunikani is a portage past a dam and gorge to the south, and into Big Hawk. The rapids at the bottom are quite swimmable - hop in below the last ledge, keep your feet up, and don't forget to yell yee-haw when going through the haystacks.
Although there are a few cottages and power boats on Big Hawk, there is still wildlife to watch - we saw a mink by the water's edge, and buzzards circled us near the portages.
Complete the loop by carrying up into Clear, and then back into Red Pine. There are numerous off-shoot creeks, small lakes, and carries into larger watersheds - the area probably rates a longer run than a weekend, given the driving time. Classis canoeing and swimming country - give if a try if you like the Algonquin area and want to try something less crowded.
