Has anyone done this recently? How was it?

I looked into this a couple of years back. The trickiest part might be finding the portage takeout from the river to Bellaire. Then there is the swamp to negotiate on the way. It's not impossible, but it is challenging. There are some old trip reports kicking around. I'll see if I can locate one and post a link

I have done some exploring in that area. Here is a trip report where I go from Belaire to and from the Wawiag. This was a exploratory trip for a later trip which can be read about in the fall 2017 issue of BWJ starting on page 68 by Darrel Brauer. The trip in 2017 we paddled down the Wawiag from the park eastern Quetico boundary to Kawnipi. The section of the Wawiag you would be paddling is winding and had a significant current in June when we did it. Not that you can’t paddle up it but the current in very noticeable. We were looking for the portage but not very hard and did not see it. The portage has a bad reputation. The bushwhack I did was longer but not hard but would be easy to get lost on.

In late May 2019 I did a solo trip from Cache Bay, Saganagons, Ross, Bitchu, Cullen, Munro, to Mack. And then up the Wawiag where I experienced a great moose sighting and a hilarious incident with a pair of geese frantically trying to lead me away from their nest and fluffy panic stricken goslings (I didn't know goslings could swim underwater).

The water was higher than normal and it took me about two and a half hours to paddle from the Mack Creek/Wawiag River intersection to the Greenwood Creek. Twice I've paddled down the Wawiag from Greenwood Creek and each time took about 2 hours from Greenwood Creek to Mack Creek.

From the Greenwood Creek to the Belaire portage took another half hour, but I initially didn't see it and paddled until I came to rapids and could no longer make any progress. Ranger Janice told me it is about a 10 minute paddle from the rapids to the Belaire Portage; I timed it and it took me 4 minutes.

I'm not sure how I missed the Belaire Portage the first time as it stands out on a steep incline from the water, and there are no trees or large brush to hide it.

The Belaire Portage is long, about 3/4 of a mile, not regularly maintained, and a bit difficult with some ups and downs. The swamp was drained, but the high grass/brush and uneven terrain made the crossing arduous.

The rest of the portage is about 5 minutes of slightly sloping downhill and very easy.

Back in 2005, close to the portage into Belaire, there was an island campsite, but it has since grown over.

I spent the night on a small island campsite close to the portage to McKenzie and it was nice, but small.

The portage to McKenzie is a mile long and starts with a very steep 5 minute climb. It then opens up onto an old logging road. Friends and I traveled this route in 1997, 2001, and 2005 and the logging road consisted of 2 tracks and was literally a walk in the park. In 2019 I found that it has grown over quite a bit, but one track still remained and it again was the proverbial walk in the park.

The turn off of the logging road to the portage to McKenzie is well marked. I recommend following the logging road for another 100 yards or so and you'll see the remains of an old bridge.

The remainder of the portage to McKenzie can be a bit mucky and tight, but it isn't overly long. One year the trail ended just before we arrived at the McKenzie shore and we had to bull our way through brush. Finding the portage traveling the opposite way, from McKenzie to Belaire, could be difficult.

This route is wonderful as it is rarely traveled, physically challenging, fantastic scenery, and there are several spots where even I catch fish :-)

That sounds like an epic journey!

The next part of the journey was fantastic, too. Janice had suggested that I go from McKenzie up to Ferguson, and then portage up to the Cache River. The portage from Ferguson to the Cache River was long and wet, but it was worthwhile as water levels were high and it was great paddle down the Cache River.

I had heard that the Cache River is often too shallow to paddle and at one point I was paddling through an area that was quite wide and devoid of trees. I couldn't fathom how this area would be so shallow that canoeist would have to walk. I plunged my paddle down into the water to determine the depth and was surprised to find that it was only a couple feet deep. Ah ha, so this is what is meant by a "flood plain".

The area the Cache River dumps into the tributary to Kawnipi Lake was stunningly beautiful with the high water crashing over a few small waterfalls. My pictures don't do it justice.

I’d assume the area with the pictures is where the red 4* or 5* campsite flag is up deep in into the bay?

That would be a viable shorter side trip option if I end up not having enough time or energy to paddle into McKenzie lake during my trip this summer.

Ryan

The portage out the north side of Ferguson Lake to the Cache River is well described by me in the old and multiply revived thread here named "Worst portages in the Quetico".
In my opinion, the good fishing on Ferguson (especially at the central narrows) is best reached up the scenic creek at the east end.
This said, the rapids and waterfalls where the Cache River empties into Kawnipi are worth the visit, but probably not via the swamp portage at Ferguson.

That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster

You know I was feeling like that looked really familiar myself but couldn’t put my finger on why! That is crazy similar and so close I can’t imagine it’s not the same falls being pictured!

I would definitely think about heading in and checking those out from the Kawnipi end.

Ryan

tumblehome: "That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster

"

No wonder I liked that place so much!!

From the Land Of Sky Blue Waters

johno: "

tumblehome: "That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster

"

No wonder I liked that place so much!!


From the Land Of Sky Blue Waters "

I hope You all know that I made that Hamms beer poster myself. I just saved the photograph and found a Hamms beer logo online and put the two together. However it does look just like a hams beer poster from the old days it’s such a beautiful shot. I credit the photograph and the photographer and not me for being sneaky.

tumblehome: "

johno: "

tumblehome: "That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster

"

No wonder I liked that place so much!!



From the Land Of Sky Blue Waters "

I hope You all know that I made that Hamms beer poster myself. I just saved the photograph and found a Hamms beer logo online and put the two together. However it does look just like a hams beer poster from the old days it’s such a beautiful shot. I credit the photograph and the photographer and not me for being sneaky."

I thought it was great work and great humor :-)

Too funny! I totally thought it legit was and still think I remember something like this from my youth!

Ryan

I found this one which might conjure up memories of the old days. Any one of us looking at those old Hamm’s signs is transported to the wilderness. I think it was a very successful advertising campaign.

I believe that Voyageur Brewing Company, in Grand Marais, has a canoe hanging from the ceiling that was used in filming some of the Hamm's commercials