Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Turtle River (Ontario)
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sns |
I have not tripped the river but have paddled lakes in this area a couple of times. Under-rated for sure...lots to like. See the Castle if you have time. I called (or emailed - don't remember) the Parks office and was sent a free map that shows portages from the north (up by Ignace) down to Little Turtle Lake (by Mine Centre). The map is a simple one and does not show many of the campsites (some but less than half of the ones I saw were on the map). It does show access points; there are also no topo lines. Here's a couple photos of the map so you can see what I'm talking about. |
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deerfoot |
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ayudell |
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Springer2 |
ayudell: "Did you ever learn anything here? I was curious about the same area. There's not much info online." Haven't had any luck so far. I sent inquiries to a couple Atikokan outfitters before the pandemic hit and they didn't even respond. Maybe they don't want gringos invading their private space. If/when I get more info I will post it, but it doesn't look like I'll be going to Canada this summer. |
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arnesr |
That Maukinak Map link goblu79 posted is a bit confusing. Originally when I clicked on the link I saw the maps at the bottom that they are selling. If you scroll to the middle of the page under Trail Conditions and click on View Trail Conditions, it takes you to a new page. On that page you will find links to pdf maps that show the campsites along the route....super helpful. |
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deerfoot |
arnesr: "Deerfoot, Thanks for contacting your trip mate for me, he did share some info with me on the area, including the Maukinak trail map golbu79 referenced. I am glad Mark could help. He and another trip mate did a lot computerized map work for this trip. For almost 50 years of tripping I have always kind of enjoyed just going and finding my way, campsites, portages, etc as the trip progressed. That and I don’t have nor are much interested in developing the computer skills to do what those guys do. |
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deerfoot |
I suggest you find Kevin Callan’s 1998 trip report on this trip. It is in one of his earlier books on Ontario canoe routes. We found it to be very accurate, and it will tell you everything you need to know. We stayed at Brown’s resort the night before the trip and had them shuttle us to the first portage. Later in the week they shuttled our cars to the take out at Mine Center (as I recall). As Kevin Callan references in his trip report, the last day requires a 17 mile paddle since there are no campsites in that part of the river. We started that day paddling at about 630am and completed the trip about 1230pm at the public boat landing where our cars had been moved to. A very nice 1 week trip with good fishing on the river and no other people encountered behind Hwy 622 (a number of fishing boats cached there). We did this trip the first week of June 2019. |
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Springer2 |
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deerfoot |
arnesr: " When I stopped into the Atikokan park office to pick up my Quetico permit last month, I asked if they had any information on the Turtle River area. I was presented with the map that Sns posted as well as the printout below. The park staff seemed to think this was available online as well, but I couldn't find it. Not too helpful as it only shows one campsite....and I got a kick out of the "You are Here" marked on the map. Regardless, I think it depicts a nice little overview of the area. My trip mate on the Turtle Rv trip got back to me and I asked if he would like to contact you directly. Sounds like has some gps info. And I would not be the guy to try to get very involved with that (poor computer skills and interest.) More to follow. |
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Springer2 |
I haven't been able to find much information online. I emailed Canoe Canada in Atikokan, who I have used for Q trips before, requesting info on the route, maps, outfitting and shuttle service, but they haven't responded. Bernie from Quetico North arranged the original trip back in the 1980s, but then he started a new fly-in business farther north and I don't remember the name of it. One reason for my interest in this route is that I have a friend whose feet were seriously injured in a car accident and he can't walk well over rough ground, although he can paddle and fish with the best of them, and I have heard there aren't many portages to deal with. Anyone have any thoughts? |
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deerfoot |
My paddle partner on the trip is a physicist at the U of Minnesota and developed a GPS track for the entire trip which was not necessary but I guess he really likes to play with the technology. While on the trip I couldn't understand why we always paddled directly down the middle of the river never cutting any corners/turns. Then it dawned on me he was exactly following his track down the middle of the river. The Turtle Rv is not big or wide. In fact, it reminded me a lot of many Wisconsin rivers. |
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arnesr |
deerfoot, it sounds like your trip mate had taken down some information on the campsites and portage locations. Any chance he has some GPS coordinates to share? |
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goblu79 |
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