Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Mack to McKenzie via Belaire
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HighnDry |
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johno |
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 :-) |
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Gaidin53 |
I would definitely think about heading in and checking those out from the Kawnipi end. Ryan |
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HighnDry |
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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 |
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tumblehome |
johno: "tumblehome: "That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster 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. |
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johno |
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. |
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Gaidin53 |
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 |
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Eyedocron |
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. |
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tumblehome |
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Gaidin53 |
Ryan |
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tumblehome |
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johno |
tumblehome: "johno: "tumblehome: "That looks like an old Hamm’s beer poster I thought it was great work and great humor :-) |
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AmarilloJim |
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MagicPaddler |
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johno |
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