I'm doing my first Wabakimi trip this year and wondered about how hard is it to locate the portages and how long (what speed) do they take vs. BWCA/Quetico?

I did an interior Quetico trip solo and was in area that the portages looked unused for a while. No scraps of paint, no tracks, just barely there and down trees. One 184 rodder had 10-15 downed trees on it.

Just trying to gauge distance per day for upcoming trip.

Thanks,

Not so bad where Wabakimi Project has been through but not close to Quetico where ports are comparative highways. My experience s not typical but on my first and last visit we missed a port on a river and got into a heap of trouble. I think about going back but am challenged enough and satisfied by Quetico. Rugged country and an adventure for sure.

Thank you for info!

I have had trouble locating at least one portage on all 3 trips I have taken.
It can be difficult to spot an old blaze, especially if the tree has tipped and is leaning far to one side.
If you use the WAB Proj maps, you will get real close to each portage and then it can take a few minutes to discern the exact spot.
Bring a good saw, you'll need it to cut your way into and through some portages.
Don't rush, the portages are rough, but they do exist.
Most portages are quite short compared to BWCA.

What route are looking at?

Thanks, have maps and know where going in and coming out (a la train) but don't have it day to day yet.

keep in mind that the Wabakimi Project has not been allowed to maintain portages within the park boundaries for many years. Portage work within the park is reserved for First Nation crews, and can be very hit and miss, mostly miss by my observations.

crown land portages cleared to Project standards don't stay open long, there's not enough usage.

the one well known outfitter in Armstrong tends to send people on the same well traveled routes year in and year out, so those portages tend to be obvious and open unless a storm has knocked down a bunch of black spruce.

Thank you for info! Actually going to use google maps for map view too, don't normally do that.

As a rule of thumb, if your portages are near an outfitters outpost, those trails to and from that lake may be open and in decent shape for their clients. The further that you travel into the interior and/or away from those outposts, the more adventurous your portages can be. As jcavanaugh mentioned above, a good saw (corona 7160 or better) is a useful tool and worth the investment. If you see a good flat spot to camp during your travels, grab it. They can be few and far between depending on your route.

Thanks again!

I would plan on a lot of time scouting for the trails. If you find an easy one, you have extra time for fishing!

I'd also bring some tape or string. In case you get in an area that you really are not sure, you can mark your progress and easily find your way back without a lot of effort.

Enjoy your trip!

And...you can use the bright colored string or tape to attach to ALL your stuff on the train.
That makes it much easier to ID your stuff when unloading from the train.
I was surprised how easy it was to mix stuff up, even with string on our stuff.

All of you, thanks so much. I've done about 25 BWCA/Quetico trips, and 3 solos - but Wabakimi sounds like a different animal all together!

TIP: Put the markings on your stuff BEFORE the train arrives. You can't stay in the baggage car. You have to go to the passenger car.

Good to know. Thank you!

Late update, but trip was amazing Sep 2018 - but many of the portages that weren't the "main route" ones were almost to non-existing. It was rough, but amazing.

Did you see ANY other canoers at all??

Nope. Was on long lake, ran north south, can't remember name right now and heard noise, assumed was float plane coming in and turned around and saw motor boat. thought was ranger with the way guy was dressed, but turned out to be some guy from Wisconsin who'd flown in to a cabin on that lake. he asked us, "how'd you get here?" to which I said, "paddled?" He said in ten years he'd never seen someone paddle here.

I had a similar experience.
The fly-in fishermen said, "The hell you say! You PADDLED all the way in here!?! Damn!"

yea, i felt cooler than actually am at that point!