Hello all,

I have a group of 6 entering on Snowbank in a couple weeks. We have six nights but are looking for relatively low mileage because we have one first-timer and I like to spend a good amount of time fishing as well.

I know that Snowbank can be windy and wavy, so unless its very calm with a good forecast, I won't risk the paddle to Boot, and we'll go into Parent (edit: or Disappointment) right away instead. But I can't decide where to go from there.

I have heard Ensign can be very busy in August, so I'm wondering if there are any lakes in the vicinity that offer more solitude? Perhaps Ima or Hatchet?

And any suggestions for good fishing anywhere along the way?

Thanks!

The 140 rod portage from Snowbank to Disappointment is a decent alternative to the two portages through Parent. Ima Lake is big and you won't be alone, but if you choose a camp away from the east and west portages, you might like it. It is a pretty lake, I think. Hatchet should provide more solitude than Ima because it is off to the side of the route between Ima and Thomas, but there are just 2 sites on that lake. The three sites on Jordan are large enough for your group, but only the southern site will provide any solitude.

Ausable: "The 140 rod portage from Snowbank to Disappointment is a decent alternative to the two portages through Parent. "

Ah yes, that's actually what I was thinking. I've heard Disappointment is a nice lake with good fishing.

But I'd be happiest if Snowbank is calm the first morning so that we can make it to Boot and do a loop down to Disappointment.

Thanks for your input.

I could be wrong but from my experiences in that area you might want to pick your campsites much earlier than normal (9 or 10am). There is a lot of heavy base camping going on nearly all of the lakes in that area. I don't feel like Ensign offers much for privacy. For solitude, I think I might almost favor trying to score one of the campsites on Parent Lake 1st over Disappointment Lake. Parent lake is actually very pretty IMO. Ima is busy too. I think once you get to Thomas and Fraser things seem to thin out a bit, but maybe that is too far for your group.

Parent lake has an awesome beach campground that is very open. It's near the portage to Disappointment.