I'm doing the border route trip this spring and am trying to line up all the maps needed. We are covered all the way thru McKenzie #1 which is the furthest east map they have and will get us to Fowl Lake.

What do people use for maps after Fowl Lake? i.e. the pigeon river and grand portage? I've tried searching and haven't been able to find much except for state park trails at the very end of the grand portage. thanks in advance!

McKenzie makes a map, I think it's 99.
It's not a very good map tho. There are many people on here who have done that river who could probably make a great map and sell it to mckenzie

Mocha was close...it's McKenzie Map #98.

A couple things to note (this may have been corrected on the new map 98 but was wrong on older editions)-

-the English Rapids Portage no longer exists
-Partridge Falls Portage is not shown on the map. The portage is river right as you're traveling downstream. The portage joins a logging road, goes uphill, and then the portage peals off to the left at the bottom of the hill.

BeaV: "Mocha was close...it's McKenzie Map #98.


A couple things to note (this may have been corrected on the new map 98 but was wrong on older editions)-


-the English Rapids Portage no longer exists
-Partridge Falls Portage is not shown on the map. The portage is river right as you're traveling downstream. The portage joins a logging road, goes uphill, and then the portage peals off to the left at the bottom of the hill."

thanks Beav, very helpful notes. Any other things to look out for on the border route trip that may not be on the maps? We are mostly using McKenzie maps

other things to be aware of-

Map 98- watch the stream flow on the Pigeon River. High flow rate could be an issue for paddling the English Rapids, low flow will require pulling your canoe through a boulder field at the English Rapids. You said you're going in the spring so watch the stream gauge for higher flow. The National Park Service cautions difficult paddling at stream flow above 1000 cfs. Here is a link to the USGS Pigeon River Hydrograph.

The upper part of the English Rapids where there is a pinch point is the spot to get out and scout from land if you're encountering high flow. Here is a google image - the pin is this location. Watch for the small stream entering on river left and then the sharp 90 degree bend of the Pigeon to the right. Just below this bend is the pinch point.



The other area of the route where the McKenzie Maps for a little short is the Granite River. If you haven't been through there, I would recommend pulling up Google Earth and comparing to your McKenzie Map. Note that there are two spots of fast current that you will have to likely pull your boat through or portage. These are located soon after leaving Gneisse Lake and are not shown on the McKenzie Map. And there are no established portages...you will have to boulder hop is you decide to carry your gear.

Have fun, it's a great route!!! hydrograph

BeaV: "other things to be aware of-


Map 98- watch the stream flow on the Pigeon River. High flow rate could be an issue for paddling the English Rapids, low flow will require pulling your canoe through a boulder field at the English Rapids. You said you're going in the spring so watch the stream gauge for higher flow. The National Park Service cautions difficult paddling at stream flow above 1000 cfs. Here is a link to the USGS Pigeon River Hydrograph.

Beav, how would you feel about paddling the pigeon river in about 2 weeks? it looks like the current flow is around 3,000 cfs but will hopefully come down a bit in the next 2 weeks. Any thoughts on how you'd approach it if you were going thru the pigeon river around June 3rd?