Hello All!

I am headed to Wabakimi for the first time this summer. I've done many trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico, but every year they seem more crowded than the year before, so I'm headed up north into the Boreal.

I have several questions:

What is the best way to get into Wabakimi (taking price, solitude, fishing, and routes into account)?

Who makes the best/most accurate maps of Wabakimi?

Does anyone have recommendations for routes?

Thanks a lot!

WS

quote waywardsoul: "Hello All!

I am headed to Wabakimi for the first time this summer. I've done many trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico, but every year they seem more crowded than the year before, so I'm headed up north into the Boreal.

I have several questions:

What is the best way to get into Wabakimi (taking price, solitude, fishing, and routes into account)?

Who makes the best/most accurate maps of Wabakimi?

Does anyone have recommendations for routes?

Thanks a lot!

WS "

wawardsoul,

There are many more experienced canoeists than I with Wabakimi-experience who can give you better advice however the Wabakimiproject The Wabakimi Project makes very good maps. They come in a booklet for the section of park that you want but are not waterproof. They have wonderful detail (get them printed at home with waterproof paper). Topos are a must (get them here to combine with the above so that you can mark portages, campsites, swifts etc. The park also makes and sells a planning map which is always a good place to start.

This year is my first trip in as well. Some will fly from Amstrong station out to a starting point. Downside is always the cost but it gets you out there quickly without spending a lot of time paddling out there. Then all you have to do is paddle back!

Many also do the train out of Armstrong to one of the many landings along the rail heading west. There are train tickets you can get at VIA rail and they are generally less than a $100 US for your chosen destination but you will pay $100 CAD for the canoe as baggage on any choice. Might be wrong about that but it's something close to that.

Any outfitter up in Armstrong can book all of this for you if you choose. They can also book your park permits for a fee or you can book directly with the park office in Thunder Bay. They are nice folks -- ask for Mr. Shannon Lawr, park superintendent.

If you choose the Shultz landing, there is a campsite you can hiked down to for putting in the next morning. The train arrives at this place late at night (around 9 or 9:30 I think). This route will take you north up to Smoothrock, east down the Caribou R. to Caribou and out Little Caribou which is outside the park. You would need a shuttle to get back to your car in Armstrong at the station.

Cheaper options exist for driving yourself to entries such as the Kopka R., Brightsands, or via the village Savant Lake and then up the 702 rd to 3 or so entries on that side.

It really depends on what you are looking for, the time you will have, and what type of water you would prefer to paddle (flat, river, swifts, big water, etc.).

Good luck with your decision! I can't wait for my own trip at the end of June.

cheapest is entry at caribou lake. we've entered here several times with no problems to our vehicles. (vandalism etc.) another trip we entered at savant lake (the lake), that was a nice entry, some really fun rapids on the albany river to the north.

I did this trip in reverse...
"If you choose the Shultz landing, there is a campsite you can hiked down to for putting in the next morning. The train arrives at this place late at night (around 9 or 9:30 I think). This route will take you north up to Smoothrock, east down the Caribou R. to Caribou and out Little Caribou which is outside the park. You would need a shuttle to get back to your car in Armstrong at the station."

We were dropped off at Little Caribou by WildWaters. We went up, across, down, and out at Shultz's Trail. Train picked us up there at around 9am. Off at Armstrong Station with shuttle waiting to take us to WildWaters for showers, drinks, and hit the road.
NOTE: Time zone changes right at Schulz's Trail, EDT to CDT.

Wabakimi 2011 Trip Report

Oh, by the way...there is motor traffic, but in August, we saw only 1 motor boat and only 1 other canoe party.

I have been to the south end of Wabakimi a number of times. We drive to Upsula, Ontario, then drive in on Graham road. It's about 80 miles up Graham, which is a fairly well maintained gravel road, to Brightsand River Provincial Park, which connects with the lower end of Wabakimi. Like most places in Ontario, once you get one or two portages back in, you will not see many if any other people. Walleye fishing can be good to great. Email me if you would like to hear more specifics about my experiences.

I am heading up to this area sometime around the end of August.

The entry for ICG's route, I believe, is Harmon Lake boat launch at 49.973826, -90.116937. That road has a washout a few miles further north, but I have been told it is fine up to Harmon Lake.
FOG51 was up there last year.

Hey Ice Cold Gold;
I would like to hear about your travels in Wabakimi. I could not access your email. If you would drop me a note in mine Terryolson500@gmail.com, that would be great. tomorrow I am heading down to Minneapolis for the Midwest show. Looking forward to talking with the guys from Wabakimi project. Thanks. Terry

quote IceColdGold: " Email me if you would like to hear more specifics about my experiences.

"

why not just post your experience so everyone can enjoy?

+1

waywardsoul - did you make it to Wab last summer? We sure would like to see a trip report.