I just returned from 28 days paddling with most in WCPP. I find the portage conditions mentioned in the other post most interesting. The portage south out of Murdock was all clear when I left it in late May of 2014. The crew that had cut it after the fire and "snowdown" took it up to higher ground so it had at least three pitches to climb. I could see flagging tape down in the tangles well off the new trail but they cut a route that avoided some wet spots. The new route started in the same place as the old one.

I went through the Minjim with a group the first week of June of 2014. We did not note any issues with Alder choking the stream to North Prairie. The portage leading to the creek to North Prairie was changed to firmer ground. Unfortunately this puts you in the creek just upstream of a log jam that must not have been cut out. The portage on the north-south Nile section was extended to avoid walking across a bog at the start, a good long term solution to a messy walk.

My two cents worth on fish in Lightning. First there are very few and I have only seen Northern Pike caught and that very sparingly. It is a headwaters lake to Royd Creek. The mud bottom is devoid of vegetation in the shallower areas. Joey Lake is the second lake east of Lightning and has Walleye. I have caught Walleye two lakes upstream from Joey. Joey's Walleye have no water connection to Lightning. Joey drains to Gammon Lake and Lightning to Royd.

But the Murdoch portage got blown in again and the park went in and recut it right after Terry tried going through.

I was amazed at the differences I saw from previous trips. It's fun to see changes. Makes going to these places a new adventure every time. Some differences this time were due to time of year I think.

Look forward to hearing about your trip Marten.

Thanks for clarifying Marten. Much appreciated.

The route from Murdock to Royd has now been cleared once again. The Minjim has some ares that need attention and will receive another visit from a crew next year.

Keeping up with Mother Nature with only 2 working park crews (2-person crews) and a short operations season is an impossibility. Park visitors can expect having to clear some brush and trees as part of their experience (as you know so well).

Claire

In my travels in WCPP I come across a lot of what mother nature has deposited on the trails. So many times it is evident that fellow paddlers have spent more effort in getting around a fallen tree top than it would have taken to pull it off the trail. Sidestepping with a pack is fairly easy but clearing adjacent trees with a canoe is another story. If Marten made the rules everyone would be required to carry a small set of pruners and trim back the bushes as they returned for another pack. One snip with a pruner and that Jack Pine branch would no longer be knocking our canoes off our shoulders. End of rant!

quote nctry: "But the Murdoch portage got blown in again and the park went in and recut it right after Terry tried going through.


I was amazed at the differences I saw from previous trips. It's fun to see changes. Makes going to these places a new adventure every time. Some differences this time were due to time of year I think.


Look forward to hearing about your trip Marten."

Marten -- did you mark the coordinates for that portage out of Murdoch by any chance? I'm curious (or confused! :). I'm thinking I might have been looking for that portage by the stream that enters on the eastern shore of the lake. Should I have paddled further down? Hmmm...seems pretty incredible that the portage trail could have grown in that fast but then again, it's WCPP. I completely understand Claire's comments on the difficulties to keep the multitude of trails open in such a vast, beautiful park.

I found that for going up Larus Creek bigger than a pocket saw would make it easier. My saw was not long enough to cut through some of the trees that were across the creek.

You can get the coordinates I recorded off of this G4 map. Under menu turn labels on to see the names of the waypoints. The park mentioned sending a crew in and found a real mess at that portage so you were probably in the right spot. g4 map of WCPP

quote Que: "Thanks for clarifying Marten. Much appreciated.


The route from Murdock to Royd has now been cleared once again. The Minjim has some ares that need attention and will receive another visit from a crew next year.


Keeping up with Mother Nature with only 2 working park crews (2-person crews) and a short operations season is an impossibility. Park visitors can expect having to clear some brush and trees as part of their experience (as you know so well).


Claire"

Just curious, does the Park run volunteer crews?
I mean in addition to the hard working paid crews.

The park is obligated to train any person wishing to volunteer in the same manner as it does its own park employee... all about liability. Training can take up to 2 weeks. This is very frustrating as many have come forward to offer their time. The best help we can ask of park visitors is for them to do their part at cleaning the small stuff and reporting the trails that need chainsaw work back to our office. This is very valuable feedback.

quote Que: "The park is obligated to train any person wishing to volunteer in the same manner as it does its own park employee... all about liability. Training can take up to 2 weeks. This is very frustrating as many have come forward to offer their time. The best help we can ask of park visitors is for them to do their part at cleaning the small stuff and reporting the trails that need chainsaw work back to our office. This is very valuable feedback. "

I like that. That's what we've been trying to do. I think the park does a pretty good job. I may not agree with everything they've done, but I respect their decisions because they are more qualified than I. The job of keeping portages open has got to be quite the undertaking for two crews in a park that size and with the events that happen on a yearly basis. I hope more people can enjoy this park. It's been a blessing to me. Thanks Claire for all you do.