Canoe Trip 53

Lower and Upper WADDY LAKEs - NISTOASSINI LAKE -NAYELLES LAKE - ELEPHANT LAKE - MACOUN LAKE -BUSS LAKE - DAVIN LAKE  and Wathaman Lake

Length of Trip: 145 kilometers
Time Required to Complete Trip: 6 to 8 days
Number of Portages: 20

Access to Starting Point:

The starting point of this trip is Lower Waddy Lake..just NW of Brabant Lake.. (which is is 172 kilometers north of La Ronge).  Canoeists can arrange to leave their vehicles at Can-Am Outfitters and organize a pick-up at the Wathaman Bridge.

Maps:

64D4, 64D5, 64D12, 64D13, 64E4

About the Trip:

Although this trip is not very long there are numerous portages, some of which are very difficult. There are, however, no dangerous rapids which cannot be portaged. With the exception of Macoun Lake, the lakes are either small or at least have fairly sheltered shorelines. The first part of the trip from the Waddy River to the north end of Mckenzie Lake is easy and the portages are in good shape. This part of the trip can be recommended as a safe and enjoyable trip for less experienced canoeists or for those who do not wish to struggle over difficult portage trails. This shorter "trip within a trip" from the Waddy River to the north end of Mckenzie Lake and return to the starting point would be about 40 kilometers each.

As one would expect, the tougher portion of this trip north of Mckenzie Lake is largely true wilderness and very remote. The longer trip going all the way to the Wathaman River bridge can only be recommended for the experienced and physically fit canoeist, prepared to make some difficult portages to reach the more remote areas. It is possible to make the entire trip in reverse starting at the Wathaman River and ending at Lower Waddy Lake; but north of Cuelenaere Lake the water flows north, making it advantageous to travel with the current.  Conversely, although the flows in the southern portion of the trip run generally southward, they  provide very little advantage for those travelling South.  Start at Lower Waddy unless you want the added difficulty.

I have given important locations using the UTM grid system.

 

The Canoe Trip:

The canoeist starts this trip at a dock 5km NW of the village of Brabant Lake.(UTM 742223)   After launching, you have about 15km to the 1^st portage.  If you camp on Upper Waddy Lake you can pack really heavy for supper and breakfast!

Portage No. 1:       UTM 684329

Connecting the north end of Waddy Lake with the south end of Nistoassini Lake. Approximately 400 meters long and in good condition.

From the north end of Waddy Lake this portage starts on the northwest shore of the inflowing stream on the north side of the bay at the northwest end of Waddy Lake. The landing is on an open, grassy slope 135 to 180 meters below or southwest of the base of the rapids.

Travel generally north through the narrows and against a mild current about two-thirds of the way up the lake to the vicinity of the portage to Nayelles Lake (see map).

Portage No. 2:       UTM 699403

Connecting Nistoassini Lake to Nayelles Lake. Approximately 50 meters long and in good condition.

From the east side of Nistoassini Lake about three kilometers from its northern end, this portage starts on the south or right side, 10 to 15 meters south of the base of a small inflowing rapids. The trail starts at a partially hidden opening in the willows.

Because the upper end of this portage is so close to the start of the rapids, both upstream and downstream canoeists must use great care when using the upper landing to avoid being drawn into the rapids.

Travel to the north end of Nayelles Lake. The first set of rapids indicated on the map at the north end of Nayelles Lake are not there under high water conditions and canoeists can paddle through against a slight current. Similarly, the second or more northerly rapids shown on the map at the north end of the small nameless lake are non-existent and canoeists can paddle through. Canoeists can carry on to the north end of Mckenzie Lake.

The portage at the northwest end of Mckenzie Lake leading to Elephant Lake is the start of the more difficult part of this trip.

Portage No. 3:       UTM 714503

Connecting the extreme northwest end of Mckenzie Lake with Elephant Lake. Approximately 600 meters long. Poor condition. The upper end of this portage may be largely under water and occasionally obstructed by down trees.

From the northwest end of Mckenzie Lake, this portage starts about 25 meters east of the inflowing rapids. The trail parallels the stream which is navigable in spots but not worth launching canoes in because there are obstructions and no portages around them.  Stay Right on this trail.  There are old trails through wet ground to the left.  The right hard trail will keep your feet much drier.

Decision Time! …After paddling up the elephant’s trunk, you might wish to explore a portage into Cherry Lake. (Portage 4A optional.  Utm 713523)  There is a trail here BUT we did not use it.  Our group preferred to go by the old trip notes (written in 1976).  If you portage into Cherry Lake you would portage next (Portage 5A utm 724543) from Cherry to a small unnamed lake and then (Portage 6A utm 721546) from the unnamed lake to Partridge Lake.  I think it’s unlikely that these portages could be worse overall than the ones we did!

Paddle up the inflowing stream at the northwest end of Elephant Lake. The stream becomes very shallow and canoeists will likely have to get out and wade, hauling their canoes through the shallows (in 2011 we marked our passage by leaving canoe paint on many rocks) until the stream divides at a small willow-covered island.

Portage No. 4:       UTM 701531

Connecting Elephant Lake with navigable waters in the small stream above the rapids. Approximately 75 meters long and in very poor condition.

From the south or Elephant Lake side, this portage starts on the east side or right side opposite the above-mentioned island. In the course of this portage canoeists must wade to another small island.

After this short but difficult portage, continue on northward. Canoeists will pass a set of rapids coming in from the east (see map); however, stay in the main channel on a generally north course until travel stops at the base of more rapids.

Portage No. 5:

Connecting the small stream with the outlet of a small, nameless pond. Approximately 80 meters long and in poor condition.

Approaching from the south at the base of the rapids this portage starts on the north or right side. The footing is poor and canoeists will likely have to wade in spots.

Paddle on not more than 45 meters to the northeast and land immediately east or on the right of twin inflowing streams.

Portage No. 6:       UTM 701540

Connecting the northeast end of the small, nameless pond with the south tip of Archer Lake. Approximately 80 meters long and in poor condition.

From the northeast end of the small, nameless pond this portage starts just east or right of the twin inflowing streams.

Paddling on upstream the channel becomes shallower and there may be numerous logs or sweepers lying across the stream which will have to be hauled over or cut out. Within 180 meters canoeists then come out on the southwest end of Archer Lake.  Without portaging, you’ll be able to go into Partridge Lake.

Portage No. 7:       UTM 723578

Connecting Partridge Lake with Blackman Lake. Approximately 125 meters long and in fair to good condition.

From the northeast end of Partridge Lake this portage starts 12 meters north of a tiny inflowing trickle.  

Portage No. 8:          747589

Connecting Blackman Lake to a much smaller lake to the north. Approximately 85 meters long and in generally good shape.

From the northeast shore of  Blackman Lake this portage starts 270 to 360 meters to the east of a tiny island (see dot on map). The landing is on sloping rock and the start of the trail may take a bit of looking.

There are some nice campsite possibilities in this little nameless lake. Paddle on to the northwest end of this lake.

Portage No. 9:          746597

Connecting the small nameless lake to a much smaller narrow pond to the northwest. Approximately 500 meters long and in fair condition.

From the northwest end of the small lake this portage starts at a slight break in the shoreline near a beaver house. There are several slits in the trail to avoid wet spots.

Paddle to the north end of this small narrow pond.

Portage No. 10:          740606

Connecting the north end of the small narrow pond with Macoun Lake. Approximately 55 meters long and in fair condition.

From the north end of the narrow pond this portage starts immediately west of the small outlet stream. The portage parallels the west side of the outlet stream.

Macoun Lake is a beautiful large clearwater lake. There is lake trout fishing as well as the usual northern pike and walleye. (Do Lake Trout and Walleye exist in the same Lake?)  In early July of 2011 we caught more trout than pike, trolling as we paddled.

There is an outfitter's fishing camp on the central island approximately one and a half kilometer north of the letter "n" in the work "Macoun" as printed on the map.

Canoeists should work along the central portion of the northwest shore to the narrows and outlet stream leading to the rapids (see map). Paddle into the outlet which eventually swings to the west and is blocked by an obstruction.

Portage No. 11:          682711

Connecting the northern outlet of Macoun Lake with the pond below the first rapids. Approximately 60 meters long and in fair condition.   In 2011, the north west area of Macoun Lake was a burn area.  According to SERM’s fire management webpage, the entire areas west, east and north of Macoun Lake burned between 200 and 2008.  With the exception of portage #13, however, the deadfall from the burns were not a significant problem.  Most of our camps were made on islands that had escaped the flames.

From the northern outlet of Macoun Lake this portage starts on the north shore opposite the start of the rapids. There are a few blazes and the trail is very steep at the start, going up a two and a half meter rock ridge.

Following this portage do not enter what appears to be the outlet of the pond to the southwest as this is a dead end. Instead, follow the north shore to a somewhat hidden outlet around a rock point.

Portage No. 12:          678711

Connecting the small pond north of Macoun Lake with quiet waters below the rapids. Approximately 175 meters long and in fair condition.

From the outlet of the small pond north of Macoun this portage starts vaguely on the west side of the rapids. The trail goes up on a rock and then angles away from the stream into a muskeg. Canoeists should launch canoes at the base of the rapids although the trail appears to continue on and is probably used as a winter trail.  In 2011, we were able to walk our canoe down these shallow rapids after clearing a few sweepers.

Paddle on downstream for another few hundred meters and more rapids obstruct free travel.

Portage No. 13:          678715

Connecting quiet water below the rapids with Cuelenaere Lake.  Approximately 700 meters long and in poor condition.  The superstitious in your group will note the number of this portage.

From the southern approach above the last rapids this portage starts on the west side just above the start of the rapids. The portage trail is quite narrow and goes along a rock ridge and then through a treed muskeg, generally meandering to the north west.  The end of the portage is well away from the base of the rapids.  In 2011, this was the worst portage.  We spent a fair bit of time clearing the trail.  Lynne Deptuch marked the trail with pink duct tape!

The last 50 meters were almost impassable.  We found a tangle of deadfall with no way through and no way around.  So, we mainly “made” a way through.  It involved some sawing and pushing canoes over some of the fallen trees.  If someone goes through in the winter with a skidoo and chainsaw they’ll fix it up right!

Portage No. 14:          684788

Connecting the north end of Cuelenaere Lake to a long narrow pond. Approximately 500 meters long and in fair condition. The trail is mostly through treed muskeg.

From the northeast shore of the angular bay at the northwest end of Cuelenaere Lake this portage starts nine meters northwest of the outlet stream and rapids.

Paddle up the left or southwest shore of the narrow pond to the outlet stream. This outlet stream is on the west side 800 meters before the end of the narrow pond. (UTM 681800)  Paddle down this outlet stream. The short set of rapids which occur in this stream on the way to Buss Lakes can be run by most canoeists at average water levels. If conditions indicate it would be dangerous to run these rapids, wade down at the side guiding the canoe through shallow water. The opening out to Buss Lakes is visible some distance ahead from the small outlet stream.

Canoeists travelling north on Buss Lakes should pay close attention to their map as there are several sets of narrows to pass through and it is easy to be diverted to one of the adjacent bays by mistake. Paddle to the narrow extreme north end of Buss Lakes.

Portage No. 15:          674885

Connecting the north end of Buss Lakes with Erickson Lake. Approximately 675 meters long and in fair condition.

From the north end of Buss Lakes this portage starts vaguely on the east side of a muskeg west of the outlet stream. Do not enter the final narrows above the rapids at the outlet but rather explore on foot for the start of the trail on the east side of the treed muskeg which lies west of the rounded rocky headland separating the outlet stream from the muskeg. A winter snowmobile trail starts in the wetter centre part of the muskeg but the canoe portage starts on the east side of the muskeg where it is somewhat drier. The two trails join later on and then separate again. Generally speaking the canoe portage lies to the east, is narrower and less used, but is drier than the snowmobile trail. The canoe portage trail ends on the west shore at the base of the rapids. The snowmobile trail goes on for another 90 meters to end in much quieter water well below the base of the rapids.

After completing portage no. 15, paddle on to the northeast down Erickson Lake and river system. The first and second set of rapids indicated on the map are minor and are easy to run. The third set of rapids is in two parts: the first part is easy to run, then the water course swings to the east and the second part occurs; these are impassable.

Portage No. 16:          704931

Connecting the quiet waters around rapids on the way to Pasterfield Lake. Approximately 110 meters long and in fair condition.  Approaching from the upstream or southwest side this portage starts on the northwest or left side at the last possible spot above the start of the rapids.

Paddle on and within 180 meters or so more rapids occur.

Portage No. 17:          708930

Around successive rapids in the narrow waterway connecting the ponds with Pasterfield Lake. Approximately 45 meters long and in poor condition.

From the upstream side this portage starts on the east or left side northeast of the little islet. The start of the portage is wet.

Continue paddling northeast on the narrow lake. Watch for the outlet stream which occurs on the right or east side about one and a half kilometers north of the last island you paddled past. Enter this outlet stream and rapids occur shortly.

Portage No. 18:          737988          (optional?)

Around successive rapids between Pasterfield Lake and Peters Lake. Approximately 425 meters long and in fair condition. This trail is wet in spots, narrow, vague where crossing a semi-open muskeg and wanders with sudden turnings to dodge windfalls. There is also a shorter canoe trail version and a longer winter trail version which end at different locations at the lower end.

From the upstream side this portage starts on the north side or left side of the outlet. Some will opt to run the first 25 to 45 meters of these rapids but the savings in portaging is negligible.  In 2011, I took a royalex canoe through these rapids.  I ran most of it and lined over a couple of the more substantial ledges.  The canoe took a couple of knocks, but hey, that’s what royalex canoes are for!

 

 

Portage No. 19:          750011          (option)

Around successive rapids in the narrow waterway connecting Peters Lake with Davin Lake. Approximately 90 meters long and in fair condition.

From the upstream or southern approach this portage starts at an easy landing on the northeast or right side at a big rock outcrop at the start of the rapids. The trail starts up over the rock and closely follows the northeast side of the rapids.

The next and final set of rapids indicated on the map before entering the northwest corner of Davin Lake are no more than moderate fast water and are easy and safe to descend. Then, after a kilometer the channel narrows to only 10 meters with beautiful rocks on both sides and a slow, deep current in between.

Davin Lake has many flat exposed rocky shores and islands which offer a wide choice of good natural campsites. There is a fishing camp located on Davin Lake near Highway 105 on the east shore of the lake.  This outfitter also has boats and cabins on Wathaman Lake.

On approaching the outlet of Davin Lake the channel narrows to 12 to 15 meters and then in a few hundred meters to about four meters and a short rapid.

Portage 19A.  757995  Option It is possible to portage into Davin Lake at the outfitter’s trail on the east side of Peters Lake.

Portage No. 20:

Connecting Davin Lake with the southwest part of Wathaman Lake. Approximately 35 meters long and in good condition and obviously well used by fishermen. Under favourable conditions these short rapids could be run by experienced canoeists.

From the Davin Lake side this portage starts on the south shore or left side immediately at the start of the rapids.

Continue paddling in a generally northeasterly direction to the main body of Wathaman Lake. Take special care to travel to the extreme northwest side of Wathaman Lake to pick up the long northward bay which is the outlet and leads to the Wathaman River.

The highway bridge across the Wathaman River may be only a meter or so above the water level and there are moderate rapids under and below the bridge. Because of possible lack of sufficient clearance canoeists should portage over the highway at the bridge.

The area on shore to either side of the river below the bridge on Highway 102 has been used for camping. The distance is approximately 115 kilometers to Brabant Lake and 286 kilometers to La Ronge.

WRITTEN BY: Wes Deptuch (2011) based on the earlier work of Peter Gregg (1976).