Flindt River - Wabakimi

I’m looking for someone who’s paddled this river to Wabakimi Lake.

Last May I paddled from the put in at Smye Lake and travelled downstream on the Flindt River, but I had no clue about the 2023 fire prior to my trip. I made it a ways, reached the burn and was determined to cut my way through the portages and make it to Wabakimi Lake and beyond. I broke my saw early before reaching Tew Lake and realized my trip was over, at least in that direction. I turned around and did an alternate loop instead. My understanding is that a crew came through and cleared the trails to Wabakimi Lake a week or two after I was there.

Mark

Thanks Mark. Is paddling upstream possible in any season, or is a loop only proposition?

Of course there are a number of portages on this route around rapids and falls. In addition, there are swifts and minor class 1's leading up to portages from both direction. This being Wabakimi, there are downed trees and other obstacles to paddling in the upstream direction. All I can say is that I was able to paddle these, but I do a fair amount of upstream paddling for excercise. When my saw broke I was nervous about my ability to do the route upstream, partly because I wouldn't have a way to clear a path if i needed one. The water didn't seem high when I was there, but high water would have made it much more difficult to travel in the upstream direction. If you do a youtube search on "Flindt River Wabakimi" there is a video series from a fellow who went through there just a few weeks after me, after the portage crew had cleared the trails. This will give you an idea of the extent of the burn.

Mark

Thanks. I’ll definitely look on YouTube. Just watched one on the Kopeka river. Although I won’t do that river, it was great for getting a good look at the terrain and water and portage obstacles. Lots of down timber. That canoeist brought a full bow saw instead of a folder. He also brought his dog and a bunch of gear.