Marshall Lake loop- NW Ontario (July 2024)

Me and chainsaw Rob consider it one of the routes worth keeping open, so we will be back at it clearing ports next spring.

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I wish I had more vacation time or could figure out a way to retire... I would love to help out clearing the portages (and, maybe build a bridge or twelve in those really swampy sections). I agree that the loop is worth keeping open and worth doing even though the price of admission (last 2 ports) is high.

My days of doing a trip like this are over, so it meant a lot to me to reminisce.

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Glad you came along. Your previous trips were one of the deciding factors for me to do this loop (and my boat weighs less ) I thought the additional pictures and notes added a lot to the TR too.

Thanks for your (and mem's) additions.

PS: @memaquay, I'm out of maps and open to ideas...

Outstanding TR, very enjoyable reading and viewing. As a frugal canoeist you may want to consider a trip in Manitoba - no crown land camping fees.

You mentioned you stayed in Wawa, I stayed at the “Outdoorsman Motel” there this spring, very nice room, recently remodeled, nice Canadian owners.
Wawa, so nice they named it twice.

Fun fact - when I lived up north, I learned that the Anishinaabe word for snow goose was we'we, pronounced way-way, Wawa is known for it's big goose statue, so I can only assume that the town was named for the snow goose, but ended up pronouncing the word wrong, and erecting a statue of the wrong type of goose.

A buddy of mine was from Beinfait, Saskatchewan. In French, Bein fait means well done, and the town derived it's name from it's original French inhabitants. https://frenchtogether.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/bienfait.mp3 The later anglais settlers interpreted the pronunciation as "Bean Fate", and that is how the town name is said to this day.

All these historical shenanigans makes me wonder if we will ever even actually know what the real dimensions of the first prospector canoe. Or if it was actually called "prospecteur", which is the label Esquif gives to theirs.

Apologies for thread drift.

Some politician was probably responsible for the goose erection and that's why it's screwed up. (nothing wrong with a good thread drift IMO)

...you may want to consider a trip in Manitoba...

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Looks like a nice cluster of lakes NE of Lake Winnipeg but most of those babies look really big.

Ontario fishing license & outdoor card are good for one more year so, if I can afford it, I'll return to Ontario again in 2025. I'll certainly look into Manitoba in the future though, thanks!

Not to burst your bubble of frugality, but all Ontario licenses expire Dec 31. However, you Outdoors card should be good.

...all Ontario licenses expire Dec 31.

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Is that a recent change? I bought a 3 yr license in 2023 and it says it expires 12/31/2025.

My mistake, I had assumed you only got the one year license, you're good to go.

lol I over-do everything and you gave me maps for 2 routes... I knew I'd be back for the other.

My Dad is George, the one mentioned in this thread. I grew up on Marshall Lake. It is so nice to see how far some people will travel to see such a magnificent part of the world. If any of you come back to visit, please let me know.

Robin said:

That’s a good start, I camped at Dog Island my first time thru, and another time I was on Marshall I met a First Nation guy and his wife “I’m George, that’s Alice”, he told me his grandmother built that trappers cabin for his grandfather. He was an interesting guy and one of my great regrets in my paddling life was not inviting them up for tea as they sat in their aluminum boat.
Gamma asked me to share some memories from my trips thru the Marshall Lake area.
Dog Island, 2013
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Trappers Cabin, 2013 and 2015

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Grip Lake campsite, 2013 and 2015, a beautiful spot,

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My dad is George. If you ever find yourself back up this way I’m sure he would love to have some tea this time around. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

looneyjenn said:

My dad is George. If you ever find yourself back up this way I’m sure he would love to have some tea this time around

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Your dad is a nice guy, we had a nice talk, I hope I will be lucky enough to share some tea with him someday.

Hi Jenn & welcome. This loop is definitely on my "do that again" list and I'll try to keep you & your dad in mind when I do.

Robin, if you want to do the loop again, say when (not to sound like a sissy but... preferably August or later when the bugs are dying). I'll sherpa; you just walk & teach me to catch "pickerel". (plan on 2 weeks+, I won't make good time on the ports but we'll get there)

Gamma1214 said:

Robin, if you want to do the loop again, say when

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Thanks, that’s an awesome idea but I’m even done with walking portages. Those two mile longs at the end of the Marshall Lake circuit would be too hard for me without the 65lb wood canvas canoe, the hamstrings are not there anymore.

I have a road trip planned for nw Ontario in August, hoping for a fly in trip to a remote lake but no ports.