Sakatawi - Opeepeesway Loop - August 2022

[CanoeDaddy]

Following a lost route highlighted in an Explore the Backcountry youtube video from 2020, I embarked on a solo trip of this loop in late August. I have written up a detailed trip report with additional river notes, campsite and portage information, and even a few maps.

Many thanks to Brad for all his work done on this route. With the exception of one on the Woman River and another on the Rush River that had fresh blowdowns, all the ports were clear, maintained, and signed. I cut some new detours around those blowdowns. Many of the campsites were also signed.

I highly recommend this route (including the wonderful portage into the north end of Little Rice Lake

). Feel free to contact me if you are planning on trying this one and have any questions.

https://www.canoedaddy.com/home/trip-re ... atawi-loop

 

[Patrick Corry]

Excellent report! Very enjoyable to read and lots of photos which are appreciated. You had a bit of every kind of paddling (and suffering) that characterizes canoe tripping!

Thanks, Pat

 

[CanoeDaddy]

Thanks, Pat. Much appreciated. Yep, that's what we love about it. It's the suffering that makes the rewards that much better, right? It feels like you've earned them.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I have written up a detailed trip report with additional river notes, campsite and portage information, and even a few maps.

CanoeDaddy, I just got to reading your blog report. That was wonderfully detailed, written and photographed. I think we all appreciate such dedicated communicative and educational efforts. Please consider posting your canoe experience and some photos directly here in relevant threads more often. Preserving and passing it on is part of the joy of canoesport.

 

[Chip]

IMO, trip reports are greatly enhanced by maps. Corry‘s TR included wonderful mapping, and I appreciated it. Well done!

 

[CanoeDaddy]

CanoeDaddy, I just got to reading your blog report. That was wonderfully detailed, written and photographed. I think we all appreciate such dedicated communicative and educational efforts. Please consider posting your canoe experience and some photos directly here in relevant threads more often. Preserving and passing it on is part of the joy of canoesport.

Thanks Glenn, much appreciated. In addition to helping others in their trip planning, these trip reports double as a diary, so to speak. I'll post another one of my Dad (in his seventies) and me doing a 10-day trip in Wabakimi last August.

 

[memaquay]

Another excellent report! My apologies for a little bit of a thread high jack, but I'd just like to throw some info out there in regards to preserving crown Land routes.

If more canoeists show an interest in the route, it might help prevent losing parts of it to mining or logging interests.

I'm afraid this is more wishful thinking than reality. I have been involved in canoe route preservation for over 20 years, and there is only one way to limit forestry companies from impacting routes. One must become involved in the Forest Management Planning process, either through a Local Citizens Committe, or as a concerned individual. I have been on the local GANRAC group for quite a few years. This group is an advisory group to the FMU in the area, and it is through them that I have been able to make gains with portage and waterway buffers, as well as ensuring that all routes entered in the system have up to date and accurate GPS information for the planning process. It is a thankless task, and often very frustrating, but if one is concerned about Crown Land canoe routes, it is the only way to ensure that they are given some level of respect.

The mining act is a completely different beast, and they make the forestry companies look like Greta Thunberg. They do what they want, with no advisory committees and no public input. Very difficult to have any impact.

 

[CanoeDaddy]

Very interesting, memaquay and thanks for responding with your experience on this. I am beginning to learn more and more about what is happening in northern Ontario and it's breaking my heart. It started when I wanted to try the 4M Circle route in 2021 and discovered that the IAMGOLD mine there has been built on that traditional route. I won't even get into it about the disasters on Wolf Lake and the Solace Wildlands in Temagami.

I guess what I meant by my statement in my trip report, is if more canoeists try a route and value it, a sense of ownership is instilled in protecting it, and therefore, more interest would take place in the forestry management process and resisting mining interests in a variety of capacities. I am definitely interested in becoming involved more as a concerned citizen and am keen to learn more about that process.

 

[CanoeDaddy]

I have been on the local GANRAC group for quite a few years. This group is an advisory group to the FMU in the area, and it is through them that I have been able to make gains with portage and waterway buffers, as well as ensuring that all routes entered in the system have up to date and accurate GPS information for the planning process. It is a thankless task, and often very frustrating, but if one is concerned about Crown Land canoe routes, it is the only way to ensure that they are given some level of respect.

I just went through the GANRAC site. What an incredible resource. Thanks for sharing that information.