TEMAGMAI OBABIKA OLD GROWTH FOREST:  Temagami world famous old growth forest in not to be missed.   A standard on our schedule we've been making trips to this famous area for years (Obabika and Wakimika Lakes). Long before they became well known to environmental groups our paddlers were enjoying this great forest and the wonderful lakes, creeks and rivers along the way. You'll have time to hike, swim, paint or take pictures on this 6 day trip. A full day will be spent at the Old Growth, which is Skill Level 1. This route is ideal for the novice paddler, as well as for anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the Temagami forests. The trip passes through some of the most scenic spots in the area, accessible only by canoe.

Suggested Itinerary: *

Day 1
Meet at the Wanapitei CANOE outfitting centre on Lake Temagami by 8:30 a.m. After introductions and orientation, we will head out at 9:30 a.m., across Sandy Inlet to Pickerel Bay and on to our first portage. We will make our way across the 400m Pickerel Bay Portage into Whitefish Bay, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will negotiate the narrows leading into Sharp Rock Inlet ...

Expand to show more content

TEMAGMAI OBABIKA OLD GROWTH FOREST:  Temagami world famous old growth forest in not to be missed.   A standard on our schedule we've been making trips to this famous area for years (Obabika and Wakimika Lakes). Long before they became well known to environmental groups our paddlers were enjoying this great forest and the wonderful lakes, creeks and rivers along the way. You'll have time to hike, swim, paint or take pictures on this 6 day trip. A full day will be spent at the Old Growth, which is Skill Level 1. This route is ideal for the novice paddler, as well as for anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the Temagami forests. The trip passes through some of the most scenic spots in the area, accessible only by canoe.

Suggested Itinerary: *

Day 1
Meet at the Wanapitei CANOE outfitting centre on Lake Temagami by 8:30 a.m. After introductions and orientation, we will head out at 9:30 a.m., across Sandy Inlet to Pickerel Bay and on to our first portage. We will make our way across the 400m Pickerel Bay Portage into Whitefish Bay, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will negotiate the narrows leading into Sharp Rock Inlet and then paddle across this island-studded bay, we will carry the 100 m portage into Diamond Lake, on which we will see the ruins of a once operational logging jack ladder. Camp will be set up on one of the many beautiful island campsites on this Lake.

Day 2
We'll make a detour in the morning north on Diamond to visit the ancient native rock paintings. After this we'll head down toward the narrows at the west end of Diamond Lake. We'll stop for lunch before embarking on two portages that take us to Wakimika Lake. En route you will cross the controversial Red Squirrel Road Extension between Pencil and Straight Lakes. We will enter into Wakimika Lake at a beautiful beach, the location of the 1989 Temagami Wilderness Society Road Block campsite. From here it is a 10 minute walk to the road and site of the environmentalist blockade and arrests. Much of this area (the townships of Shelburne, Canton, Delhi and Acadia) was protected from cutting in 1990. We'll either camp on this beach or on the island campsite on the Lake.

Day 3
At the south end of Wakimika Lake we will paddle down the meandering Wakimika Creek. As we approach Obabika Lake we will cross the Goulard Road at another controversial site during demonstrations in 1988. We will make camp early on Obabika Lake and spend the afternoon hiking the old Growth Trails up to Shishkong Lake.

Day 4
We will begin this day with a long paddle down Obabika Lake toward our exit portage. Just after lunch, a 900 m portage will take us into Obabika Inlet. Along this inlet we will paddle through a young forest which is just developing after a large fire in the late 1970's. We will camp here for the night.

Day 5
A short paddle will bring us to our first portage of the day, and last of the trip, a 600 m carry, through the burn into Devils Bay of Lake Temagami. We will stop for lunch below Devil’s Mountain. After a short hike up to the lookout, we will paddle the final two hours to our site. (Accommodation is available at the Wanapitei Chateau. Most stay for dinner, a sauna and or hot shower.)

Logistics:

Meeting Place
The trip starts from the Wanapitei CANOE Outfitting Centre on Lake Temagami (located on Sandy Inlet at the Lodge beside Camp Wanapitei)

Meeting Time
We suggest you arrive the night before your trip and either camp out or stay at the lodge.

Directions to the Wanapitei CANOE Outfitting Centre:
Because this trip leaves from Sandy Inlet Lake Temagami directions to the facility are included in our snail mail package or it can be obtained on the web. Please note that there is NO GAS available after you leave Temagami. The logging road is 30 km long, so please make sure you have adequate gas to get in and out. It will take you 45 minutes to 1 hr to get to us from Highway 11. The road is a gravel logging road. If you have a small car or one with low clearance do not take the final 400 m. rough road to the beach trail but rather go to the Jackpine trail. You will notice from the map that once you’ve parked your car, the last 600 m is done on foot. You will have to walk through the Camp Wanapitei property to reach the lodge.

Departure
On Day 5 of the trip you can usually arrive (by Canoe) back at the Wanapitei Chateau by 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.

Accommodation
Many participants decide to stay at the Wanapitei Chateau lodge at the beginning and end of their trip in order to arrive on time and leave rested and showered at the end. (Alternatively you may camp or stay in Temagami 1 hr away.)

(*Note this is a suggested itinerary only, conditions on each trip vary)