Kahshahpiwi

[Glenn-O]

This is one area of the park that I haven't seen. What I'm looking at is my cousin and I going up late August or early September. Some things I would like to see is the old growth around McNiece, walleye lakes and possibly the tower on Kash. Probably get a tow up Moose to PP and go from there. Any thoughts on the extra $$ for a tow to Washington Island? Should I try for Sarah or stick with the smaller lakes on the way?

BTW QP, thanks for the site! Good Job!

[Orygoner]

I've come through Kahshahpiwi twice now. Came out thru PP the first time. Based on that and looking at the map, I can't see any good reason for getting a tow to Washington Isl. Seems like it would add length to your trip.

The trip across Bayley Bay and North Bay can be a little challenging depending on the wind, but I don't think you'd gain much wind advantage either from Washington Isl. Basswood Lk is such big water. On a 2001 trip we left a camp on the south side of US Point before daylight to paddle in lighter winds down to WA Isl and on into Wind Bay enroute back to Moose Lk.

Anyhow... I'd like to take a route thru the smaller lakes btwn North Bay of Basswood and Kahshahpiwi (South, West, Shade, Grey, Armin, Yum Yum, Shan Walshe, and McNiece). From talking with friends who did it a couple years ago, the portages might be a bit challenging. But, I'd like to see the old growth pine too.

I haven't caught any fish in this area so can't offer much on walleye lakes. Only tried for lake trout on Kahshahpiwi - not successful.

On our 2003 trip we came out the south end of Kahshahpiwi (after coming down the Creek and lake chain from Kawnipi) and on thru Side and Isabella back into North Bay.

Here's a pic of the lookout on Kahshahpiwi, taken in 2003.

[Jackfish]

Hey Glenn-O...

Nice to see you on here. If you're looking for some information on the Kahshahpiwi area, I've been through the area you referenced.

Tow to PP, paddled through Basswood, Burke, North Bay, beaver channel to Isabella, camped on the unnamed lake just west of Isabella, paddled up through Side and into Kahshahpiwi.

From there, we took the 185 rod portage to McNiece, paddled to Shan Walshe and camped on Yum Yum on a beautiful high cliff campsite.

Then, we went through Grey, then an unnamed before heading north up through the S-chain and into Agnes.

Great area. I have to give credit to QP, though. He was the one who gave me the idea to trip through this area. It was well worth the trip!

[HoHo]

I'm a big fan of the Kahshahpiwi Chain. If you have a chance, you should paddle north out of Kahshahpiwi at least to Sark, which is a great lake with cool flat little islands and more than one five-star campsite. It may mean doubling back the same way you came to Kahshahpiwi (unless you loop around through Kawnipi and Agnes), but I think it's worth it. The north end of Kahshahpiwi Lake is also the most spectacular part.

When we went through two years ago, we came down from Kawnipi through the Kahshahpiwi chain and then had two days to get back to Prairie Portage. There are at least three routes from Kahshahpiwi to PP, and it seems like we took the "wrong" one -- over Yum Yum Portage. That was one of the (if not the) toughest days of tripping ever for me, because on top of Yum Yum Portage we had the grueling "Boggy Portage" mishap, all in nonstop pouring rain, which I described in my trip report on the CCBB (link: www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=9927&messageid=1089488682). You'll go over Boggy Portage if you go to McNiece, even if you skip Yum Yum Portage. If you get to Kahshahpiwi from Yum Yum Lake through McNeice instead of over Yum Yum Portage but like to break up paddling with a little hiking (without gear), then you should definitely hike Yum Yum Portage for the hell of it, it's pretty spectucular scenery.

Bill

[WoodsWalker]

That is a very nice report HoHo, Thanks for sharing it here.

[shadow=gray,left,500]Woods Walker[/shadow]

[Glenn-O]

As posted elsewhere...

Last of August, exiting Labor Day weekend. 2 of us with experience in canoe country. 8-9 days/nights

Looking at entering at Prairie Portage, heading towards Sarah for a few days. Up through McIntyre, Paulene, Burt, Marj, Joyce. I'm wanting to stay in this area for a day or three. Heading back through Kahshahpiwi with a layover, stopping at McNeice to see the old trees, make my way to Shade and eventually to Prairie for a pick up.

With travel arrangements I think that I will arrive at Moose Lake mid morning for a noonish tow to the border. Will this eliminate some of the wait for camping permit? Night one will more than likely be in North Bay.

Goals of the trip include some degree of solitude, photo ops, days spent fishing, a tough travel day or two with layovers to make up for it. If I see the northern lights dance again it’s a bonus. If I catch a laker it’s a real bonus. If I hear, or better yet see and hear wolves it’s almost a sure thing for the best trip ever.

Recommendations requested for prime camps in the areas noted for layovers—I will maintain confidentiality if e-mailed. Known submerged reefs with action? Sights to see along the way? (pictos on Burt and Shade noted) Anyone in the area during this time to share a platy (nothing younger that 12 years along with me!)? Past experiences here?? Which is the preferred route into Side Lake from Isabella—on the south end or the north end of Side? Is Sarah north of the portage to McIntyre less traveled? Anything else to add??

Is it possible to enter at Prairie and have leeches to fish with??

My boss granted me the time off and asked why so far in advance. I said I needed to know 5 months ahead of time at least because of permits. She asked if it was busy with campers (those with motors or pulled by a truck). I said no, not in the least. Nibi’s 2003 year in the BW/Q is my screen saver at work and I pointed to it. No campers here I said, just tents . She just said it’s pretty, but she doesn’t understand why anyone would endure the hard work to get to it. I just thanked her for the time off!

[qp]

Glenn O
I'll hit on a few things tonight. If your planning on North Bay your first night I would shoot just a little farther up into Lost Bay. One reason is you will see fewer if any people. Second the campsite is huge on the point.
I also like the Isabella Creek route in to Kash. After Isabella I take the more western route to Side Lake. Much flater portages and again fewer people.
Again you might consider going up the Shade to McNeice route. Only bad portage is before Grey Lake. Theres a great island campsite on Walshe Lake. Picto's are there on Shade we found them in 1992. McNeice it worth the trip. I beleive there are 3 campsites on McNeice. The portage from McNeice to Kash is long but not bad. Mainly 2 rough areas. The cliff about half way thru and the wet creek on Kash side if its been raining.
If your heading to Joyce Lake the portage can be hard to find, but it is there and its a tough one. Marj Lake has a 4 star campsite on the Island.
The Burt Lake Picto's are there as well but in 97 they were hard to find and very faded.
Paulene Lake is a nice lake good lake to fish too. When we went thru there though, just out from the portage was a moose in the bottom of the lake about 20 feet deep. It kind of ruined the lake for us. McIntyre and Sarah lakes are 2 very nice lakes. Plenty of fish, great campsites, and a little harder portages getting there.
qp

[Glenn-O]

Thanks for the info QP. Now I request a bit more...

Where on Kahsh is the tower? McK maps don't show where it is.
Lost Bay camp on the point. Which direction does the point face? South near the entry to the bay, or the one with the "prongs" facing northeast?
In Gladeguy's post about going down the Tuck river into Kahsh, you posted a couple of jpegs with campsites on Sarah, McIntyre, Burt, etc. Would you have one just east of there showing most of Kahsh?
Thanks!

After getting the time off, I called the outfitter on Moose Lake to sign up. I asked about leeches and was told that they are all but impossible. Even getting them in FF, if you bring them back in the states, they are "contaminated" and not worthy of entry into Canada again. Oh well!