First portage east of Dead Tree Lake.

Photo: David Bourdelais

Send other known portages and campsites to Brian.

 

Compiled in collaboration with Brian Back, the guides of Keewaydin, Ed MacPherson, Bob Olajos and Simon Baillie, veteran paddlers of the area.

CANOE ROUTES

South Muskego

If you are looking for isolation and roadless wilds, while still enjoying some proximity to access points, then head to the southern Muskego Wildlands. The portages are all nastawgan, many in the old Peshabo family territory.

  BACKGROUND:  Nastawgan

The busiest route on the map is the portion between Aston and Turner lakes. The next most popular is the route east of Turner through Eagle to Anima Nipissing. The areas in the western half are the quietest, and in some cases, among the most isolated areas of Temagami.

As local guide Bob Olajos says, "If you want the wilderness, you gotta do the portages." This pocket of Temagami is off the beaten path and the portages and campsites reflect it, reminiscent of the condition of Temagami 30 years ago.

The Eagle Lake Ridge has been a popular lookout for decades, despite having no cleared trail. Hikers can easily find their to way to the top for an impressive vista to the west.

The nearest road-access points are on Anima Nipissing Lake and Sandy Inlet on Lake Temagami.

Aston and Whitewater both have big-lake neighbours, so they get anglers that portage in and cache their boats at the portages. Once off these lakes, the wilds are yours.

Over the next five years, this area will be the focus of logging and logging-road expansion, particularly in the Lynx, Barter, Isbister and Ferguson area, effectively ending it as a roadless wildland.

 

South Muskego Canoe Routes map

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Maps and information herein are not intended for navigational use, and are not represented to be correct in every respect. 
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