I'm going to Island Lake near Noganosh PP for 4 days, Aug. 5-8 (Fri-Mon) to do some reconnaissance and I'd love some company. I think Island Lake could be a good spot for this group to meet up at but I want to scope it out first. I'd like to see if there are any sites big enough to handle 5-10 hammocks, I'd like to see how the parking works out, and I'd like to explore one of the many loops that can be done from Island Lake.

This area is a conservation reserve so there are no site fees, but also no thunder boxes nor portage signs. I will launch from the municipal boat launch at Bennett’s Landing on Wahwashkesh Lake. Each car will need to purchase a parking permit for $40 from the municipality but I have room in my car and canoe for one (coming from Guelph) and I believe the permit is for the year so you could come back another time too. underserviced and I made it from that approximate location to Island Lake in about 4.5 hours last summer by following Farm creek. Farm Creek twists and turns but there's only 2 very short (~50m) portages. Once on Island Lake there are a handful of campsites. I'll be honest, I've only ever used one of them but I've seen people on 2 others and Kevin Callan's "Top 60 Canoe Routes of Ontario" says there are 8 sites within 1-2km of the outlet from Farm Creek, including 2 on opposite sides of an island in the far south-east corner of the lake, only 2km from the outlet of Farm Creek. I want to see if that would be a good spot for a large group.

Once I've scoped out the camp sites I plan on doing the 2-day Dutton and Wolf Lake loop starting from the north end of Island Lake. Kevin Callan has written about the Dutton and Wolf Lake loop, so while I've never done it, I'm pretty confident that it can be done. However, I don't know if the portages will be well marked, maintained or wide. If you like to explore, use your map and compass, and don't mind a few small challenges, then the Dutton-Wolf Lake loop might be for you. Frankly, anyone that did the 2400m portage to McIntosh Lake in May of this year can handle the Dutton-Wolf Lake loop.

Depending on how quickly I make it around the first half of the loop, I may have time to explore getting to Duck Lake. Kevin's book says the portage into Duck Lake is 1400m but as the crow flies it's only 600m. Maybe it's a typo and it is 400m. I don't think it could twist and turn enough to become 1400m.

If I make really good progress I would also love to see if we can get from Duck Lake to Dutton Lake. www.myccr.com says there is a 300m portage out of Duck Lake to a small lake/pond and my topo shows a creek from there to Dutton Lake. I'll have to see how much time I have and how adventurous I'm feeling.

Either way the plan is to make it back to Island Lake for night 3 and then paddle home on day 4.

If you're interested and can get the time off work/away from the family let me know.

theyland