4 lake chain (Krooked, Sakwite, Crackshot, Whitewater)

CanadaOntarioNorthwest
Submitter & Author Information
Route submitted by: 
Michael Canfield
Trip Date : 
September 4-8, 2020
Additional Route Information
Distance: 
48 km
Duration: 
4 days
Loop Trip: 
No
Portage Information
No. of portages: 
3
Total Portage Distance: 
1200 m
Longest Portage: 
600 m
Difficulty Ratings
River Travel: 
Novice
Lake Travel: 
Intermediate
Portaging: 
Moderate
Remoteness: 
Advanced
Background Trip Info
Water Levels: 
Low
Route Description
Access to Put-In Information: 

Drive down the Trout Road off HWY 502. The first bridge is around 8k. Put in there. 

Technical Guide: 

After putting in at Trout River there is a pull over almost immediately for a set of fast water. The next set isn't as fast and can shoot through (we did) or pull over. If you pull over, be careful as the rocks are really slippery. 

Unless it's a South wind, the paddling should be fairly smooth the first day. If it's a South wind it will be a long day. There is a shore lunch spot, which will be spotted from the canoe and at around 12 km. This is a good camp spot.

Second day, paddle to Sakwite. Have a quick portage over the first damn, but then arrive at the real portage. This one is beautiful but difficult. Go to the left side. We cut a trail on that side and it should be fairly simple to follow, but be careful. This is the most difficult portage. It took a while to get into the lake, so we found a simple camp spot. I would recommend getting to this lake as early as you can to find a suitable spot.

Third day: Go South and you will find a trail that leads to the river to Outakamon. If you look at the satellite map you'll see a pinch point between the lake and the creek. The trail is right there and it's an easy carry. Now paddle to Outakamon and across to creek to Crackshot. The trail to Crackshot is right at the base of the falls. We almost missed it due to some overgrown Alders, but the trail is good and it's an easy carry.

You are now in Crackshot lake. Crackshot is two bodies of water divided by a creek. We went to creek side of the lake and then South and found a shorelunch spot and camped there. Through the creek may have better fishing and may be able to find a better camp spot. 

The next day we went through the pull through to Whitewater lake. The water was low for us so we were able to easily paddle through, but if the water was higher you may have to pull through with a rope or portage. There is a landing that Gordie Meville maintains on Whitewater (he lives there full time), but I don't recommend going out there. The trail is extremely muddy. If you go to the far end of the lake, there is a rough trail to get back to the main trail. An ATV or cart would be handy to get out. 

That's it! What a great trip it was and a lot of fun for my wife and I.