Other than flying in as Kevin Callan did, does anyone know of a reasonable access strategy for the area mentioned in the title?

Am pondering trying to paddle up the creek that exits northeast corner of Endikai Lake. Anyone done it?

Mike

I was in last year and accessed the area via a road off HWY 129. The road takes you right to Toodee lake. I got this tip from David Lee's blog; http://passionatepaddler.blogspot.com/

The road is easily passable with a truck, but a touch rough/washed out for a car. It could be done if you went really slow, but you would be risking some bumps!

We did a loop from there down through Town Line, Robb, Elbow, Kirkpatrick, Big Horseshoe, Duval and back in 4 days at moderate pace.

I too am very interested in paddling up the creek, and would very much like to hear about it if you try. According to the topos it looks like moderate gradient for the first 15km, but the last 2km will be mostly portage according to the gradient on the topos (it drops 250ft in 2km!).

Thanks. Will post an update if I make the trip either way.

I don't know that area, but the topo shows a lake called "Portage Lake" on the way from Endikai to Kirkpatrick. Any thoughts whether this may indicate an old route?
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=46.62822,-83.05046&z=14&t=T

By the way, a 1947 map shows portages N and W of Kirkpatrick

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Hello,

I had the pilot fly low over that river that empties out of the east end of Kirkpatrick. It's would be a good haul up some major current. I paddled down the river for a bit as well and portaged three times. It porbably would be a good way to exit the lake but not a great way to enter it. Going in through Portage Lake is possible by an old ATV trial but it's a good day walk - an not advisable at all. The traditional way in from the northwest corner is crazy driving even with a 4x4. To fly in to the lodge really is the cheaper (if you're splitting it with a group)and easier way - honest, I tried everything before booking the flight. Besides, the lodge guides are the only ones taking care of this place right now and it would be nice to help them out in return.

Kevin

Thanks for the info Kevin (and the blog entry that piqued my interest). I'm certainly not above flying in. Hope I can pull it off this spring.

Mike, I have been on this lake system a fews years back. I was flown in. I did fish and walk the outflow which is the west branch of the little white river. While it may be possible to traverse it upstream, it will be difficult. The stream flows through almost a gorge with very steep banks. The river has some deep holes and waterfalls that will require a portage. You might exit this way but going in would be tough. My advice is to fly in and canoe out, or drive to the lake mentioned and portage in from there. The lakes are really pretty. They have sheer rock walls in many places and you need to watch the wind. While there is a fishing camp on Kirkpatrick, this should not be an issue because it is small and normally has only a few anglers. The portages to other lakes are clear but up hill and tough climbing. Better fishing can be found in the smaller lakes south of Kirkpatrick - which are easier to canoe and learn. I did not see many campsite. Assume you will have to bushwhack. Would I go back. Definitely yes.
Jerry G

Another nice trip (if you don't mind a 120km car shuttle) might be to start at Toodee lake, paddle through Town Line, Robb, Elbow, Kirkpatrick, West Little White river, Endikai Lake. Or take the blue lakes in the other direction: Toodee, Pointer, Duval, Big Horseshoe, Bluebird, Kirkpatrick and out the river. I'd put either trip at a 4 days or longer depending how much time you like to spend fishing or "smelling the roses". It takes 2 days to get from Toodee to Kirkpatrick at a moderate pace, leaving 2 days to paddle down the west little white river.

Access to Toodee is down seymour road off HWY 129, and was in good shape last fall for a truck. 4wd not required, but clearance certainly is!

Anyone know about the state of the road to Toodee lake this year? It's a beautiful looking area that I don't have the cash to fly to.

Wondering about the road as well. Planning on August for a trip and am looking to drive in. AWD with good ground clearance

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I am thinking about going in on June 30th. Never been in before. I'll give a report on the road conditions if we make it in. For those of you that have been in before, what is the fishing like? Any tips for these lakes?

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Paul

About a year ago there were a couple posts just above regarding road access; did anyone attempt the road? Anything to report?

Hello, another 3 years has past since a post on this thread, did anyone above actually make it in to Toodee lake or anywhere on the loop? If so is there any maps of portage routes etc? A group of us have picked this location as our annual May trip this year.

I cant seem to find any useful maps or info on canoe routes. Just the usual google maps images and crown maps which show nothing. All we know for sure is that Seymour is 4x4 only after the Whispering Winds lodge.
Went into Robb lake as a fly in a few years back, but there was no indication anywhere surrounding that lake of a portage route.

If there is no info, and my group still decides to give it a go, I will update this thread when I return.

Thanks!

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You can still find this small image of Kevin Callan's map from his explore mag online:

Thank you Sbaillie, I had seen parts of the article in Explore in my web search and red some of it, but I did not see this image. It is good enough for me to work with.

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Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. ~ Edward Abbey