View topic - [UPDATE] Early Christmas Present: Poster-Size Magnetawan Map

Hi Folks,

New map for ya. It covers Noganosh, Island Lake, the Magnetawan River loop, and beyond. Attached is a little clip/preview (very low resolution). This is a wonderful area, close to many people who can use it, still pretty wild, and with many routes yet to be established.

For now I'm just using Dropbox for distribution so that I can get this out quickly and start improving it with feedback. There are two versions: one with a faint 1km measured grid and one without. Aesthetically, I don't like measured grids, but I know they're useful. ***LINK UPDATED TO FEB 3, 2018 VERSIONS***

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecs0amwrcmab ... AVnEa?dl=0

The map is designed at a 1:35,000 scale on a massive 50"x64" canvas. If you try to print the whole thing on an 8.5x11 it will not go well. Simply crop what you need for your trip, print on multiple pages if necessary, and don't go beyond 100% zoom or it will start to look pixelated.

I have no plans for paid print distribution unless an opportunity presents itself that doesn't require up front investment. Eventually I'll publish a georeferenced PDF on the Avenza Maps app store so it can be used easily on mobile and with GPS functionality.

Now... I need your help to complete the map. A lot of information is missing or not precise---potentially even flat out wrong.

There are little annotations all over the map requesting information, but here are a few really important ones right now:

Access points - need confirmation on Fleming's Landing, Naiscoot Lake, and Harris Lake (not the marina).
Namely, how much parking is available at each and whether its free. And ideally MORE access points to distribute camper traffic.

GPS tracks for: (1) Kelsie to John, (2) a route connecting Island Lake north to the Pickerel River (this would provide a ton of loop options), and (3) route info/tracks for the chain of lakes south of Port Loring.

Please reply with any information, or email BackcountryAnglingON@gmail.com

Anyway, I'll leave it at that for now. Hope this can help with your trip planning.

Jon

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Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
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Awesome work.

Is there any way to see the maps w/o having Dropbox? I had that installed for a while and hated it---it seemed to want to take over everything!!

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Old canoeists never die---they just smell that way.

If you close the sign-up window that pops up, you can still download it without installing or signing up for anything

_________________
Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryAnglingOntario

I just clicked on Direct download - didn't use Dropbox. It worked great.

Nice work!!

I've got GPX tracks of the Dutchman-Toad-Council-Dog area.

There's a portage from Island to Wolf in that south bay, at least back a few years ago. Was clear and easy to follow. There's a few more campsites and portages on the Lower Mag. Naiscoot River is a passable canoe route with a portage around the dam. I'll try to package it all and send it to you.

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My Backcountry Website: www.explorethebackcountry.com

Thanks Brad!

I would love to get that GPX file so some routes can be made in the northeast corner. And any other info you have would be greatly appreciated.

Added that portage link from Island to Wolf...good to know! The one I did wasn't very friendly at the start until it linked up with a good trail (probably the same one you're describing).

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Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryAnglingOntario

The port from the Mag to Whites is quite short----1-200m. There are also a couple of LOs before reaching Whites.

There is a port from Island to Wolf that begins in the bay with the lodge.

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Old canoeists never die---they just smell that way.

Thanks Wotrock. If you have any idea if there's a portage from White to Kashegaba and, if so, ROUGHLY where it starts and ends, that would be great info too.

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Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryAnglingOntario

I have been told that you just need to carry around the dam.

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Old canoeists never die---they just smell that way.

This is the map I've been waiting for -- thanks Jonathan!!

As for the Harris Lake access point, parking is free, not sure what qualifies as "ample" but there's a reasonable parking lot, haven't seen it at peak season so don't know how full it gets.

Thanks wotrock, looks like you're right. That's a nice linkage up to the Mag. I'll republish the map in a month or two with lots of revisions.

Glad to hear it Dan! And thanks for confirming that. I was pretty sure it was free but didn't want to steer anyone wrong.

_________________
Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryAnglingOntario

I think so too but when I posted it a few years back there was little if any interest shown. That shortcut eliminates at least 2 big ports as well as a paddle on a big cottage lake.

I will try to review you map in more detail in the new few weeks and maybe PM you my comments.

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Old canoeists never die---they just smell that way.

Definitely. It seems much easier.

That would be much appreciated. Feel free to email at BackcountryAnglingON@gmail.com if it's easier.

_________________
Find dozens of trip videos on the Backcountry Angling Ontario YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryAnglingOntario

Regarding Kashegaba to Whites Lake, it is at the dam. The portage is on the west side IIRC. The portage OUT of Whites into the Magnetawan had me scratching my head once-upon-a-time. The outlet from Whites splits into two little streams, and the portage is in the middle of them. When I was there last time there was a bunch of flagging tape on the west side and I followed it with my canoe on my back for quite some time before I realized I was on the wrong path.

The portage into the Magnetawan from Whites ends near a pretty waterfall.

This route is definitely better than paddling through Wah-wash-kesh then down the Magnetawan; unless you like long portages and lakes full of cottages and motor boats.