Paddled the Little Pic last week from Killala Lake Road bridge to Hwy 17 with an average water level of 2.8m. A map is available at the link below as a JPEG or georeferenced PDF.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecs0amwrcmab ... AVnEa?dl=0Based on what I saw, I don't believe the route has been traveled in 20+ years, possibly since the Geraldton High School Outers Club did it in 1994. No trace left of ports until you hit the second last falls where there's a dilapidated trapper's cabin and a weak trail...didn't even find one cut log. I cut trails but was rushed so they need more work. Thanks to Rob Haslam for sending me the maps and info from that trip, which were originally produced by John Arts.
Next summer, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg plans to clear the river from the headwaters which will extend the route beyond this map.
If you want to see a video of the route, it will be available shortly:
https://youtu.be/MJ9cshlYZ_YAs per the write-up on the map:
This 77km route from the Killala Lake Road bridge to the finish
point north of the Highway 17 is wild and seldom traveled.
Intermediate canoe tripping and whitewater skills are required.
A minimum of four days should be allotted due to the potential
for difficult overland travel and fluctuating water levels. As a
soloist clearing most of the trails, it took me six days. The
river is primarily a brook (speckled) trout fishery until after the
last falls at which point almost any species could be
encountered, due to the linkage to Lake Superior. This could
range from salmon to walleye to muskie.
Notes:
-Swifts are not marked on the map.
-Rapids classifications may change seasonally.
-The average water level for this trip at the end of September
was 2.8m and this provided ample water for flatwater sections
and reasonable water for most runnable whitewater sections.
2.2m is about as low as the river normally gets, and 2.5m
should be considered a minimum for attempting this route.
Search for Water Office's Real-Time Hydrometric Data for
current conditions.
-The current is appreciable for many kilometres south of the
last falls.
-River banks are consistently steep and muddy.
-Viable campsites are few and far between, and will likely
require clearing.
-Portages are rough and may be difficult to follow. Use this
map in Avenza Maps (a free app) to follow the tracks on this
map using GPS. There is no cell phone signal on the route,
but GPS is not dependent on cell reception.
-Additional portages are needed to avoid awkward and/or
dangerous lining and wading.
-Forestry access roads to the top of the route are in good
condition as of October 2019.
-The start point is accessed via Highway 17 > Deadhorse
Road > Jackpine Road > Vein Lake Road West > Killala Lake
Road.
-The short road to the access point at the south end of the
route is in fair condition.