|
DIFFICULTY:
-Moderate. |
START
/ FINISH:
-McManus Lake. 15 km from Sand Lake Gate |
|
DISTANCE:
-20 km there and back
-2 portages. However, they both can be avoided by lining canoe up
the swift moving water. (see article for details)
-90 m
-500 m
|
WEATHER/WATER
CONDITIONS:
- Algonquin
Park |
PORTAGE
MARKINGS:
-Excellent. |
NEARBY
ATTRACTIONS:
-Barron Canyon |
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> Canoe Routes >
McManus to Whitson Lake
Information
 |
| North end of whitson
Lake |
This canoe route travels through a series
of long thin lakes on the east side of Algonquin Provincial Park. McManus,
Smith and Whitson Lakes are part of the Petawawa River, a famous whitewater
river, who’s headwater originates near the western boundary of Algonquin
Park and flows to the Ottawa River. This day trip takes you past forest
destruction caused by a severe windstorm in 1999 that passed through Algonquin
Park.
 How
to get there
Drive north west of
Pembroke along Hwy 17 and turn onto Doran Rd (Cty Rd 26). Travel 300 metres,
and then turn right onto the Barron Canyon Rd. Drive 26 km on pavement,
then gravel to the Sand Lake Gate at the Park boundary, where you can
buy a day-use vehicle permit and excellent publications by The Friends
of Algonquin Park. Continue west for 6.4 km beyond the gate. Turn right
(north) and procede 8.3 km to the south end of McManus Lake.
Directions
- Canoe north up McManus Lake. The forest
destruction on both sides of the lake was caused by a severe storm which
impacted about 6500 hectares of Algonquin Park in 1999.
- At the swift either take the portage on
the left or line the canoe up the rapids.
- You are now in Smith Lake, continue north
to the end of the lake. Take the portage or line the swift.
- Canoe up Whitson Lake. Lookout for the
Silver Maples on the islands. Silver Maples are uncommon this far north,
except here on the Petawawa River.
- At the end of Whitson Lake, return the
way you came. In the swifts in low water look out for rocks.
- DO NOT
proceed beyond the south end of McManus
Lake. The River goes through a live firing range of CFB Petawawa.
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