Ranger,

First of all, there are fewer permits per day for the Cirrus Lake entry point, so be sure to reserve one early. Secondly, as far as checking into the Park, you might consider doing so with officials at the Ministry office in Atikokan, if convenient to your travel plans. That would save you the 4-5 mile "round trip" paddle from put-in to the Ranger Cabin across Beaverhouse Lake, and then back again to the Cirrus portages (VERY near the B'house put-in!). The wind can kick up pretty fierce on Beaverhouse. By using the Atikokan office check-in, you can totally avoid crossing its wide open waters and be well on your way down Cirrus Lake, instead.

As far as finding the entry point for Cirrus, it's really simple. From the Beaverhouse put-in look for wooden pilings (remnants of an old bridge or dock) standing in the first real cove on the left. They are only about 3/8 of a mile from the B'house parking lot. Pass through the wooden pilings and look for the portage entrance immediately on your right. The portage itself is an easy 700 yards to a no-name lake. Cross the no-name lake and look for the portage into Cirrus Lake about mid-way on the northern shoreline. It's only 250 yards from there into Cirrus Lake.

There are decent campsites along both shorelines on the northern & southern arms of Cirrus. The B'house/Cirrus entry is a good entry point option if you wish to avoid portages and cover a lot of water.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Jimbo

Posted by Jimbo on March 01, 2002 at 18:39
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