gfy_paddler wrote on Jul 11^th, 2012 at 4:47pm:



gfy_paddler -

Hey, just  in time!  Value-added, thanks!

Jimbo   

If Jimbo had posted here PRIOR to his ill-fated 'shortcut', he might have found where the portage shortcut REALLY was located...just sayin.

Not sure if I'm too late to add value here, but i walked that portage from the Darky River to Wicksteed 2 years ago.  It is precisely as Mad_Mat describes.  It is tucked into a little hold on the shore and it's easier to see, but still not easy, if you are moving from south to north on the river.  It within sight of the log jam and portage just a little further north on the River.  I don't think this portage is taken very often.

Mad_Mat -

You better believe that I've already drawn BOTH lines on MY map!

I've also printed off Ho Ho's picture of that marker cairn on the Wicksteed side.  Chances are that some semblance of that marker (& downed tree beside it) are still there.  I'll find the danged thing.  As I'm expecting an ultra tame trip this year, I'll use any excuse for what little "adventure" I can find!

Thanks for the inputs, folks.

Jimbo   

"You will note that Ho Ho's map shows the portage as located a bit further north than the one shown on the PCD."

I'd take the PCD location as being closer to correct (at least it matches my memory better) - HoHo just free hand drew in his route I'd think. 

I found this Trip Report by Ho Ho in which he comments on this very portage:  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

He even shows portage related pics and one of those great maps he typically couples with his reports!

You will note that Ho Ho's map shows the portage as located a bit further north than the one shown on the PCD.

Just another reminder of how the "Search" function on QJ can be so valuable for trip planning.  For those of you who haven't yet renewed your financial support of this website, I encourage you to reflect upon the various tools we have been given (PCD, portage database, Trip Report archives, etc.).  They are easily worth of price of Inukshuk admission!

And thanks to Ho Ho and others like him, too, who contribute their experiences from which many of us benefit.

Jimbo   

That's good feedback, Mad_Mat, thanks! 

I'm considering camping on Wicksteed & exiting to Minn via the Darky River.  I expect I'll have a chance to reconnoiter some during the day or so I'm camped there.

Jimbo   

I've done that portage - not into wicksteed creek, but further east on the river, from the river to the lake - a rough estimate per the OBM was point one six mile so about 1/6th mi . 

I was going upstream, and it is hard to find that way, as you go past it and would have to be looking over your right shoulder to see it, as its back in a little bay.   After I was certain I'd passed it, I backtracked and found it - even then, I don't think it was really obvious.

I'd say that at the river end, its just about where the Ontario Basic Mapping shows it to be. I don't remember if its on the Fisher map, or not?  Tried to do a copy/paste of the OBM for you, but can't make that work.  Likely its the same as PCD as that uses OBM data?

I did it in 2009, so my memory is more or less blank, but I don't recall any difficulties on it.

Kingfisher wrote on Jul 1^st, 2012 at 12:11pm:


...especially when YOU are around!   

Jimbo   

Jimbo, I would think that by now you would not be too worried about a line on a map. Those are for everybody else right?