Hey folks,

I just returned from my first solo trip from Bayley Bay into Kashapiwi. I am pulling together a trip report but thought that I'd give everyone an update on this portage as well as others in the area that I used.

The portage into Kash from the Side Lake direction is different from how it's depicted on the McKenzie map. It's actually split in two as opposed to one long route on the map: one very short portage of 2 or 3 rods located on your right. The trail climbs up about 10-15ft from the lake going over a granite bald-face rock ledge and then the trail disappears into the water of the swamp.

I was forced to put the boat back in, reload and paddle into the swamp for about 30 yards or so. The next section is again on the right and hidden back into the swamp. I found it by looking for where the forest descended into the swamp (the trail is right there). This trail climbs a short 10 to 15 ft again into the woods, continues for maybe 10 rods or so and then descends into a boot-sucking bog. Don't step of the barely-visible corduroy logs laid out or you may sink in up to your upper-thigh...as I found out.

The bog trot continues for about 20 or 30 rods until it rejoins the forest. From there it's a straight shot to Kash.

I looped out via the McNeice portage to Shaun Walshe, Yum Yum, Grey, etc. eventually rejoining my way in via North Bay. Most of the portages have at least some or alot of 12-16 inch blowdowns and deadfall. These are probably typical for this park or any park for early May. The portage crews obviously have not been through this area yet.

On my way out, I found the maintenance crew at the PP ranger cabin setting it up. They flew out the next morning in the direction of Cache.

Anyway, I hope that this information helps if anyone is going in that way soon.

solotripper,

you are correct. My map and my experience this past week as well found the first portage out of Side Lake into the No_Name Lake to be on the LEFT and only about 20 or 25 rods? long.

The SECOND portage on the right now has a first short section of about 2 to 3 rods over a granite bald due to a beaver dam that is under construction and if I remember correctly, some rocks/low rapids. You have to portage up and over which is a nuisance because you then float for about 50 yards to the second part that climbs into the forest, bog trots for about 20 rods or and then rejoins the woods to continue on.

I was thinking from my Chrismar and McKenzie map that I would find only ONE long portage of 184 rods on the RIGHT but instead found TWO.

Anyway, let me know what you find when you get out there 

Encourage the beavers. It sure would be nice to float to the base of the steeper part like the first time I went that way.

Or paddle all the way across the marsh to the old portage on the other side of the talus pile and avoid all steep parts.

Interesting to piece together where/what the trail was versus what it is now from everyone's recollection! I had just paddled past a campsite on my right on the way to this. I backtracked, got out at the campsite and climbed into the woods looking for the portage trail. No luck.

So, I got back in, paddled another couple of yards and found the beaver dam/rocks and low waterf with a dirt embankment and trail on the right. I climbed it, came to the bald rock and....no trail. There wasn't even a hint of trail to the sharp right as the embankment dove steeply into the water.

I calculated, as others are surmising here that the trail must be under water and put back in. I thought about paddling down the stream with the sheer granite face wall to the left (everyone remember that?) but decided against it because I had no idea where it went. This is when I backtracked again, paddled into the swamp on my left and found the trail picking up as it climbed another embankment and headed into the woods.

In hindsight, it would be great if you could float past the bog section on your right, somehow take-out close to the woods, skirt that edge of the bog to the trail and continue on. The rest of the trail to Kash is in very good shape and a relatively easy walk to the lake.

This current way is far more adventurous. Nearly had mud in my pockets on this one