I posted this on another board: Here are a few options for drive up access to Wabakimi.
These entry points are on Crown Land with a short paddle to actually get within park boundaries.
But the point for this thread is that one can drive to the access point.
Please supplement this with your own info.
More paddlers' info will make this a more reliable list.
I am updating this in September 2022.
On Aug. 5, 2022, my buddy and I cut our way in to the parking area at Smye, so it should be relatively open for a few years after that.
WEST SIDE
Smye Lake
I entered at Smye Lake 2015, 2016, and 2022
The entry point is one you can drive into on the 702 Rd.
Look for the rock cairn, next to the 4-wheel drive track on right hand side of road after Km43. Take the second 4 wheel track, not the first one you come to.
The entry point is at 50.378954, -90.370296.
There is a nice parking area about 500 meters from the put in.
Once in the park there are many routes available.
Valley Lake
A guy named Ken explored a possible entry near 50.483276, -90.249081 according to the Canadian Topo map at mappingsupport. He drove up a logging road north of Smye Lake. On maps the road is sometimes called Wabakimi Rd. where it splits from the 702 Rd . Ken’s intel was that you can turn right onto that bumpy, obscured logging road for about a 1/4 mile or so and then park. However, there is thick undegrowth and matchstick blowdowns which would make an entry onto Valley Lake fairly difficult to obtain without an axe, saw and perhaps a chainsaw.
I guess you just park at the end of the road.
That entry would get you into a small lake just west of Tew.
Video of the trail is here: Ken's Tew Lake area entry video
Entry south of Heathcote -
Put in is at 50.183098, -90.504306
The ONT DOT Salt domes are on the east side of the 599 Road at 50.483276, -90.249081. Turn right there and go 10.85 miles to the put in.
You will pass Rusty Meyers sign.
Then follow the Vista Lake sign.
You drive past the airstrip and go east to the second bridge.
Confirmed by a guy known as wyopaddler in Sept. 2022:
"Vista Lake/Rusty Myers Road near Savant Lake. The parking area is located at the second bridge past the airfield. There is an easy portage on the west side of the river around a swift from the road to the put in (about 200m). The Flindt River between the put in and Flindt Landing has 2 swifts and a log pullover that need to be navigated (lining/wading). The narrow portion of the river in that section is very interesting. We saw a moose, a pair of swans, and the usual duckie birds.
If you choose to fly in or out with Rusty Myers they will shuttle your car. "
Sassenach Lake
Take 702 Rd to KM marker 59 (50.470337, -90.261266)
Turn right onto heavily overgrown track.
1.7 km in on that road is the put in point: 50.470851, -90.236903
The 1.7 km road is 4WD only and is very rough.
Per ONT MNR:
Access Point 4 (Sassenach Lk): on 702 ROAD KM MARKER 59 (Turn exactly at Marker)
WPT 040 UTM:0694362 5594499
- Could potentially access with care 4WD truck or walk last 50m over boulder field.
- Launch is 1.7km from 702 road
- Launch WPT 041 UTM: 0696068 5594632
I think MNR is being overly careful with their description. (But good on them for making clear that this is rough terrain and requires it be taken with care.) For example, they indicated that the 702 road is 4WD. That is not the case. I have driven my Prius over that road. While I did keep my speed down around 20-25MPH I had no real issue with obstacles.
I think, from the photos and text, that only the last 50m or so is really treacherous for a vehicle. It appears that at least the beginning of the track is driveable. Maybe the brush has grown in and will scrape the paint, but yes, a saw will handle that. MNR said there are a few spots along that track where a vehicle can pull over and park. But an actual gravel parking area exists about 50m from the water.
April 2018- Phil Cotton Quote:
“On https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/backcountry/ I chose Wabakimi as my park and then saw 4 entry points on the map. The entry point labels have little cars associated with them. The map legend says that indicates drive in access.
Shannon Lawr, Superintendent of Wabakimi Provincial Park, has advised me that the access roads indicated on the map you mentioned were established by Ontario Parks to record from which Crown land area visitors who were making interior (backcountry) overnight bookings were planning to access the park and NOT to indicate the existence, number and/or condition of access points with maintained vehicle parking facilities. Shannon also expressed his hope that this map and its legend will be improved by Ontario Parks in the future.”
Pashkokogan Lake
Wabakimi solo trip by poter known as Wabawho. “I used North Albany Lodge south of Pickle lake - entry via Pashkokogan lake.
Of note: 1) You can park your car at North Albany Lodge while out (parking, permit and post trip shower is $12 per day U.S. currency.
2) That portage indicated on Topo map across the road into the southern portion of Pashkokogan is not passable which means you have to paddle the lake (as a solo tripper it took me 5 hours to paddle to the first portage into East Pashkokogan on a day with moderate wind) - so for those looking for solitude from motors you most likely won't get it until the second day of your trip.”
SOUTH SIDE
Another entry point I have heard about is to come up from the south via BrightSands PP.
Turn north at Km 388.0 on ON 17 right at Firesteel River, the Graham Rd.
Take the Grahman road all the way to Harmon Lake. (This road might be washed out as of 2022 and not repaired.)
There is an entry point at Harmon Lake boat launch at 49.973826, -90.116937.
This route gets you into the Allenwater River.
I know there is a parking area for this entry.
SOUTHEAST SIDE
I know that Wabakimi Project folks have opened another entry on the southeast.
I am not sure where you park the car for that one, but it seems to be very close Rte 527.
Wab Proj folks, please fill in here.
EDIT: The intersection of 527 and the dead southward road on east side of 527 is at
50.135133, -89.118882. The access point is on Vale Creek and Nameiben a little south of the identified intersection. The takeout is at an old bridge site over Nameiben River just east of 527 (old bridge no longer there, but the grade and rock cribs are obvious). See more on this below.
In 2019 rtallent wrote Minor note: Vale Creek and Wabinosh River both flow into Nameiben Lake. Outflow from that lake (which goes under 527 via a culvert and continues to Waweig Lake) is usually called Wabinosh River. We checked out the culvert in 2016 and ran it; going the other way: probably have to land and carry up and over the road.
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Some of these spots may require FN permission or a shuttle, especially the southeast entry point(s).
Edited by user Friday, September 9, 2022 4:00:14 PM(UTC)
| Reason: Updating with more accurate and more up to date info.
