This page provides planning information, species we
identified on our trip, links to other sites, and cautions.

September is a good time to canoe in Quetico
if you are prepared for cool, inclement weather.

The scenery is spectacular although the autumn colors
aren't out in full until the end of the month. Seven out of
eight days were sunny and warm. We had only one overcast day
which was no problem as it made for pleasant paddling.

We saw six other canoe parties over the week and
only one motor boat doing a fishing survey on Quetico Lake.
We enjoyed solitude at all of our campsites.

DISCLAIMER

As with any information obtained from the Internet,
this information must not be solely relied upon
without adequate investigation and verification
of the journey by the user.

The author and other persons identified in this web site
will not be held liable for any damage to
any person or property resulting from the
use of this information.

The author acknowledges the references for this
information including map resources supplied by the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Portaging past a frog photographer.
(Julie G)

COSTS

The cost of our trip came within a few dollars of what
we had planned. We were expecting to pay about $135;
we paid $132.50 which included food, gas and
a $6 reservation fee plus $6 per person per night
for interior campsites. A cancellation fee applies.

The maximum group size for interior camping is 9 people.

The Quetico Park Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
Reservation Phone Number for Canada is 807.597.2737.
A new toll free "800" number will be introduced in 1998.

DIRECTIONS

We drove seven hours via the US from Winnipeg
to the Beaverhouse Lake parking lot.

Quetico Park is located south of Atikokan in Ontario.

Take the Lac St Croix Reserve turnoff south from
the highway (40 km west of Atikokan) then drive
27 km to the Beaverhouse Lake parking lot.

Our trip was planned around the northwest corner of the park.

The following 1:50,000 scale topographical maps for
this route are available from the Quetico Park MNR:
Pipe Lake 52C/9
Quetico Lake 52B/12

Don't trust the topographical maps for portages;
cross-reference from the current park map which shows
newer and usually easier portages.

The waterproof Quetico Park map is up to date and reliable.

These and other publications are available from Quetico Park MNR:
A Paddler's Guide to Quetico Provincial Park
Pictographs of Quetico
Lake Names of Quetico Provincial Park
Pages From The Past, Voyageurs and Early Explorers
Wilderness Guide to Quetico Provincial Park.

View the Quetico Provincial Park film featuring Bill Mason by Chris Chapman.

BEAR TIPS

BE PREPARED FOR BEARS.
Carry and use a loud whistle and bring a
canned air horn and bear guard spray.

Package food in odor-proofed multiple food-safe
plastic bags in food barrels or tough containers.
The bear that visited our camp (read story) did not
even go near the barrels at ground level roped to the
base of a tree, but instead went for odour-free canoe packs
hanging 10 metres away on branch stubs on a tree.

Don't take food in your tent.

Keep a clean camp (don't leave food on the ground).

Don't walk alone.

OTHER TIPS

During low water, the east-west portages
through bogs can be difficult.

Filter or boil water you consume to reduce the
possibility of Beaver fever (Giardia Lamblia, a
protozoa that infects the intestinal tract of
humans and other creatures).

Protect your food from the many small rodents
(eat clean - don't feed the wildlife).

Sunset on Kasakakwog Lake.
(Julie G)

WILDLIFE SEEN ON THE TRIP

Bald Eagle
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Blue Heron
Kingfisher
Pine Grosbeak
Spotted Sandpiper
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Green Frog
Tree Frog
Leopard Frog
Toads

Otter
Mink
Muskrat
Beaver
Bat
Black Bear

FLORA SEEN ON THE TRIP

Red Pine
Jack Pine
Cedar
White Pine

Joe Pyeweed
Balsam
Mushrooms

Jewelweed
Smooth Aster
Many-flowered Aster

Fireweed
Sweet Gale
Goldenrod

Bunchberry
Ostrich Fern
Burr Marigold

Bracken Fern
Sarsaparilla

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