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Description:
The La Vase Portages
is a 14 km (8.7 mile) section of the historic Voyageur canoe route, which
connects Trout Lake and Lake Nipissing.
The Route was used thousands of years ago by First Nations in
Ontario at the time of European contact.
Europeans, including Etienne Brule and Samuel de Champlain
learned of the route from First Nations guides and it was soon
established as a major artery into the interior of North America.
The following details were provided by the Friends
of La Vase Portages website at
www.lavaseportages.com
Winter Trails
Starting from the
Brandy Lake parking area, a short looping trail (about 4 km) and
longer linear trail (about 5 km/3.1 mi one way) can be found running from the
North Bay Mattawa Conservation area to Telford’s Landing and
Cooper’s Lake. Generally
these trails are fine for hiking and snowshoeing.
Upper Portage
The Upper Portage
links Brandy Lake to the middle of the Cooper’s Lake section.
Friends of La Vase Portages do not recommend using this section
of the portage without consent of the property owner.
The owner has been very supportive of using this route during
the annual Canoe Day, although talks are still ongoing regarding
public usage of this area. It
is advised that those interested in trekking this route should contact
the Friends who will in turn contact the property owner for
permission.
Middle Portage
This second Portage
has several variations.
The easiest route,
when water levels are reasonable, is via a channel that runs from the
beaver dam at the south end of Cooper Lake.
The user is able to paddle most of the way along this long
channel, which runs from north to south, lifting once and a while over
a beaver dam. The route
will eventually lead to active train tracks.
Once users encounter the tracks, they should stick to the trail
on the west embankment, and follow the tracks until the trail picks up
again 200 yards down, returning to the La Vase River.
Once back in the river, follow the watercourse west towards
Lake Nipissing. About 30
minutes of paddling downstream will lead users to the Lower Portage.
Another option is to
paddle along from the north to about mid way through where users will
encounter Birches Road. It
is easiest to walk around this road on the east side.
Current property owners are supportive of the Friends of La
Vase Portages and have allowed their property to remain flagged and
brushed along the west bank of the swamp area, which starts just above
the beaver pond. This
route continues to the rail tracks at the south end.
Following the active tracks, users will encounter La Vase
River. Once back in the
river, follow the watercourse west towards Lake Nipissing.
About 30 minutes of paddling downstream will lead users to the
Lower Portage.
** Users are strongly
advised not to enter the River before the trail marker for safety
reasons.
Lower Portage
The shallow water and
numerous rocks throughout this section will require lining and wading
in several locations.
For contemporary
paddlers, the preferred route is along the current waterway.
This route may not be manageable for others, however, where the
option would be carrying through a subdivision, across Lakeshore
Drive, and through a driving range in order to reach the river again.
The river turns
sharply from east/west to north/south starting at the north end of the
trailhead. This section
runs over sharp and shallow rocks just below an old mill site.
Wading or lining with good footwear is appropriate.
The rocks come and go as users work towards the backside of a
golf course. Shortly
after, paddlers will reach the deeper water, and a half an hour’s
further paddling will bring visitors to Lake Nipissing.
Directions: From
the HWY 11/17 junction near Seymour Street, head east on HWY 17
towards Ottawa. After
about 3 km (1.9 mi), follow the La Vase Portage signage until you reach a small
parking lot.
Annual Event:
La Vase Portages
Heritage Canoe Day, July 17, 2010. If you like
bugs, mud and french fries then this is the canoe
day for you! Revered by the Voyageurs as a morass
of mosquitoes and waist deep mud, these days we
leisurely paddle and portage the route with little
more than a sun hat and a water bottle ( but don't
forget to bring your canoe and paddles as well).
For full details on this event, check out the
Friends of La Vase website at
www.lavaseportages.com/heritage-canoe-day.html.
Pictures:
You can show your
support for the Friends of La Vase by
joining their Facebook
Group.
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