Whiteshell Canoe Trip - July 2012.

In July of 2012 we canoed from Caddy Lake to Big Whiteshell Lake, a roughly 40km route with only two portages. The route takes you through Caddy Lake, South and North Cross Lakes, Sailing Lake, Little Whiteshell and Big Whiteshell and includes the option to take the 3km detour before reaching Little Whiteshell to Lone Island Lake. There is a campground on One Island.

Entrance to the first tunnel.

Our first day involved traveling from Caddy Lake to Sailing Lake. Going from Caddy to North Cross involves paddling through two tunnels carved in to the rock. It’s quite a neat experience and well worth a day trip to see. This leg of the trip is easily accessible by motor boats and other paddlers. It’s still enjoyable but it doesn’t completely feel like you’re in the wilderness. The first portage of the trip is between North Cross and Sailing Lake. There is a small waterfall with a well travelled portage around it.

Mallard Lake

Day two took us from Sailing, down a short river and through Mallard Lake, to Lone Island Lake. Our Mallard Lake experience was a little unexpected; we quickly discovered that by July the water levels have dropped to a couple of feet and turn the lake in to a giant field of wild rice. It took us quite while to make it across the lake with multiple stops to check the map and discussions about whether were headed in the right direction. We learned that it’s better to do this trip in the spring to avoid the lower water levels.

Mallard Falls

The lake flows in to Mallard Falls and upon first sight our frustration was forgotten. The falls are gorgeous. There are tons of spots to stop and take in the surroundings and I would highly recommend hanging out there for a bit if you’re passing through. To the right hand side of the falls there is a portage. We carried our gear and canoes down the slippery rocks and through water only to be informed by a nearby fisherman that there is path in the bushes that runs along side the falls. Our route may have been a little more dangerous but it certainly made the experience that much cooler. We finished off the day by taking the river to Lone Island Lake and camping on One Island. The island was pretty busy but we were still able to grab a great campsite.

Lone Island Lake sunset.

Our final two days started off with some stormy weather, the only bad weather we had, but by the time we reached Little Whiteshell it had been replaced by clear, sunny skies. There was just enough of a breeze to set up a tarp sail between our two canoes and sail across the lake. We spent our last night on the shores of Big Whiteshell and then paddled across the lake to Big Whiteshell Lodge where we pulled the canoes out and headed home.