| This route is favored by a number of youth camps as it allows group camping on Kabakwa, Sherborne and St. Nora Lakes – it is also close to amenities which can be good for safety reasons when tripping with groups of inexperienced youth. – There is one portage which crosses Hwy 35, extreme caution must be taken. | |
| Access: | Frost Centre |
| Facilities: | Parking, Outhouse |
| Distance: | 24 km |
| Duration: | 2-4 days |
| Portages: | P586, P1177, P107, P662, P1058, P212, P291 |
| Side trips: | Little Brother Lake, Silver Doe/Silver Buck P556/P166, Orley P361, Sundew P110, Sherborne Lake Dam |
| Points of Interest: | Frost Centre Institute, seasonal Water Falls at Fagan Ponds |
Canoe Routes in the Frost Centre Area
Trips may start from one of eleven access points located throughout the area. Some of the routes are loops. The area is ideal for novice canoeists, families and groups.
The following routes are available depending on the desired experience, trip duration, equipment and level of experience.
Campsites and portages are marked. Much of the area is public lands and water, however private cottages, docks and roads should be respected at all times. These descriptions are suggestions only. It is possible to put together a route completely of your choosing, these are just guidelines to give you an idea of the possibilities.
With the number of recreational users accessing the area increasing, we must all develop a style of camping that has the least possible impact on the environment. The ideal of the modern voyageur is look back and see no evidence of his or her passing. If you achieve this ideal, you will be able to remember your trip with that extra satisfaction. Please practice leave no trace camping. There are no garbage facilities at campsites or access points, please plan to pack out all garbage and bring it home with you. Do not leave any garbage on campsites, in the fire pit, or in the campsite toilet box.
Routes
St. Nora – Kushog - Kabakwa – Saskatchewan – Big Brother – Big Hawk – Sherborne
St.Nora - Sherborne Lake Route
| Popular route – easy weekend getaway, 1 easy portage. | |
| Access: | Frost Centre or Sherborne Lake (Sherborne Lake access road is a use at your own risk road – cars are not recommended.) |
| Facilities: | Parking, toilets. Trails store/office and boat ramp at Frost Centre Access. |
| Distance: | Approximately 10 km |
| Duration: | 2 days |
| Portages: | 813m – Can be shortened by paddling marsh midway – return via same portage |
| Side trips: | Little Avery Lake/Bruin/Orley Lake, Silver Doe/Silver Buck Lake |
| Points of Interest: | Very scenic High bluffs in South East Bay of Sherborne Lake. Sherborne Lake has numerous secluded bays and islands to explore. Excellent camping and swimming. There is a natural sandy beach at the Sherborne Lake access point which is excellent for day trips. |
Big Hawk – Clear – Red Pine – Nunikani
| Loop trip – this is the best loop trip in the Frost area and is perfect for a long weekend getaway. | |
| Access: | Big Hawk Lake, Little Hawk Lake, Kennisis Lake Dam |
| Facilities: | |
| Distance: | Approximately 20kms |
| Duration: | 2 to 3 days, 1 night on Clear, 1 night on Nunikani, or 2 nights on Red Pine |
| Portages: | P281, P210, P446, P651 (The portages into and out of Nunikani are dependant on water levels – if high, only a portion of the portage is required) |
| Side trips: | Blackcat Lake (P518m), East Paint Lake (P823m), Buckskin Lake (P632m), Rabbit Lake (P180m), Wallace Pond (421m) |
| Points of Interest: | Clear Lake is noted for its incredibly clear waters where one can view depths of more than 30ft on a calm day. Old growth Hemlock and Pine trees can be found throughout the Clear Lake Conservation Reserve. The river between Nunikani and Big Hawk Lake is very scenic. Blackcat Lake is ‘Meromictic’ and provincially rare (see write up on conservation reserve). There is also a one of a kind, full size log chute at the dam from Big Hawk Lake with picnic area, walking path and interpretive pavilion. |
Margaret – Dan – McEwen – Horse – Three Island
| Short route, very scenic, secluded small lakes with calm waters and marshy bays surrounded by mature Hemlock/Pine forest, and high hills. | |
| Access: | Best access is from Margaret Lake. Secondary access is from Dan Lake Access road (Dan Lake Access Road is Use at Your Own Risk and unmaintained – cars not recommended) |
| Facilities: | |
| Distance: | 9km |
| Duration: | 1-2 days. Excellent Day Trip or very rewarding ‘set up camp and explore trip’ |
| Portages: | P338, P124, P213, P360, P667 |
| Side trips: | Little Margaret Lake, Black River |
| Points of Interest: | Black River – portages go around scenic waterfalls on the Black River and are worth the effort. Small islands, great for exploring are found on McEwen, Three Island and Horse Lakes, extensive wetlands along the Black River afford excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. |
Herb – Ernest - Gun - Raven Route
| Good area to introduce young campers to canoe tripping | |
| Access: | Herb Lake, Raven Lake, Deer Lake |
| Facilities: | Boat ramp and parking at Herb and Raven access points – Parking at Deer Lake – outhouse at Herb Lake |
| Distance: | 10 km |
| Duration: | 1-2 days |
| Portages: | P182, P72, P343 – Return via the same route |
| Side trips: | Cow and Bull Lakes, Ronald Lake, Nehemiah Lake |
| Points of Interest: | Scenic Brandy falls - located on the black river between Ernest and Gun Lakes, towering high rock bluffs on south east arm of Raven Lake. |
Big Hawk – Sherborne – Summit Pond – No Name Pond
| In spring, when water levels are high, access to Sherborne Lake from Big Hawk Lake can be paddled without portaging through the narrows. | |
| Access: | Big Hawk Lake |
| Facilities: | Parking, toilets, marina/store, boat ramp |
| Distance: | 14 km |
| Duration: | 1-2 days |
| Portages: | P81, P551, P355, 1058 |
| Side trips: | Silver Doe, Silver Buck |
| Points of Interest: | Crab rapids – located on the river just east of the portage from No Name Pond to Big Hawk Lake. Hawk Lake Log Chute is a full size, one of a kind log chute located at the Big Hawk Lake Dam with a picnic area, walking path, and interpretive pavilion. |
Little Hawk - Blackcat – Clear – Big Hawk
| Little Hawk Lake is a relatively large lake and winds can get strong. | |
| Sensitivity: | Clear Lake Conservation Reserve, Blackcat Lake (Meromictic) |
| Access: | Little Hawk Landing (2029 Little Hawk Road #13) |
| Facilities: | Parking, toilets, phone, marina, store, restaurant |
| Distance: | 14 km |
| Duration: | 2 days |
| Portages: | P95, P97, P292, P70, P518, P281 |
| Side trips: | Red Pine Lake |
| Points of Interest: | There is a Totem Pole at the narrows at the south side of the island between Little Hawk and Big Hawk Lakes. Blackcat Lake is a Meromictic Lake (see write up), Clear Lake and Blackcat Lakes are known for extremely clear waters, depths of 30+ft can be seen on calm days. There are Old Growth Hemlock and Pine trees throughout the Clear Lake Conservation Reserve. |
| Remote backcountry, low use on portage from Little Margaret to Browns Lake and Browns Lake to South Jean Lake, these portages can be very overgrown and difficult to follow – put in on Browns Lake is in a Cattail Marsh – mud wading or bushwhacking is required. | |
| Access: | Margaret Lake |
| Facilities: | Parking |
| Distance: | 7km |
| Duration: | 1-2 days |
| Portages: | P315, P1057, P568 and return via same portages |
| Side trips: | Blueglass Lake |
| Points of Interest: | Marsh/river area at south arm of South Jean Lake, excellent area to view wildlife including beavers and turtles. |
Herb - Black River – Knife – Jean – Mooney – Hosiery
| Very remote backcountry, water levels may be low and impassable at times, portages and campsites get seldom used and seldom maintained. Portages can be overgrown and difficult to follow between Knife and Mooney Lakes. | |
| Access: | Herb Lake – Route can be extended by starting at Raven Lake or Wren Lake |
| Facilities: | |
| Distance: | 20km from Herb Lake Access and 30km from Wren Lake Access |
| Duration: | 2-4 days |
| Portages: | From Herb Lake: P78, P142, P1285 (this portage stays close to and on the edge of the marsh for the first 500m or so and is difficult to follow), P1291 (This portage crosses an ATV trail – be sure to follow the portage signs and not the ATV trail), P346, P185 |
| Side trips: | Hike to Wolfsbane Lake along ATV trail which crosses the portage between Jean and Mooney Lakes |
| Points of Interest: | This area is the head waters for the Black River watershed which flows all the way to Lake Simcoe and then to Georgian Bay. The marshy areas in between Mooney and Hosiery Lake are excellent wildlife viewing areas. |
Road Access Campsites
There are 11 road access campsites along the Sherborne Lake access road off of Hwy 35. This road is use at your own risk and is not regularly maintained. It can be rough in places, especially east of Little Avery Lake. Washouts are possible. Cars are not recommended. Call the Algonquin Highlands Trails Office for current conditions, information and recommendations.
Canoe Routes in the Poker Lakes
Contact Information
Algonquin Highlands
Trails Office
20130 Highway # 35 North
Phone: 705-766-9033
Fax: 705-766-2402
Email: trails@algonquinhighlands.ca
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