I'm taking an early may trip and doing the big trout loop clockwise starting at canoe and going up to McIntosh then following the creek into grassy bay. Is there any benefit or advantage to heading up to misty and then following the Pet instead? Also we were going to exit big trout via the otterslide creek, but am debating hitting merchant and happy isle instead, any comments on these to "tweaks". I've never tripped in this area, so any advice on travel times and sites would be great. thanks

Depending on your timeline, the sidetrip to Happy Isle can take a while. I hear the fishing there is good, though. I did the loop minus Misty and Happy Isle, with a slight dip south of highway 60 on our last night (Tanamakoon area), in 4 nights, but we were always traveling. Still, it was a blast. Enjoy!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------...starting at canoe and going up to McIntosh then following the creek into grassy bay. Is there any benefit or advantage to heading up to misty and then following the Pet instead?

Starting at Magnetawan Lake access we have paddled from Misty Lake down the Petawawa and into the east end of Grassy Bay where we joined lower White Trout Lake. That was nice slow river paddle with a few wide spots near the east end of Misty Lake, a few easily portaged trails and an interesting switchback and portage prior to the meander just prior to entering Grassy Bay.

Another year we lunched on McIntosh and took McIntosh Creek to Grassy Bay and paddled through to lower White Trout and camped past the little islands that block Grassy Bay's joining with White Trout. The creek paddling was interesting and Grassy Bay was somewhat long and meandering but not as frustrating as the Tim River east of the portage through to Rosebary Lake.

Both routes have merit and if you pick one put the other way on your to do list and enjoy it later.

Enjoy the planning~

-Jester

Tweak 101
Instead of Canoe Lake ( ) Start at Opeongo( ) and take WaterTaxi
to allow more time on Big T.

Once on Big T you will have more time to do day trips to many lakes
that IMHO are better and have trout that those lakes you'd traverse starting at Canoe


I know Canoe Lake start has the nostalgic effect that many speak of
but once done once or twice perhaps its time to extend your boundaries

Just a thought
Rac n

I've been from Canoe to Big Trout quite a few times in my life.

Once on MacIntosh, I find it better to go the two portages to get to Trout Lake instead of the many portages down the Petawawa.

From Big Trout back to Canoe, I would go via Merchant instead of the Otterslides.


Bo

Thanks for input

Speeking of Big trout.
Is it very busy this time of the year? and when I say busy will I be able to get a site if I get there around 3pm on a friday night?

At this time of year, you will probably have your choice of any campsite
you wish. Lots of them on the lake.


Bo

Why is there lots of bugs? or something ells?