Has anybody go recent experience on the route
up the Wp creek to the Forks and then left to Laveille

Last time (2005) I tried the creek, we had to fight through
the overgrown alders and 4 hours later were not yet at the forks
and turned back to get back to base camp on WP before night

I figured it wasn't that hard of a journey for a day trip
but I was sure mistaken

I dream of the doing the loop from WP to Laveille
and then Dickson/Little Dickson/WP but figure
the creek is so overgrown now that it would almost
be undoable ?


Is there anybody who did this loop in 2008 and hopefully could
shed some light on travel up the creek

Rac n

Hey Racoon,

I never did the White Partridge Creek leg but two items come to mind regarding it...

1. I do remember reading a trip log about the journey from several years ago that sounded like a challenging but doable route. If I'm not mistaken I thought it was by Ted Strolenberg but I'm not sure. Certainly spring water levels would help to make it more feasible.

2. The distance from White Partridge Lake to the Crow River looks to be about the same as the distance from Big Crow Lake down to Lavieille and possibly significantly longer due to a more winding waterway. As such, I would expect a minimum of 4 hours to get through and possibly 6 if conditions are difficult or your pace is not very aggressive.

I've looked at this route several times but something about doing the Dickson/Bonfield twice in one trip always brings me back to my senses!

Ted has summarised my desire in his trip log
http://www.algonquinadventures.com/triplogs/strolenberg.htm


I just had to try this trip because I had heard and read so much hype about Dickson and Lavieille but in my opinion it is more hype than reality.


I think now I have this WP Creek trip out of my system.
I've been to WP a few times and it is really Lavieille that
I desire to travel.

The carry over the long portage or cart path doesn't deter me from this area ( its not that bad just a bit longish ) but I think now I will
lean my desires towards the Opeongo -> Big Crow -> Crow Bay -> Lavieille
-> Dickson -> Opeongo loop

I worry about those large lakes like Lavieille in spring temp waters
so perhaps a late Aug/early Sept could be envisioned.

Rac n

You know, Racoon, I've looked at getting into Lavieille both ways and have come to the conclusion that if I've got the time I really enjoy the Crow River route but if I really want to get in and do some serious fishing or I'm crunched for time I would probably do the Dickson-Bonfield portage. If you use a water taxi and get an early (6 or 7am) start, you can get to Lavieille via the Crow River in a very, very long and arduous day but if you get that same start and do the Dickson route you can make Lavieille by noon or 2pm, probably sooner if you use the cart path.

I think my next trip in 2010 will be in and out the big portage to Dickson with day trips to Lavieille, Animoosh and Little Dickson. Now that I have a hammock I think everything will go a little more smoothly and easily as well to make the trip that much more enjoyable.