If you're going to Clover, do it in the Spring. I'm told McDonald Creek can be unpaddleable by the fall, but my own experience of trying to get to Clover in August was that I simply couldn't find the 1950 meter portage into Turcotte. I mean I eventually found the start of it from the creek, and the first ~150 meters getting to the tree line was not fun, but then once into the forest I quickly lost the trail entirely. Eventually I gave up, but I was having an all-round lousy day and probably threw in the towel too easily. 

In any case I went back the following Spring (with AlgonquinLakes), and while staying on the portages was still a bit challenging at times, being there before the leaves were out made a world of difference. 

No current to speak of in McDonald creek, it's very sluggish. 

Thanks for the info trippythings and Martin!

@Martin: I've watched Markus' trip into Big George, looks exactly like what I'm looking for - some pain and suffering and seclusion. Although I think I'm switching this loop to a summer trip instead of my ice-out. 

If your primary interest is fishing from shore then yes, it would be good for that - if you can find a comfortable place to set up. It's very, very rocky. 

In past years as soon as the official start date for Spring camping is determined (based on conditions and the flyover), the reservation system has been updated to match. So if they decided on April 18th that camping will be allowed as of April 20th, you'll be able to book online for April 20th... unless they're changing that, which is doubtful. 

I'm starting to think about Spring trips, and this loop out of the North would be pretty much all new territory for me (other than Cedar). It's mostly low maintenance, but from what I've read none of it should be particularly bad.So far my thinking is to put in at Wendigo and do the loop clockwise, with nights on Allan, Clamshell, Big George, Cedar and North River (or Merganser?). And maybe go into Wabamimi and spend a night there if it's nice? It looks like I could maybe connect up with the logging road out of Wabamimi to not have to backtrack my route. 

But there's a lot of "ifs" there. Which lakes are worth camping on? Which direction to do the loop? Are any of those low maintenances section dodgier than I think they will be? Anyone know if I can indeed bushwhack to that logging road next to Wabimimi? For that matter I even have a choice of access points, although as the loop would be the same either way I'm not sure that matters. 

Thanks for any and all suggestions!





 

Yikes. Broken paddle and a lost inReach - that's gotta hurt. And yet despite that you managed to have a good time and get out in one piece, so nicely done. 

A great read and entertaining story as always Drew!

1. Yes, that's moose scat. 
2. It's moose scat, so nothing to worry about. You'll see it all over the place around many campsites (and along portages, and anywhere else you happen to look). 
3. Nothing to be concerned about. A moose is extremely unlikely to come calling when a campsite is occupied. 
 

The Rock - Louisa portage is about as tame as a 3 km portage gets. Flat and good footing throughout, you can cross it surprisingly fast. 

@Martin is there a Canadian source for that tent or did you have to order from the US?