Bice lake has some nice campsites and is easy to get to, with just the two short portages. It's a more picturesque lake, and it is the one with the dock at the access point. Rain lake is a beach to launch from.

That's good news. Glad it made it home. As to how????

spicol wrote:

Jdbonney wrote:

The small loop of the highland backpacking trail is a great option for you, if you're willing and able to carry the gear.

I'd be shocked and impressed to hear of a 5-yr old who has walked this loop, even with no gear. The hills are too steep for my 5-yr old's little legs.

My 5 year old hiked it last year. Carrying a small pack most of the way(I carried it about half the time) with books/snacks and water. We hiked to the west side campsites on the first night and finished the entire rest of the route around provoking the next day. Also had my 8 year old who carried his pack with sleeping bag/snacks/books and thermarest. Kids can do amazing things when you set them up to succeed.
 

Excellent, so I was remembering the trail reroute around the starling lake area correctly. I wonder why it was changed. I haven't been to that lookout in years, don't recall it being anything wonderful but when hiking through the woods any lookout is usually a blessing and good rest stop. So, if anyone has a scan or copy of that earlier map, I would love to see it just to see where that reroute is and show the kids.

Thanks again

James

I'm very curious as to what, if anything, can or is being done. Its such a strange phenomenon to occur in a relatively remote location like Dickson lake. I hope a cause is eventually pinpointed but am guessing it is already effecting the fish.

Thanks for that scan. The campsite is there, but the trail around starling lake is a bit different on the 90's map. If I recall correctly the trail used to follow the rail line north of starling lake and along the portage until they opened it as a bike trail and cut the new trail south of starling lake. Perhaps my recollection is spotty.

thanks again for that scan spicol.

James

Hello all

My family and I hiked the western uplands trail last year and are planning to hike the highlands this year. In our planning the other day I was telling my kids about the first time I hiked the highlands trail back in the early 90's. I was explaining how the route was a little different around the first loop where it used to follow the railbed a little more and that there was actually a campsite at mosquito creek (which they thought was hilarious - who would camp at mosquito creek they asked??? - I did, which made them laugh even more).

I've searched around and can't find my old map to show them what I'm talking about apparently that map is gone, probably floating down mosquito creek. Does anyone have a mid 90's or earlier copy of the map they might scan and send to me so I could show my kids? They each like to have their own map when we're out and I think it might be interesting for them to see the differences as we're walking.

Not sure if this raises copyright issues given that the map is long out of print, if so I apologize.

James

ChristineCanoes wrote:

Also last booked doesn't mean worst site if you are there first.

I hate the afternoon scramble for a site, can't always be the first to arive. Which is why I tend to paddle a little further and carry a few extra portages. Having said that, I have camped on all the lakes mentioned in high and low(er) season and have nothing but great memories. A night on Tom Thomson on a mediocre site is better than not getting out there at all.