Can't comment on Mallard or Sec but..

Pretty Lake has a good campsite. It's literally right off the road (you can clearly see the road from the campsite, and drivers can see you), so that might suck, but overall the campsite is large, flat and in the open pines. John has stayed there a couple time (I think) so I'm sure he can chime in with better info - I only stopped there briefly to check it out on the way to Traverse.

I don't know if this is a good recommendation for you or not, but the Tim River to Tim Lake might be nice.  It isn't a particularly long paddle and since it is largely a river, the wind can't do too much to you there.  There are a number of sites on the lake.  I haven't done it myself, just throwing it out there.  The biggest downside is that you aren't close to much of anything there.  I hope you and your dad have a fantastic trip.  I only ever managed one trip with my dad, it was about 25 years ago and was one of my favorite trips ever.  Never stopped raining.

Steve,

I can give you tons of information on Sec Lake.  Here goes:  upon arrival at Sec Lake access point, there is a site right there that you can camp on.  Also, to the left of the access point, there is a path that takes you to another good site in the bay to your left.  You can easily canoe there as well.  Also two good sites on the RH shore should you decide to canoe up the lake, as well as great sites on the big island.

Also, before you hit Sec Lake access point, there is a drive in to a site on Mallard lake that I have also stayed on.  Nice flat site, but a slight downhill trek to the lake.

As Peek mentioned, Pretty lake is right on the road so no privacy at all there.  For what you are looking for, I would either take the drive-in site on Mallard Lake or the site in the bay that is on your left of the access point on Sec Lake.  I have stayed at the site right at the access point a few times with family but with so many people going in to fish for the day, it is not very private.

If you would like more info, PM me.

 

Steve,

Sec is a nice lake (nicer than Mallard, in my opinion), and as Bo said there are two quite decent sites that you can very easily walk to right from the put in.  A 10 minute paddle gives you lots of other options.  Mid-week in October you will quite likely have the place to yourself.  I've been to Sec a lot, and my sense is that it's mostly used for weekend gateways/day fishing.

There's plenty to do in the area, including hiking the Barron Canyon trail, or paddling the Barron river in the canyon, which are both worth doing.

Note that the colours don't pop as much in the fall on the east side as there is a lot of pine, but it's nonetheless pretty (poplars, etc.)

fred

Steve,

​The drive-in site to Mallard Lake is pretty flat and spacious up top.  Plenty of room for a good sized tent.  There is a moderate downhill trek to get to Mallard Lake, around 15 yards.  The last time I was there (2 years ago), there was a nice fire place, but no benches and/or made-up tables on the site.  On sites like this one and ones on Sec Lake, I always bring my portable wooden table and, of course, a camping chair.

​The site on Sec Lake in the bay is on your left as if you were starting out from the access point.  You can even walk to this site, but it really isn't worth it if you have a canoe to get to this site.

​As for the big island which currently is closed due to nesting eagles (has 4 really good sites on it), I have heard these sites will become available to campers once again by middle to end of August so they will be available to you and your father in October.  The big island is only about a 10 minute paddle away.

 

Steve E wrote:

Thanks again for the info guys.  Looks like a perfect spot!  How far of a walk are you looking at to the walk-in sites on Sec?  Also, I'm assuming interior rules apply to all these sites?

The one to the right of the Access point is literally about 100 metres. The one to the left is probably about 300 metres, but the trail isn't very well used, so like Bo said you'd be better off just paddling to it. The one on the right is right on the portage into Wet lake so its a VERY easy path.
Don't forget to check out Number One Lake.
Oh and yes they are still considered interior sites, so all of the same rules apply.

Last edited by ATVenture (8/02/2017 2:24 pm)

Hey John I was hoping you'd jump in on this thread as I know that is your neck of the woods and that you've shared some amazing experiences there.  Question about the hunting....when you are out do you see hunters all over the place or more do you hear the odd shot off in the distance?

Hi Steve ... I'll add my 2 cents for Sec ... love it and have taken the kids a few times.  We did walk to the longer walk in site last year and the path there was fine ... have not been there this year though.  Good spot for swimming however there are leeches which was surprising because other sites on Sec were fine.  Might be because its a bay and water is not all that deep.  I have camped on a few other sites on the lake if you want other options.  Most times its a race to get an island site thought ... they are really nice ...  

Another option where you avoid portages is McManus ... a bit farther down the east side past Sec ... sorry if this has already been mentioned since I didn't read all the posts.