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I’ve just booked my spring trip and I’m second guessing our second day. We’re going from Timberwolf to Shippagew along the Tim River. I’ve never paddled that stretch of the Tim before and I’m wondering if we’ve given ourselves too much. I’m fine with the distance per Jeff’s Map, but I’m not fine if that distance includes a ton of alder or dragging or dams. So, what’s the Tim like between Shah and Shippagew? Is it more of a glorified creek or a small river? Thanks for any insight!
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I think you've got your work cut out for you. That's a long day! In the spring, Beaver dams and Alder are not an issue downstream of Shah Lake. You can also run the 120 before Shippagew. The point campsite on Shah is a beaut.
Last edited by MartinG (1/06/2025 2:03 pm)
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A few points below, but I go into a lot more detail in this trip report:
That was a mid-August trip, so conditions will be different (presumably better) for you in the spring. Most of the beaver dams are west of the Shah portage, but you'll still have a few small ones to cross. The two portages aren't the most enjoyable, but at least they're short. The river begins to get wide after the second portage and is an easy paddle until the end. There are a couple small dams and shallow areas nearby the final 120m portage.
I came from the Little Trout Creek campsite and went to Shippagew. It was a long day but it was doable. Your overall travel time from Shah should be pretty similar to my day.
Feel free to message or email me if you have more questions or need more detail/photos than what I've included in the trip report.
edit: I just noticed you're coming from Timberwolf, not Shah. I still think it's doable especially if you're single-carrying, but it will be a long day for sure. You shouldn't need to worry about any major setbacks because of the Tim though.
Last edited by trippythings (1/06/2025 2:28 pm)
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A few years ago I paddled from Queer L to Shippagew. Medium pace, some fishing and low water, it took me 10-11 hours. With the spring flow it will be a long-ish day, but should be reasonably doable.
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MartinG wrote:
I think you've got your work cut out for you. That's a long day! In the spring, Beaver dams and Alder are not an issue downstream of Shah Lake. You can also run the 120 before Shippagew. The point campsite on Shah is a beaut.
That point campsite is the reason for this day. I’ve heard so many good things about it.
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AlgonquinLakes wrote:
That point campsite is the reason for this day. I’ve heard so many good things about it.
Cut lots of wood for me, should be rolling in a week or so after you. Enjoy your trip!
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TripperMike wrote:
A few years ago I paddled from Queer L to Shippagew. Medium pace, some fishing and low water, it took me 10-11 hours. With the spring flow it will be a long-ish day, but should be reasonably doable.
This is reassuring. I think queer to Shippagew is slightly longer, so good to know it’s doable.
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trippythings wrote:
. You shouldn't need to worry about any major setbacks because of the Tim though.
That’s good to hear. After White Partridge Creek last year any long green strip on the map immediately makes me nervous
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Evan Briden wrote:
AlgonquinLakes wrote:
That point campsite is the reason for this day. I’ve heard so many good things about it.
Cut lots of wood for me, should be rolling in a week or so after you. Enjoy your trip!
You too! The site will be ready and waiting.
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trippythings wrote:
A few points below, but I go into a lot more detail in this trip report:
That was a mid-August trip, so conditions will be different (presumably better) for you in the spring. Most of the beaver dams are west of the Shah portage, but you'll still have a few small ones to cross. The two portages aren't the most enjoyable, but at least they're short. The river begins to get wide after the second portage and is an easy paddle until the end. There are a couple small dams and shallow areas nearby the final 120m portage.
I came from the Little Trout Creek campsite and went to Shippagew. It was a long day but it was doable. Your overall travel time from Shah should be pretty similar to my day.
Feel free to message or email me if you have more questions or need more detail/photos than what I've included in the trip report.
edit: I just noticed you're coming from Timberwolf, not Shah. I still think it's doable especially if you're single-carrying, but it will be a long day for sure. You shouldn't need to worry about any major setbacks because of the Tim though.
Great trip report btw. Love the photos and between it and Peek’s report I think I’ve got a good idea of what to expect. (Also,That heat exhaustion on grassy bay sounded awful)