I'm taking 3 nights to do that loop in early Aug solo.. Not sure when you are planning on going but I can report back if it is after Aug 7th.

Thanks Shawn/RCSpartan, appreciate the feedback, I haven't pinned down an exact date but I'm getting a little stir crazy so it may be sooner than later, If I do go prior to the seventh I'll do the same. In the event I'm there at the same time I'll let you know and we can meet at the bar for a refreshment.

I did this loop last summer at the end of August, though in the opposite direction.  The advantage of going in the direction you propose is that the portage from Maple Lake to Maple Creek is downhill.  It's short and steep. The disadvantage is finding the path through the marsh between Club and Mouse.  You still get a good climb between Mouse and Mink, but it's more gradual.

The entrance to the marsh can be difficult to find.  As we were getting to it, we ran into another group who had tried to find the entrance the day before and had given up.  They were eventually successful, but it cost them a day of travel.

As for the water levels on Maple Creek, they were low, and the bottom was rocky so plan on taking your time.  We were only two in a large canoe with a light load so there were only one or two places where one or both of us had to get out to wade.  The bottom in those areas was flat and sandy, so it wasn't a bit deal.  There were a few canoes going in the opposite direction and they were more loaded and were definitely wading a lot more.

If I were to do the trip again, I would probably go in the same direction (opposite what you are proposing).  Not finding the entrance to the marsh seems like more of a pain than the tough portages.

ShawnD, I completely agree.  In this case, it's more or less obvious where the portage is, it's just behind a wall of marsh that has a very small opening on the western edge, nearly on the shore.  Coming from the direction I was traveling I had no issues, but did run into the one group who had significant difficulty, and I believe I've read a trip report where a group eventually gave up and headed back to Kiosk the way they came.

So its best to be prepared to spend a bit of time finding the correct route through the marsh, or travel in the other direction.  I did consult Jeff's map before posting earlier to see if it offered any hints, but not in this case.

 

Maple Creek June 26, 2016

Last edited by hoser89 (7/03/2016 3:09 pm)

ShawnD wrote:

Sounds good. my dates are Aug 4 - Mouse, Aug 5 - Erables, Aug 6 - Maple.

I will be in a green Swift pack canoe.

​I ended up booking similar dates but I think I'm going to spend an extra day on Erables, I'll keep an eye out for you on Erables, be nice to put a face to the names. I'm pretty easy to spot as I resemble a Moose 5'10 250lbs. I'll be in a Cream Swift Kipawa. My dates are 3rd- Mouse, 4/5 Erables, 6 Maple.