105 Boiling Sand and Berg Rivers,Whitewater to Little Caribou

Boilingsand River, Smoothrock Lake, Berg and Ogoki Rivers to Whitewater Lake and the Little Caribou Lake take-out. 10 map pages. There are three choices of starting points for this trip. Beginning at the town of Armstrong, two require shuttles and the third begins with a short train ride: - A shuttle from Hwy 527 south of Armstrong, along the Obonga Lake Road to Magotte Lake where there is a small parking area and campsite. From here, paddle north through Kenakskannis and Boulder Lakes to Shawanabis and Collins Lakes. Trip time 12days - Second choice is a shorter shuttle along the Trail Lake Road to Tamarack Lake, for a shorter route. Trip time 8 days - Finally, you can take a brief 20 minute train ride to Bath Lake, mileage point 19.3 on the Via Rail line. From the train stop there is a short trail down to Bath Lake. Total trip 9 days for 165km Campsites along the route are quite plentiful and like the portages are not marked but usually quite obvious. Bear in mind, however, that the portage crews only get to some of the very many routes in the region about every two or three years. The Ogoki Lodge on Whitewater Lake is worth checking out. It was originally built as an eco-tourism destination with a main lodge built in the shape of a giant teepee. Although left in disrepair, it is to be restored as a commercial lodge. We also recommend a visit to Best Island and the Wendell Beckwith cabins, a must visit site while it lasts as, sadly, it is no longer maintained. Wendell Beckwith was a native of Whitewater, Wisconsin and an inventor. In his search for solitude he lived on Best Island from 1961 until his death in 1985. He built a large pine cabin and later a smaller one (The Snail) into the hillside that was more efficient to heat in winter. (Photo: South Smoothrock Lake island campsite -- very nice, just as you leave the Boiling Sands River)