design byGeraldton Community Forest Inc.cover by K. Rossler-Photographicsphotos courtesy of M. Lafranceprinted by TS Graphics

funded by:

For more information:

discovergreenstone.ca1-866-664-6623

or visit theLonglac Tourist Information Centre and

the discoverGeraldton Interpretive Centre

OTHER GREENSTONEADVENTURES

HOW TOFIND US

G o l f i n g . . .

Snowmobiling...

F i s h i n g . . .

Ice C l imbing. . .

S k i i n g . . .

Nakina

LakeNipigon

LonglacGeraldton

Beardmore

GREENSTONE

Toronto

Thunder Bay

SaultSte. Marie

Int’lFalls

HOW TO FINDTHE ROUTE

ddiissccoovveerrGREENSTONE

ROUTE TESTIMONIAL

DISCLAIMERNOTICE

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPSREQUIRED

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CCCCaaaannnnooooeeee RRRRoooouuuutttteeee

Located along the TransCanada Highway 11, lies theGreenstone Region: the eastern gateway toNorthwestern Ontario where clean waters, lush forestsand clear starry skies abound. A region noted inhistory from the early days of the European fur tradersto the future of forestry and fire management,Greenstone’s 5600 residents continue to dwell in anatural oasis where the simple pleasures oflife – family, community, and wide open greenspaces- remain the heart of this North region.

We have endeavoured to ensure that theinformation in this brochure is accurate, butreaders should be aware that the informationcontained here is derived from a variety of sourcessuch as old route descriptions, trip logs, books,magazines, journals, personal experience, mapsand verbal descriptions.

Conditions change from season to season andfrom year to year. As a wilderness paddler, youmust be able to determine whether the actualconditions on the water match those describedherein, and have the ability to assess whetheryour equipment and skill level are appropriate topaddle the route safely.

This information is for reference use only, and assuch you use it entirely at your risk. We accept noresponsibility for any death, loss, injury or damageincurred while using this information.

This brochure and the materials contained in itare provided on an as-isbasis. We make norepresentation or warranties,either expressed or implied,of any kind with respect tothe contents. We will not beliable for any damages ofany kind arising from the useof this brochure, includingbut not limited todirect, indirect, incidental,punitive and consequentialdamages.

“Canada’s boreal forest is an awe-inspiringplace to be. Stretching from coast to coastacross the north, it is like a vast green haloor belt of virtually pristine forests, lakes andrivers. And right in the middle of it all are theriverssurrounding Lake Nipigon. I fondlyremember my 2004 Namewaminikan Rivervoyage and I think that it ranks right upthere for great boreal scenery and easy pooland drop whitewater. As I travelled the riverI marvelled at the jet blackspruces sculpting theskyline, feasted onhatfuls of blueberries,trembled at the roar ofa falls and admired themulti-green thick mossstretching down to wateredge. Not only is it stunningscenery but our Canadian boreal lands areunique and important filters for the entireplanet. And what better way to journeythrough this wild and rugged land and seethe amazing beauty of this last truewilderness than from a canoe.”Becky Mason, 2004

Becky Mason is an artist, environmentalist and canoeinginstructor based in Chelsea, Quebec. She acquired herpaddling skills and her passion for canoes from her father,Bill Mason. Her artwork has been displayed in a wide arrayof exhibitions and galleries in Ontario and Quebec. Beckyhas contributed to several canoeing books, produced anaward-winning video entitled Classic Solo Canoeing, andtravels frequently presenting slide shows and sharing herlove of the wild. Her artwork, Classic Solo Canoeingcourses, speaking schedule and video can be found on herwebsite: www.redcanoes.ca

It is highly recommended canoeist supplementthis brochure with the National TopographicSeries Maps as outlined below:

1:50000Wildgoose Lake 42E/11Beardmore 42E/12Northwind 42E/14Treptow Creek 42E/14Shakespeare Island52H/9E

The Namewanikan canoe route can be accessed ata number of locations along the route. The twomost popular are the Wildgoose Lake Beach and theKinghorn Road.

Wildgoose Beach Entrance: Travel 20 kilometersWest of Geraldton to the Wildgoose Beach Road.Turn North and follow the road for 2 kilometers tothe beach turnoff on your left. There is ampleparking and the beautiful beach offers anopportunity to have a quick swim prior toembarking on your trip.

Kinghorn Road: Travel 55 kilometers West ofGeraldton to the Kinghorn Road. Turn North andfollow the road for 14 kilometers to the river. Youcan access the river at the bridge.

You could also start at the Highway 801 bridge or offHighway 801 at Paint Lake.

Your shuttle vehicle can be stored at Poplar LodgePark in Beardmore.

Namewaminikan Canoe RouteWildgoose 8 Days - Partridge 6 Days - Kinghorn 5 Days

Portage #1Around: Long series of rapids betweenTurkey Lake and Partridge Lake.Landing: River left just before final bendby the railway tracksLaunching: Rocky, room for severalcanoesLength: 1.6 kilometersOther: A nasty port that follows an oldbush road in many places with lots of newgrowth. Some wet areas as well.

Portage #2Around: Kinghorn Falls; Northwest end ofPartridge LakeLanding: River right, just before falls,

Portage #2 Continuedlarge open space.Launching: Steep narrow rocky launchdirectly below falls.Length: 10 metersOther: The launch is particularly difficultwith the wet slippery rocks.

Portage #3Around: Rapids and small fallsLanding: River left just before small falls

Portage #3 ContinuedLaunching: Small beach at bottom of fallsLength: 50 metersOther: Extremely scenic

Portage #4Around: Large fallsLanding: Grassy bank river left justbefore falls.Launching: Steep rocky launch on narrowleft canyon after falls

Portage #4 ContinuedLength: 40 metersOther: Port continues directly across largeclearing overlooking falls

Portage #5Around: Easy C1 rapids that ends in alarge dangerous shelf that spans theentire width of the river.Landing: Grassy bank, river right, justbefore swift water startsLaunching: Rocky shelf river right down-stream of bridgeLength: 350 metersOther: Trail follows old treeplanting corri-dor to a large camping area just beforethe road. Trail continues on other side of

Portage #5 Continuedroad down to river below bridge.Spectacular shelf stretching approximately100 meters of river.

Portage #6Around: Lengthy set of rapidsLanding: Extreme river left corner justbefore rapidsLaunching: Cedar bank, follow down fromroad

Portage #6 ContinuedLength: 500 metersOther: Follow port to gravel road, followroad for 400 meters, cut back down toriver

Portage #7Around: Chute through a small gorgeLanding: Steep grassy bank, river leftLaunching: Rocky cedar stand at bottomof chuteLength: 50 metersOther: Chute is easy C1

Portage #8Around: Martin Rapids, lengthy set ofC1’s

Portage #8 ContinuedLanding: River left, natural gully off grav-el road Launching: Natural gully off gravel road leading down to river.Length: 600 meters

Portage #9Around: Twin Falls, a large falls with twostagesLanding: River right, grassy bankLaunching: Wide gravel, rocky spacebelow fallsLength: 500 meters

Portage #9 ContinuedOther: Very scenic spot with nice camp-site overlooking second stage of falls

Portage #10Around: Chute through small gorgeLanding: River right, muddy bank belowlarge cedar close to chuteLaunching: Follow rock shelves to pool below chuteLength: 220 metersOther: Chute is runnable, but proceedwith caution, its only 10 feet wide

Portage #11Around: Lengthy set of C2 + rapidsLanding: River left, rocky shelf before

Portage #11 ContinuedrapidsLaunching: End of road at reservoirLength: 1.2 kilometersOther: Follow old bush road from riverout to main gravel road. Walk down grav-el road to first right hand split, approx 1kilometer and follow spit down to water.

Portage #12Around: High falls hydro damLanding: Gravel boat launch, river leftbefore hydro dam.Launching: River left side of hydro dam where creek runs in beside cliff face.Length: 200 metersOther: Follow road that leads downhill

Campsite #4Several sheltered spots along the portagebeside the small falls.

Campsite #5Beautiful camping site under a huge pinetree. Located at the North corner ofbeach in East bay of Expansion Lake.

Campsite #6Hunting camp at the end of Paint Lake.Nice sheltered spot.

Campsite #7Nice open campsite in middle of portagearound the falls.

Portage #12 Continuedfrom boat launch. The dam only utilizesone side of the falls. Once you get on theriver, you will be able to see and imaginehow spectacular this falls once was.

Campsite #1A large raised gravel site on river right atthe mouth of Wildgoose Creek.

Campsite #2A sheltered Jack Pine stand at the end ofthe Northwest bay of Partridge Lake.

Campsite #3A sheltered site on an old bush road onthe south side of Coral Lake.

Campsite #8Large open area just before bridge androad along Portage #5.

Campsite #9Ridge overlooking twin falls. Extremelyscenic, but only room for two tents. Atrail leads back from the main portage trailat the bottom of the ridge to the camp-site, located just above the second falls.

Campsite #10Two spots are available here. If the wateris not high, there is a sand spit at themouth of Lake Nipigon on river left.There is also a very steep trail from thesand pit that leads to a large grassy look-off. If one can manage this trail, the viewof a sunset on Lake Nipigon is stunning.

C1

P1P2

P3

P4

P12

P5

P6P7P8

P9

P10

P11

C2

Start1Start 2C3

C4

C5

C6

C7

C8

C9

C10

WILDGOOSE LAKE

Turkey LkPartridge Lk

ExpansionLk

Paint Lk

Barnum GreenRapids lineriver right

HWY 11

HWY 11

HWY 801

KINGHORNROAD

WILDGOOSEBEACH ROAD

LAKE NIPIGON

NAMEWAMINIKAN RIVER

NOT TO SCALE

The term “river left” always refers tothe downstream left hand side of theriver, just as “river right” always refersto the downstream right hand side ofthe river. These terms remain the sameeven when traveling upstream.