Archive for the ‘The Boreal Forest’ Category

In the summer of 2009, the staff at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters undertook a massive clean up of a large number of portages on popular canoe routes in northern Saskatchewan. (see related Post) The focus of this project was to clear deadfall to make trails easier to negotiate. Our staff was also instructed to collect any garbage they found along the way. They reported that on the whole, most portages contained minimal refuse. There were incidents, however, where visitors left behind litter and messy campsites.

On the surface, the Boreal Forest is rugged, and seemingly indestructible. In reality, it is an extremely delicate eco-system, potentially effected by all who travel within it. With this in mind, we would like to post some common-sense guidelines to keep in mind when travelling through our forests.

Fishing Etiquette – Fillet fish at least 50 metres away from campsite, near the water and throw remains out into the current. Other fish will consume the remains.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – Camp on rock or established camp sites. Good camp sites are found, not made – altering a site is not necessary.

Dispose of Waste Properly- Pack ou left over food and litter. Human waste must be buried under the moss. If your group is greater than six people, pack out human waste. Pack out or burn toilet paper and hygiene products. Wash yourself and your dishes at least 20 meters away from the water.

Leave What You Find – Leave what you find behind so the next group can enjoy the discovery as well. This includes rocks, plants and other objects you find.

Minimize Campfire Impacts- In most areas, having a small campfire will do very little harm. In areas where all firewood has been depleted, paddle to a nearby uncamped spot and get deadfall there. Use fireboxes to conserve wood. Burn all wood to ash. Put out campfires completely.

Respect Wildlife- When travelling in wilderness areas, be respectful of wildlife. Observe animals from a distance and never attempt to feed them. Wild animals are naturally wary of humans. All can become aggressive when feeling cornered or threatened. Even black bears will usually keep their distance from man. This can change, when bears equate human beings with food. This happens when visitors leave messy campsites, with food scraps and litter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors – Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

One thing we’re discovering more and more about the Boreal Forest in and around the Forest House area, is that it is truly diverse, possibly unique, and most definitely full of botanical surprises. The old saying ” Familiarity breeds contempt” may be applicable to those of us (the staff), who spend time at Forest House regularly. It goes without saying that we deeply love and enjoy at the lodge, but often, our daily routine doesn’t allow us to pick up on the things that are happening in the forest on a day to day basis. Fortunately, our guests have a way of  keeping us “honest”. They are continuously finding things in the forest we haven’t noticed, and asking us questions about the plants, the flowers,  the varieties of lichen, the many types of mosses, and simply unbelievable growth in this area.

One example of this, was a visit from our web designer, Zane Hrynewich, and his wife, Velda, early in July, this summer. Zane and Velda are not strangers to northern Saskatchewan. They had spent close to two decades summering at Wadin Bay, on Lac La Ronge, a little south of our home base at Missinipe. In that time, they had pitched their tent in many places, and experienced a great deal of what northern Saskatchewan has to offer. As soon as they arrived at Forest House, they marvelled at the richness of growth in the forest – the deep mosses carpeting almost everywhere they walked – the almost “tropical” growth – the sheer “richness” of the Boreal Forest in and around Forest House.

The night before their last day at the lodge, somebody found a book in the library about “Northern Native Wildflowers”. Zane and Velda, along with their Forest House hostess, (and friend), Evalisa McIllfaterick decided it would be a “cool” idea to walk the many hiking trails at Forest House, equipped with this book to see how many of the species of flowers, mosses, grasses, and lichens included in the book they could locate and photograph. The plan was to spend the entire day in this undertaking. Unfortunately, an early afternoon thunder shower limited their efforts to a mornig hike, lasting just under two hours. The amazing thingis, in this short period of time, the trio located and documented an impressive array of botanical wonders in the Forest House Boreal Forest. Who knows what they may have found if they had the entire day?

Their experience has opened our eyes to just how unique the Boreal Forest Eco-system is at Forest House. In fact, we can’t wait for next spring, so we can get back up there to see how many more varieties of plant life we can find. Meanwhile, here are a few things Zane and Velda discovered on their short walk.

Zane’s Rock

 Zane found this rock – he didn’t have to look very hard. It sits about twenty-five yards behind “Willow”, his and Velda’s cabin during their stay. In fact, this rock sits right next to the starting point for one of our many hiking trails, this one the one Zane, Velda, and Ev explored that day. Zane was captivated by this rock, which we now call “Zane’s Rock”. He could not believe the amount of growth and diversity of mosses, lichens, and plants that made this rock their very own little Eco-system.

Wild Flowers

 

Mosses, Lichens, Fungi, & Other Cool Stuff

 

The summer of 2009 saw C.R.C.O. staff, operating with shared funding from the Canadian Government, undertaking a program to enhance and maintain portages on popular northern Saskatchewan canoe routes. This was a massive undertaking, but we feel the effort was worthwhile, as we were able to improve a large number of portages, thus making tripping just a little bit easier for wilderness travellers. Following is a summary of our work.

Bree/Dan – McLennan-Davis-Minuhik-Unnamed-Asbell Bay-McLennan

Date: 3 days – 2^nd week of July

Total number of person days worked = 6

Number of portages cleared = 13

This was a shakedown trip. Its major purpose was to find out of the equipment purchased was adequate to clear trails. It was also an opportunity to get some understanding of the condition of some of the portage trails in the region – both well used and little used trails.  They experienced very wet, cold, windy weather. This slowed down their progress slightly. But good progress was made.

 Portages cleared are as follows:

• Liggett Bay on McLennan Lake to small nameless lake to the southeast
• Small nameless lake to a second small nameless lake to the south
• Second small nameless lake to north bay on Davis Lake
• First small nameless lake to north bay on Davis Lake
• Second small nameless lake to Powell Lake
• Powell Lake to Cushon Bay on Davis Lake
• McLennan Lake to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake out the southeast side to Davis Lake
• Small nameless lake out the southwest side to Davis Lake
• McLennan Lake to Davis Lake
• Davis Lake to Minuhik Lake
• South end of McLennan Lake (Asbell Bay) to small nameless lake
• South end of small nameless lake to Minuhik Lake

Bree/Dan/Curtis/Nick – McLennan Lake – Davis Lake – Bryan Lake – Versailles Lake – Zacharias Lake – Hutchings Lake – MacLean Lake – Cratty Lake

Date: 4 days – 3^rd week of July

Total number of person days worked = 16

Number of portages cleared = 7

This was a training trip. Bree took Dan, Curtis and Nick out to give them further training in safety and camping skills. She also helped them to learn to find rarely used portage trails. These trails proved to be more difficult to clear than the previous trip. The very wet spring and early summer meant that some of the trails were knee deep in water. This certainly added to the challenge of clearing trails. They also found that some trails no longer existed. After searching for a considerable amount of time the trails between Bryan Lake and MacLachlan Lake no longer existed. Other trails were very well used and required no clearing. 

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Bryan Lake south to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake to Versailles Lake
• Versailles Lake north to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake north to Hutchings Lak
• Versailles Lake to Zacharias Lake
• Zacharias Lake west to Screaming Hawk Lake
• Screaming Hawk Lake to Hutchings Lake

Dan/Curtis/Nick – Hailstone Lake – Bervin Lake – Minuhik Lake – Davis Lake – McLennan Lake

Date: 3 days – 4^th week of July

Total number of person days worked= 9

Number of portages cleared = 9

This route is a great potential 3 day route. All the portage trails were found but seldom used. Again because of very wet weather, many of the portage trails were quite water logged.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Halestone Lake south to Berven Lake.
• Berven Lake south to Dickens Lake.
• Berven Lake north to first unnamed lake.
• First unnamed lake to second unnamed lake.
• Second unnamed lake to third unnamed lake.
• Third unnamed lake west to Minuhik Lake.
• Minuhik Lake west to Versailles Lake.
• North end of Minuhik Lake west to Versailles Lake.
• From the north west end of Minuhik Lake through the narrows to the east end of Minuhik Lake.

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – McLennan-Davis-Versailles-Bowrie Bay-Kliman-Minuhik-Davis-McLennan

Date: 4 days – 1^st week of August

Total number of person days worked = 16

Number of portages cleared = 8

This was the first trip where the 4 were together. They proved to be a very smooth working team. This trip attempted to clear 2 areas. The first area was off the south end of Versailles Lake. This area is of interest because these lakes are the only area in the whole McLennan Lake region that has Walleye. So getting into Kliman, St. Pierre and Fernside Lakes is very important for some canoeists. The second area is the routes going to the south of Zacharias Lake. This was not so successful. These trails were so deteriorated and under water that they were not practical to clear at this time.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• South end of Versailles Lake to a small nameless lake.
• Small nameless lake to a second very small nameless lake.
• Very small nameless lake to Kliman Lake.
• South end of Kliman Lake to St. Pierre Lake.
• South east end of Kliman Lake to Fernside Lake.
• North east end of Kliman Lake to Gowrie Bay on Colin Lake.
• Gowrie Bay to nameless lake.
• Nameless lake to Versailles Lake.

Curtis/Tim – Dickens – Stewart River – Bear Lake – French Lake – Otter Lake

Date: 2 days – 2^nd week of August

Total number of person days worked = 4

Number of portages cleared = 9

This is another 3 day trip with lots of potential. Only 2 of the trail clearing crew were available for this trip. They found good trails around all places that required a portage trail. The trails needed minor clearing – some downed trees and underbrush growing into the trails. The trail around the big water fall along the route needed more clearing than most others.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Around the first rapids after leaving Dickens Lake.
• Around the second rapids after leaving Dickens Lake.
• Around last rapids before entering first nameless lake.
• Connecting first nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Connecting second nameless lake to swamp.
• Connecting swamp to third nameless lake.
• Connectng third nameless lake  to fourth nameless lake around big water fall.
• First rapids in the Stewart River.
• Second rapids in the Stewart River. 

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – Kuskawawo Lake – Contact Lake – Hebden Lake – Freestone Lake – Sim Lake – Otter Lake

Date: 3 days – 3^rd week of August

Total number of person days worked = 12

Number of portages cleared = 5

This route used to be very popular. However because of forest fires and heavy winds, many of the portage trails have become very difficult. The crew successfully cleared the trails to Hebdon Lake. However the portage from Hebdon to Freestone Lake was impossible. Much of the trail was a huge blow down. They were unable to cut through the trees with the equipment they had. They also had previous knowledge that the trail between Freestone and Sim Lakes also has a huge blow down. They chose to turn around and head back to Kuskawao Lake. They were disappointed. Those trails will have to wait for a crew with chainsaws.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Kuskawao Lake to Cote Lake.
• Cote Lake to Baldhead Lake.
• Baldhead Lake to small nameless lake.
• Contact Lake east to first small nameless lake.
• Second small nameless lake to Hebdon Lake.

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – Cratty Lake- Mclean Lake – Calder Lake – Buchannon Lake – Hornet Lake – Stock Lake – Skivewright Lake – Colin Lake – Versailles Lake – Davis Lake – McLennan Lake.

Date: 6 days – 4^th week of August

Total number of person days worked = 24

Number of portages cleared = 16

As the trails closer to the road get cleared, longer trips are required to get to the further away portage trails. There were 2 focuses of this trip. One was the area at the north end of Buchannan Lake. We were hoping to open routes through Wakefield Lake into Hornet Lake. There were no obvious trails in this area. However they were able to clear the trail that heads northeast into Weirzyki Lake. This makes the route between McLennan Lake and the Chartier River a much easier trip to do. They were also able to open one alternative route between Buchannan and Hornet Lake.

The other trip focus was the alternative routes between Hornet and Colin Lakes. The many small lakes in this region are quite pretty. This alternative route takes canoeists into a more remote area. We were hoping to open another alternative route through Lust Lake as well. However these trials proved to be more difficult that what a swede saw could clear.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• MacLean to first nameless lake.
• First nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Second nameless lake to third Calder Lake.
• Buchannan Lake to Weirzyki Lake
• Buchannan Lake to nameless lake to the south east.
•  Buchannan Lake to north end of Hornet Lake.
• Hornet Lake to small nameless lake to the south.
• Small nameless lake to Settee Lake.
• Hornet Lake to Stock Lake.
• Stock Lake to small nameless lake to the south west.
• Small nameless lake to second small nameless lake.
•  Second small nameless lake north to Skivewright Lake.
•  Skivewright Lake to Newburg Bay on Colin Lake.
• Colin Lake east to first nameless lake.
• First nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Second nameless lake to Settee Lake.

 

I have spent a large part of my life in the forest. I was born in northern Quebec, spending my summers learning to fish at the family cabin. As a boy, I had the opportunity to visit Labrador with my father on several occasions. After moving to Saskatchewan, I spent eighteen summers guiding on and exploring Lac La Ronge. During this time, I also frequented the Sulphide/Mekawap lake area , visited the Lower Foster River system, flew into MacIntosh Lake, travelled the wide expanses of Reindeer Lake, and camped in dozens of tiny lakes on the periphery of La La Ronge. These years also afforded me the opportunity to visit a number of other lakes in north central Saskatchewan, as far north as the border of the Northwest Territories, with a friend who owned a two-seater Piper Super Cub on floats. I also made six trips back east, five to Lake of the Woods, and one to the Red Lake area of northern Ontario.

In my time, I have seen allot of water, and trudged through many forests. Out of all the lakes I have visited, Lac La Ronge has always been my favorite. My choice could be partially sentimental, as my three children, Tisha, Kayla, and Kyle literally grew up on its shores, but a large part is due to the sheer beauty the wide expanses of this historic body have to offer. Massive open bays; rugged rock outcroppings; thousands of islands; huge areas of open water; winding narrow channels; Lac La Ronge has it all. I still yearn to cruise its waters and I often reflect about the many “secret” places of beauty I had the good fortune to discover in the many years I was able to explore it. I’m not saying all of the other wilderness locations I have travelled weren’t beautiful – Lord knows, almost everywhere in the Boreal Forest is simply gorgeous! – But, Lac La Ronge has always had a special place in my heart, until…..

Last summer, early in July, my wife, Velda, and myself visited Forest House for five days. As a “seasoned” bush guy, I expected to see and experience the Boreal Forest “status quo” – a nice little lake (not close to the maginifcence of La Ronge); a comfortable lodge and cabins, (been to many lodges – stayed in many cabins); some pretty scenery; and, of course, everything else the Boreal Forest has to offer (but nothing that I hadn’t seen before). Without a word of a lie, the second we walked across that last little portage, finding ourselves on the shores of the little unnamed lake Forest House is located on, I was awestruck and inspired.

It is as if God said to him/herself, “I’m going to place something spectacular in northern Saskatchewan! – thousands of lakes, rivers, rapids, waterfalls, trees, cliffs, birds, animals, and all kinds of plant life – BUT! – in the middle of it all, I’m going to create a tiny little jewel,…..  so perfect,…..  so inspiring,….. so awesome….. that anyone who is lucky enough to travel there, will instantly know they have found their own “piece of heaven”, – LET THERE BE FOREST HOUSE!”. 

The little lake is absolutely gorgeous! – always calm, pristine, and beautiful. The lodge and guest cabins are magnificent – absolutely a marvel, featuring unparallelled craftsmanship. Nothing “tacky” here – no wooden sidewalks between cabins – nothing “manufactured”, or out-of-place. The organic flower and vegetable gardens are an almost impossible feat to accomplish so far north – fantastic!  The view is everywhere! – the lodge and cabins are located on a steep incline – to the east, all one sees is the lake below, dotted with tiny islands, and a wide expanse of sky – to the west, the Boreal Forest in all her glory. The food, gathered from the organic gardens, and the forest itself, coupled with fine cuts of meats, fresh baked breads, and homemade honeys and syrups, rivals fine dining anywhere. The hospitality is second-to-none, with a staff who want to be there and are eager to share their love of this “piece of heaven” with you. Velda and I were profoundly impressed by all of this….. BUT – the one thing that had the deepest impact on our souls, our spirit, and our psyche was the Boreal Forest that surrounds Forest House.

The growth here is so lush, so vibrant, and so diverse. It rivals that of tropical rain forests – an amazing thing, given that this forest is only “awake” for a small part of the year. For the most part, the forest floor is carpeted with deep, soft mosses – this was the norm for the hiking trails we followed – weather conditions allowed us to cover only a fraction of the territory we wanted to cover – BUT – we had two things going for us: 1). even in the most inclement weather conditions, the lake is calm and a sense of serenity always surrounds you – 2). the abundance of wildflowers, lichens, and mosses is so prolific, even an hour or two of exploration within minutes of the lodge reveals a myriad of awe-inspiring discoveries.

The Forest House Boreal Forest is like its own little separate Eco-system within the vast forested areas throughout the rest of northern Saskatchewan. Velda and I have never seen anything quite like it. Five days was much too short a stay for us. When it was time to leave, we were in agreement – our experience was profound, inspiring, and above all, surreal. This is a magical place and we will do everything we can to be able to go back.

As I think about our visit to Forest House, I am faced with a new revelation in my life – even though I still deeply love my days at, and everything I experienced on Lac La Ronge, there is a new place I love even more….. God’s tiny little jewel we mortals call Forest House.

Zane & Velda Hrynewich

• view a detailed description of our trip
• view more pictures from our trip