Smoke to Kirkwood

CanadaOntarioAlgonquin
Submitter & Author Information
Route submitted by: 
Admin
Trip Date : 
Route Author: 
Unknown
Additional Route Information
Distance: 
40 km
Duration: 
3 days
Loop Trip: 
No
Portage Information
No. of portages: 
10
Total Portage Distance: 
2410 m
Longest Portage: 
590 m
Difficulty Ratings
River Travel: 
Not applicable
Lake Travel: 
Novice
Portaging: 
Moderate
Remoteness: 
Intermediate
Background Trip Info
Water Levels: 
Route Description
Technical Guide: 

Smoke Lake Access Point
Across Smoke L
P 240 to Ragged
South on Ragged
P 590 to Big Porcupine
Take right passage and paddle around the optional 390m portage
Camp near portage to Bonnechere
P 200 to Bonnechere
Paddle up Bonnechere
P 170 to Phipps
Paddle up Phipps
P 60 to Kirkwood
Camp in Kirkwood
Return and exit on day three

Trip Journal/Log/Report/Diary: 

We went in late May/early June and it was completely deserted and beautiful. Later in the season, the Ragged Lake component, especially, will be busier.

Maps Required
Other Maps: 
Algonquin Park Canoe Map
Other
Special Comments: 

If avoiding the 390m portage (which we did) take care on return to find the right turn - there is a similar inlet just before that leads to a dead-end pond.

Phipps L starts as a winding, calm stream/river. While there is no appreciable current, there is a beaver dam across the way that will have to be lifted over.

The campsite on the small island in Kirkwood L is beautiful.

The second day of travel is quite light, one could go further. On the return, one could exit Smoke L that night or camp just before the Ragged-Smoke portage, extending the trip an extra evening.