KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK
New Northern Loop
IN THE 1990s the Ontario government conducted public consultations named Lands for Life. The result was an increase in the number and size of provincial parks. For the Killarney area it meant new parkland would reach up and grab Lake Panache and environs within its protective embrace. But the wheels of land use management turn slowly, too slowly for Kevin Callan. In the spring of
2005 and 2006 he explored the park’s new territory, searching for “lost” portages and routes the park could use. Not only did he find some, he even recorded them for the park staff who went out last sea- son and “re-discovered” them. What they have yet to do, however, is to create a reservation system for the new extension, meaning you won’t have to take your Palm Pilot to ensure you get to all your appointed campsites on time as you explore the rugged land north of the La Cloche mountains.
NEED TO KNOW Strictly speaking, the route is not in Killarney proper but in a new park called Killarney Headwaters and Lakelands Provincial Park. It doesn’t receive the same level of protec- tion as Killarney itself, but administration and management are done from the same park office. You still have to get a park permit, but not reservations for specific campsites. Start this loop either at Lake Panache
Marina or Walker Lake public launch. To reach the marina, drive south on Regional Road 55 from Highway 17, about 30 kilometres
36 n C ANOE ROOT S summer 2007
west of Sudbury. After 1.5 kilometres turn right onto Regional Road 10 and drive south to Lake Panache. For Walker Lake public launch drive south on Highway 6 through Espanola and turn left on Panache Lake Road (Queensway) directly across from the Tim Hortons coffee shop. Drive nine kilometres and turn right at the first fork, toward Hannah Lake. Another six kilometres will take you to another fork. Go left to reach the launch area or Mountain Cove Lodge. Paddle the route counterclockwise, from Walker Lake to Bear, High, Basson, Panache
and back to Walker. You can take a number of side trips from Bear Lake, allowing you to travel throughout the northern range of Killarney Provincial Park itself.
INFO KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK: (705) 287-2900,
ontarioparks.ca/english/kill.html
FRIENDS OF KILLARNEY: (705) 287-2800,
friendsofkillarneypark.ca
The route is written up in A Paddlers Guide to Killarney and the French River, by Kevin Callan, (Boston Mills Press/Firefly Books).
OUTFITTERS WHITE SQUALL PADDLING CENTRE: Nobel, Ontario, (705) 342-5324,
www.whitesquall.com
KILLARNEY KANOES: Sudbury, 1-888-461- 4446,
www.killarneykanoes.com
MAPS TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS: 41 I/3, 41 I/4.
Friends of Killarney will be coming out with
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