the river empties into Whitson Lake, where the Petawawa’s northern rugged charm is softened by stands of silver maple and basswood, which are usually more at home further south. We paddle south through Smith Lake and McManus Lake and easily run the two swifts on the way. We ignore the first 500-metre portage marked to the left and the second 90-metre portage to the right. By mid-afternoon, we reach the
take-out at the southwestern end of McManus Lake. By the time we returned from Lake Traverse with the second vehicle, we are treated to a final spectacle. It’s the “the fab four” heading down McManus Lake in their leaky aluminum canoe, filled with humility now, rather than the juice of the sugar cane. ~ Kevin Callan has paddled many of the wild rivers in Ontario and Quebec. Look for his books everywhere you shop.
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GETTING THERE
The Lake Traverse to McManus Lake route works nicely into a three-day weekend. Before putting in at Lake Traverse, you must first
drive a second vehicle to the route’s end. From Highway 17, turn left on County Road 26, about nine kilometres west of Pembroke. Proceed 300 metres and take the first right at the Achray Road. Proceed 26 kilometres to Sand Lake Gate at the park boundary. After you pick up your interior camping permit, continue along the north road for 6.4 kilometres and turn right onto the McManus Access Road. Drive a good eight kilometres down the bumpy, dirt road and leave your pick-up vehicle in the designated parking lot. Now head back to Achray Road and to the access point by turning right and driving 47 kilometres to the Algonquin Radio Observatory area. Soon after passing the observatory gate, turn right onto the side-road that leads to Lake Traverse. The put-in is downstream from an iron bridge, directly below Poplar Rapids. TIME: 3 to 4 days DIFFICULTY: Most rapids can be run, but whitewater paddling and river tripping experience is mandatory—check water levels before heading out. PORTAGES: 15 LONGEST PORTAGE: 3,400 metres (but unnecessary because the rapid is easily negotiated).
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