Diamond-Obabika Loop

Written By Johanna Kilbridge
 

Total distance: 69 km
Number of portages: 6
Total portage length: 2885 m
Recommended time: 4 nights (5 days)

Day 1

Start your trip on Lake Temagami’s northeastern shore, launching from the beautiful beach at Ferguson Bay. Paddle and portage west into Sharp Rock inlet, trying to spot the few cabins tucked discreetly into the hilly shoreline. Soon you will leave all traces of human settlement behind, entering the Obabika River Provincial Park via a short portage into Diamond Lake. Pitch your tent on one of Diamond Lake’s many beautiful island or shoreline campsites. Don’t forget to hunt for blueberries! Hardy blueberry bushes thrive on Diamond’s rocky terrain.

Day 2

Break camp and explore Diamond Lake as you paddle westward. Leaving Diamond, you’ll hike a bouldery portage into tiny Lain lake, and then an easier portage into Pencil Lake, which leads directly into the serenity of Wakimika Lake. Camp on the beach and relax, or explore and wonder at the pictographs.

Day 3

Head south on Wakimika to the mouth of the Wakimika River, a gently flowing waterway that twists through the surrounding landscape like a miniature Amazon. Its intimate nature makes for great wildlife viewing, and you’ll certainly see beaver lodges and several dams as you wind southward. You’ll marvel at their ingenuity and industriousness, as you execute a few canoe lift-overs! At the end of your river journey, you enter Obabika Lake. Choose one of the northern campsites for convenient access to the famous Obabika old growth forest trails. If you spend a full day in the ancient forest, you may choose to spend a second night here.

Day 4

Hike into Chee-skon Lake and explore Obabika’s Old Growth forest. The trails lead you through stands of red and white pines up to 350 years in age. These trees are magnificent both in their appearance and ecological significance. Chee-Skon is also home to an impressive geological formation and traditional native spiritual site known as “Spirit Rock”. The site of countless vision quests, it’s a good place for meditation and contemplation.

Day 5

Continue your paddle south on Obabaka Lake, which features multiple pictograph sites and geologic formations like the Grandmother and Grandfather rocks, and a natural spring along the eastern shoreline. About halfway down the lake, you will choose one of two routes eastward into Obabika Inlet. Your final night will be spent at one of the many campsites along your paddle west across Lake Temagami and north into Ferguson Bay. On your way, you may want to climb Devil’s Mountain - a short hike to an impressive vantage that overlooks Lake Temagami.

Your final paddling strokes bring you back to Sandy Inlet and the impressive beach that hugs the shoreline for hundreds of meters. Take the time for a final swim to relax and reflect on what has been a truly memorable canoe trip. A final short portage brings you to the van for the drive back to Smoothwater where refreshments and a hot shower await!

What you’ll love about it:

  • Pebble beaches for great swimming

  • Gently meandering river is fun to navigate and explore

  • Chance to experience very varied scenery on a single trip

Other things to consider:

  • Requires at least 2 nights of permits (check current rates here)

  • Motorboats on Lake Temagami, Diamond, and Obabika lakes, although very few

Perfect for:

  • Intermediate canoe trippers

  • Old growth forest enthusiasts

  • People with exactly a week off from work

 
Johanna Kilbridge
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Cross-Wasaksina Loop