W-06 Bird River (Tulabi L. to Irregular L to Tulabi L)
Geographic Location:
- Nopiming Provincial Park (Manitoba), Woodland Caribou Park ( Ontario), North of Kenora, Ontario.
Name of Trip:
- Bird River (Tulabi L. to Irregular L. to Tulabi L.)
Major Lakes/Rivers:
- Tulabi L, Elbow L, Snowshoe L, Chase L, Midway L, Eagle L, Aegean L, Wrist L, Beamish L, Irregular L, Irregular R, Bee L, Wingiskus L, then return to Tulabi via Bird R.
Source of Information:
- Topographical maps: 52 L/10, L/11, L/14, L/15.
- Bird (Oiseau) River – Elbow Lake Canoe Route Map
- MRCA paddler: Jerry Ameis.
Duration of Trip:
- 8 days paddling, including driving from and to Winnipeg.
Total Distance:
- 180 kilometres.
River Rating:
- Bird R: up to a Class 3.
- Irregular R: up to a Class 2.
Portages:
- About 38 portages. The longest portage is from Wingiskus L to the Bird R. It is 1500m in total, done in two stages.
Start (Put In):
- Tulabi L. (road access).
Finish (Take Out):
- Tulabi L.
Alternate Access:
- Enter the Bird River system at Snowshoe Lake via Davidson Lake to Wilson Lake route.
Remoteness:
- There are lodges on Snowshoe, Chase, and Eagle lakes.
Comments:
- This trip up the Bird River takes you into the southern part of Woodland Caribou Park. It is a relatively flat rocky region where many different drainage systems originate (for example: the headwaters of the Bird River).
- Traveling up the Bird River to Eagle Lake is straight-forward. The portages are easy to locate and well-maintained. There are many good campsites along the way. The Bird R. is a picturesque small river that sometimes winds through swampy areas. Most often it flows through areas bordered by forest and/or rocky terrain. It may not be wise to travel through Elbow Lake on a weekend because it is a popular weekend canoeing destination. Elbow and Snowshoe lakes can be trouble when there is a strong west or east wind blowing.
