Site Details
Closest Access Point: Honestly? “Closest” access point is a bit of a lie. This is about as remote as you can get in the Park. Tim Access Point (#2) is your best bet.
Distance to Access Point: 35 KM (2 Days, minimum)
Difficulty of Travel From Access Point: Hard
Maintenance Level: Low
Date Visited: May 2023
This is a basic site that doubles as the end of the portage up from Nid Lake. It’s essentially a small clearing just off the portage path. You can stay here, I just don’t know why you would.
Terrain: This is a small and flat site. The portage trail is on the left in the above picture, so you know the terrain is relatively free of obstacles. However, having that path cut through really limits the amount of usable space you’ve got. The site is back a bit from the water and up a gentle slope.
Canoe Landing: The canoe landing doubles as a portage takeout, so it’s decently sized. The underwater terrain is primarily sand. There were a couple of downed logs across the front of the slip that you may have to navigate.
Fire Pit: The pit is up the hill from the water, and does not have much of a view. It’s a small pit, and doesn’t look like it sees much use.
Tent Sites: There ground in the immediate vicinity of the the pit area is decently level. My problem with tents on this site is that you’re either pitching it pretty close to the fire pit, or somewhere on the portage. Either way, it’s not super convenient.
Thunderbox: You know what? This is a nice thunderbox. In fact, it’s probably the site’s best feature. It’s back a short path from the site (about fifty feet) and is in pretty decent shape.
Accessories: There are a couple of decently constructed log benches beside the fire pit. That’s about it.
Views: This is a very enclosed site. The view from the interior is trees and whoever happens to be portaging through while you’re there. Down at the water you’ve got a nice view west along Gibson, but you’re not staying here for the ambience. On the plus side, the site is well protected from the wind.
Notes: This is a portage that happens to have a campsite on it, not a campsite that happens to have a portage running through it, if that distinction makes any sense. Don’t bother with this one, Site 4 is better.
Related Trip Report: Birchcliffe, The Nip and Some Hills