Discover the area's oldest highway

Friends of la Vase Portages
News Release

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If you have ever noticed the Historical Plaque on Highway 17 marking the La Vase Portages and wondered just where the portage actually was, or if you ever wanted an opportunity to join a group and be guided across this historical Voyageur canoe route, then next Saturday, July 21, could be just the day you have been waiting for.

Friends of la Vase Portages are hosting a heritage canoe day from Brandy Lake, just off of Highway 17 near Tout Lake, through to Champlain Park on Lake Nipissing along the famous portage and La Vase River waterway.

Participants will have their canoes shuttled from one end to the other so they will actually start and finish on the shores of Lake Nipissing and a fish fry shore lunch at Billy Bob’s is also be included.

For almost 200 years La Vase Portages was the height of land link between the Mattawa and French rivers as part of the main trans Canada canoe route of its day. In the late 1800’s with the coming of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the canoe routes were over taken by more modern means of cross country transportation.

To join the Fiends of La Vase Portages and enjoy a day of canoeing and reliving this wonderful canoe route that represents the heritage of our community please contact Fred McNutt 476 1958 or Chris Mayne 474 1536 to register.

Registration is $25 per person and includes canoe shuttle and lunch.

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