New foot bridge for La Vase Portages hikers

left to right, Fred McNutt Chair Friends of La Vase Portages, Greg and Bernie Stockerman, Cliff Moulder. Absent from picture Sean Madigan and Chris Mayne. Photo provided by Chris Mayne.

The friends of La Vase Portages were busy last weekend constructing a new tamarack plank and beam bridge to replace the old log and plank bridge to improve access to the hiking trails in the area. The bridge, designed by Bernie Stockerman and Roy Summers with the supervision of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority, will be for non-motorized use only and primarily intended for day hikers to the area.

Located behind the Brandy Lake access point on Highway 17, the bridge and trails provide access to both a one hour looping trail and a longer two hour linear trail that leads to the Telford’s Landing area on Cooper’s Lake, the central body of water along the historic La Vase Portages.

Anyone looking to hike the trails and not familiar with the area should contact either Friends of La Vase Portages or the North Bay Mattawa Authority for directions as there are private property issues in the area to be aware of.

Looking ahead towards their next project, Friends of La Vase Portages will be celebrating Canada’s National Canoe Day, Thursday, June 26, with a day trip on North Bay’s second and most ancient canoe route the Park’s Creek route.

For route maps or information on the upcoming Canada Canoe Day trip, details can be seen on the website www.lavaseportages.com