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200th Anniversary of Alexander Henry's Adventures Publication
"On the 26th of August, we reached the Portages a la Vase, three in number .... Their name describes the boggy ground of which they consist. In passing one of them, we saw many beaver-houses and dams; and by breaking one of the dams, we let off water enough to float our canoes down a small stream.... These carrying-places, and the intermediate navigation, brought us at length, to the head of a small river, which falls into Lake Nipisingue." Alexander Henry Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories Between the years 1760 and 1776 Published by I. Riley, in New York: I. 1809.
La Vase Portages, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Welcome to the website for the Friends of La Vase Portages. This 14 kilometer section of the historic Voyageur canoe route crosses the height of land between the Mattawa and French Rivers and our goal is to have its historic and heritage importance recognized and protected for future generations.
Over recent years La Vase Portages have suffered from neglect and indifference seeing encroachment from residential and industrial interests along the south end and more recenty from proposed quarrying expansions and private property issues at the north end.
By speaking with groups and individuals with varying interests along the route aswell as various levels of government Friends of La Vase Portages have been working to keep the trail open and protected for future use. Over the last three years we have been brushing and signing the sections of the trail that still run over Crown Lands or North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority property aswell as hosting a public La Vase Heritage Canoe Day to travel the route as a group.
While co-operation and support from property owners along the route has been generally positive, further work remains to be done to see the historic route receive more complete and long term protection and recognition as a heritage canoe route.
We look forward to hearing from you or seeing you out there sometime, the trails and portage routes make a great place to paddle or hike all year round.
Friends of La Vase Portages
Spring 2008
