The Poker Lakes Loop is a short circuit of small lakes and ponds in the Poker Lakes section of the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails, managed by the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Paddlers park at the Big East access lot at 5128 Highway 118, between Carnarvon and Bracebridge, and cross the road to Bentshoe Lake. Short portages lead northeast through the Crane Lakes, Poker Lake and Muck Lake to Cinder Lake at the top of the loop, and the return heads south through Quirt and Ooze lakes back to Poker and Bentshoe. Route reports put it at about 9 km with nine portages that add up to roughly 1.5 km, and rate it a novice trip with easy carries. Most groups spend one or two nights; the township describes it as a long-weekend outing. Campsites must be booked and paid for online through the township before you go. Paddlers have reported deadfall, boggy stretches and a few missing portage signs.
Poker Lakes Loop is rated Easy. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
Poker Lakes Loop is located in the Haliburton Highlands region of Canada.
Straight-line distance between route centres.
algonquinhighlands.ca · ontariotrails.on.ca · myccr.com
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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