I do have some pointers. If you have not already, you should download Google Earth. There is no comparable tool for reconn-ing trips like these. You can measure the length of lakes and even tilt the landscape and recon vistas for hunting.

The main problem you will face in September is low water. The advantage is that all of the sandbars that were inundated for our put-in (during the end of spring run-off) will be available landing strips for you. As a result, the pilot can probably put you down right next to the river, but I wouldn’t go much higher than the confluence with Seagull Creek, because there won’t be much water. This suggests that you’ll probably go in on wheels instead of floats, though that depends on the pilot and available plane. The lakes aren’t huge up there, especially higher in the catchment, and that bears on the size of plane you can use.

To answer your specific question, there are no trails whatsoever, other than game trails. The portage from the lake to Seagull Creek isn’t horrific, but Seagull Creek will not be boatable due to low water. The portage directly to the Nimi is about the same distance, but with tussocks.

Good luck. If you have any other scouting questions, email me at kentape at hotmail dot com.

Ken