SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - From June 26 to July 1, a group of volunteers travelled the 60 km Pensive Lakes canoe route with hand tools, clearing its 21 overgrown portage trails.

The six trail blazers remaining at the end of the 60 km Pensive Lakes Canoe Route portage clearing trip were Lorraine Sawdon, left, Roxy the Dog, Jen Potten, “J.Y”, Jeremie Maille-Cote, Youri Cormier and in front, Kris Brekke with the sign. - photo courtesy of Kris Brekke

"Some portions (were hard work), especially the Cameron River portion," said Kris Brekke from Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

"New bush had grown in along most of the portage trails so you couldn't find them."

The group had maps and a past trip report to help them, and after snooping around they managed to find vestiges of the former paths and blaze through them.

Brekke said the trip was without incident and everyone was in good spirits.

"Everybody worked hard, didn't mind being wet, all that good stuff."

They had to deal with a combination of black flies, mosquitoes, rain, and lots of sun but "it wasn't too bad," said Brekke.

While the trip mostly consisted of bush clearing, the group managed to turn it into a canoe and camping trip as well.

They had five canoes between 10 people, which became reduced to six by the end of the trip as some had to cut it short and go back home to work.

They brought food with them but also managed to catch a few fish on the side.

"Nothing big, but the fishing was good. Mostly lake trout," said Brekke.

Brekke said there were also 10 runnable rapids to keep them entertained.

The group ended up clearing 21 portages along the 60 km route, putting up yellow signs adorned with a portaging figure to mark the heads of the trails.

A trip report was written up when they returned, describing the route they took.

Beginning at Tibbitt Lake, it leads through Upper Terry Lake to Saunders Lake, then up Ross River to Ross Lake, then through the Pensive Lakes before flowing down the Cameron River back to Tibbitt Lake.

There are still lots more canoe and portage routes around Yellowknife, though, and the group is always up for that kind of trip.

"We had a good time so we'll see what routes are out and which ones need cleaning and sort of just do a consensus," said Brekke.

This trip was initiated by the Sombe K'e Paddling Society and the group was made up of volunteers from the society and CPAWS.

They received verbal support from the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment.