20-Sep-2002 -- After locating 50N-94W the day earlier on water; we figured it would be a snap to find the next confluence down the line to the west. Our map showed that a road ended within a quarter mile of the confluence, so after a great morning of fishing we headed off to find 50N-95W. We learned quickly not to trust Ontario maps or it's weather.

As we passed the only lodge halfway down the last road to the confluence we ignored a sign that read "Road washed out ahead" and pushed the aging Explorer onward. After crossing three very tricky spots worthy of a TV commercial, the road soon turned into an old logging road which then became an ATV trail at best. When we got to the washout, we struggled to turn the car around because the brush was so thick on both sides of the car that we could barely open the doors.

With the car facing "out" we decided to start walking down the rest of the road to quickly find the spot and get out before dark. Dad took his over and under just in case we ran into the mother of a cub black bear we just saw and I had the GPS,s. After only a quarter mile of walking the sky darkened and a very heavy rain forced us back to our car. It worked out OK because as it turned out it would of taken several hours to find the confluence anyway.

Arriving at the lodge after dark, drenched, but happy to have made it back there, I inquired if I could rent an ATV or even a bike to try again to reach the confluence. They didn't have a bike and all of their ATV's were beieng used for bear hunting but Tom mentioned that Archie, who lived down towards the main road, might be able to help.

Two days later we drove to Archie's home, an Native American, to inquire if I could hire him to take me to the end of the road. Not only did he agree but he also had a spare ATV for my Dad and I. (Picture 2) After getting to the end of the road which had a part so steep I was convinced I was going to end up upside down, we were too far west and north. Archie, who didn't or didn't want to speak much English suggested we go back a ways and take a side trail recently cut through the forest for bear hunting. That trail taught me why they invented those obnoxious machines! When it became clear that it would take awhile, Archie agreed to let us go on our own and would come back to find us if we were not back by dark.

We pushed on till we got nearest we could on the ATV and parked it on high ground, set a waypoint, and then set off on foot. (Picture 1) Note: Confluence is down hill near lake. At first I thought we would not find it even though we were so close. As we headed down, the rocky terrain quickly became a thick forest and then an overgrowen lowland. Every step towards took three out of the way. Suddenly I realised we were going to do it and sooner than I expected I saw all ZEROES!!