La Vase Portages

The historic La Vase (Mud) Portages began at the head of the nearby pond. These three portages, connecting Trout Lake and the lower La Vase River, were linked by small navigable streams and ponds. They formed part of the great canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers, Lake Nipissing and the French River, leading to the upper Great Lakes and the West, which was followed by the early explorers, missionaries and fur traders. Among many famous men who passed here were Étienne Brûlé in 1600, Samuel de Champlain in 1605, Father Jean de Brébeuf in 1626, Jean Nicolet in 1634, Pierre de la Vérendrye in 1731, Alexander Henry in 1761, and Sir Alexander MacKenzie in 1802.

Ontario · Canada