Algonquin Park Stories

2012-01-22T22:04:00.001-08:00

Looks like it will be Islet Lake this summer!

Canoe Dancing

2012-01-12T08:06:00.001-08:00

Pictures from our 2011 trip

2011-08-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

Booked!

2011-05-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

We are all booked for this year with Ontario Parks.
2 nights on Stratton, 2 on Cork and 1 on the lower Barron.

This years trip

2011-01-20T12:55:00.000-08:00

A return to Algonquin Park AND a return to Achray and the Barron Canyon!

2010-09-07T19:02:00.001-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Killarney 2010

2010-08-14T08:30:00.001-07:00

Just got my new pack!

2010-05-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

Its a Eureka canoe pack SS115

Kevin Callan

2010-04-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Got Kevin's Killarney book from amazon today. Ordered it yesterday! WOW.......off to read.

Killarney this year

2010-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

It will be Killarney instead of Algonquin this year. I feel like I am cheating on a partner!
We will be going in at George Lake and heading to Three Narrows lake for 5 days.
More to come

2010-01-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!

In the Deep

2009-12-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

Algonquin Memories

2009-12-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

2010 trip

2009-11-11T21:48:00.001-08:00

Looks like we might be going to Killarney instead of Algonquin next year. We have the whole winter to contemplate!

Missing!

2009-08-18T11:39:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the areas of the Park that I have not been to (and would like to).
Any comments would be appreciated.

Access point #1 - North tea Lake area
Access point #29 - Kiosk
Access point #25 - Wendigo (maybe next year?)

Mostly we are missing these because of the longer trip north.

Updated - We are up to 93 total!

2009-08-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Algonquin Lakes and Rivers I have visited

Camped On

1. Barron River – Campsite on river, no good swimming, some good fishing. Close to exit at squirrel rapids
2. Big Crow Lake – Good beach
3. Big Porcupine Lake (3 different years – same site) Best site we have ever been on. The westernmost site on big pork
4. Booth Lake - Got hit by lightning here
5. Crotch Lake – 5 nights on a nice campsite – great beach
6. Daisy Lake – on the way to White Trout Lake, quick stop
7. Dickson Lake – Right at the Dickson / Bonfield portage – terrible site
8. Dividing Lake – Nice site, tough portage to get there
9. Farm Lake – on the way to Booth Lake
10. Grand Lake – First stop out of Achray on the way to Opalescent, moderate site
11. Kingscote Lake – very bad site, on the way to Scorch. See trip log algonquinadventures.com
12. Lavieille Lake – at the entrance to the Lake from Crow bay – one of the best sites we have been on
13. Little Trout Lake – nice site – nice lake
14. McManus Lake – Nice sight just after the swift from Smith lake
15. Misty Lake – on the way to White Trout Lake
16. Opalescent Lake – good site, big snapping turtle kept us from swimming. Site is right on the portage.
17. Opeongo Lake – (2 sites) North Arm and East Arm
18. Oxtounge River (2 sites) – High falls site is very good, room for a dozen tents and a fabulous waterfall
19. Park Lake – worst site possible, in view of traffic on hwy 60, exposed, confined, do not go here!
20. Pen Lake – nice lake, lots of good sites and one great one that we haven’t been able to get on
21. Petawawa River – 2 sites – at the chute and schooner rapids (at the hydro line)
22. Rockaway Lake – best fishing ever! Not in the park, on the way to Dividing
23. Scorch Lake – take the trail UP to the best view in the park
24. St Andrews Lake – on the way to Opalescent
25. Sunbeam Lake – Very good island site (easternmost), very nice Lake
26. Timberwolf Lake – on the way out from White Trout, quick stop in bad weather
27. Tom Thomson Lake (2 sites) – great Lake, site on island has great cliff jumping
28. Travers Lake – Last site before hitting rapids
29. Welcome Lake – very pretty Lake with huge SAND beaches, well worth the trip.
30. White Trout Lake – nice site, next to the farm on the map
31. York River – at high falls, no thunder box, lots of people with pop and chips, but still nice

Traversed

1. Aster Pond
2. Bartlett Lake
3. Bear Lake
4. Big Rock Lake
5. Bonfield Lake
6. Brigham Lake
7. Byers Lake
8. Canoe Lake
9. Coveo Lake
10. Cradle Lake
11. Crow Bay
12. Crow River
13. Dagger Lake
14. Fawn Lake
15. Galipo River
16. Godda Lake
17. Grand Lake
18. Grassy Bay
19. Hambone Lake
20. Hardy Bay
21. High Falls Lake
22. High Falls Pond
23. Joe Lake
24. Kimball Lake
25. Kitty Lake
26. Little Crow Lake
27. Littledoe Lake
28. Livingstone Lake
29. Magnetawan Lake
30. McCarthy Creek
31. McIntosh Creek
32. McIntosh Lake
33. Minkey Lake
34. Mole Lake
35. Ooze Lake
36. Oram Lake
37. Proulx Lake
38. Queer Lake
39. Ragged Lake
40. Ralph Bice Lake (Butt Lake)
41. Rock Lake
42. Rumley Lake
43. Ryegrass Lake
44. Shall Lake
45. Smoke Lake
46. Smith Lake
47. Stratton Lake
48. Tattler Lake
49. Tepee Lake
50. Whitson Lake
51. Willow Lake
52. Wright Lake

Visited

1. Bonnechere Lake
2. Branch Lake
3. Cork Lake
4. Depot Lake
5. Harry Lake
6. Hollow River
7. Opeongo River
8. Shirley Lake
9. Snow Lake
10. Tim River
>

2009-08-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Algonquin Trip August 2009

Opeongo - Big Crow - Lavieille - Dickson - Opeongo

Day One

There were 8 of us in the group this year. 5 from my home town of Sarnia, one from Granton and two from Stouffville. We all headed up to the Opeongo access to get our Water Taxi at 1:30 p.m. Permits were obtained, canoes were rented (Algonquin Outfitters) and we were off! We were able to leave about 15 minutes early. Our first night was going to be on the north arm, so we just had the taxi do a quick search for an open campsite. It was busy and after checking the many site on the north shore, we ended up with a dark site on a point close to the Proulx portage that we would be taking tomorrow. It had a very poor take-out but we found it had plenty of tent space once we got into it. We played a couple of poker games, had some great hamburgers and had a drink to another Algonquin adventure!

Opeongo North Arm campsite location.

The take-out at our camp on the North Arm.

View of our North Arm site from the fire pit.

Day Two

We took the short paddle to the portage and proceeded to carry over to Proulx Lake. The portage was fairly flat except for a hill to get round the small unnamed lake in the middle of the portage. My son and I actually missed the cut off around this lake so we actually did the short paddle! It was only maybe 300m and very buggy!

We were disappointed that we didn't see any moose at all on the Crow River. The paddle was nice however, and we made good time getting through Little Crow Lake into Big Crow. We had 4 canoes so we sent out some scouting parties to look for the best site. One pair went to the Ranger Cabin and got us 20 liters of water from the spring there. There is a good site to the south of the cabin on the opposite side of the lake but we settled for the Northern beach site. All three of the sites north of the Crow River are connected by a trail. We met both of our neighboring parties, one from Kingston and the other from Baltimore.

The site is quite nice, with a "kitchen" shelf and some benches. We didn't want to paddle into the wind to go back to the fire tower, so we hunkered down and spent the afternoon and evening playing cards and enjoying a penne and sausage dinner.

Day Two Campsite location.

Big Crow Lake beach.

Day Three (and Four)

We knew this was going to be a tough day. We started the trek down the Crow River, towards Lake Lavieille and were prepared (we thought) for the multiple portages. There was nothing particularly challenging about any of the portages. There were just lots of them, with winding river-paddling in between. We also had thunderstorms chasing all around us all day, but we managed to come out unscathed.

The put-ins and take-outs are all what you would expect on a river .. rocky and uneven. You also get a little sick of the "in-the-canoe / out-of-the-canoe" routine near the end of the river. We were all quite tired by the time we reached Crow Bay. And there was still a good paddle ahead to get to Lavieille. Water levels were quite high. If they had been lower, this trip would have taken much longer. For us it was about 6 hours.

When we reached the group of campsites at Lavieille, the first one did not look great and the 2 on the north of the opening were taken. So we went to the site on the south point. What a great campsite! It had plenty of roaming space with good tent sites, rock porches on the east side to face Lavieille and the west side facing Crow Bay. And, it had a great fire pit area with a shelf. The view of Lavieille to the east was spectacular. Very pretty! This would be our stop for two nights, so we were glad we had a good site.

We only caught one spec and had it for a snack. Basically, this was our chance to just kick back in the wilderness.

3rd and 4th nights' campsite.

One fish! That's it?.

View from the Lavieille campsite.

Lavieille fire pit.

Day Five

It was a 15 k paddle today down the length of Lavielle to Dickson. The morning was beautiful and we had flat water to start. It was hard to leave such a pretty lake, one of my favorite spots that I have been to in the park.

We wanted to get as close as possible to the start of the Dickson / Bonfield portage, that we would start the next morning. As we arrived at the inlet that leads to the portage, we passed a campsite that was perfect. But some in the group wanted to look at the site that was located right at the start of the portage. If I was to do this again, I would stay at the site that we passed. But the group majority decided to stay on the portage site. It was pretty basic. I think it is designed more as an emergency site for someone coming out of the long portage too late in the day to venture into the Lake.

We decided to carry the canoes (3 of the 4) down the portage to lighten the load for the next day. I would not do this again either as it is a long walk. It took six of us carrying the 3 alternately. With the ultra light canoes it was an easy carry but, as mentioned, it's a long way! The walk back seemed to take forever and I don't like the feeling of walking back along an entire portage. I would have preferred to take everything at the same time with frequents breaks, but doing it only once. When you travel with a larger group I guess you have to go with the majority! We took about three hours to take the canoes to the end and walk back. That's 10,600 meters of walking. The trail is in great shape with only a few sections that are rocky. There are lots of boardwalks built over the difficult sections. The only real challenge is the length!

Then the rain came. It started just as I was cooking dinner and made things difficult. We set up a tarp but eventually just headed for the tents. I was laying down at about 7:30 p.m. and eventually just went to sleep. My son and I ended up spending about 11 hours in the tent! (well it is a vacation! Lol) The rain was on and off all night but no thunderstorms came. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of this site because of all the wet weather.

5th night campsite.

Day Six

Today was the day we took the rest of our possessions across the Dickson / Bonfield portage. One advantage to walking the portage the day before was the awareness of how long it would take and the various "markers" along the way. We were using Jeffrey's map as a reference. The map did not reflect what we felt were the true distances between these markers. This may be due to other circumstances (like the terrain - or how tired we were) but we felt that the cart trail cut off was about ¼ of the way down the trail and the road was about ¾ of the total. The map shows it quite different. I don't know if anything has changed or not? We finished the portage in about 90 minutes.

Near the start of the Dickson / Bonfield.

Almost to Bonfield Lake.

Dickson / Bonfield completed!.

We then paddled and portaged through Bonfield and Wright's Lake to get to Opeongo. Nice little lakes. One of our canoes stopped to fish in Bonfield and caught a bass. When we arrived at Opeongo we saw that there were numerous campsites right at the end of the portage extending north to the end of the cart trail. This whole area is very open with abundant tall pines all around. We went to the 2nd site south of the cart trail exit. It was a fantastic site with a great beach but had the potential for many very close neighbors during busy times.

Unfortunately, the previous campers had left the site in quite a mess, with strewn garbage and a fire pit full of old food and containers. It's hard to explain some people actions. We even saw live trees with large hatchet gashes in them. Also, the Dickson memorial that was close by has been vandalized. The plaque is missing and many of the rocks have been pulled away.

We had a great last evening in Algonquin and enjoyed a KD dinner and a wee bit of Scotch. The water taxi was coming tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. to pick us up.

What was left in the fire pit for us.

The beach at our East Arm site.

Opeongo East Arm campsite.

6th night's campsite.

Day Seven

The water taxi was early and arrived at the East Arm at about 8:05. He was scheduled to pick us up at the portage but spotted us right away at our site and got us there. We were on the way at 8:20 for a cold, quick rise back to the access point. All that remained now was a hot shower, a change of clothes and a 6 hour car ride back to Sarnia.

Another successful Algonquin Adventure!

Need more info? Email me at : freedom55@gmail.com

All of the pictures (and videos) are at : http://picasaweb.google.com/freedom55/Algonquin2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDej_3UssqF5gE&feat=directlink

Just got back!!!

2009-08-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures - triplog to follow

2009-07-31T07:08:00.001-07:00

My pack weighs too much! (again)

Trip Prep

2009-07-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Food shopping is all done.
10 days to go!

TRIP PREP

2009-07-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Beef jerky is all made.

Maps are done (laminated from Jeffry's maps)

http://www.algonquinmap.com/making.html

Getting the gear ready

Menus planned

Food shopping soon!

The 2009 trip is BOOKED!

2009-06-06T13:44:00.001-07:00

Here is the route for our trip this year

Finally we take on the Dickson / Bonfield!

Sunday August 2nd.

Water taxi (Algonquin Outfitters) is dropping us off at our first days campsite so there will be no paddling or portaging this day.

Monday August 3rd.

We will take a 1390 portage to Proulx Lake and then paddle north through Little Crow Lake to Big Crow Lake, camping there for the night.

Tuesday August 4th

We travel down the Crow River heading towards Lake Lavielle. There are typical river portages (around rapids) of 240, 155, 1220, 385, 170, 205 and 110.We will camp on lake Lavielle for the night.

Wednesday August 5th

No portages. We paddle south to Dickson Lake. We need to find a camp that is good for two nights stay.

Thursday August 6th

Another day on Dickson lake.

Friday August 7th

The Famous Dickson - Bonfield Portage! 5305 meter. Plus a 260 and a 285 takes us out to Opeongo where we will camp for our last night.

Saturday August 8th

The water Taxi will pick us up at 8:30 a.m. We need to be at the portage exit area at that time!

Looking forward to August!

2008-08-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Tom Yates
Travers to McManus on the Petawawa – August 2008

Friday August 1st

We drove from Sarnia Ontario, leaving at about noon and arriving at Algonquin Portage at about 9 p.m... We had booked accommodations with Algonquin Portage previously ($27 per person) as well as breakfast the next morning ($8.00). The rooms were waiting for us as advertised, and we had a game of cards on the front porch before we turned in. The rooms were great and well looked after. There are plenty of showers also!

Algonquin Portage Cabin

Saturday August 2nd

We woke up to rain pouring down on us and waited till our breakfast was prepared. They open at 8 a.m... After breakfast we got our canoes and loaded them onto our two vehicles. We also met Markus and Joan in the store!
We had arranged for Algonquin Portage to transfer our vehicles during the week back to McManus for us. The road to Travers is well looked after and we made good time getting to the put in. By the time we headed out into the lake the rain had stopped and the weather was quit nice.
Our goal was to get as far up the lake as we could so that the next day we would be close to Big Thompson rapids. We scouted sites along the way had 8 people in the group so we needed a good amount of flat space if possible. We used FRS radios to talk to each other about the sites and hop scotched along the shore.
We arrived at our final destination, the last site on the lake, and set up camp at about 1 p.m. or so. We had a dinner of hamburgers and played a little poker and looked forward to the journey ahead.

Lake Travers campsite

Sunday August 3rd

We had breakfast and broke camp by 9 a.m. and headed out to Big Thompson Rapids. The water level was high because of all the rain this year so we were going to portage both Thompson’s HOWEVER two of our members decided to give it a shot rather than carry. They had portaged the gear already so they were just going in the empty canoe.
The results were less than spectacular as they dumped no less than 10 feet into the rapid and ended up on the far shore. They got in and proceeded to dump again and float down to the rest of us. A humbling experience for sure!

The Hard way to portage

.

We continued on the portage around little Thompson too and headed on to the first rapids we would all run, Grillade. There were some big waves and high bouncing canoes but we all made it through with full canoes. Great fun!
Our destination for the camp was Crooked Chute. There were a few choices of campsites but we want the one at the final takeout if possible.

We had decided to canoe past the first takeout and get out at the second. There is a campsite at the second takeout but it is less than desirable. It looks like it is there for emergency use for late arrivals. We portaged our gear down to the last takeout and saw that our desired camp was available! And what a winner it is. It had plenty of flat tents sites and was right on the raging river. A top notch site in anyone’s book!

Better get out here!

We were happy that it was so ideal because we were going to stay an extra day here. We spent the rest of the day getting settled, exploring, and fishing. There was some bass caught so we had enough for one filet each for dinner to go along with our penne noodles.

Monday August 4th

It was a pleasure to not have to get up and pack for the road. We just had a leisurely breakfast and planned a day of exploration and relaxing.
The campsite is right on the portage and we had a couple of groups go through. There is also a shortcut right through the middle of our camp to get to the put in below the chute. We had a group from Wales take that very route.
We walked down the shortcut to the chute itself and watched in awe as the water squeezes through the narrow opening, thanking ourselves that we were not in a canoe going that way!
We also portaged the canoes to the put in area (they had to be there tomorrow anyway!) and explored the Lake area below the chute. There is a beach and a ranger cabin. We swam and explored and I got bit by horse flies (an annual tradition).
Back at camp there was cards (another tradition) and resting in the hammock and afternoon naps and just plain enjoyment. We had fish with our dinner again but just a teasing snack amount! Dinner was noodles n sauce with Italian smokies sausage.
The weather was great here and we even had a chance to see some shooting stars. We did discover that the rock at the campsite has a population of mice living in it. We made the discovery when one of the guys had a mouse crawl OVER HIS FACE while he was lying on the rock LOL!
They were there, but they didn’t really bother us. I recommend this site to anyone going this way!

Cooking the noodles at Crooked Chute.

Tuesday August 5th

We broke camp again at about 9 a.m. and headed out to Rollway rapids. We were definitely portaging here as we are greenhorns at this whitewater stuff. The portage is not too tough and we did it in two stages with the gear going first and the canoes coming on the second trip. We stopped at the Blair Fraser memorial. The cross has been broken off. I can only hope that is was a tree that did it rather than a person. Right below where the memorial is supposed to be there is a broken canoe in the water to remind us that portaging is not so bad.
Next was the Notch Rapids. We decided to carry the gear over first and decide whether to run or not on the way. This portage is horrible! The Petawawa white water guide says that “you have to be a mountain goat to do this portage” and they were not kidding. I think even THEY would avoid this portage!

The Natch – Portage

We decided to run the rapids with empty canoes because no one wanted to carry an 85 pound canoe over that portage! One canoe did get carried however because they did not want to run. Everyone made the run safely except me and my brother in-law Ted. We dumped and proceeded to swim over the falls and float down the river waiting for rescue. All we could think of was that it was still better than carrying that darn canoe over that portage!
After the Natch we had quite a long paddle to get to our desired camp near Schooner rapids, but boy was it a beautiful paddle! The cliffs are fantastic!

The Cliffs at the Natch

Our goal was to stop before Schooner and camp for the night but none of the spots were good so we pressed on into Schooner. Again we did them with full canoes and had lots of fun in big waves and high water. About half way through Schooner there is a little lake (right before the hydro lines) and we still had not found a suitable campsite.
On Jeffrey’s digital map, (which I had with me) there is a site here that is marked on a road. The same site is not marked on the Canoe routes map. We found the site but there was no orange sign. I don’t know if we were breaking any rules but it was getting late and it looked like bad weather was coming so we made camp. What a strange camp it was. It was on a road, just down from a Hydro-One bridge, and the grass (weeds) was high! There WAS a thunderbox in good condition AND a picnic table. If anyone knows the story of this site, let me know.
It started to thunderstorm at about 7:30 p.m. and rain shortly after. We headed to the tents for a long (if restless) night of sleep.

The Hydro-One site

Wednesday August 6th

The rain stopped just as we got up in the morning (About 6 a.m.) and there was least 2 inches of water in the cups left on the table! We got breakfast and got out of there.
Our goal for the day was to complete the rapids (the rest of Schooner and Five Mile Rapids) and then look for a campsite on the lakes.
We had great fun running the rest of the rapids with a few rocks hit but nothing major and everyone right side up. Once we got past all the rapids we started looking for a place to spend our last night. Site after site was either too small (not enough tent spaces) or too weedy and buggy (as river sites tend to be). However as we came through the last swift and into McManus Lake we saw the holy grail of campsites! It’s not on Jeffrey’s map OR my version of the canoe routes map but it was clearly marked with the orange sign.

It had a great flat are on top of a nice hill over looking the lake. I am not exaggerating when I say that at least 10 tents could be set up on this site! And it was beautiful too.

McManus Lake Campsite

View of McManus Lake from our site

We enjoyed our last day in paradise with a great evening of poker, Kraft dinner, and a wee bit of scotch. We were only 3 k from the take out so tomorrow were going to be easy (except for the 9 hour car ride!!)

The Last Evening

Thursday August 7th

Up at 6, off the site by 8 and the takeout before 11. Pick up the cars, take the canoes back and roll on back to Sarnia! Another successful Algonquin Adventure!

All my pictures and videos are here (including the one of me falling out!)
http://picasaweb.google.com/freedom55/Algonquin2008

Questions or comments? Email me at
freedom55@gmail.com

oops!

2008-08-10T10:26:00.001-07:00

2008 Trip pictures!

2008-08-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

2008 Trip - Just Back

2008-08-08T07:13:00.003-07:00

WE just arrived back from the trip and I will post a trip log and pictures very soon.

Our 2008 trip plan!!!

2008-05-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Click here.

FROM markinthepark.com

2008-02-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Vintage Algonquin Park Maps

This section provides links to vintage Algonquin Park maps, that are deemed public domain under Section 12 of the Canadian Copyright Act. Many Thanks goes out to Jeffrey McMurtrie for loaning out the map. Scanning and subsequent image processing by Mark Rubino. Maps posted here are freely available to everyone. Please feel free to mirror any maps, to help reduce the load on the server hosting markinthepark.com.

1946 Algonquin Park Area Map - Chief Geographer's Office, Surveys and Engineering Division 1946

JPEG - 8.74MB Download

New tent

2008-02-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

I Purchased a new tent today! Can't wait to use it

Lightpath 3

Easy to pitch with a dry entry design, the Lightpath goes up quick, even in nasty weather. Plenty of room for three, but luxurious for two people (and Spot). A well designed floor plan keeps weight down, and roomy vestibule leaves plenty of space to store gear under cover. Guaranteed watertight construction. Superlight option: pitch with fly only plus and Pitch Light™ footprint to shave pounds. Footprint sold separately.

MSRP: $195.00

Larger view

Close larger view (x)

	Body		All Mountain 70D Nylon
	Body		No-See-Um Netting
	Capacity		3
	Minimum Weight		5 lbs, 4 oz / 2.41 kg
	Fly Fabric		All Mountain 68D Polyester
	Packaged Weight		5 lbs, 12 oz / 2.63 kg
	Tent Floor		All Mountain 5000 Nylon

VIEW ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

HIDE ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

	Floor Area		43.92 sq ft / 4.08 sq m
	Vestibule area		15.07 sq ft / 1.40 sq m
	Number of doors		1
	Number of poles		2
	Number of vestibules		1
	Interior height		4.07 ft / 124.00 cm
	Packed diameter		5.91 in / 15.00 cm
	Packed length		23.23 in / 59.00 cm
	Type		3 Season Backpacking
	Pitch Light Weight		1.66 Kg

•	Guaranteed watertight construction with fully taped fly, taped perimeter seam, welded corners and welded guy clip anchors. Rain room tested with 1200” of rain in 24 hours.
•	Atlas 7001™ pole system is strong, lightweight, durable, resistant to corrosion and dents, and easy to service by hand in the field
•	Pitch Light™ configuration allows user to set up a super-light shelter using only the tent fly, poles and footprint (sold separately)
•	Vestibule design creates a dry entry into tent
•	One mesh door with dual-slider zipper for easy entry and exit
•	Clear SVX window is UV-resistant, providing a view and extra light
•	Reflective starter point and guy-out loops for easy set-up at night
•	Gear can be stored in canopy storage pockets or optional rectangular gear loft (sold separately)
•	Superlight buckles and webbing reduce tent weight

Roll over for alternate views:

Close diagram view (x)

2008-01-30T21:01:00.001-08:00

(Click for a larger view}

Rollaway Rapids - Petawawa River
from Loon Island Outdoors

Planning Planning Planning

2008-01-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

Well we are well under way getting ready for our 2008 trip into the park. WE have 7 of our group of 8 confirmed for the time. It gets harder every year with jobs and life getting in the way.
AS you probably know, we have to wait until 5 months ahead of time to book the area we will go into. That sets booking date at around the first of March. I guess I will reserve the canoes around that time also. WE will book those through Algonquin Portage this year because of there location.
We are still trying to decide between having the outfitter do the shuttle or doing it ourselves. Here are Algonquin Portages prices;

Prices

Destination	2 people and gear	Additional Fee per person
Achray	$80.00	$10.00
Lake Traverse	$130.00	$15.00
Brent	$380.00	$25.00
Kiosk	$395.00	$25.00
Brigham Lake	$65.00	$10.00
Squirrel Rapids	$50.00	$10.00
Opeongo Lake	$250.00	$25.00
Pembroke Bus Station	$25.00	$10.00

Its kind of expensive to pay them, but it WILL save lots of time. It looks like a paid trip to Traverse would cost 8 guys about $27.50 each. Not too bad. Anyone out there with tips for us.....it would be appreciated.
Onward!!!!

From algonquinblog.wordpress.com/

2008-01-20T20:56:00.000-08:00

Thoughts for the upcoming season.

29 01 2008

I’ve noticed lately that the interior of Algonquin Park has become the “in” place for the city slickers. While I have nothing wrong with people exploring and enjoying the park, I do have a problem with people destroying the parks natural beauty. What I mean is that I’m sick of people throwing their garbage on the portages, people bringing cans and bottles into the interior and leaving them there for others to clean up, people driving everywhere within a campsite when you can bike or walk. The threat on Algonquin is all too real and we need to protect it. We as the campers are as much responsible as the park staff and conservation officers. There are simple things that we all can do to keep the park beautiful.

Keep your campsite clean and make sure it’s clean before you leave.
Only bring stuff that is completely bio-degradable and good for the environment.
Foil does not burn…..bring it out with you in some places it’s recyclable
Freeze dried foods might not taste the best but there is less waste with them and its quick to prepare.
Stay on the marked portage. Don’t go off course to get around someone. We’ll all get there in our own time.
Can’s and bottles are not allowed in the interior so DON’T BRING THEM! There are tetra packs available now for wines. Pour your wine/beer into a plastic container.
If you bring food like steak or another kind of meat please make sure that your grill and cooking area is clean. The bears do not need people food…it really isn’t good for them.
Speaking of wildlife…..leave it alone. If you see an abandoned beaver lodge, dam or even turtles on a log leave them be. You can ruin an animals natural habitat.
Use your common sense. If you think it might hurt something then don’t do it. DON’T CUT DOWN TREES FOR FIREWOOD. USE WOOD ON THE FOREST FLOOR THAT IS DEAD!!!!

As you go on your way today remember that Algonquin Park has almost been destroyed before by wildfires and logging…..let’s not let it be destroyed by us! I love that park and I want my children to love it too!

~Enjoy your Trip!

This years Interior Trip

2008-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

Our group of 8 is looking at the Petawawa River for our trip this August.

has anyone done this one? Comments please!

tentative Schedule

Day one - Get transportation from the outfitters to Access point #23. Paddling - 10K. No portages. Camp on Lake Travers. Easy day (except for the travel time)

Day two - 8K paddling. Portages 315, 165, 130, 425, 1580*
*We will stay on the 1580 portage. There are 2 site to choose from. Camp on Crooked Chute Rapids.
Total Portages = 1825 (if we do half the 1580)

Day three - 10K Paddling. Portages 120, 820, 275, 250, 135, 160, 2305*
*We will stay on the 2305 portage. There are 2 sites available. Camp on Schooner Rapids
Total Portages = 3702 (including half the 1580 and half the 2305

Day four - 6K Paddling. Portages 1400, 3400*
*We will stay o the 3400 portage. There are 4 sites available.. Camp on Fivemile Rapids
Total Portages = 4252 (including half of the 2305 and half of the 3400)

Day five - 8K Paddling. Portages only one 500. Camp on Smith Lake
Total Portages - 2200 (including half of the 3400)

Day six - 5K paddle out. Portages one 90

For the trip
Total paddling - 37K with the current of the river
Total portage - 11,979

2007-10-18T13:57:00.001-07:00

deleted (sorry)

from algonquintrips.blogspot.com

2007-10-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The first instalment of the Portage Dictionary...

The Perdita Felicien: wherein the portager lurches over a seemingly innocuous fallen tree at great speed expecting to clear it with ease only to catch a lace, a pant cuff or similar on a branch. A Jesus or Earth Mother Dive may follow.

The Tonya Harding: where in order to maintain balance or momentum the portager propels lower leg forward into rock, log or both, at about shin level.

The Armadillo: wherein the clear line through the bush becomes suddenly a Car Wash, the portager curls head toward chest, tucks arms in, leans forward and stomps aggressively through obstructing branches. A move heralded by judges for its audacity in placing skin preservation ahead of the need to see where you're going.

The Birth Canal: when carrying a canoe, the portager attempts to pass between two trees separated by a distance less than the boat's beam at the midthwart. Athletes are scored based on the speed at which they perform the maneuver and the creativity applied in the process of wiggling through.

Dinglethwacking: ropes or nylon webbing connected to the canoe's front and back that allow the portager to control the canoe are called dingle straps. Holding them taught while going through a Car Wash would seem to be an excellent way of fending off bent branches, but in fact, it merely extends the branches' arc, making the results of their release that much more spectacular.

Car Wash: undergrowth along a river, either where nature is reclaiming a trail or engulfing a river tends to be strong, right to the ground. Branches grow horizontally seeking sunlight, creating a gate effect between trees similar to what you find in a drive-through carwash, but they don't so much buff as flagellate.

Jesus Dive: where losing balance or footing, the portager falls in some direction (extra points for backwards) and reaches out a limb to break the fall only for said limb to contact the pointy end of a stick. Twenty points for palm of hand. Extra points for broken skin.

Mother Earth Dive: similar to the Jesus Dive, but, hands restrained by portaging straps, the portager kisses the earth - with gusto. Ten points for each five seconds of prostration.

The Boomerang: when attempting the Car Wash or Armadillo, the portager is propelled backwards by the strength of the branches.

The Twistoff: when carrying the canoe, the portager attempts to execute a turn only to find the bow of the canoe has gone past a tree. Extra points if your head makes a sound when the canoe hits it.

From AlgonquinAventures.com

2007-10-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

October get together September 14 2007 at 10:12 AM		Stainless from IP address 74.12.73.105

Hello everyone, This is a follow up to Tomek's plan to have a get together some weekend in October in the interior with anyone who can make it. Tomek will be kayaking solo, and some others will be canoeing solo (maybe some tandem also) The weekend will be Oct. 19-21. The lake will be Owl Lake (access at Source Lake, off of HWY 60). I have never been on this route, but it looks like the waters are somewhat protected from strong winds. The two campsites on the north shore of Owl Lake look good from the trip-log submitted by Barry Bridgeford. Of course, a campsite can accomodate up to nine people, and if we go over that the other site is very close. A daytrip into Linda Lake looks good. I hope the three portages are not too onerous. Anyways, I hope this is O.K. for most of those interested in a late season interior trip. Who wants to meet up? Stainless

Click for a larger view

2007-10-05T15:33:00.001-07:00

Crotch Lake 2007

2007-08-10T07:16:00.001-07:00

Algonquin Park Map

2007-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

This is a pdf of the park. It is from the 1994 version so beware of changes (did they move the lakes?)
They DID change some of the roads. (eg. Shall Lake access)

http://lphys.chem.utoronto.ca/~cmilne/alg2.pdf

Algonquin Plaque

2007-06-24T12:14:00.001-07:00

Click picture for a larger view

2007-06-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

Algonquin Park selected Canada's 2nd Most Priceless National Park

from Algonquin Park Web Log by Toddles

With summer giving us a chance to sleep in the great outdoors, the Most Priceless National Park contest (which surveyed over 2006 Canadians identified Alberta's Banff first (19%), followed closely by Ontario's Algonquin Park second (15%) and Alberta's Jasper third (7%). Interestingly, Algonquin Park is a provincial park - though its beauty and popularity are regularly recognized at the national level.

Park Pic of the Day

2007-06-18T08:57:00.001-07:00

Thats me - Five days in - on the Oxtongue.

New Blog

2007-06-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Visit my new Blog all about a 1970 vacation that my family took to California!
http://yates1970.blogspot.com/

Canoeing duo rewarded with medals of bravery

2007-06-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

Author: Mary Riley

Hans McKee had “a really bad feeling” as he and his friends watched two canoeists head out onto Algonquin Park’s largest lake on May 17, 2004.
“I’ve never canoed Lake Opeongo because it’s so big and dangerous when the weather is bad,” the paramedic said on Thursday from his Omemee home.
“I take the water taxi.”
He recalled the weather was bad on the lake that day, with two-metre high waves, high winds and whitecaps.
“We saw them come out of a portage area and start out on the lake.”
Mr. McKee, who works with Peterborough County EMS, said he and a group of friends have gone to Alqonquin Park on an annual camping/fishing trip for years.
The 2004 group included his friend, Northumberland County EMS paramedic Robert Miller, who lives in Fraserville.
The two men will receive the Governor General’s Award for bravery in Ottawa on Friday for their actions that day.
“It was the end of our trip that year; most of the guys had already left to go home,” he said.
“There were about four of us left.
“The couple was university students; they came out of the portage area, and as they started (on the lake) they weren’t wearing life jackets. We yelled at them to put them on and they did.”
Mr. McKee said the couple’s gear was stowed properly in their canoe, and he later learned they were experienced canoeists.
Still, he said he couldn’t believe they were attempting to cross Opeongo in the prevailing winds and high waves.
“We saw them canoe around the point. We could see them bobbing in the waves. And then, they disappeared. The next thing we knew, one of our guys was yelling, ‘They’re in, they’re in.’ The canoe was completely submerged and the man was hanging onto one end and the girl on the other.”
Mr. McKee said he and Mr. Miller knew the water was dangerously cold and that without help, the couple’s chances of surviving were slim to none.
“We weren’t sure if we could attempt a rescue in those conditions. But, we had four guys in camp. Two of us were experienced and two were not. So, we went. But, I was pretty nervous.”
The two men launched their own canoe and headed into the waves to rescue the couple.
“We were all right heading toward them,” Mr. McKee said.
“But, I was really worried about how we were going to turn around to bring them back. I said a few prayers, for sure.”
He said when he and Mr. Miller reached the pair, the young man asked, “Should we apologize now or later?”
The two paramedics told them to save their breath and strength; there would be time for apologies “when we get back to shore.”
Throwing a rope to the man, Mr. McKee tied it around his own waist. After waiting for a break in the waves, the two men managed to turn their canoe and begin towing the capsized vessel with the two victims clinging to it.
“It took us an hour to paddle back to shore,” he said.
After the couple, who were feeling the effects of the cold water, were given dry clothing and something hot to drink, Mr. McKee said he asked why they tried to cross the huge lake in such weather.
“They said it was the last day of their trip and they had to go home,” he said. “But, they had about a 12-mile paddle ahead.”
Mr. McKee said he didn’t feel his actions merited an award.
“The RCMP investigate these things and they nominate for the awards,” he said.
“They called and asked me about it before. I put it off for about a year because I didn’t think it was all that special. Other people have done much [braver] things.”
But, the RCMP persisted, and Mr. McKee agreed to accept the award.
He said about a year ago, he called the couple, who live in the Kingston area, to say hello.
“There’s a nice sidebar to the story,” he said.
“While they were in the water that day, they proposed to each other. They said they would get married if they survived. And they did.”

This Week was unable to reach Mr. Miller for his comments.

http://www.mykawartha.com/article/10583

Flickr Algonquin Group

2007-06-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a gerat MAP that has lots of Algonquin pics attached!

Algonquin Adventures Photo Contest Winner!

2007-06-14T09:52:00.001-07:00

1st Place Winner - "The Other Side" ... by Diana McElroy ... taken on Nov. 10, 2006, beside the abandoned railway trackbed near the end of the Booth's Rock Trail, looking away from Rock Lake. The contrast between the gold of the grass and the blue of the sky and water caught my eye. The reflection enhanced the depth and colour of the sky. It was taken with a Canon Powershot SD450.

Algonquin Adventures

Park Pic of the Day

2007-06-13T12:00:00.001-07:00

Moose on the loose on Welcome Lake beach!

Big Pork Slideshow

2007-06-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

2007-06-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

2007-06-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a satelite picture of where we will be heading this August. We are hoping to get the island campsite at the very center of Crotch Lake

Welcome Lake Slideshow

2007-06-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

The canoe is selected by CBC as one of the seven wonders of Canada!

2007-06-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Canoe, Ontario

Photo Courtesy Mike Grandmaison

My paddle clean and bright,
Flashing with silver.
Follow the wild goose flight,
Dip, dip and swing.

This is the familiar refrain of an old canoeing song, and what better than the canoe to stand for everything Canadian? The canoe has slipped quietly into the stream of the nation’s common parlance. Whether you’re practicing your J-Stroke out on the lake, rooting for your favourite professional soccer team in the national Voyageurs Cup, or simply standing at the corner of Portage and Main in Winnipeg, you are reflecting a bit of Canadian canoeing history. Canoes take many forms: from the slick lines of a racing canoe, to the ruggedness of a seagoing cedar canoe, from cleverly assembled birch bark, to the shiny fiberglass, or the comfy inflatable. Early explorers and voyageurs took their cue from the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, utilizing the canoe as the most versatile and reliable mode of transportation. We received many nominations making this important historical link between the establishment of European culture and industry in Canada, and the canoe. Furthermore, if it weren’t for the humble canoe, half the wonders on this list would be inaccessible!

http://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/

Oxtongue River Slideshow

2007-06-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

2007-06-07T11:36:00.001-07:00

Vermont Trip

2007-06-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

We are heading to Vermont in September this year. We are going to Lake Eden.

We have never been there, but it looks nice! This is the view from the driveway of the cottage we have rented!

2007-06-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

A Day In Algonquin

Mist in the morning, pours from the lake.
Sunshine sparkles ..There's breakfast to make
smelling coffee
and morning
Choosing journeys to take.

Tarps rolled, tents dried,
floating on glass.
Tiny paddle whirlpools,
moving slowly past.
And around the next bend,
the perfect site at last.

The packs are full
Canoes and sighs.
The path wears on,
The paddles are dry.
Exhaustion and mosquitoes
A natural high!

Evening falls
The stars flicker bright.
The crackling fire
Is our warmth and our light.
In my cosy cocoon
I smile, through the night.

Tom Yates
June 23, 2001

2007-06-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is our planned area of travel for 2007. We are going to try to get the Island site on Crotch Lake. We will be staying on Crotch for 5 days and 'Day Tripping" from that point.

Day trips that we are planning are 1. to Shirley/Ryan Lake 2. Shall lake area and 3. Booth Lake (The return to the campsite that we were struck by lighning on 11 years ago).

Canoes

2007-06-06T13:17:00.001-07:00

The canoes are rented for this years trip. Since we are going to access point #17 we are renting from Algonquin Bound. http://www.algonquinbound.com/location/
They are delivering the canoes to the put-in and picking them up on return.

Algonquin Lakes and Rivers we have visited!

2007-06-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Camped On
1. Barron River – Campsite on river, no good swimming, some good fishing. Close to exit at squirrel rapids
2. Big Porcupine Lake (3 different years – same site) Best site we have ever been on. The westernmost site on big pork
3. Booth Lake - Got hit by lightning here
4. Daisy Lake – on the way to White Trout Lake, quick stop
5. Dividing Lake – Nice site, tough portage to get there
6. Farm Lake – on the way to Booth Lake
7. Grand Lake – First stop out of Achray on the way to Opalescent, moderate site
8. Kingscote Lake – very bad site, on the way to Scorch. See trip log algonquinadventures.com
9. Little Trout Lake – nice site – nice lake
10. Misty Lake – on the way to White Trout Lake
11. Opalescent Lake – good site, big snapping turtle kept us from swimming. Site is right on the portage.
12. Oxtounge River (2 sites) – High falls site is very good, room for a dozen tents and a fabulous waterfall
13. Park Lake – worst site possible, in view of traffic on hwy 60, exposed, confined, do not go here!
14. Pen Lake – nice lake, lots of good sites and one great one that we haven’t been able to get on
15. Rockaway Lake – best fishing ever! Not in the park, on the way to Dividing
16. Scorch Lake – take the trail UP to the best view in the park
17. St Andrews Lake – on the way to Opalescent
18. Sunbeam Lake – Very good island site (easternmost), very nice Lake
19. Timberwolf Lake – on the way out from White Trout, quick stop in bad weather
20. Tom Thomson Lake (2 sites) – great Lake, site on island has great cliff jumping
21. Welcome Lake – very pretty Lake with huge SAND beaches, well worth the trip.
22. White Trout Lake – nice site, next to the farm on the map
23. York River – at high falls, no thunder box, lots of people with pop and chips, but still nice

Traversed
1. Aster Pond
2. Bartlett Lake
3. Bear Lake
4. Big Rock Lake
5. Brigham Lake
6. Byers Lake
7. Canoe Lake
8. Cradle Lake
9. Crotch Lake
10. Dagger Lake
11. Fawn Lake
12. Galipo River
13. Godda Lake
14. Grand Lake
15. Grassy Bay
16. Hambone Lake
17. High Falls Lake
18. High Falls Pond
19. Joe Lake
20. Kimball Lake
21. Kitty Lake
22. Littledoe Lake
23. Livingstone Lake
24. Magnetawan Lake
25. McCarthy Creek
26. McIntosh Creek
27. McIntosh Lake
28. Minkey Lake
29. Mole Lake
30. Ooze Lake
31. Petawawa River
32. Queer Lake
33. Ragged Lake
34. Ralph Bice Lake (Butt Lake)
35. Rock Lake
36. Rumley Lake
37. Ryegrass Lake
38. Smoke Lake
39. Stratton Lake
40. Tattler Lake
41. Tepee Lake
42. Willow Lake

Visited
1. Bonnechere Lake
2. Branch Lake
3. Cork Lake
4. Harry Lake
5. Hollow River
6. Opeongo River
7. Snow Lake
8. Tim River

The 2007 trip is booked

2007-06-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Where?: Crotch lake - August 2007
Details to follow

Algonquin Adventures

2004-12-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Algonquin Adventures

Algonquin Park Stories

Canoe Dancing

Pictures from our 2011 trip

Booked!

This years trip

Killarney 2010

Just got my new pack!

Kevin Callan

Killarney this year

In the Deep

Algonquin Memories

2010 trip

Missing!

Updated - We are up to 93 total!

Just got back!!!

Trip Prep

TRIP PREP

The 2009 trip is BOOKED!

oops!

2008 Trip pictures!

2008 Trip - Just Back

Our 2008 trip plan!!!

FROM markinthepark.com

New tent

Lightpath 3

Planning Planning Planning

Prices

From algonquinblog.wordpress.com/

Thoughts for the upcoming season.

This years Interior Trip

from algonquintrips.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The first instalment of the Portage Dictionary...

From AlgonquinAventures.com

October get together

Click for a larger view

Crotch Lake 2007

Algonquin Park Map

Algonquin Plaque

Algonquin Park selected Canada's 2nd Most Priceless National Park

Park Pic of the Day

New Blog

Canoeing duo rewarded with medals of bravery

Flickr Algonquin Group

Algonquin Adventures Photo Contest Winner!

Park Pic of the Day

Big Pork Slideshow

Welcome Lake Slideshow

The canoe is selected by CBC as one of the seven wonders of Canada!

The Canoe, Ontario

Oxtongue River Slideshow

Vermont Trip

Canoes

Algonquin Lakes and Rivers we have visited!

The 2007 trip is booked

Algonquin Adventures