Algonquin Park Canoe Trip

[treefrog]

We just got back from a nice canoe camping weekend around the eastern border of Algonquin Park.
This is our favourite part of the park because of the extreme terrain; cliffs and waterfalls and deep beautiful
lakes.
We did about fifteen portages in all so it was important to pack lightly and efficiently to make the
transitions from water to land as easy as possible.
We pack our tent and sleeping bags and clothes into a waterproof boundary pack, and our food and
fry pan, stove, kettle, etc., goes into the bear-proof pack barrel, then all the other accoutrements
such as compass, lighter, headlamps and whatnot go into a small waterproof bag.
This means only three items plus paddles to deal with at each portage.

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012042.jpg


Since we're in and out of water all weekend, the right footwear is also important, so we go with
quick-dry watersports sandals and/or bare feet.

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012067.jpg


We put in on friday morning and within a couple hours we were dealing with some extreme heat and humidity.
Around here it seems the two are synonimous.

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012009.jpg


We spent Fri night at Cork Lake; pretty serene spot only 3 portages in from the road.
Of course I never do a kit check before a trip, so job one was to take apart the battered old
stove and get it working..

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012010.jpg

The lake has beautiful cliffs, great for jumping from into the deep water..

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012035.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012039.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012032.jpg

The next day we moved on through a series of lakes, ending up at St. Andrews Lake. We stopped to
take advantage of the park's shower facilities along the way..

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012060.jpg

View from our camp at St. Andrews..

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012064.jpg

Loved this guy's parking job at the portage going out of High Falls Lake...

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012054.jpg

Steep terrain here..

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012072.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012034.jpg

And the end-of trip photo of me...

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/barefoot_01/algonquinjuly2012079.jpg


I have a bunch of video also but that'll take a while to fix up...I'll post it to the thread if and when!

Thanks for looking,
Jack and Sharon

P.S. to CanadianMike: Sharon's first outing with the Scout knife! It's now permanently hung on the bear barrel so I guess
I've lost my beaver skinner...

[Roadkillphil]

Great pics and write up, thanks for sharing :)

[claverhouse]

Very nice! I was canoeing there when I was a kid and seem to remember that the deer flies have a very nasty bite!

[FishyFolk]

Very nice trip :-)

[AL...]

Excelent Write up and pics. Wish I was there . the wildlife round about there must be something else.
Thanks for sharing yer weekend .

Cheers
AL

[Martin]

Jealous!

Martin

[CanadianMike]

Lol Jack, at least you know where to get another Scout.... glad she likes hers, at least she let's you borrow it!

Looks like you had a great trip buddy, I love that type of camping. Great pics!

[jus_young]

Stunnin' T^

[treefrog]

Thanks everyone for the comments, and yes we managed to find a deerfly or two!

Here's a special treat: a few minutes of really bad unedited video of us portaging and sightseeing and
momentarily getting lost...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfbpv30SvEk&feature=player_detailpage

[CanadianMike]

Oh my God!!!!! The legend is true, Mister Canoehead!!!! :O

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnhCghc4wHU

[Martin]

Even more jealous!!

Martin