Maple Mountain Loop Jun 27-Jul 2

- On top of Maple Mountain, the second highest point in Ontario! It was a overcast and gloomy day, but as we posed infront of the firetower, the cloud broke enough to give the sky some colour. I suggested climbing the firetower, but Marylou would not hear it. Been up there and its a little daunting - the tower sways up there in the wind!

Happy Belated Canada's Day! Sorry, we were away and well, you probably already know. We snuck out paddling! This time we headed to Temagami so Marylou could experience Maple Mt before wide-spread clear-cutting begins (unfortunate) and ruins the scenery from the top. I had done a similar trip with a bunch of guys years ago and had such a good time that I couldn't keep the experience from her any longer so we packed and away we went!

- Two maps are not always helpful, especially when they don't agree. This time, I picked the wrong one to follow! There was a portage around a shallow rocky rapid that I decided to line since I thought it was short (or so I thought), but it continued further on where there was less water. I can still hear it - "I told you so!"

We started at Mowatt Landing, up the Montreal river, down a chain of lakes to Tupper Lk where we hiked up Maple Mt (second highest pt in Ontario) and headed back out to Lady Evelyn lake where we went through another chain of lakes (Sugar Lake CR) and back up the Montreal river to the vehicle. Surprisingly, we didn't really see too many people until we got back to Lady Evelyn, seeing that this is a very popular route.

- Morning of the second day on Mendelssohn Lake, ready to leave. It was windy, (as you can see some whitecaps) but it was okay since we were right around the corner from our next portage. It was a long hard push from Mowatt Landing yesterday as we arrived here last night at 21:30, just as it was getting dark. The outfitter told us we may not make it.

The bugs were fairly bad, mainly black flies and mosquitoes. The weather wasn't co-operative either - constant rain then sun, then rain then sun - literally minutes passed with each change in the weather front. Some of the portages were rough and tough, - boggy and rocky, as well there was some long tough days of hard paddle against the wind. But despite it all, Marylou (not me, I didn't coerce her!) even admitted she really had an amazing time out there. She even had a "panic" moment near the peak of Maple Mt, (she's not keen on heights) but she composed herself, and mentally overcame her fear and got down fine! (very proud of her!) So when she admitted she had a hard time leaving, it was reassuring to know that despite the route I chose, she had a great time!

- Maple Mt's "Hillary Step" - an almost straight vertical climb (panic attack ahead!) up about 15-20 feet. Marylou almost made it to the top before having her "moment" when she realized she was so high. I thought she was going to give up, but she got over her fear and we did have a nice time at the top. I guess for those who are also scared of heights know exactly what she was going through.

Sometimes I know people wonder why we do challenging trips, but really, in the end, I believe its like life. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. I've always felt that, and I know Marylou experienced that as well. (not always..., but most times) With the rain and sun we also saw a record 6 rainbows! One literally bent around us!!! I'm serious! It was sunny and all of a sudden rain starting falling, the wind picked up, the waves were rocking the canoe as we paddled to shore and right before us was this amazing rainbow. I've never seen one where you can see where it begins and ends, but we did! I felt like I could touch it! (and believe me, there weren't no "Pot of Gold" at either ends!) I just wished I could have got a picture of it!

- A rainbow on Lady Evelyn Lake. One of 6 we saw on this trip! I've never seen so many in such a short span of time! Where was the Pot of Gold when I could have used one!

Portages were fun. Those of you that have been to Temagami are well aware of the messy portages. I was way ahead of Marylou and I stepped into what I thought was "firm" ground and in I went up to my knees. To keep my balance I had to step right next to my other foot and then they were both in. I tossed my canoe off and tried in vain to get my feet out. One finally came out, but I didn't have a firm place to put my other foot to leverage my other leg out. Heaving and straining only got my foot halfway out of my shoe! I quickly put my foot back in because I wasn't leaving without it. Long story short, I finally got it out, but I was a mess. Lucky I got out just as Marylou came into sight, because if it was me, I would have taken the picture first, then pulled her out!

- Dramatic sunset on Lady Evelyn. Doesn't matter how many you see, they are never the same and you never get tired of them.


One last thing, Temagami has recently been charging camp fees, which is a good thing in some ways, but a pain in the other. When I found out there was only 2 park wardens, I wondered how they were going to check whether people had permits or not, let alone look after the vast area. Well, the one night we were on Lady Evelyn, we heard a motorboat land at our site in the morning. We were still in our tents sleeping in a bit and wondered who it was, when I had to scramble out and dress as the park warden wanted to see our camp permit. I guess its easy for them to check the most popular and easily accessible sites with their motor boat, but I wonder if they head into the interior? If they do, I just might get another wake up call, except this time it will be silently. Hope I'm just not sleeping in!



- Amazing campsite on our last night on the Montreal river. The only negative is the boat traffic that passes early in the morning and in the evening. (I'm talking fishermen in motorboats!) Other than that, the quiet moments in the narrows was memorable.

Well, enough babbling...hope everyone is having a great summer! July is a dud for me in terms of canoeing. I think I going into depression. I better check into rehab!

Ciao everyone!

D&M

Chiniguichi River Trip - Jun 13-17 07

- Bushwhacking up the "Elephant", we ended up at the 'head' part. On the topo it said it was approx 460m high. The view was spectacular, but heat and humidity was intense up there


We just got back from 5 days on the Chiniguichi river. Boy was it hot! Sweltering heat and humidity made for some tough long days. We also relived some memories on this trip as we had previously been there 4 years ago doing the full loop. Instead this time we went to the top of the loop and headed back. We were also lucky to have 4 out of 5 days rain free, unlike our last time there when we had 6 out of 7 days of rain!

- Located at the northwest corner of Telfer Bay, we found the ruins of the Alligator; only the massive boiler remains

We decided to make a trip back there because Marylou and I loved the area. I wanted to revisit to see and do some things I missed the first time through. Besides, it was going to be my birthday so Marylou thought it would be a great place to relax and celebrate. I couldn't agree more!

- Surf (albeit small) and sand at the campsite at McConnell Bay - whose says there is no beach in northern Ontario!

On this trip there was a few thing I specifically wanted to see and experience. Most importantly, I wanted to experience Paradise Lagoon. A beautiful secluded swimming hole complete with its own waterfall and aquamarine coloured water. We missed it the first time through so I had to make sure we found it the second time. (Marylou actually found it with some girls on a previous trip so she knew where it was) Secondly, I wanted to climb the Elephant, a massive white ridge that flanks Lake Chiniguichi's west side that when looking at its profile, looks like a elephant lying down. Lastly, I wanted to see the 'Alligator' in Telfer Bay - a relic from the logging days.

- Within 2 hours we witnessed the magical transformation of an aquatic nymph to a full fledged dragonfly right before our eyes! Totally fascinating!



The bugs were pretty bad on this trip. It seemed to come and go. Some places worse than others, and at times worse than others. We had the whole gamut of things - black flies, mosquitoes, deer flies, and horse flies! Yes, it sounds horrible, but it wasn't unbearable. We still enjoyed our time there. The flip side, (whether the bugs had anything to do with it), we had the whole place to ourselves! A couple was paddling in on our way out! Awesome!, as this place gets pretty busy.


- Yes, that is a frig-gin watermelon!!! But boy was it good in the heat!


Being my birthday, Marylou wanted to bring a few surprises for me. Of course, they ended up in the barrel I was carrying. Man was it heavy! Want to know what it was?!!! A 'mini' watermelon! (5lbs?), a litre of Australian Shiraz, bottle of Kahlua, and a cake mix! Of course I didn't want to complain, but trying to do single portages made it brutal! (but the pain was worth it) Then there was the wine incident - just imagine. First, I can't handle alcohol very well, secondly, we were really hot and probably dehydrated. So when we had made supper (Spaghetti) we toasted and drank. Let me tell you - it was (I think) a sorry scene. I couldn't keep my balance, my head was spinning, I was falling over, and could barely finish 250 ml!!! (yes, how pathetic, I brought back rest of the unfinished wine) Needless to say, we made the cake and I ended up in the sleeping bag early that night!


- There you have it - Paradise Lagoon, complete with a waterfall! Just gorgeous, and as a bonus, all to ourselves!

One of the coolest thing Marylou and I experienced was seeing the total transformation of a nymph to a dragonfly. Several of them crawled from the water to our bug tent, hung on a strap and literally broke out of the shell and developed into a dragonfly within a span of 1-2 hrs. It was truly mind boggling and amazing how fast the metamorphosis took place! Most of them turned out fine, but we witnessed a few that didn't - one missing a leg, another that dropped from its perch and couldn't finished it transformation and thus became ant food. Sad, but that's life.


- Ah yeah, that's me swimming in the lagoon. It was my birthday and really, I am expected to wear my birthday suit - and being in paradise, only made it that much easier! Sorry folks!

In the end of the trip, we were very happy to revisit the area and experience a few new things. Well, hope everyone is enjoying the hot weather and have found time to paddle. Stay in touch and take care! Remember, I may not be able to go out and handle a drink with you, but I will certainly paddle with you any day! Hope you enjoy the pics!

Cheers!
David & Marylou

- Marylou enjoying a beautiful day on Wolf Lake. This was what the Chiniguichi trip was all about. Beautiful weather, white rocks and cliffs, clear aquamarine waters, azure skies, and total solitude.

Massassauga Provincial Park May 26-29 07

- Looking out on one of the many countless bays Spider Lake is known for


Well, we were able to squeeze in another trip before the end of May. This time we headed to Massasauga Provincial Park - a place we haven't been to before, but heard about many times. Its apparently a busy place due to its popularity and proximity to the city. Therefore to avoid the crowds, we took the opportunity to go during prime bug season! (At least that's what all
the reports coming in stated.)

- Inclement weather on Georgian Bay highlights the dramatic shoreline colours

A new thing we experienced was the registration system, where we had to pick individual campsites. Hell, I didn't know which ones to pick!? I asked the park staff for advice but she hadn't been there herself, so she couldn't help. I might as well have chosen sites by throwing darts at the map! We picked campsite #201, 319, and 34, if that means anything to anyone. We registered at Oastler Provincial Park as they administer camp registration for Massasauga, which may explain why the the park lady couldn't help.

- These beautiful Lady Slippers were prevalent around our campsites

My next challenge was the Massasauga PP map. It isn't at 1:50,000 scale that I'm used to on regular topo maps. I believe it was 1:25,000 scale which for some reason really messed my head around. I thought it would be easier to read, but in the end let's just say I got my fair share of sarcasm from Marylou by the time we ended the trip. (5 screw ups in 4 days isn't that bad, is it?!)

- The watery grave of this unfortunate canoe's demise

The one bonus was that the bugs weren't so bad. Certainly there were blackflies and mosquitoes around, some times more than others, some places worse then others, but generally, it certainly wouldn't have deterred us from staying longer. I generally gauge that by how many bites you get while visiting the box - certainly one bite in the nether region on this trip doesn't count as much! Especially when compared to our Chapleau trip last year when any exposed flesh meant "blood donations"!

- Heading into a dense low wall of fog on Georgian Bay

Our trip was an easy loop around the upper part of the park. We started at Three-Legged Lake access point and stayed in Spider Bay, then Georgian Bay, then to Clear Lake and back. Georgian Bay was good to us, a little windy and choppy but not too bad. Although we experienced a wall of fog out on the Bay which was kind of freaky as we approached it thinking we would lose all sense of direction, but it didn't stick around too long. Phew!

- Paddling down the shoreline of the aptly named Clear Lake



The park is definitely a nice place to paddle. Many pretty cliffs, outcrops, points, and sandy coves. The downside was all the cottages with boat noise and traffic. It certainly wasn't too bad (we are just used to more isolation) but I couldn't imagine what it would be like in peak season. Maybe that is why there is only a 15 min limit at the access point to unload/load your gear!



- Not all shortcuts are what they are cut out to be. Do you see any water?!!!




One of the highlights of the trip was being able to witness a protected/endangered species not once, but twice - Ontario's only lizard called a Five Lined Skink. I really wanted to see a Massasauga rattler, but I only lucked out with a Smooth Green and a Northern Water snake. Oh, I almost forgot, the eerie canoe under water. Looked like a shipwreck, - don't know the story behind it, but it gave Marylou the creeps! Actually this was the second canoe wreck we saw, the first being a smashed aluminum canoe against the rocks out on the Bay.



- A canoe trip is not only about the place, but the experience



We had a great time paddling at Massasauga and I know we will head back as there are some prime campsites that we would love to go back and experience. Our next trip won't be for another couple weeks so stay safe, paddle hard, and stay tuned! Ciao!

Cheers,
David and Marylou

Restoule-Upper French River Loop May 3-8 07

- Dramatic sunrise on Satchels Bay

We're back! We recently came back from 6 days on the Restoule/Upper French river with a side trip around Okikendawt Island. We basically did a figure 8 loop starting from Restoule Provincial Park.

- Sailing down the French - we covered approx. 20kms with wind power on our 3rd day

At times you think you're lucky, but sometimes you're real lucky! We were REALLY lucky! From May 3 to 8 all we had was sun, +20 degree temperatures, and not a drop of rain! This early in the season anything can happen to the weather, and trust me, we went prepared, but totally lucked out. We only saw one other canoe. I couldn't believe no one else was taking advantage of the beautiful weather!

- Jawbone was about 4cm long. Not sure what animal it was - weasel, mink??

Although I wear a hat, I'm not keen on sunscreen on my face. That all changed pretty quick on this trip. I have to say as much as the sun was nice, the reflection off the water roasted my face! Marylou is a fanatic when it comes to sunscreen as she applies, reapplies, and then reapplies again! (with all the thick applications, I secretly think she is trying to look like a Geisha!) Let me say, I was almost keeping up with her multiple applications and still my face felt it!

- Paddling down the Little French river was one of my favourite. We took the opportunity to climb ontop of a cliff to view the scenery. (our little canoe is to the left of the pic)

One memorable day (the 2nd), as we travelled up to Lake Nipissing, we saw a multitude of animals paddling down two different creeks. We saw 5 deer, 8 muskrats, 2 huge turtles, mother bear and cub, eagle, herons, possibly a sand hill crane, and tons of other birds. Of course, we also saw beavers, otter, ospreys (nesting + catching a fish), groudhog, water snakes, etc throughout the rest of the trip. I don't know if I can remember them all! It was so heartening to see life all around. As to bugs, we got out just in time. The black flies were just starting to bite in the late afternoon of the second last day so we were pretty itch free!

- Yes its just a tree, but look at the base. The beaver has a long way to go as the girth of the tree is very thick. I would barely be able to wrap my arms around it!

Nothing "unusual" happened on this trip (phew!)....well, except the ticket we got on the vehicle for failing to have a permit. We would have purchased permits for the trip but the park was still closed and the self-serve stations were boarded up, therefore there was no way to purchase permits. Long story short, the park superintendent took the ticket back and agreed that we shouldn't have been ticketed! Now how's that for a lucky trip! See, I told you, "a real lucky trip!"

- Paddling upriver on the Restoule river meant some tough slogs, and some linning!

Happy Mother's Day to all you deserving women! Be in touch soon! Hope you enjoy the pics!

David & Marylou

- At the base of Five Finger Rapids - a very beautiful place! One of our favourite campsites!

- A serene peaceful morning on Sand Lake