Lake Louisa Loop - Algonquin Provincial Park Apr 21-25 07

- The view of Smoke Lake from the dock

Just want to extend greetings to all our friends for the 2007 paddling season!

Another winter has passed and the ice has finally given up its icy grip (for the most part) on our liquid highways. And of course, I wouldn't be writing if we hadn't taken our inaugural trip for the year! Initially, we didn't think we would be able to make it out as early since the long cold spell quickly halted the melt that started during the brief warm period at the beginning of April. However, the consecutive 20C+ days at the beginning of last week quickly got things melting again and gave us hope. So yes, we got out our gear, packed and prepared for our questionable trip.


- Getting up and personal with the ice on Smoke Lake

We had 5 days to enjoy, so we decided to go to Algonquin. Since we don't go there during the regular season, we decided to take advantage of the time of year when we would see the least amount of people and headed off this past Saturday. What's that saying, "the early bird catches the worm". Well here's one for us paddlers, "the early canoeist gets the ice!"When we got to the main office, the (crusty) staff lady wouldn't give us a permit to canoe! We relayed our plan to do the Lake Louisa loop from Smoke Lake, which she promptly stated that ice still covered Smoke Lake and no one could pass. Despite the fact that all the lakes up to that office, (including the ones we passed in the park getting there) were all ice free, she stuck to her guns and stated there was ice on Smoke. I didn't doubt her, but outside, it was a sunny hot 21 degrees and it was probably getting hotter. She stated she saw the lake while coming to work this morning; therefore, could it possibly not have gone out since then?! (It was one o'clock at this point) Finally with some smooth talking, I convinced her to let us go and if we couldn't cross the lake, we would return defeated. She relented and gave us our permit. Of course, once I left
that office, I was hell bent on not returning if my life depended on it!!! Honestly, she had every right to think we were crazy! (can't really disagree!)


- Following a lead in the ice which allowed us to bypass a big bay (sw side of Smoke)

Before we got to the access point on Hwy 60, we briefly saw Smoke Lk from an elevated point on the road. The lake was completely covered by dark ice. Getting to the shoreline confirmed our previous view. Now it would be too easy just to turn around and head back, but what did we do? (or should I say, "what did I do?") I parked the vehicle, inspected the icy situation, deemed it plausible to pass (I'm not a betting man) and concurred with my partner. (don't know if she totally believed me or the possibility of success, but she had faith in me - ha! Now that sounds corny!) Marylou's usual response to me is, "What are you now getting into!?!" I have to love her for that!


- Follow the ice crumbs! We went from left to right before hitting ice that wouldn't part. We then backed up and curved to the left. At this point we were not going through the ice, rather sliding on top of the ice!

Now I'm sure some of you paddled the length of Smoke Lake. An hour or so? I think its 7kms. When Marylou and I paddled back on Wednesday, we covered the lake in 50 mins. The first day, due to the ice, we had to paddle basically the perimeter of the west side of the lake through open patches of water, slurry of ice particles, soft thick slush, ice blocks/pans, and even solid ice! At one point, we even paddled on top of the soft ice! It was thick enough not to break through (approx 3"), but soft enough to bend so that the canoe actually slid above it!) Anyways, I'm going off track. It took us about 4 hours! And that was because we were able to bypass the large south west bay and paddle the open south end. If not, it would have taken probably another 2 hours! Phew!


- A quiet morning on Ragged Lake (Archer Bay)

Needless to say, we had quite the experience and adventure. (positive, really!) Of course, we didn't get through the incident scot-free. (what are you kidding?!!) Marylou broke through the shallows and got both her feet soaked in the boots (really, I tried not to laugh), we both got nicks and scratches from all the tree branches we tried to avoid, and mainly, our boat sports scars from the ordeal. Good thing we have a Royalex canoe with skid plates! Oh yeah, we have also perfected the "dock lift-overs". (I think 6 in total)


- Resting on the portage to Lake Louisa (first day the peepers started singing)

Well, I would write forever if I keep rambling about the trip. In conclusion, we had a great time. Great weather, lots of wildlife (the mosquitoes are out! I got bit 3x on the first day!!!!), nice campsites, total solitude, and most importantly, rest and relaxation for the body (a little sore), mind, and soul. I hope all of you have or will get a chance to get out on the water soon.


- Lovely morning to paddle on Lake Louisa

We miss all of you we haven't seen for awhile and look forward to seeing you all. Take care, be safe on the water and highways, and make this another great paddling year! Feel free to call, email, or meet up with us. We'll keep in touch and continue sending the trip reports! Enjoy the pics! Cheers!


- The heavens regaled us with clouds and colour

Kawarthas Highland Park Dec 16-17 2006

- Weather anyone would expect from a mid-December paddle!

After a wonderful canoe trip in Killarney in mid-November, I was eager to push the limit a little further. By now, most lakes would normally be frozen over, but the continuing warm weather trend had me hopeful. Call it global warming or the Chinook, either way, the weather was unseasonably warm and the possibility for a paddle was good.

I had four days off and had originally intentioned to trip for 3 days. However, an unexpected situation needed my presence on the third of the four days, therefore either I had to cancel altogether or just go for 2 days (don't like 2 day trips - too much work for just a short paddle). I also had to attend to our property up north and close it down for the season, so in any case, I was going up north. So do I take advantage of it, or just call it a season? The paddle and canoe was calling, so two days it was - up in the Kawarthas Highland Park.

I packed the car with gear and canoe the Friday eveing after work, so I was off first thing next morning. By 10:00 I was at the property closing it up. I finished by 11:30 and I was off again to the put-in. I reached the access point to Catchacoma Narrows at around 13:15. Once unloaded, I pushed off shore and started the trip.

Up until this point, I had wondered about the lakes freezing over. I purposely chose an area closer south, and on top of that, I figured while I drove to our property, if all the lakes were frozen I would just high-tail it home. Of course, most were ice free. Only the really small lakes or ponds were frozen. Therefore I felt confident about continuing on. My trip was basically paddling up Catchacoma lake, continuing along Bottle creek to Bottle lake and then finally to Sucker Lake. Then of course the reverse the next day.

Paddling up Catchacoma Narrows was surreal. Here I was paddling in mid-December on a calm lake, ice and snow free. It was sunny and warm enough that was I paddling in a long sleeve T-shirt! I really felt fortunate and lucky to be experiencing all this.

- Paddling north on Catchacoma lake on a beautiful day

Midway up Catchacoma lake, I turned west towards Bottle Dam. It was a quick 60m portage on the left to the start of Bottle creek. Bottle creek water levels were high as it was pouring out the dam. Another reassuring sign that despite the narrow creek, the moving water should keep it from freezing.

200 meters up the creek, there were signs of some ice along the shoreline. The creek was swollen and fairly wide so even the little ice wasn't a problem,....yet. At about a kilometer in, the creek widened considerably and all I could see was ICE! Oh shit!!! Now I had a situation! First I decided to see if I could "paddle" through the ice if it was thin enough. As I drove the bow up and onto the ice, the weight of the canoe and the 2 barrels upfront broke the outer thinner ice, but as I continued, the bow ended up resting on top of the ice! The ice at this point was over an inch thick! Plan B: I stood up in the canoe to survey the scenery ahead. I could see open water way ahead to the left. I checked along the left shoreline and saw a thin trail of open water. I figured I could follow the left shoreline to the open water and then continue on. For the first time in my life, I would now be using the canoe as an icebreaker! (Thanks James! - My brother unwittingly offered his Royalex canoe for my trip, since the Red Helmet was at my girlfriend's home! Oops!)

- Yikes! Ice covering Bottle creek!

The paddle/poling/breaking ice slog was painful. It was exhausting work and I was sweating. I finally got to the point where the open patch of water was 20 feet infront of me. Although I had to angle 45 degrees from shore to get to it. I knew this was not thin ice, but once I got to the open water, I hoped it would get better. The next 10 minutes consisted of driving the bow up on the ice, bringing myself to the center of the canoe, breaking the ice and continuing on. Good thing I brought a spare aluminum paddle! I didn't feel as bad using it to break ice!

- Angling away from shore to reach open water (looking back)

As I felt a sense of freedom reaching water, I prayed that the madness (or my madness!) would end. Of course, coming around the bend, my heart, head, and spirit sunk. Ice as far as I could see! Not wanting to give up, and at the same time laughing at the situation, I decided to forge ahead. Why not! Unique experience, not my canoe being scrapped up, and at the same time,
once I stopped and breathed, the scenery was actually very beautiful. It was silent; no sound of water. Just me and and a frozen creek. Here's another one to go with the saying - "Up shit's creek!"

The decision to move on was one, my stubborness, second, my stubborness, and third it was getting late in the day and I had to get to a campsite. The closest one was on Bottle lake near the mouth of the creek. So I continued on pushing, breaking, poling/paddling. Some areas around shoreline was better than others. Such as rivulets running into the creek, or overhanging
branches that seemed to keep the area under it ice free - to steep rock faces where the ice welded itself right to the rock.

By now, it was 16:30, the sun had dropped below the trees and the ice just stretched on. I decided to get out, bushwhack along the shore and see what the situation was around the next bend. I left the canoe exactly where it was - in the water alongside the ice. (Now when can you say you've left a canoe in the water untied, not pulled up and expect to find it exactly in the same place you left it!)

The reconaissance was disheartening. All I could see was solid ice with no open water. However, while bushwhacking, I did find an old fire ring and some slightly flat ground for a tent. The shoreline was sloped so finding this was a welcoming surprise as I now had less then half an hour to get set up before dark. I quickly got back to the canoe, continued on crashing through ice and got close enough to lug my barrels up to the "site".

- Ice, ice, and more ice. No end in sight!

Camp was quickly set up, some firewood gathered and I got cooking supper just as the light was disappearing. Despite the ice and the failed attempt to get to the lake, I was now totally relaxed and enjoying the moment. Here I was, hot chocolate in one hand, a pot of Thai Ginger noodles in the other, a fire infront of me and the beauiful frozen scenery displayed below me. It was just serene.

The warm temperatures continued through to sundown as the evening was not cold at all. Even without the fire I would have been fine. I sat out for a couple of hours reading before finally turning in around 19:30. Once tucked deep in my down bag, I continued reading, but the relaxed state and the exhertion from all the ice-breaking soon had me nodding and then to a early sleep. Besides, I needed all the rest I could get since when I had gone down in the evening to get water, all the ice I had worked so hard to break, seamlessly froze back together as if I had never passed that way!

Through the night, I woke up several times. Once, while it rained, and the other times by a nighttime visitor. Something small (mouse or squirrel) starting digging right by the tent at my head. As it dug, I could hear the dirt sprinkle on the tent wall. As I shifted in my bag, it stopped, then resumed after some time. This played out on and off again with less and less time between me shifting and it waiting, until finally it got fed up with me and just continued unabated. At that point, I should have just stuck my head out and introduced myself.

I finally arose around 07:00 and took a peek outside. It was unseasonably warm as there was a fine mist coming down. The rain during the night had put a thin layer of water on top of the ice. The forecast today was supposed to be rain so I proceeded to get packed and have breakfast before it got worse. After breakfast, the mist stopped and a nice warm breeze picked up and
funneled its way down the valley. Great, now I not only had the ice to deal with, but a headwind. At least it was warm.

Due to the early departure and short distance to the car, I decided to extend the day by paddling across to Beaver Lake, down to Gold Lake, back across to Mississagua Lake and then back up the Catchacoma Narrows to where my car was located. As much as I was enjoying my severely shorten trip, I felt I needed a little more before ending the trip altogether.

Before leaving "camp", I took the liberty to remove garbage from the site since I was so close to the take-out. When I got there yesterday afternoon, I was furious to find cans and beer bottles in the fire pit. I pulled out 2 cans, and 4-5 beer bottles (2 which were broken)! I initially didn't know what to do with them but stack then in a pile outside the firepit, but when I walked further back, I found a cooler bag and 2 more beer bottles strewn about. I then made the decision to put all the thrash in the cooler bag and pack it out. It is not often you find a container to carry thrash out (especially broken glass), so I took advantage of it. Of course, it filled quickly as I found other things to put in it - beer caps, plastic bread tabs, plastic water bottle, plastic wrapping, etc, etc. I know Nancy is organizing the clean-up in the spring and she is heading out with Kevin Callan to the Kawarthas, so lets just say I'm getting a head start for the Kawartha's group!

- Ridiculous!!! Just senseless!

The paddle back to Catchacoma lake wasn't as bad. I was taking my time down the creek as the warmer weather seemed to be slowly melting the ice and made the ordeal a little easier. The next problem wasn't ice but the wind. By the time I reached the portage, the winds had strengthen to a point where the waves were now pushing back the water spewing forth from the dam. I knew it was going to be challenging, but all I had to do was get around the far left bend at which point the wind would then help push me along down the lake.

Yes, the paddle was excruciating! At times it seemed as if the canoe stood still. With a partner, I wouldn't even had a second thought, but going solo into a headwind/waves is a total different beast. I commited so I just beared down and pushed forward. I couldn't even stop and rest as the shoreline was littered with big rocks and the waves were slamming into them. It helped that I trimmed the canoe bow heavy, but my arms still burned like hell! All sweaty and hot, I certainly could have used a quick dip!

- The morning of the second day. A trip I will never forget!

I finally rounded the bend and then it was smooth sailing from there. Due to the wind, I then decided not to chance fate and continued on to the take-out. Coming down the Narrows, the sun broke from the clouds and warmed me inside and out. Paddling the last few strokes to the take-out, I felt a deep thanks and reverence to Mother Nature for providing yet another lasting
experience and memories to cherish and share. Cheers!

David

Killarney Nov 11-13 2006

Would it be correct to say we are all pretty much ensconced in our job/work/career/studies etc etc. Let's face it, once the daylight shortens and precipitation increases with the corresponding drop in temperature, its easy to get into the routine; I did. However, occassionally we fight back. That little stubborness and resistance to relent sometimes get the best of you. I know it happens to all of us. Now you know I wouldn't be bloggling you all if there wasn't some fight in me. Yes!,...I relented. Back to the CANOE! I just couldn't let the season die away. So off we went!

Every year we try to go to Killarney at least once. Usually during the off season. Well, it certainly was "off"! First, the looks we got. (Okay, it is a little late in the season, but...) Even the park ranger and the group of people at the park we passed - their heads turned when we pulled in. Secondly, we were expecting cold temperatures and some snow, but not as much as we expected! About 2 hrs north on Hwy 69 we started seeing some snow, no big deal. As we drove further north, it became evident to us that the amount of snow was increasing in a corresponding way. (Marylou, did you bring the shovel?!!!!)


- On Hwy 647 on the way to Killarney

Lastly, when we got there, it was obvious that no one in their normal state of mind was canoeing in the interior, let alonecamping in the park! (actually there was a girl that was just leaving the George Lake campground when we arrived) Okay, well, there is always a first time! (Even the OPP officer was stunned when we told what we were doing) So, how did it go?

Surprisingly, fabulous! We had a great time. When we started, we were a little apprehensive, but once we got going, we never looked back. We started the 3 day trip at the Carlyle Lake Access point, but since we got to a very late start (had only about an hour of sunlight), we decided to camp on the same lake (beside Terry lake).

The next day we headed to Ruth-Roy and then back the last day. The scenery was out of this world. It was like a magical place, a fairy tale land which was just surreal.


- Paddling through a magical lake

There must have been a heavy wet snowfall as all the tree branches were heavily ladden with snow and ice. The discomforting part was at night when there was the constant falling of clumps of snow/ice, or branches, or both! Obviously we are alive to tell the tale, but our tent did get hit several times by snow. Being outside isn't safer as yours truly got nailed once in the face! We didn't see too much wildlife - squirrels, otters, ducks, owl, (its hunting season so I gather 'they' are all hiding out!)- but interestingly we saw wolf prints that followed along our footprints on the portage we doubled back on when we left. It snowed on us once, but then it was just part of the experience. Other than that, we left the park just in time as it started to rain once we were in the vehicle.


- On the summit looking down on Ruth-Roy

I have to say that with this trip, I was willing to put the paddle away for good. I figured the 'cold and wet' would finally put out the flame, but unfortunately it hasn't! It only seems to have stoked it! (Hmmmmm. Maybe a weekend in December. Will let you know!) Enjoy the pics. Hope everyone is happy and healthy! Let me know how you are all doing! Cheers!


The view from our tent