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| Trip Planning » Sept Solo to Burntroot » 9/16/2023 10:47 am |
I have canoed for decades in Algonquin Provicial Park, solo, tandem, group ... recently back from the Pettawa River a few weeks ago.
Re Burntroot Lake ... I did a solo similar route in 2018, loved it, top drawer, would definitely do it again. Excellent conditions, mostly sunny, 25c to 10c, little rain, calm for the most part wind and water, 65 km of paddling, 8 portages the longest being 2.3 kms, fall colours 5 to 10%. Solo, with my 28 #, Kevlar, 13' pack canoe, 2008, Langford Canoe, Solitude, made 2001 to 2010, primarily sold in USA, 7 day, spectacular, interior canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park, Saturday, September 15 to Friday, September 21, 2018.
Day 1 Access Point 11 Algonquin Outfitters Lake Opeongo wooden water taxi 16 km with four others plus driver Jimmy to North Arm Lake Opeongo at Hailstorm Bay 2,235 km portage to Happy Isle Lake far north east campsite. I was planning to paddle Lake Opeongo north, however, shortly after arriving I was approached by the water taxi to join others for $20 plus a generous tip, glad I did. Note, always book the water taxi in advance, read why at the end of this post.
Day 2 Happy Isle Lake to Merchant Lake to Big Trout Lake island campsite point facing west to White Trout "The Narrows", same site where my son and I camped 10 years earlier, nice to see our names engraved in the log bench. I was last on this site with my son, via Access Point 3, while out for a tandem 10 day canoe trip mid to late July, 2008, great fun.
Day 3 Big Trout Lake to Longer Lake to Red Pine Bay to Burntroot Lake to base camp for two nights at campsite on a point facing west across from a large island.
[size=100]Day 4[/si
| History » Frank Kuiack, Frank "The Last Guide" Kuiack, 1936 – 2021 » 8/21/2022 6:19 am |
Frank Kuiack, Frank "The Last Guide" Kuiack, SEPTEMBER 16, 1936 – MAY 4, 2021
Frank Kuiack. The Last Guide. Legendary Life of an Algonquin Legend | The Last Guide 5 months ago CBC Docs Duration 1:43. Algonquin's last fishing guide, Frank was like a character from an old adventure novel who discovered hidden lakes, built portage trails and secret campsites and planted canoes all over Algonquin.
The Last Guide' is a portrait of a man who dedicated his life to the outdoors. Aidan Cheeatow · Posted: Mar 30, 2022 2:47 PM ET | Last Updated: April 3, 2022
#CBCShortDocs. For 76 years, he made a living as a fishing guide in an iconic Canadian park | The Last Guide
1,019,202 views 31 Mar 2022 Local legend Frank Kuiack is Algonquin Park’s last fishing guide. At 84, he considers his legacy and wonders who will carry on his work. #CBCShortDocs #TheLastGuide. Meet Frank Kuiack, the last traditional fishing guide in Algonquin Park. Kuiack carries a lifetime of stories and wisdom about the Algonquin. His magnetic personality, skills on the water and knowledge of the park’s intricate lakes and trails has inspired two novels. When Kuiack[color=#444444] was eight-years-o
| Catch-all Discussions » ‘Logging scars’ show impact of deforestation in Canada » 12/11/2019 8:45 am |
December 4, 2019, From the Globe and Mail:
‘Logging scars’ show impact of deforestation in Canada is worse than we know, research finds.
| Catch-all Discussions » Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven » 9/27/2019 6:39 am |
Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven
Author and wilderness photographer Joanie and Gary McGuffin and art historian Michael Burtch set out to find the actual locations in northern Ontario that inspired the legendary Group Of Seven and some of their most iconic works of art. The film weaves the paintings and fascinating stories of these artists with the modern-day journey, taking viewers through some of Canada's most stunning landscapes. Aired: Sep 27, 2019.
... n2fmmAGo-U
Explore the Painted Land online interactive:
| Equipment » Canoe's - Swift Canoe and Placid Boatworks » 10/16/2018 1:20 pm |
In 2006 I had the opportunity to meet the owners of Placid Boatworks in the original Lake Placid shop, real nice folk. They lent me one of their pack boats. It was an excellent ride.
| Campgrounds and Front-country » Campers avert tragedy at Mew Lake Campground » 10/07/2018 9:35 pm |
Two months ago, August, 2018, this storm:
unfortunately caused very severe concern to a person's left leg when a large tree, east of APP, crashed down upon a large tent with one person inside the tent who was waiting for the rest of the group to arrive shortly thereafter. Persons outside of the tent at the time of the accident were not injured.
"The general guideline for tornado safety is to get as low to the ground as possible and assume the tornado safety crouch:
Wind speeds will be slower close to the ground, you are less likely to be hit by a flying object, and are less of a target for lightning strikes. In the same vein, it is best to avoid stands of trees if possible because the risk of flying debris and lightning strikes are both higher there. If you cannot reach a permanent building, your best bet is to look for a cave, ditch, rock overhang, etc. Any of these will provide more protection than a tent or a backcountry lean-to.
You will definitely want to put your rain gear on to protect against hypothermia, the same as you would during a severe thunderstorm. And bringing your first-aid/safety kit is a very good idea."
"A thorough outline of safety precautions to take while camping in extreme weather can be found here":
| Fishing » Creatures vs. climate: The lake trout. Published on Sep 24, 2018 TVO » 9/25/2018 6:39 pm |
Creatures vs. climate: The lake trout. Published on Sep 24, 2018 TVO
Warming temperatures are affecting thousands of lakes across the province and making life difficult for species that live beneath the waves — including the iconic lake trout, one of Ontario’s most popular sport fish.
“It’s water temperatures and oxygen that really limit lake trout,” says Sapna Sharma, associate professor of biology at York University and director of the Sharma Laboratory. “With climate change, water temperatures are generally becoming warmer and oxygen levels are becoming lower, and that can stress lake trout populations.”
According to a 2009 paper in Ecology authored by Sharma and two others, lake trout populations in more than 1,600 lakes in Ontario could be vulnerable by 2050, based on climate-change projections. By 2100, there could be as many as 9,700 vulnerable populations across Canada.
And warmer water isn’t the only issue that lake trout have to deal with — the effects of climate change have also made the province’s lakes more hospitable to smallmouth bass, which can out-eat the lake trout, leaving the struggling fish without enough food to survive.
Smallmouth bass are native to North America, but over the past 100 years, they’ve spread further north in Canada. While they lack the ability to jump from one lake to another, they can travel by river between bodies of water. “They’re moving northward at a pretty rapid rate,” Sharma says. “They’re voracious predators — they eat a lot of the minnows. They can eat a lot of things.”
One of the lake trout’s most important sources of food is the cisco, or lake herring, a coldwater species that’s also threatened by warming temperatures. Smallmouth bass consume cisco in large quantities, which means there are fewer available for lake trout to eat.
Lake trout are what researchers call a bellwether species
| Trip Reports » APP Lake Opeongo to Whiskey Jack Lake and back. 9.15 to 21.2018 » 9/22/2018 1:01 pm |
APP Lake Opeongo to Whiskey Jack Lake and back. 9.15 to 21.2018
Recently back from an out and back, solo, with my new 28 #, Kevlar, 13' pack canoe, 2008, Langford Canoe, Solitude, made 2001 to 2010, primarily sold in USA, 7 day, spectacular, interior canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park, Saturday, September 15 to Friday, September 21, 2018 via Access Point 11, Lakes Opeongo, Happy Isle (2 nights, 15, 20, the 20th night on the island, west side), Merchant, Big Trout (16, 19, two different island sites, 16th where my son, David, and I camped 10 years earlier, our names and date still carved into the log bench), Longer, Petawawa River, Red Pine Bay, Burntroot Lake (17, 18, 2 nights, same site, point, east side), Robinson, Whiskey Jack.
This is my first time doing this route. (I've never done the same canoe route twice, other than one I did first in the 1970's, re-done in 2010.) Top drawer it is. Out and backs are not boring as the views are different and in some cases coming back is dramatically different in some locations regarding route familiarity. Be certain to have a reliable map and compass. I was last in this area 10 years ago with my son, David, on Big Trout via Access Point 3, while out for a tandem 10 day canoe trip in mid to late July, 2008, great fun.
I did not spend any meaningful time fishing as I was on the move each day between 9 to 10 AM and 6 to 7 PM. Sunrise 7 AM, Sunset 7 PM. I did spend a lot of time canoeing, exploring historical areas of interest, swimming morning and evening, and of course everything related to setting up, taking down camp, preparing meals, gathering firewood, purifying water, reading and more, all great fun.
I was very fortunate to have excellent weather with respect to lots of sun, warmth, low wind and ideal lake conditions. Biting insects were negligible. Blood suckers on my feet were apparent on occassion, three in total, even one still on my foot come time to sleep at the end of one day. They are removed easily. Fa
| Catch-all Discussions » Good one @ http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/up-north/segment/15581197 Lo » 8/16/2018 8:17 pm |
Good one @
| Trip Reports » Kiosk, Access Point 29 » 8/05/2018 8:36 pm |
Recently back from a brilliant, fire ban, 7 day solo interior canoe trip put out from Algonquin's Kiosk Access Point 29, 7.30 to 8.5.18, with the original Kevlar Swift Kipawa 16' built by the designer Jon Winters, which I am the second proud care giver of. It's been tripping many a time, solo and tandem on many bodies of water and portages.
I was planning to stay for another day, however, in light of the balance left to cover I chose to get 'er done asap, that was 12 hours, starting at 8:30 AM on the water. Ah, Saturday night in Kiosk was grand, followed by an early, long drive home Sunday.
No need for bug tent and tarp set up or wearing of bug jacket, hood and pants. When need be Watkin's repellent, top drawer.
One 16 hour day of rain, 2 AM to 6 PM, all good, likewise one night of heavy Parry Sound Fire 33 smoke from 2 AM to 6 AM. Eureka's El Capitan 2 on this trip for this trip was stellar.
Periods of thunder, lightening, rainbows, sunsets, stars, winds and more were also enjoyed, including a swim around the island, 400+ metres.
Excellent smallmouth bass fishing in a few locals, catch and release, including a 14".
Fun times with the otters, so cute and playful. Lots of varied wildlife in this zone. Great folk and more on route. I have never been in this sector of APP since first canoe tripping in APP in the 1970's.
Wonderful area. I opted to paddle in to Step Island, North Tea Lake from Kiosk, thereafter day tripping for fishing, other lakes, water falls, wildlife and more, blueberries and raspberries too.
The last day was a 22 km paddle out with 2,500 metres of portaging over four portages, based upon one way, for me x 5 = 7,500 metres, must downsize or tandem.
My out and back route was put in at Kiosk on Kioshkokwi Lake > Amble du Fond River > Manitou Lake > Step Island on North Tea Lake with day trips from Step Island to Mangalosi Lake and Hornbeam Lake and canoeing, fishing, hiking portages, etc., on North Tea Lake.
In total there was a
| Catch-all Discussions » TVO - The great Ontarian postwar Provincial Parks boom » 7/23/2018 6:37 am |
TVO - The great Ontarian postwar Provincial Parks boom
Provincial parks came into being 125 years ago — but they really hit their stride after the Second World War, when Ontarians went wild for the wilderness
| Catch-all Discussions » Algonquin Park Fire-out Contest! » 7/15/2018 5:23 pm |
Ontario Forest Fires Information
Restricted Fire Zone
During a Restricted Fire Zone, the use of open fires – such as campfires, or burning of brush or debris, is restricted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.
Portable gas or propane stoves are permitted for use for cooking or warmth, though they should be closely monitored. Portable charcoal BBQs and Hibachis are not permitted unless within 100 metres of a dwelling, or within an organized campground.
Forest Fire Info Map
Alerts in Ontario Parks
FireSmoke Canada
Canadian Wildland Fire Information System
CWFIS Interactive map
| History » Who has the right to Ontario’s Algonquin lands? » 11/25/2017 1:36 pm |
Who has the right to Ontario’s Algonquin lands? ANALYSIS: David Tabachnick writes that after several decades of talks, it’s still unclear who should speak for the Algonquin people in a massive land claim process. Published on Nov 21, 2017 by David Tabachnick @
| Photos and Videos To Share » Check out TD Friends of the Environment Foundation tdfef.com 2017 cale » 12/20/2016 8:42 pm |
Check out TD Friends of the Environment Foundation tdfef.com 2017 calendar available at TD banks. Awesome photo of "Dawn, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ont. Chenyuan Huang, Markham, Ontario" November, 2017. What is the name of this lake?
| History » The Algonquin land claim » 12/10/2016 8:50 am |
"The Algonquin land claim. The largest land claim being negotiated in Ontario. If successful, it will be the province’s first modern-day constitutionally protected treaty.
The claim covers a territory of 36,000 square kilometres in eastern Ontario that is populated by more than 1.2 million people.
The transfer of 117,500 acres of Crown Lands to Algonquin ownership.
Parks: No lands will be transferred from Algonquin Park. Ontario will continue managing Ontario parks, with the Algonquins having a greater planning role. Two non-operating parks and parts of five non-operating parks are proposed for transfer. A new 30,000 acre provincial park near Crotch Lake is being recommended. For every acre of park land proposed for transfer, 6 acres of new park land would be added."
An interesting read and map:
December 8, 2016. "Quebec Algonquins file title claim to downtown Ottawa
Move comes after Ontario Algonquins signed agreement-in-principle worth estimated $300M"
October 18, 2016. "Historic land deal with Algonquin peoples signed by federal, Ontario governments. Agreement in principle involves more than $300M, roughly 36,000 square kilometres of land."
| Wildlife » Bears » 1/06/2016 6:29 am |
Black bears begin to den following El Nino warmth, abundant fall food supply in eastern US.
By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff WriterJanuary 6, 2016; 5:22 AM ET.
El Niño warmth won't hamper black bears from denning this winter in the eastern United States, wildlife experts said. However, it may be causing some delays.
| Catch-all Discussions » "The View From Here Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven" » 10/15/2015 8:18 pm |
Aye, on now ... TV Ontario, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET.
"The View From Here Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven"This film follows author and wilderness photographer Joanie and Gary McGuffin and art historian Michael Burtch as they set out to find the actual locations in northern Ontario that inspired the legendary Group Of Seven and some of their most iconic works of art. The film weaves the iconic paintings and fascinating stories of these artists with the modern day journey, taking viewers through some of Canada's most stunning landscapes.
TVO TELEVISION BROADCASTS
Thursday, October 15th 9pm
Saturday, October 17th 9pm
Sunday, October 18th 11pm
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