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Campgrounds and Front-country » Suggestion for group trip father - son. » 2/12/2021 3:24 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 12

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GordK wrote:

PM me if you'd like on thoughts on Killarney (would need to keep off AA board).  And Bob is correct about radio-free - that is a reason it is a nice car camp spot but also may not be great for a dads/kids group.  

 
We actually just settled for Grundy again. We checked Killarney and Killbear but they were booked. I had a plan where we could snap up Rock Lake sites 73,74,75 and be somewhat separated from the other sites, but in the end Grundy was the safe bet, with sites still available side by side.

We did have a great time last year... The fishing was the only complaint.

Campgrounds and Front-country » Suggestion for group trip father - son. » 2/09/2021 10:17 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 12

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GordK wrote:

For easy access car camping and cliff jumping I would head to Killarney.  Fishing on the other hand would not be great in many of the lakes as they're dead or recovering. In Algonquin I'd also favour Rock and Achray for car camping but that is in part because all of Achray and the tent only area at Rock are smaller and tend to be less busy.  Both areas have access to some great trails and a day trip to Slide Rock at Achray is a great destination especially for younger kids.  It can be slammed with people (ie: 20-30) but if you time things to be early or just before sun down it isn't too bad.  On a holiday weekend I expect it might be even worse numbers-wise but that will be true of everywhere.

 
I think we might try for Killarney if we can. If that doesn't work, we'll have to regroup. Grundy may be back on the table as well, given some of the feedback here.

Campgrounds and Front-country » Suggestion for group trip father - son. » 2/08/2021 9:21 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 12

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TripperMike wrote:

If 2021 is anything like last year, the park will be super busy again.  I saw the family campground at Kiosk last year when taking out after a trip and she was packed.  Rock lake is a great place to car camp with kids but with good hiking and easy day trips I imagine it will be slammed as well.  I've car camped at Grundy and IMO the sites are much bigger and more spaced out than any family campground in APP. 

If the kids are 13, why not paddle into a lake like Penn or Clydegale from Rock?  Easy trip, decent fishing and you would most likely be able to find 2 adjoining sites or at least close together.  Even camping on a Rock lake interior would be a decent option. 

 
Paddle-in would be my first option for sure. Unfortunately, there are dads in the group that like their creature comforts. Some don't have enough gear either.

Campgrounds and Front-country » Suggestion for group trip father - son. » 2/07/2021 4:24 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 12

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Is Whitefish group camping open during covid? It seems like they'd be limiting groups.

We're probably just going to get 2 sites. If the final 2 commit, then they can grab a third site somewhere else in the campground.

Campgrounds and Front-country » Suggestion for group trip father - son. » 2/05/2021 6:27 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 12

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Hello all,
We have a group of 12-14 dads and kids that want to try car camping in Algonquin on the civic holiday weekend. We're coming in from the south.

The boys are looking for a spot like Grundy where we went last year. They liked the swimming (cliff jumping), paddling/portaging, and biking. They also fished A LOT but the bite was slow, so we're hoping Algonquin will be better.

What campground would be best for us?

From my research, it looks like Rock Lake would be best... but some of the reviews i read said they are very strict about noise. We're not crazy partiers, but we do enjoy drinks at the campfire with quiet background music. The boys are 13 and still have a little bit of enthusiasm left in them.

Any thoughts? Thanks!!!!!!!

Catch-all Discussions » Comparing ADK and APP » 10/20/2020 9:37 am

JoeScmoe
Replies: 7

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EddyTurn wrote:

JoeScmoe wrote:

Sure, you can get a steak at the Italian restaurant, but you'd be better off getting the veal parm!

Still beats staying hungry for those allergic to veal.
 

 
No Osso Buco either?

Catch-all Discussions » Comparing ADK and APP » 10/19/2020 8:35 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 7

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Getting locked out at the border and going on a paddling-only trip in the ADKs is like not getting reservations at the steakhouse and going to an Italian restaurant instead.

Sure, you can get a steak at the Italian restaurant, but you'd be better off getting the veal parm!

Catch-all Discussions » Comparing ADK and APP » 10/03/2020 5:29 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 7

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MooseWhizzer Dave wrote:

The border closure caused me to take a trip to the Adirondacks rather than Algonquin last weekend, While I was killing time in the campsite, I noted some of the differences I observed between the two locations, and thought folks here might find it interesting so I fleshed it out.  

By the way, they are not kidding about speed limits once you are off the highway.  I saw a lot of cars pulled over.  

These comparisons are based on my very, very limited exposure to ADK - one trip plus reading.  My trip was in the St. Regis canoeing area, which is the closest comparable area in ADK to APP, although  much smaller.  St. Regis area is just one area of ADK.  Canoeing opportunities abound in the ADK region, but lots of cottages, etc. elsewhere, and maybe not so frequently set up for canoe camping as maybe canoe visiting.

OK, here's my comparison.  Some of these are just for fun, most of these are genuine observations.  I know that some AA posters have visited both locations extensively, I'm sure they'll have something to add.  

Location:
St. Regis is 44.3 N, 74.1 W.
APP is 45.8 N, 78.4 W
Comments: Spring might be slightly earlier and Winter just a little later in ADK, but it is mountainous, so night comes quicker in the campsite.

Size & stats
St. Regis.  18,400 acres total, 1,621 acres of water.  50 ponds (lakes), ranging from .5 acres to 388 acres.  70 primitive tent sites, and some additional sites that are driveable.  Fishing, hunting, trapping, all legal within the area.  Two mountains in St. Regis, “St. Regis” – 2,874 feet, “Long Pond Mountain” – 2,530 feet.  26 miles of hiking trails, but they count portage trails in that.  No motorized boats.  In St. Regis every lake is called a pond, for no discernible reason.
APP - 1,891,208 acres total.  1,500+ lakes, 1,900 campsites (not sure how many of those are on canoe route

Trip Planning » Border closure extended, but a route opens » 9/30/2020 10:52 am

JoeScmoe
Replies: 6

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PaPaddler wrote:

MWD,

We were up there from the 19th to the 23rd staying in Saranac Lake - had the canoe in Lake Flower, Oseetah Lake, Upper St. Regis Lake and Spitfire Lake.  Only climbed one mountain...but that was plenty for our old bones!  Our weather was fantastic but the leaves looked to be about a week shy of peak in the areas we traveled.

It's definitely not Algonquin - the only exception might be the St. Regis Canoe Area which has the primitive access, appeal and style.  Most other sites in the region are much like the access lakes of Opeongo or Cedar...heavily used and nice, but not that remote feel.  Another obvious difference is the availability of resources nearby with towns and such sprinkled through some areas.

This board is about Algonquin - relating or comparing an area to Algonquin should qualify as permissible as each comparison may reveal an aspect of Algonquin we need be reminded of.  I would not recommend any report solely on another area as it is then not relevant. 

 
If a paddling tour across many lakes away from civilization is your main goal, APP is where you want to be.

If hiking is your main goal, the ADKs are better.

Keep in mind, there are countless backcountry lakes in the Adirondacks where you're pretty much guaranteed not to see anyone for several days (this Covid year might make things tougher). The difference is many of these are landlocked, and don't have portage routes into other lakes. That said, they can serve as a great basecamp where you can mix your paddling with hiking. In a week, you could sample 2 or 3 of these destinations and have a great experience... The downside is that you might have to drive in the middle of your trip. The upside is the towns and villages in the park are a reminder of Ontario cottage country from many years ago, before the millionaires took over.

Catch-all Discussions » Giardia Questions » 9/23/2020 9:00 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 16

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It happened Sunday. I think I'll be good. I've heard the horror stories so I'm just being a little nervous I guess.

Catch-all Discussions » Giardia Questions » 9/23/2020 4:58 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 16

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I was on a pretty gungy looking beaver pond and got no more than a quarter mouthful, which was spit out. It was pretty gross, but I worried the worst was yet to come. So far so good.

Equipment » Hammock camping in the shoulder season » 9/22/2020 9:18 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 8

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As an update, my 0C bag, liner, and 1.5" self inflating pad kept me warm enough this weekend in QE2. I wish the pad was a little wider though. Temps were close to freezing.

Catch-all Discussions » Giardia Questions » 9/21/2020 2:08 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 16

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Could someone get a Guardia infection after getting a very small amount of water in the mouth from a paddle splash when paddling in an infected pond?

Equipment » Hammock camping in the shoulder season » 9/08/2020 10:10 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 8

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For people that hammock camp with a pad, do you use your pad inside the bag or out?

In the summer, I use a thermorest accordian pad on cooler nights.  It's a bit of pain to use though and I have a hard time keeping it on the diagonal without it refolding itself.

I want to try out my self inflating pad. I'm thinking that it'll be easier to stay on top of it if it's inside my bag. My concern is it spreads my bag out so I could lose some warmth(?). I have a 0degC bag so I don't have a lot of room to play with temperature wise in late September. I do have a liner that I plan to use in addition though.

Any thought?

Catch-all Discussions » QE2 question » 8/26/2020 11:50 am

JoeScmoe
Replies: 5

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BarryB wrote:

I've relocated the post to "Catch-all Discussions". If more off-topic postings happen, I'll have to decide if I want to delete them.

 
Hi Barry, would you see value in creating a new sub forum for other areas besides Algonquin?

This forum seems to have a decent number of active users, so your site could maybe generate more traffic in being a one stop shop for Ontario camping, paddling, hiking, etc.

Catch-all Discussions » QE2 question » 8/25/2020 9:40 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 5

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BrianB wrote:

This is supposed to be about Alonguin.  

 
Two things:

1. I thought I was polite in asking if this could be moved if not the correct location. Many people here paddle all around Ontario. Your two responses were much less polite.

2. It's Algonquin, not Alonguin. You might want to check your US auto-correct settings.

That is all.

Catch-all Discussions » QE2 question » 8/25/2020 4:44 pm

JoeScmoe
Replies: 5

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I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this, so if there's an issue let me know or move the post.

A friend and I were thinking of doing a quick overnight in the QE2 Wildlands in mid-late September. We were going to go in through Devil's Lake and try to make it to Wolf or Victoria Lake.

What are our chances of getting a site if we go in on a Saturday morning... especially with Covid crowds? Should we take time off work and go in on Friday morning instead?

Board footera

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