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| Wildlife » Moose in Camp » 8/17/2020 7:40 pm |
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Not the best photo, but the best I could get on an iPhone given the circumstances.lol. We were on the island site on the eastern side of the lake closest to the ranger cabin.
| Wildlife » Moose in Camp » 8/17/2020 4:27 pm |
5 day trip last week (McIntosh, White trout, Burnt island)
Spent so much time in the past worrying about Bears in camp and also meeting bears or moose on portages, that I feel like I was unprepared for our visitor Tuesday night on our island site on White trout lake....
It was about 8-8:30 and we were laying in the tent looking over the lake watching the sunset and chatting about the days travels. We heard something large approaching from not far at all..and within seconds it was right outside the left side of the tent. Its breathing and low sounding snorts sent chills down my spine. It sniffed and snorted around the back and then right side of the tent before finally walking to the front of the tent where we finally got a glimpse of our visitor...it was a young male moose, maybe it was because we were laying down but DAMN that is a large animal!!! He turned and looked right into our open fly on the El capitan 4 before letting out another snort and walked a few paces away but still in plain sight. He grazed for a minute or two, that's when I finally got the courage to move just my right arm to grab my phone and snap a couple of photos ( cant figure out how to post them, If someone could teach me that would be great ).
He finally wandered out of view, but we could here him stomping around the fire pit and the rest of our gear for what seemed like an eternity. Not sure if remaining totally still and quiet was the best decision, but we all made it home uninjured so I call it a win..
Anyone have any advice for future encounters? Everything I seem to read involves what to do if you encounter a bear or moose while standing or sitting around camp ( the typical make lots of noise, make yourself seem larger etc). What about when your lying defenseless and the animal is 1-2 feet away? My only thought was- making any noise may startle the animal, and we may be trampled as he tries to flee. Or he gets startled and stomps us in aggressive attack.
| Trip Planning » Petawawa River / Otterslide Creek Water levels » 8/17/2020 2:32 pm |
we came through Otterslide Creek last Wednesday, water levels were good and we had no issues.
| Trip Planning » Early June trip » 1/06/2020 8:08 pm |
We usually go in multiple portages fully loaded and then "trip" from there. Example was our trip from Smoke lake to Bonnechere lake. we spent 2 days adventuring there, then headed back the same route.
Not sure what everyone classes as "average" so I err on the side caution when describing our abilities.
| Trip Planning » Early June trip » 1/06/2020 8:07 pm |
trippythings wrote:
...I think we are capable of the mileage, we usually single carry and are all in even better shape physically than last year.
Have you done full travel days while fully loaded? In your first post you mentioned that you paddle in and then day trip... I interpreted that as paddling in to a lake like Rock Lake (no portaging), setting up camp, then day tripping. If that's the case then the single carrying has only been with day trip gear, not fully loaded? If so I would definitely recommend an easy trip to start, especially if you consider yourselves average paddlers and haven't done proper travel days with loading/unloading a full boat, portages with all your gear, etc.
But if by "paddle in" you meant the opposite of what I interpreted (multiple portages into a backcountry lake, set up camp, then day trip from there) then you'll have a more realistic indication of what you're capable of.
I've done the first week of june and hit peak blackfly and really bad mosquitoes (and no see ums and horse flies as well) .. .they are relentless so fully agree with the cautions in the posts above. But its also worth stating that the fishing and solitude is unsurpassed in early June. We went from Opeongo through to lavielle/Dickson and back to Opeongo one trip and only saw 3 other groups (from a distance) and had great fishing all the way. Major bonus is that we had our pick of sites on all the lakes we went on. I'd do it again for sure .. .we just wear bug hats with sleeves that go to the wrist .. .spray our hats and clothes a few times a day with deep woods off and honestly just put up with it. The odd time if there's a breeze you get a break, out on the lake you get a break and when the temperature drops down after dark you get a break. Sometimes you get an unexpected break … when waiting for the water taxi on Opeongo at the end of the Dickson portage we rested in the sun for a coup
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| Trip Planning » Early June trip » 1/05/2020 9:40 pm |
Thanks everyone for the advice, I might change the time of year for this trip (maybe late fall if water levels are good) to avoid some of the bugs.
I think we are capable of the mileage, we usually single carry and are all in even better shape physically than last year.
Will look for a couple other trips to test our endurance before this one.
| Trip Planning » Early June trip » 1/05/2020 12:02 pm |
Need advice/help with planning a route. Planning a early June trip with myself and 2 sons (17&20), I would say we are average paddlers. Our trips have mainly been paddle in and base camp, with day trips to various areas from there. This time the boys want to be on the move and challenge themselves a bit, so.....i was thinking
day 1
starting point access point #2
Tim lake to Tim river camp first night on Rosebary lake
day 2
into Longbow onto the Tim river again and camp on Shaw lake
day 3
through Misty to the Petawawa river and camp on Daisy lake
day 4
Hambone to Ralph Bice and camp on either David lake or Mubwayaka. would be a short day with time to rest before the next days portages.
day 5
the 8 portages through spit pond, pugawagun, pezheki...etc to starting point at Tim lake. Hopefully with most of the food gone by this point it will be a bit easier...
Have seven days available, so if we run into any trouble can alter plans if need be.
tips, ideas, advice welcome.
Also where would be the best place to rent a canoe close to Tim Lake? lugging the heavy old nova craft on this route just doesn't sound like a great idea.
Thanks in advance
Mike
| Catch-all Discussions » Outdoor Adventure Show » 2/21/2019 10:41 pm |
Going first thing Friday morning. Looking for a few things, and see what deals are to be had for a new canoe.
| Trip Planning » Clover Lake, Attempt #2 » 1/15/2018 10:31 pm |
Sold. I'll stay on Cork night 1 then move on to Opalescent for the second night. I track my time in Algonquin by putting a pin in every lake I've ever camped on, so I'm always happy for an excuse to add another lake!
Edit: frozentripper, thanks for the info and pics. Really, really looking forward to seeing Clover.
What dates are you planning? I just booked on Opalescent for mid May for a few days, might cross paths at some point.
| Equipment » Canoe repair » 10/04/2017 12:41 pm |
Thanks Rob, I will try calling Novacraft directly to see what they recommend.
Here are couple pics of the canoe (thunderstorm right now so not the best lighting
| Equipment » Canoe repair » 10/04/2017 7:31 am |
Good morning folks
I recently purchased a used Novacraft 17' canoe fro what I think was a very good price.
It does have some wear and tear but the price reflected. But I do have a couple questions before I tackle the repairs...
1-the front kevlar skid plate has some damage and there is a chunk missing. Is there a way to remove these so I can put a new one on, or should I just fill in the chunk with more kevlar?
2-I believe it is royal ex, I would like to fill in and refinish/paint the exterior of the canoe. what would I use to fill in the gouges and what paint? Nova craft website sells gelcoat but would this fill in the deeper gouges?
I know it is an older boat but I just want to clean it up a bit with out spending a fortune.
Thanks
Mike
| Trip Planning » First trip newbie questions » 7/12/2017 7:14 pm |
Thank you for that info and suggestions. I will check the online reservations before leaving.
I am positive it will be an incredible few days. Been looking forward to this for a long time and hoping to make it a yearly trip.
| Trip Planning » First trip newbie questions » 7/12/2017 2:54 pm |
Hello,
First of all, I would like to say---this site is an awesome source of knowledge. I learned more reading for an hour or two last night vs everything I have researched in other places for the last week.
So I am planning my very first trip to Algonquin with my 2 teenage sons for August 9th, 3 days 2 nights. Starting off at access point #6 and travelling to Bonnechere. Staying both nights at Bonnechere.
Just want to make sure I understand the whole reservation thing, as I am used to conservation park camping.
So my permit only reserves a "site" on Bonnechere at one of the 6 locations?
Each of the six locations is "1 site", not multiple sites at each location?
It is up to us to find one that is not already in use?
Is it common to find all sites occupied even though I have reserved spot?
Sorry for the newbie questions.
Thanks
Mike
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