| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/21/2017 1:45 pm |
Algonquin Outfitters posted a whole bunch of new pictures today. The water level on Opeongo is crazy high. 
On the bright side, the ice is definitely looking super rotten!
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/21/2017 9:47 am |
Coureur des Biere wrote:
Geez I really hope the rain the last few days and the few days next week is enough to get the ice out by next weekend...
Temps arn't crazy high...hopefully alot of wind and rain will do the job...
I've stopped worrying about whether or not the ice will be out in time for my trip (May 4th) and started worrying about just how mucky, if not outright flooded, the portages are going to be. It's been raining so damn much. We need sunshine, and lots of it.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/20/2017 6:08 pm |
Kawawaymog is super shallow, so no surprise it's ice-free. But still, seeing any shot of a completely open Algonquin(ish) lake is still great!
| Trip Planning » ALGAE IN LAKES.....THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!! » 4/20/2017 3:12 pm |
Ryan was closed for at least part of 2015 as well, at least according to the sign I ran into on my ice-out trip last year. 
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/20/2017 9:01 am |
Don't be surprised when you see open water on the next Modis image. :-)
Considering how long it might be until we get another clear Modis image, that's a fairly safe bet... ;)
| Trip Planning » Unmaintained Portages near Cranebill (Rain Lake Access Point) » 4/19/2017 11:51 am |
That .. doesn't sound promising at all. I wonder if they were 2-2.5 hours single carry or double.
Blah....
My guess would be single. That was 4 years ago though, so maybe the portage has been cleared between now and then. Bit of a gamble if you don't get confirmation from someone who's been through there more recently, but you don't have a long travel day planned for that day anyway. Even if both of those low maintenance 2k+ portages take 2 - 2 1/2 hours each you'll be okay.
| Trip Planning » Unmaintained Portages near Cranebill (Rain Lake Access Point) » 4/19/2017 10:47 am |
I haven't been, but where there's a will there's a way! Or maybe that's ... "where there's a chainsaw". In any case, since I can't offer anything from personal experience I turned to Google. Here's part of a 2013 trip report from the old AA site talking about the 2483 between Cranebill and Lily Pond.
We were all kinda dreading day 2. A 2483 right away is not something we were looking forward to and we were not to be disappointed. The landing is actually not too bad and we had a slight delusion thinking hey maybe this won't be so bad. Forget that! This trail hasn't been touched in years we swear it. It took us probably about 2-2.5 hrs and we weren't really slacking. If we weren't climbing over blowdowns we were crawling under them or scaling hills to get around them. It was somewhere in here that I climbed over a blowdown, hopped off it and twisted my ankle in the mud. There's really no distinguishable trail, its more like there are less trees growing here than there. About halfway (guess) there's a portage sign, so you know you're on the right track. There are a couple directional signs but they're very faded and tattered. And the end! Oh what an end. Arriving at Lily Pond we were greeted by marsh,mud and muck. We had to load the canoe and push/pull it through about 30ft of slop.Hobbling as I was I opted for a free ride. Bush boy went for another swim. Once we got to actual water we noticed remnants of a dock about 2ft under the water.
Link to thread. I didn't read it so maybe there's something else of interest in it: ,+Furrow,+and+Clara
Didn't turn up anything useful about Cranebill to Islet in the couple minutes I spent at it. I've read that little 45m portage is basically vertical. You'll be doing it downhill but I'm not sure that's an advantage if it's as steep as it sounds!
| Trip Planning » Spring 2017 Trout Opener - Options? » 4/19/2017 10:21 am |
Uppa will be joining us via kayak from Little Dickson on Thursday, May 11th.
Bo
I'll be on White Partridge for a night, but not that night. I'll be there on Sunday, May 7th.
| Trip Planning » Spring 2017 Trout Opener - Options? » 4/19/2017 8:22 am |
Is there still an opening?!
Bo mentioned in his WP Express thread that a couple people had to cancel, so unless he's filled those spots there's still room for two.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/18/2017 3:13 pm |
Thanks for the regular updates and photos ATVenture. I'm dying to go camping but in the meantime every update is appreciated!
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/18/2017 1:39 pm |
A nice clear satellite image was just posted for today. Definitely some progress from the last clear shot on the 14th!
| Equipment » Post your boat! » 4/18/2017 9:26 am |
Some gorgeous canoes posted in this thread, and I don't even like canoes!
@dontgroandaddy: those boats are almost too pretty to be using them.
@MartinG: I think you may have a problem. The problem being that you're going to need a bigger garage soon.
@basilthegood: Only once so far. MartinG and I crossed paths on our ice-out trips last May, on a tiny little lake with no campsites. Was really cool to bump into someone I 'know' like that. But yes, it's rare enough to see a kayak in the park at all once you're over a portage or two, let alone a lime green sea kayak. It's definitely a conversation starter.
| Catch-all Discussions » So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start??? » 4/17/2017 10:44 am |
It sure would be nice to get some clear skies for an updated satellite shot. Looks like that should happen today or tomorrow, fortunately. This week's forecast isn't particular exciting temperature-wise, but with tonight being the only below freezing mark, here's hoping the spring melt keeps picking up momentum.
| Where In Algonquin? » Where is this #132 » 4/17/2017 10:35 am |
Parks Bay?
| Equipment » Post your boat! » 4/17/2017 10:13 am |
Alright Algonquin campers, show me what you paddle! What boat (or boats) do you take into Algonquin, and why? Here's my kayak, fresh out of winter storage:
It's a Delta 16, bought a few years ago as a sleeker replacement for its 14.5 predecessor. Deltas have a lot of storage space and large hatch openings, which makes packing a lot easier than it would be with most kayaks - something I appreciate greatly at every portage. I solo camp almost exclusively, so for me the kayak is an ideal choice, after a lot of time and effort to figure out how to portage one effectively that is. I can cover a lot more distance than I could ever hope to in a canoe, and the rudder means I've never been windbound. While camping isn't about being fast, it's nice to be able to get through the easy access lakes into more remote areas quickly.
| Trip Planning » CABIN FEVER!! » 4/15/2017 4:00 pm |
I was at the family farm for the last few days to go see my favourite family member... my kayak ;)
Joking aside it was great to spend time with my parents, but pulling my 'yak out of its winter storage spot, cleaning it up, doing some maintenance work, and then loading it on the car to bring home was just so cathartic. It's in my backyard now and I keep stepping outside just to look at it.
Guys, it's happening. We'll be camping again so damn soon now!
| Trip Planning » Beaver dams..... » 4/13/2017 10:09 am |
Is Tanacious Tape the name brand? Where can i get myself some? I live in a small town, so which stores sell it? Thanks for the helpful tip Uppa and Craiger!
Tenacious Tape, yes. MEC carries it. I'm sure I've seen it at Canadian Tire, but I can't find it on their site at the moment.
