| Equipment » Portaging a solo canoe with detachable yoke. » 5/22/2026 12:02 pm |
Thamesman wrote:
I've also had similar problems when using a backpack, but no issues when using a more traditionally shaped canoe pack - which is not as tall as my backpack, but instead is wider and so holds a similar volume. So, maybe rent a canoe pack from an outfitter and give that a try? It's cheaper than a new canoe!
I second this. Hiking back packs are more comfortable for sure, but canoe packs are better when carrying a canoe.
They also fit perfectly in the canoe.
Been using a Level 6 Algonquin for years now... it is not waterproof, which is the only knock. It holds a ton of gear, and I just dry bag everything anyways.
| Wildlife » Early Season Mosquitoes » 5/19/2026 12:28 pm |
returned yesterday from a 4 day trip out of Canoe Lake... could not believe our luck. Absolutely zero biting insects of any kind on the entire trip. With the warm weather all four days, it was an Algonquin miracle!
hope everyone is having a productive spring!
| Dealing With Challenges » Knee braces » 4/27/2026 1:08 pm |
I currently play rugby at the advanced old age of 39 throughout the spring and summer. Depending on how banged up I am will determine whether a knee "sleeve" , Aleve, and Icy Hot come with me on the trip. You can get compression sleeves with metal side support pieces from the drug store, not quite sure how efficient they are. I use the sleeves mostly to keep the swelling down (most of the pain), and it gives me piece of mind regarding the "support" side of things.
I second Swift's response as that is something I can control. Pack as light as possible to limit the strain on the knee. Doubling or even tripling a portage is just too many extra steps for me! kneeling in a canoe is not even possible, I could only image the pain!
good luck!
| Trip Planning » Happy Isle versus Merchant Lake » 4/16/2026 9:27 am |
Camping, I agree that both are nice. Paddling... Happy Isle has always been the lake with more wind and waves for me... I assume it is just topography but the wind tends to funnel. Made for some real dodgy crossings.
Not long now! Camping season is nearly upon us!
| Where In Algonquin? » WiA 935 » 4/08/2026 1:59 pm |
Coral-Root?
| Trip Planning » East Galipo to Little Canoe » 3/13/2026 11:48 am |
| Trip Planning » Hot Tent » 1/15/2026 1:09 pm |
not sure if you have tried your stove yet, but if brand new I would recommend trying it at home with a good burn to off gas the metals.
| Trip Planning » Petawawa Upstream (Grassy Bay to Misty) - Ice Out » 1/09/2026 9:51 am |
Did this last year on the May long weekend, no issues whatsoever. Lots of water, but the river is wide enough that the current is not an issue. If you are not familiar, there is an awesome campsite just up from the P140 into Timberwolf Creek. Top shelf spot and won't have to paddle around Misty looking for a free campsite (done that a time or two as well!)
| Where In Algonquin? » WIA 918 » 12/09/2025 1:15 pm |
Shirley looking north from east shore beach campsite?
| Where In Algonquin? » WIA 917 » 11/28/2025 9:41 am |
Timberwolf to Misty narrows?
| Trip Reports » Where are all the trip reports? » 9/19/2025 12:00 pm |
I have three trip reports in the pipeline... one will not be posted here as we went to the Spanish River.
The other two are a 4 day torture-fest down the Tim River over the may long weekend from this year , and a week long figure 8 through the heart of the park with more walking than I care to remember.
not sure on when I will get around to it, editing the videos is the issue. Likely this winter.
| Trip Planning » Water levels on the Crow River » 8/11/2025 12:02 pm |
just did the section of the crow from the forks to lavieille... water seemed to be high. Was also on the Opeongo river, and white partridge creek... same thing. I was also shocked to see how high the water was, with the lack of rain we have had.
| Trip Planning » Magnetawan Loop » 7/31/2025 12:38 pm |
Have lots of great memories staying in these cabins with my family.... Keeping them out of our sleeping bags at night was another story...
We leave Saturday for a week in the park, staying at two different cabins over this stretch. Purchased four mouse traps last night... not getting my treats if I can help it!
| Trip Planning » Magnetawan Loop » 7/23/2025 11:48 am |
If you happen to be around the Tattler Cabin on Aug 2nd, stop in and say hi
| Trip Planning » Hurdman - West Corbeau - Stretch ___but in October? » 7/07/2025 10:02 am |
I agree with all of this. We did this trip in the spring of 2024:
The stretch from Aura Lee direct to Hurdman would be my second choice. The portage landings are very rocky, sharp , and annoying.
The two portages from Aura Lee --> Laurel --> Hurdman are very easy and a much more enjoyable use of your time in my opinion.
North site on Hurdman is awesome and the cabin ruins on the W. Corbeau to Stretch portage are neat.
I really like the creek north of Hurdman, feels remote and quiet.
In spring water we skipped a bunch of those portages, but with a decent amount of bumping and grinding.
| Trip Planning » FORK LAKE? » 7/07/2025 9:49 am |
We did Sunday Creek to Norway Lake mid October in 2024, no issues whatsoever. If memory servers there was only one beaver dam (maybe 2) and we slammed over it on the way in, and lifted over on the way out.
Quiet little group of lakes on a very busy fall weekend was what we were after, and it worked out perfectly.
Got full cell coverage (handy but also annoying), and we could hear the larger trucks on HWY 60 at times throughout the night.
| Ethics » Caching food/equipment » 6/18/2025 2:34 pm |
I have done several caches previously, and will do another one this summer. We will be completing a large figure 8 loop. We will be passing through the same lake 3-4 days later, why carry the end of trip food and booze the entire time?
Typically we do not hang at sites or portages though. We will find an easy to recognize spot on a shore, hang the food properly. I am more worried about humans than animals at this point.
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