I have very little to offer, but I can say that if you want (need) to camp on Pen, the site on the north shore (on the way to Gem) is far enough off the beaten path and offers a very good view of the lake. The waterfront is a slab of rock (check the PCI, site #2). I like it as a final site because I have a long drive and prefer an early start - 2 inexperienced tandem paddlers can make AP 9 in a little over an hour.

scratchypants wrote:

I have very little to offer, but I can say that if you want (need) to camp on Pen, the site on the north shore (on the way to Gem) is far enough off the beaten path and offers a very good view of the lake. The waterfront is a slab of rock (check the PCI, site #2). I like it as a final site because I have a long drive and prefer an early start - 2 inexperienced tandem paddlers can make AP 9 in a little over an hour.

Thanks! I’ve passed through Pen numerous times and that happens to be one of the few sites I haven’t gotten the chance to check out lol. But it does look really nice so if I end up going that route I’d definitely consider going for it.

I like the idea of hitting McGarvey, North Grace, and Renee. I’ve stayed on McGarvey on the island and the west site on Rence and both have some rock outcropping and good views. In the future  I’d like to make the trip to the nice site on North Grace. My only suggestion is to consider access14b at Dagger Lake. It would put you in good position to hit those lakes and the access immediately puts you into a remote area. The only downside is the moderately long portages that would really add to your travel time when you are double carrying.. Also, the last 7 km of longing road is rather slow and bumpy, but passable with 2WD.

Anyone have any thoughts about the Magnetawan trip option? That's the one that initially sticks out to me because it's the most new territory for me.

Also I'm a campsite guy, I do extensive research and plan my trips around sites, I'm so used to strategizing to get the best site on small/mid sized lakes, etc.... so there's something about camping on big lakes (Misty, McIntosh, White Trout) that changes the pace since I know any level of strategizing is useless. It's such a crapshoot and it's not like I'd be able to check out every site, so it lets me just take my time and enjoy the journey, and wherever I end up is where I end up.

TripperMike wrote:

Go with option 1.  That stretch of the Petawawa through Misty is fantastic.
There is a great site on White Trout on the southeast/smaller island. 
Maybe consider Timberwolf x 2 over Mcintosh and then Queer or Little trout for you last night? 

Thanks!

I was so close to snagging that’s beautiful island site on White Trout a couple years ago but a group got there just a few minutes before me. It did look like a gorgeous site though.

What makes you suggest Timberwolf over McIntosh? From what’s ive heard McIntosh is supposed to be really nice and have great sites but maybe I’m wrong.

I’d love to end on Queer or Little Trout, I spent some time checking out those lakes last year, but that 2.4k double carrying is such a deterrent

If Timberwolf is worth it I could always swap out Misty/Little Misty at the end for Timberwolf and just have a longer last day back to my car, or extend the trip to add in a night on Timberwolf.

Hey, just a heads up! The Pet between Misty and Daisy is starting to run a little low, same with the Tim River area. The north hasn't gotten as much rain so the rivers are lower than seasonable averages. They're still passable so far, but there may be a couple spots that you're going to have to walk, if you decide the Mag route!

Yes, and since you have a fair amount of time between now and your trip, hopefully there will be enough rain to get the levels back to normal soon.

Thank you! Lurked a lot, and finally decided to join.

trippythings wrote:

So it's booked. I ended up choosing the Magnetawan option and I made the reservation in a way that gives me lots of flexibility to make changes (start a day late, end a day early, switch one lake for another, etc.).

I'm staying on Misty > White Trout > McIntosh > Little Misty

Misty, White Trout and McIntosh are all big lakes, so really, the only lake that I'm at risk of being fully booked is Little Misty, so I booked that for my last two nights... if I want to cut the trip a day short, easy. If I want to switch Little Misty to Misty, I'm sure I'll be able to do it last minute.

Any change I want to make will be easy but it feels good knowing I have something booked.

For campsite suggestions on Misty you have to check out PCI Site #17. It has an awesome rock cliff facing west that you can comfortably sit on that's about 20-25 feet up from the water. We spent the entire afternoon jumping off it and bouldering the wall.
We scouted the bottom of the face before attempting either, of course.
Cheers, enjoy your trip!