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11/07/2017 9:26 am  #1


Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

So I just got back from spending 6 days at Sec Lake with my dad.  After lots of thought and ideas from the fine folks on this site we opted for the walk-in site on Sec as it seemed to offer the best of what we were looking for.  We checked out the site on Mallard but it only had one decent tent pad.  We also checked out the site on Number One Lake but the short trail to get to the site was quite hilly and we brought lots of stuff (keeping in mind my dad is 70 years old..still going strong but we don't want to push it!).  I left my house in Waterdown at 4:45 am and picked up my dad.  We were up to the Sand Lake gate by around 10:00 after a short pit stop.

We loved the site on Sec Lake.  It was a bit windy as it is out on a point but we tarped the area well and had no issues:


The view from the site is very nice and wraps all around...



We did lots of exploring around the area.  We did the drive down to Lake Travers and cooked up a breakfast at the shore, and tried a bit of fishing (no luck as usual!)...



We had met up with a Warden the day before as we hiked into Achray past the gate and did part of the Eastern Pines trail.  There were a few workers at the campground and we chatted with the Warden.  He offered us up a bag of wood (super nice of him) and gave some suggestions for hikes and stuff in the area.  After our breakfast at Lake Travers we hiked down the rail bed that follows the Petawawa for some way (we followed it for about 4-5 kms and then came back).  Some beautiful scenery along that stretch and we found a really nice site on Bypass Falls. 





Back at camp we tried out a DIY reflector oven that my dad put together using some cheap foil pans from the Dollar Store and a few bolts.  We cooked up garlic bread, pizza, brownies and chicken pot pie and it worked really well.  It was not very sturdy but we wanted to see if we liked the idea of using one before we either bought one or made a more durable one.



We also did the hike into High Falls along the cheater trail.  The trail itself is a bit boring but the end result is beautiful and well worth it.  We'd been there years ago and played in the water but it's a sight that doesn't get old.




Back at camp we had a full moon on the one night and a clear sky.  Made it hard to get decent star shots but the amount of light coming from the moon made for some different photo opportunities...



On the Saturday morning we woke up and you could tell the weather was changing.  Up until that point we had a mix of cloud and sun and temps hovered around 5-10 degrees.  But that morning was a bit colder and the clouds told us something was brewing...


By late afternoon we were sitting around the fire and the skies opened up and the most perfect snowfall began to come down.  Massive snowflakes falling slowly straight to the ground.  About 3 inches accumulated before it finally stopped.  Made for a real winter wonderland!







The next day we headed up to the Barron Canyon trail.  It was very misty out (the snow had all disappeared as it had rained over night).  We headed up the short trail and took in the vistas...




I didn't take a ton of pics but had some time to play around a bit.  Having some fun with Photoshop with this one...


Needless to say we had a really amazing trip.  So nice to be able to spend time with my dad like this in such a peaceful setting.  Over the 6 days we camped there we saw 3 people at the put-in spot who came down for a quick view and a pic.  It's a difficult time of year to pack for as you can get anything from warm days to rain to snow, but we were very well prepared and never felt uncomfortable.  We spend a lot of time on the west and highway 60 area of the Park so this was a very welcome change!

 

 

11/07/2017 9:44 am  #2


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Awesome pics! Glad you had a great trip!
I had stayed on Sec Lake just a few days before you. Also in the picture of your breakfast at Travers (looks delish BTW) the sawdust on the ground is from me. When I had visited Travers there was a perfect maple tree fallen across that bench that I cut up for firewood on Sec. 
That site on Bypass falls looks great.. is it worth hiking to for an overnight camp?

Last edited by ATVenture (11/07/2017 9:46 am)

 

11/07/2017 10:20 am  #3


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Did you paddle in or were you on that site as well?  I've uploaded a video for you here that shows you the site at Bypass Falls.  It sure is scenic! Not tons of tent pad options but I'm sure it would be fine.  The water is VERY loud at the site.  It's really nice but I'm not sure if the noise of the water would be too much?  Sometimes it's nice just to enjoy the quiet....

     Thread Starter
 

11/07/2017 12:22 pm  #4


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Great photos! 

 

11/07/2017 3:16 pm  #5


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

You're a lucky guy.  My dad has been gone over 35 years now.  What I wouldn't give to spend one more day with him out in the woods; heck, anywhere for that matter.

That's all for now.  Take care, thanks for sharing your adventure and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

11/07/2017 7:16 pm  #6


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

That snow fall... spectacular. I have high hopes for this winter. 

How was the reflector oven?
M

 

11/08/2017 7:04 am  #7


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Great looking shots - you clearly have a special skill at coaxing most of the beauty of a scene to pass through the lens.  The star trails with the moonlight and camp lights are tremendous.

How funny that ATV spotted the sawdust from his trip in a shot...that's a brush with fame there!

 

11/09/2017 10:53 am  #8


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Sec is a great location ... I meant to tell you about a hike you could do down past the swimming island on Sec ... you can hike up in the woods and stand at the top of the cliffs where the hawks nest and have a great view of Sec lake ...

Next time ...  

 

11/09/2017 5:31 pm  #9


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Thanks guys!  We loved the lake and the whole area so we'll be going back again for sure!

     Thread Starter
 

11/09/2017 5:43 pm  #10


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

AWESOME!!!!
I think you've planted the seeds for next years trip. . . . . . 

 

11/09/2017 6:11 pm  #11


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

What a great looking trip! Thanks Steve.  Your photos are always so good!

 

11/09/2017 9:35 pm  #12


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

Great pics!  Was it quiet during your week there?  Did you hear any hunters nearby?  Any wildlife?

Fred

 

11/10/2017 4:22 pm  #13


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

It was super quiet.  There were hunters in the area and you could hear the odd gunshot off in the distance but it never bothered us one bit.  On the road into Sec there are a bunch of hunt camps Im assuming are on Crown Land.  Some neat areas to explore for sure!

We didn't see any wildlife unfortunately but that's how it goes up there right?  Sometimes you get lucky and others you get skunked!

     Thread Starter
 

11/11/2017 4:47 pm  #14


Re: Back from 6 Days on Sec (Pics and Videos)

To no-one's surprise, amazing photos!

I'm very jealous. Not only of you getting out on a trip long after my camping season has ended, but of going camping with your dad. It's not something I'll ever get to experience. 

 

Board footera

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