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Hi gang,
Just booked my ice-out trip for May 4th, gods willing, and I'm heading out from Canisbay to Linda Lake. Wondering where I would pick up permits and if anyone has things to do/see in the area I might miss. This is mostly to stretch out the portaging muscles and test new menu items for later in the year.
Normally I'd just call the park and ask about the permits, but you folks always have more info and a better demeanor.
Thanks,
Ian
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Usually you get them at the Canisbay campground office but that will probably not be open. I would guess that you should be able to pick them up at either the East or West Gate on your way into the park and if they won't provide them then they should be able to tell you where to get the permit.
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According to my 2017 FOAP map, spring permits for Canisbay Paddle-in sites must be picked up at Tea Lake campgrounds. This is what I had to do back in 2015 when I camped at these paddle-in sites.
I would think that seeing you are starting your trip from Canisbay, the above should apply to you also. No harm in asking at either gate though.
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It depends when you are going and where you are spending your first night.
I believe Canisbay campground opens for the May 24 weekend so after that pick up your interior permit at the campground office. If before, than what Bo said, pick it up at the Tea Lake office.
Operations of Canisbay are farmed out so if you are spending your first night on the Lake, then you can only pick up your permit at their office. Paid commissions and all that.
If you are just passing through Canisbay into the interior than you can pick up your permit at the gate or if you want an early start, I believe the permit office at Opeongo opens at 6AM. Grab your permit and head pack to Canisbay and be ion the water by 7AM.
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IanTendy wrote:
...and if anyone has things to do/see in the area I might miss...
Keep your eyes open for moose on Polly, I've only been there once but was lucky enough to see a moose. I've done the route from Source to Linda a handful of times, and I've also come in to Linda through Iris... there really isn't much to see or do in the area. I like the route because it's secluded and relatively private for being right off Hwy 60, and because I really like Linda Lake, but it's definitely not a scenic route.
At the northwest corner of Linda Lake, in the bay across from the island, there's a dock connecting the two sides of land that you can explore. Last time I was there it was almost fully submerged though with high waters, so not sure what its status will be for an ice out trip.
Some of my trip reports:
(the "My Campsite" isn't updated yet, the whole site is still a work in progress so still making my way through uploading all my reports/campsites)
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Canoe lake! They open at 7am. Way earlier then the gates. Many years ago the gates had self serve permits. This was awesome as I could start backpacking or canoeing right at first light. They got rid of that and it sucked big time because now I had to wait until 9am to get your permit. Then almost 10 by the time you got to where you were starting out. Then I found Canoe lake. Much earlier.
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Hey dude, i live on a lake fairly near the west gate. I am still ice fishing, comfortably standing on 1.5 feet of ice. Getting sketchy near shore, but we've got a ways to go.My guess is you may get skunked for access on May 4.
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Once ice is gone, I plan on camping on the paddle-in sites on Canisbay for a week.
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Canoe lake or West Gate. I stayed on island in 2012. I think there is a video compilation on our blog DawsonbrothersAlgonquintrips. Iris lake site was fun to explore as well.
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Thanks for all the great advice gang! Fingers crossed that the ice goes away.
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