Algonquin Adventures / So when does the ice-out prediction conversation start???

http://www.youtube.com/user/kayakcamper · **Posted by Uppa** 4/25/2017 3:34 pm

The Friends of Algonquin Park just reported today as "ice out" day! HAPPY CAMPING EVERYONE!!

-------------Official 2017 Ice Out Date Recorded for Algonquin Park — High winds and heavy rain caused Lake Opeongo, Algonquin Park's largest lake, to shed its ice cover today (April 25, 2017), just slightly earlier than the average ice out date of April 28 (1964 to 2016). Technically, the official ice out date for Algonquin Park is recorded when a boat can safely navigate from the Lake Opeongo Access Point to the Happy Isle Portage in the North Arm of Lake Opeongo. Ice out has ranged from as early as March 29 (2012) to as late as May 15 (1972). For more details see http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/ice-out.php

Last edited by Uppa (4/25/2017 3:57 pm)

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/25/2017 4:01 pm

Uppa wrote:
The Friends of Algonquin Park just reported today as "ice out" day! HAPPY CAMPING EVERYONE!!

-------------Official 2017 Ice Out Date Recorded for Algonquin Park — High winds and heavy rain caused Lake Opeongo, Algonquin Park's largest lake, to shed its ice cover today (April 25, 2017), just slightly earlier than the average ice out date of April 28 (1964 to 2016). Technically, the official ice out date for Algonquin Park is recorded when a boat can safely navigate from the Lake Opeongo Access Point to the Happy Isle Portage in the North Arm of Lake Opeongo. Ice out has ranged from as early as March 29 (2012) to as late as May 15 (1972). For more details see http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/ice-out.php

WooHoo! I just told my girlfriend this morning that APP will be ice free today and she disagreed. :-P I wonder when they will start issuing permits??

**Posted by yellowcanoe** 4/25/2017 4:07 pm

The Highland trail has now been reopened as water levels on the Madawaska River have fallen. We'll have to wait to see if the disappearance of ice on Opeongo will be enough evidence for the park to start issuing interior canoeing permits. http://algonquinpark.on.ca/news/2017/2017-04-13_delayed_spring_opening.php

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/26/2017 7:13 am

I think I am going to try and get through the Brent Road today. I would assume it would be all fixed up considering AO on Cedar has to get ready for Friday morning? I'm sure Jake wants to get home too!

**Posted by PhillyPhilster** 4/26/2017 7:58 am

ATVenture wrote:
I think I am going to try and get through the Brent Road today. I would assume it would be all fixed up considering AO on Cedar has to get ready for Friday morning? I'm sure Jake wants to get home too!

That is a great idea!

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/26/2017 8:00 am

PhillyPhilster wrote:
ATVenture wrote:
I think I am going to try and get through the Brent Road today. I would assume it would be all fixed up considering AO on Cedar has to get ready for Friday morning? I'm sure Jake wants to get home too!
That is a great idea!

I figured you'd think so. :-P

http://www.youtube.com/user/kayakcamper · **Posted by Uppa** 4/26/2017 8:02 am

All my worry and obsessing over the ice-out, and it turned out to be the exact date I picked a month ago in the AO ice-out contest. Next year I'm just gonna pick a date and then sit back, confident I can't possibly be wrong.

I didn't win anything since 29 other people also picked the right date, but then what would I have done with $25 off a rental anyway?

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/26/2017 9:52 am

I'm on the Brent road now.. could only make it about half way through the Esker reserve. They brought machinery out there today (can tell by the tracks). When I stopped and got out to check the snow situation I could hear them digging in the distance presumably fixing the washout (s). Some spots where the snow is over a few inches deep it looks like they dropped a blade to break it up, so it will be mostly melted by tomorrow me thinks.

**Posted by PhillyPhilster** 4/26/2017 10:17 am

ATVenture wrote:
I'm on the Brent road now.. could only make it about half way through the Esker reserve. They brought machinery out there today (can tell by the tracks). When I stopped and got out to check the snow situation I could hear them digging in the distance presumably fixing the washout (s). Some spots where the snow is over a few inches deep it looks like they dropped a blade to break it up, so it will be mostly melted by tomorrow me thinks.

Good news for sure!

**Posted by Treater** 4/26/2017 10:42 am

ATVenture you rock!....I wish I was close enough to go and check things out. I really apppreciate the reports and pictures you've been posting....now, how about that road into Magnetawan?

**Posted by Catto9** 4/26/2017 10:55 am

Treater wrote:
ATVenture you rock!....I wish I was close enough to go and check things out. I really apppreciate the reports and pictures you've been posting....now, how about that road into Magnetawan?

I spoke with the guy from Canoe Algonquin in Kearney yesterday and asked about the Magnetawan access road, he informed me that they have not been down that road yet, but was going to attempt it today or tomorrow. I will post any update I receive on this.

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/26/2017 3:14 pm

"Algonquin Park Delayed Spring Openings 2017April 26, 2017 Update
Beginning April 28, 2017, camping permits will be issued for all backcountry campsites. For current access road conditions and restrictions, please Algonquin Park Advisories.Spring conditions vary throughout Algonquin Park. Thorough trip planning and appropriate safety precautions should be taken to ensure a safe experience. Park users should expect to encounter some or all of the following hazards when traveling in Algonquin Park:

Ice remaining on water bodies in sheltered areas;
Snow, ice and muddy conditions on portages, trails and campsites;
Extremely cold water temperatures;
High water levels and fast currents; and/or
Limited or varied accessibility on many access roads due to snow conditions or other spring hazards."

None of the roads on the west side are listed on the advisory page so everything should be good to go except MAYBE Brent/Achray?

Last edited by ATVenture (4/26/2017 3:15 pm)

**Posted by breed85** 4/26/2017 3:37 pm

ATVenture wrote:
None of the roads on the west side are listed on the advisory page so everything should be good to go except MAYBE Brent/Achray?

FWIW, I spoke with Chris from Algonquin Base Camp (we are renting canoes from him for our early May trip) and while speaking with him I asked about the Magnetawan access road.
He mentioned that it was still deep with snow and no one had been down.
He also mentioned that he had been speaking with the Park Warden and the warden was going to be trying to go down today? (maybe tomorrow; short term memory). But as of right now the road wasn't open.
He mentioned the forecast is warm and that it should melt the snow fairly quickly.

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/27/2017 6:54 am

A quote from the advisory page
"Brent Road Expected to Reopen April 28, 2017"

Last edited by ATVenture (4/27/2017 6:55 am)

**Posted by PhillyPhilster** 4/27/2017 9:16 am

ATVenture wrote:
A quote from the advisory page
"Brent Road Expected to Reopen April 28, 2017"

Great news. I will be testing that road to Wendigo Access point in less than 22 hours from now!!! Getting very excited

**Posted by ATVenture** 4/27/2017 2:39 pm

Today was a super hot day in the park that's for sure! I did lots of hiking and exploring near the Kearney access points.

Magnetewan : Still snowed in approx. 15KM before the access.
Tim River : Road is in great condition. No snow/washouts at all.
Rain Lake : Lots of snow has melted but its still not passable and won't be tomorrow.

I talked to them at the permit office today and apparently I knew more about the road conditions than the warden did this morning. They will be cancelling all reservations for Mag and Rain access points today. I think they will still issue permits for Rain lake but you'll have to portage about 3KM to get into the access point.
The warden and a ranger were out on the Magnetewan Road this morning. I don't know yet if they could even make it to the lake in 4x4 or not. Last I heard from them they were a few KM passed the beginning of the snow clearing blow down. That was at 10:30AM and they still weren't out by 2PM so that's not exactly great news.
Rain and Mag will most definitely be accessible by Monday though and permits will be issued as soon as they are. I'm assuming people in trucks are going to be breaking up the snow all weekend long which will speed up the melting A LOT.

**Posted by Catto9** 4/28/2017 12:52 pm

Magnetawan access road is open and clear! That's according to the folks at Canoe Algonquin, I haven't been down it myself.