Killarney Backpacking Trail - mid August

 After finishing the loop in 4 days 5 years ago, I returned with a friend and his kids to complete it in 6 days.
 The first day we stayed at H8, not before visiting few sites along the way. H7 is located on a famous by now Topaz Lake, that gets even day-trippers from George campground.

                                Topaz Lake

Second day we reached Bodina Lake, our next destination.

                                Bodina Lake

 Our 3rd day would take us to H33, going through more difficult terrain.

                     Steep rocky descent past H21

        Little Mountain Lake in the morning, after leaving H33.

 On the 4th day, before reaching H38 we took a side trip to Silver Peak. Very popular place.

                                Taking a break on the top

 The fifth day was a long one. On the way we stopped for swimming on Heaven Lake and Proulx Lake, refreshing waters.

                                Shingwak Lake

                                Little Superior Lake

The last day was a very short one, just 5km left to complete the whole loop.

              Sheguiandah Lake, with George Lake in the back

 It was a good trip, the weather was pleasant most of the time and the kids behaved beautifully on the trail. While I was having a work-out they were singing while carrying their backpacks. Impressive.

Happy trails!

QEII Wildlands - May 2-3

 A very nice week-end spent into the wildlands of QEII park.
 This time accompanied by a new adventurous paddler with his daughter.
 The weather couldn't have been better for this time of the year, 20-25 C at mid-day.

 Just few days before it was still cold, keeping the black flies at bay.

 After setting camp on Crooked Lake we still had time to explore the surroundings.

 The night was apparently cold, but I couldn't feel any with my winter camping sleeping bag.

 Sunday morning, 7 a.m.

 Reflections... well, it was a good trip!

French River Provincial Park

  First time on French River!

 The timing wasn't perfect, being a long week-end. Since we had only 3 days I opted for the figure 8 route.
 The waterway itself wasn't busy but we had trouble finding a camping spot. We got to a place close to  Dalles Rapids just in time.

  Next day we continued down river and after a break on a very nice spot we looked for the portage into Bass Lake. It seems that the Bass Tramway is dismantled and replaced by two short portages around it. I was really looking forward for this portage.

  Getting closer to the starting point (Hartley Bay Marina), we kept looking for a campsite with no such a luck. We camped on a pebble beach, it was too late to go anywhere else. Mosquitoes were bad so we turned in pretty early.

                  Leftover from the lumber harvesting era

  Next morning, after some rain during the night, was quite spectacular (if not for the mosquitoes that were still chasing us).

Eastern Pines Backpacking - Algonquin P.P.

  I came back solo to this part of Algonquin after a 7 years break. At that time it was my first backpacking trip with my son and now this was like a time travel for me. A time when my son was just a kid, playing with the bullfrogs in the lake.
  First I stopped at the Barron Canyon Trail, it's a short hike to a very steep & deep (100m) canyon.

 
After reaching the campsite next to the High Falls area I went to see the falls, some of it still new to me. It's an area of such a beauty...

  Come nightfall, the moon was rising behind the forest.

  The next morning I had breakfast next to the pools, far less bugs than at the campsite.

  Crossing on the other side of the pools, I followed a trail to the bottom of the big falls.

  Nice area, too bad it is kind of far for me.

      Happy trails and more bugs like the one above, not the biting kind.

Western Uplands Backpacking - Algonquin P.P.

  Quick backpacking trip in Algonquin, stayed at Panther Lake for one night.
  First time I was backpacking with a tripod, I wanted to try some low light pictures.

  On the way in I saw a big moose on a marsh and by the time I set up the tripod he was gone.
  At some point I was charged from behind by a grouse, and at first I couldn't believe my eyes. I could see it but I couldn't tell what it is. When I talked to her she just ran away through the bushes.

 

                               "The camp sentinel"
        
  At nightfall the birds and the frogs were very vocal but I had no trouble falling asleep. Early morning the concert started again.
  The way back was more of a race to me, got out in a record time. Mosquitoes were bad, especially this time of the year.

  I'll be back soon!
  Adrian

QEII Wildlands 24-25 May

 Another lesson in QEII Wildlands. I started out to camp on Clear Lake, knowing that it's not going to be crowded. And there is a good reason for that.
 After crossing Head Lake, portaging into Fishog Lake and portaging the short 90m into a small pond I was looking for the difficult 290m portage toward Red Boat Lake. I couldn't find it. Instead I found a way to a dead end pond East to the actual portage.
 Being pretty late in the day ( I started unusually late) and feeling out of shape I decided to turn back to Fishog. I found a windy site on the big island in the center of the lake (it looks like a peninsula on the map).

 The mosquitoes and black flies are out and biting, so the wind was really helping.
 Not having much to do around the campsite, I bushwhacked around for awhile and in the process I startled a duck. It was nesting close to shore.

 The sun was going down and I saw this bush, living on the edge.

 Whip-poor-wills sang the whole night but I slept good nonetheless. I could say that this is one of the reasons I come back to this park.
 Next day I woke up to a beautiful sunrise.

 I will have to prepare more seriously, if I want to get any deeper into this park.

Cheers,
Adrian

QEII Wildlands - Mid August

  QEII Wildlands P.P. is getting more attention lately. Passing over the Head River on Hwy 45, I got an idea.

  I would start at Head Lake, go on Head River, Smudge Creek, camp on Smudge Lake, come back the same way to Head River and continue downstream till the bridge on Hwy 45. Then I would hike back 6km to my car. It didn't work exactly as planned.

          What sparked my interest...

  Starting at Head L. on a beautiful day, I continued on Head R. Somehow I passed the creek, I was expecting something bigger. After a while I turned around, now being convinced that I'm too far downstream. The river was starting to change the character, while so far being flat water with 2 rapids/waterfalls, now the current was present on some sections. I would find more about it the next day.

  So I'm going back and start on Smudge Creek. Not long after beaver dams had to be passed but the real problem was low water levels. It must have been at least one feet down from the June levels (as seen on a report). So instead of paddling I was pulling my way through the water plants, sometimes standing up to find the best route on the maze of bushes. I had hopes that eventually it will open up, but that wouldn't last too long.

  The first 2 portages weren't too bad. The last one started with a steep ascent, all the tapes and the portage sign were on the ground(?). I got on the other side of the portage, everything loaded. When I pushed from shore a rock shifted under my foot. Next thing I know I am standing in 2 feet of water with the canoe flipped & my bags floating (a first for me).

  Something was nagging me to turn around but I wanted to see the lake, so I kept going.

  The moment I saw the creek opening up to the lake I heard shooting on my left. It turns out there is a hunting camp I wasn't aware of. I pulled ashore and filtered water, ate something and pondered what to do.
  I felt MY SPACE violated not only by shootings but by people shouting like crazy. It was a quick decision. I would go back as far as the daylight would allow me.
  I stopped just in time to get my camp organized. Went to bed early with pain in my right arm (pulled muscle). I could still hear the hunters on the ATV, shooting not too far, till the darkness fell over. Later on I could hear the coyotes and my park favorite, the whippoorwill.
 In the morning I continued down the creek, got to the river and hoped for an easy paddle downstream, since my arm was still hurting. Instead I had to portage around 6 rapids/waterfalls. Not what I expected...

          Head River before getting to Smudge Creek

  This trip was a good lesson...