TOURduPARK
Almost back at the Canoe Lake permit office
Looking out at Medge Lake
A swampy Dace Lake
At 5pm we landed at the 790m portage leading back to Little Drummer and found this trail was quite easy, despite not being able to see the landing on the other side when we passed it two days earlier. It was still a beautiful day and we were both thankful for that, because had it been raining we probably would’ve just taken the most direct route back to the access point. While paddling Little Drummer Lake I took more notes of its shoreline and made a mental note to come back and stay here one day – it really is a peaceful little lake and seemed more remote for some odd reason. By 5:40pm we had landed at the take out for the 1,850m portage leading back to Gill Lake. We took our time crossing it and I still think it’s longer than 1,850m but no matter. At 6:30 we launched onto Gill Lake and only had two very short portages left for the day. This was the latest I had ever travelled in a day – be it a regular day or an exit day, I’m usually done before 4pm. We made our way to Sam Lake and I snapped a couple photos as the beginning of twilight settled in. We landed at our final portage of the trip and didn’t screw around – I wanted to be back at the car with enough daylight to mount the canoe and to be able to see what I am doing. Shortly after 7pm we launched onto Canoe Lake and it wasn’t long before we were paddling down the little bay to the access point. We beached the canoe at exactly 7:30pm and we were both kind of pooped. Knowing the outfitter was closed by now and we still had about 40 minutes of usable light left, we took our time packing the car and mounting the boat. We drove off into the darkness and down highway 60 to Algonquin Outfitters on Oxtongue Lake to return the boat. They were closed but we were given instructions on what to do and where to stash the stuff. We did so and continued down the highway home. Another great trip in Algonquin Park complete!
Someone brought everything, including the kitchen sink - literally!
Around 1:30pm we finally decided to leave. Our plan was to head over to Panther Lake, then down and out to Little Drummer via Ramona and Namakootchie Lakes. The portage leading to Panther Lake was easy enough and we arrived there by 1:45pm. I wanted to check out the lean-to remains on the eastern campsite, as well as try and locate the western campsite (which at the time was unlocatable). We arrived at the eastern campsite and I found it to be very unappealing. It was on a narrow rocky point, with no good spot for a tent and looked abused – hacked wood and destruction everywhere! There were remnants of the lean-to, so that was cool – but this is not a campsite I would want to stay at. We hung out for a few minutes then continued across the lake scanning the shoreline for the other campsite. No luck. We headed down the lake and just before the portage to Dace Lake, I spotted a campsite. It was also on the eastern shore. I told Shane we should get out and check it out. We did and it was a fairly decent site. Nice, big open campsite. I said ‘Well Jeffrey will be happy we found it’ then I marked its location on the GPS and looked at the map. Doh! We were on a backpacking campsite. I didn’t realize there were backpacking campsites on this lake until I looked at the map. Oh well. We continued to the portage and crossed it in about 15 minutes. The trail itself was unremarkable and didn’t required and walk-arounds or lift-overs. As we launched onto Dace Lake I commented on how shallow it was – barley enough water to float a canoe. It was a little tricky but we eventually made it over to the 1,065m portage leading to Ramona Lake. This trail sucked! It had a very steep and long climb up and I found it to be the most challenging portage of the trip so far. The trail itself was easy to follow and there were no blow downs, but it was a long, steep climb and I didn’t like it! Finally after about 30 minutes we arrived at Ramona Lake. This was a beautiful lake with crystal-clear waters. If I’m ever on the hiking trails I’ll make sure to stop and spend a night here. On one of the middle campsites we saw a guy just hanging out at the shoreline. We waved to each other and continued on to the portage to Namakootchie Lake. The 685m trail was much easier than the last one as it followed an old logging road for the first half and the second half was pretty straight forward. Namakootchie Lake is long and narrow and also very pretty.
A swampy but beautiful Sam's Lake
Launching onto Namakootchie Lake
A beautiful Ramona Lake
Another beautiful day in Algonquin Park
Single carry - the only way to go
The scary dock at the lone campsite on Namakootchie Lake
We launched onto a calm Namakootchie Lake just after 4pm and we were still in no rush – we wanted to make the absolute most of this day. We decided to head over to the lone campsite and found someone had constructed a make-shift dock – but they did a really good job at it, though it looked kind of spooky. We landed at the dock and checked out the campsite. It was small, but there was something rather cozy about it. Someone had made a mini shelf/table between two trees and it had a kitchen sink in it – literally! We explored some more then Shane decided to jump across the little creek in an effort to bushwhack over to Medge Lake. We found a very rough trail and in no more than minute or two we found ourselves on the shore of Medge Lake. I asked Shane how many people he thought canoed this lake, not many he presumed. We would have brought the boat over too but it was already getting late in the day – next time. We hung out at Medge Lake for ten or fifteen minutes then decided to head back to the canoe and continue on.
The missing campsite on Panther Lake - oh, no, wait - it's just a backpacking site
The eastern canoe 'campsite' on Panther Lake with remains of a Lean-To (Click here to see more)
Shane gives his approval on the pancakes
Pancakes & blueberries for breakfast
Thunder Lake to Canoe Lake via Dace & Namakootchie Lakes
tr 23: tHUNDER LAKE
Day 3: Thunder Lake to Canoe Lake
It rained last night, not hard but constant. I woke up for a pee before dawn and got a little wet in the process (from the rain!). By 8am it was still raining though I was fully awake. I opted to enjoy the warmth and comfort of my sleeping bag and 40 minutes later the rain stopped. I wasn’t sure if it was just a lull in the rain or if it was done for good. I waited about 20 minutes and at 9am I decided to get out of the tent and see what’s up. I stepped out and noticed the dark clouds had moved on and the odd ray of sunshine was now peeking through. There was a slight mist/steam coming off the lake and it looked like it would be another hot day. Shane was up shortly after me and we decided to get breakfast going. I once again grabbed the food while he tended the fire. Today we had pancakes with fresh blueberries for breakfast. I swear I eat better on canoe trips than I do at home. Since neither of us were in a rush to get home and because we were unable to do a loop yesterday due to lack of time, we decided to take a different route home today. Sure it involved more portaging and a greater distance than the other way, but why not? I have not been through this area of the park before and I wanted to see more. Just because today is the exit day doesn’t mean the exploring has to stop! After breakfast we just hung around the fire for a couple hours – no one was in a rush to go anywhere! Eventually we packed everything up, and did a once-over of the campsite to ensure we didn’t leave anything behind.