TOURduPARK
Still gloomy out as we made out way up the eastern shore of McKaskill Lake
Fired-up that wood stove - I love seeing smoke exit the chimney of a cabin
Exploring as far as Fairy Lake and to the Bonnechere River outlet
Gloomy morning on McKaskill Lake
A little bit wet outside - but nothing too terrible
Getting ready to re-launch onto McKaskill Lake and head over to the Bonnechere River outlet
We took our time paddling up McKaskill Lake. It’s a really beautiful lake, even on the gloomiest of days. Within 30 or 40 minutes we reached the portage to Hidden Lake. The name of this lake has always intrigued me and there have been a few trips where I’ve considered staying here, but never did. I was curious to check out the campsites and see if they would be ideal for future use. We crossed the short trail in no time, seeing how we were just day tripping and no pack-weight. A quick launch on Hidden Lake and we stopped by the first site. A very basic campsite, I wouldn’t want to stay here. We continued on to the 2nd site and opted to get out to stretch our legs. This site was considerably better than the first, but still very basic. I think Hidden Lake is a pass-through lake for me. Pretty, clear water, just not overly interesting campsites. Back in the boat we thought it may be worth while to paddle up to the creek that connects Hidden Lake with Prong Lake. After a quick assessment, it was easily determined the best approach would be on land – if there is a creek here, it’s certainly not navigable in October. We landed at the 1550m trail and moved the boat off to the side as to not obstruct the landing for others. Over the next two hours we scoured the trail – looking ever so carefully for any evidence of a side-trail to Prong Lake. We thought we found it a couple times, but it turned out to be either an animal trail, or no trail at all – just our minds seeing what they want to see – a route through the forest. We walked the entire length to Fairy Lake and took a break at the landing. Disappointed but not defeated. We still have the opportunity to bushwhack it, but the forest seems unreasonably thick everywhere that we tried to get through. After another hour, we decided this missing trail was long overgrown and to get to Prong Lake one would have to bushwhack the entire 1400 to 1800 meters. Maybe us, not today.
tr 77: McKaskill Lake cabin
After a very long daytrip (6 hours) we were back at the cabin. We were starving and for dinner we had pulled pork with fried onions on Kaisers. Kings I tell you – Kings!! Once again, the meal proved so good (and we were so hungry) that no photos could be afforded, but those were the best 3 sandwiches I’ve eaten in Algonquin. In an effort to keep it consistent we cleaned up, got the fire going and broke out the drinks. We sat there at night, the flickering light from the fire bouncing off trees and cabin when finally, the loons called out. For a good twenty or thirty minutes, we sat there enjoying our drinks and the calls of the loon. It really is a haunting call, not terrifying – just mysterious I guess. Throughout the night, the loons kept calling to the other world and eventually Shane and I decided to pack it in. Day three was done and so were we! Off to be just after midnight.
Paddling up a very calm McKaskill Lake
Day 3: Exploring the possible trail to Prong Lake
Not sure what time we woke up today, but it was a bit of a gloomy start to the morning. We planned to get to Prong Lake but with the clouds looking as they were, I was okay with having a full-out relaxing day of do-nothingness. Shane did not agree – he mentioned ‘what if it’s worse tomorrow?” How can you argue with that logic? Sure, it was gloomy, but it wasn’t raining – what if it rains tomorrow? Done deal – we decided to have an adventure after breakfast. Once again, we planned an extravagant breakfast, close to yesterday’s but we swapped out the regular strip bacon for peameal bacon. The eggs and hash browns stuck around for another appearance on morning two. Fantastic breakfast tasted so good I didn’t even stop for a photo. Very full once again and we decided to clean up and get out on the water. I guess we slept in a bit later than I had thought because we didn’t hit the water till just after noon.
Checking out all the signatures in the cabin before we head out for the day
We got back in the boat at about 4pm and decided to check out the headwaters of the Bonnechere River – perhaps walk the first portage there. It didn’t take long to paddle over and when we arrived it was just as I remembered it from several years ago – a log-jammed bay and the sound of flowing water beyond. We opted not to walk the first ‘portage’ as we had enough exploring for the day. We were getting hungry so after a short break we began the journey back down the lake – this time following the opposite shoreline for new scenery.
A view of the north end of McKaskill Lake from the Hidden Lake portage