TOURduPARK
Mental preparation for the 2420m portage back to Shrew Lake
Woodstove pumping out the heat once again!
Once again, we made a quick crossing of the trail and I was happy to see the two rangers spotted their backpack I hung in a tree a few days earlier. A 3-minute paddle across Big Red Lake and we reached the short but steep 230m portage to Ryan Lake. Another quick crossing and we launched onto a calm Ryan Lake. Calm, but not quiet. During the 15 minutes it took us to paddle across form portage to portage, we heard two or three diesel trucks ripping it down the gravel road that follows the lake. I’d be a little pissed to say the least if I was camped on Ryan Lake and had to listen to diesel truck all day – not cool. Once back at the 515m trail we loaded up and arrived at Shirley Lake in about 10 minutes. We took a bit of a breather at the beach on Shirley Lake before moving on – we had been going for 3 and a half hours and completed 5 out of 6 portages of the day – not too bad.
McKaskill Lake Cabin back to the Shall Lake Access Point
Looking out at Shrew Lake from the 545m portage to Big Red Lake
Looking down the creek at the first ledge
Our plan for today was a relaxing exit. We had to vacate the cabin by noon and we absorbed every last minute. We began the process of packing up, both delighted at the new weight of our empty packs. We gave the cabin a good cleaning and packed additional garbage that couldn’t be burned. I wanted to leave this cabin as pristine as we found it – for we were very likely the last visitors for the season, given that it was Tuesday and the last night to rent the cabin was Thursday. As noon approached, we slowly and reluctantly loaded the canoe and gave the cabin/property one final look-over.
Fog lifting to reveal a blue sky for our journey back to Shall Lake
Sad to be leaving this place
Everything seemed to be accounted for and at precisely 12 noon, we got into the canoe and slowly paddled away. That’s it – it was over. Sure, there was still a journey out of here, but the best part was over. We went back the way we came but the portages were much easier with our lighter packs– all we had for food was a couple of cliff bars and some candy. The trail into Dove Lake was a breeze and we knew once we passed the 2420m portage into Shrew it would be smooth sailing. We started up the 2420m portage at 12:30 and kept walking until we reached the other side at 1:10pm. We wanted to go check out Mudville Lake so we made our way up Shrew. There is a small pond and a creek between Shrew and Mudville Lakes that required a lift-over just to get to the pond. Knowing it was already approaching 2pm we opted to save this for another time. It’s not that we were pressed for time, it was just a bit more of an adventure than we wanted for our exit day. We turned around and made our way to the 545m portage leading back into Big Red Lake.
Another foggy October morning at the McKaskill Lake Cabin
A Mink kept us company as we relaxed in Shirley Creek
After a few minutes we launched onto a calm Shirley Lake and then I realized something. Aside form the two rangers on day one – we did not see a soul during the entire trip – awesome! It was a peaceful paddle over to the 1050m portage but we decided on a little detour first. I wanted to check out the old dam at the outlet of Shirley Lake. Sometimes the dams are worth checking out – sometimes not. We paddled past the orange barriers and approached the ledge. It was a small ledge with minimal flow – it was October after all. You couldn’t really see much from the canoe. We hung out there in the boat, floating in the tiny little channel when suddenly we get a visitor on shore. A cute little black mink was hoping from rock to rock, looking for food and casually glancing in our direction. He didn’t seem to worried about our presence and just did his thing. After about 10 minutes or so he left and so did we. We paddled over to the landing, loaded up and made our way down the trail. After about one minute of walking, I stopped and put the boat down because I saw a little side trail leading away from the portage. ‘I found the trail to Prong Lake!’ I joked with Shane as I pointed it out to him. We unloaded and walked down the trail – what we found was simply amazing.
A timber slide! I can’t believe how many times (4 times) in the past I just walked right by here without evening taking note of the trail and missing out on these awesome ruins. We spent a good amount of time poking around the area and photographing it. It was really neat – very much in-tact unlike a lot of other ruin sites in Algonquin. Totally worth dropping your gear to check out – a little bit of history that won’t be around forever. Satisfied with our find we went back to the main trail, loaded up and continued to the end. Once again I took my shoes and socks off to walk the canoe down the creek and into navigable water. As we got back in the boat we spied a solo kayaker headed in our direction. She kept stopping to check the map then continue one. As we passed each other she asked if we knew where the portage to Shirley Lake begins. I pointed in the direction we just came from (and I have to admit, from that angle it did not look like any such portage exists) and she queried ‘really? Up there?” We confirmed yes and told her to keep going up the creek, eventually she’ll find it. We continued down the lake and kept looking back to check her progress. We eventually rounded a corner and she was out of sight – rumour has it she is still looking for the portage to this day.
A calm and serene Shirley Lake
We left the cabin in perfect condition - just as we found it. We also left a pile of wood next to the stove
The upper portion of the Shirley Creek Timber Slide (Click Here to see more)
Looking up the creek towards Shirley Lake
A slice of the McKaskill Lake Cabin history
The lower portion of the Shirley Creek Timber Slide (Click Here to see more)
Loading up for the 230m portage to Ryan Lake
tr 77: McKaskill Lake Cabin
Day 5: McKaskill Lake back to Shall Lake
What a great sleep! I felt fully rested in the morning and even had a bit of a spring in my step as I got out of bed. I fired up the woodstove and the gas stove, it was our last morning and I had a couple extra coffee’s – why carry them out? I decided to make a double cup of coffee and took it outside to enjoy. Another cool morning but nothing too severe. It was overcast and looked as though it might rain. I decided to take the tarp down because it was dry, and if I waited until after it rained I’d have two problems. 1 – a heavy tarp and 2 – I’d have to dry it out when I get home. I took it down and as I made the last folds Shane emerged from the cabin. We were both kind of disappointed that it was already the last morning – where does the time go? How does 5 work days take forever, but 5 Algonquin days are a flash in the pan? I guess it’s okay thought – those 5 work days enable the Algonquin trips so I suppose they go hand in hand. Nothing spectacular about this breakfast – just oatmeal with dried fruit. It was delicious but basic compared to our last three breakfasts - plus it severely lacked bacon!
A short but smooth and scenic paddle down Crotch Lake, under the bridge and finally back at the cobblestone beach. The landing was empty so I grabbed the car and backed it right down to the shore – I was tired of carrying gear so I brought the car to the gear instead of the gear to the car. It was nearly 5:30 and the trip was over. A standard drive back to the city with the traditional stop at Wendy’s in Huntsville for some much-needed greasy grub. Given the choice, I’d rather be hungry and at that cabin for another night – but oh well. Next year will come soon enough.
Shane ready to go and the guardian of the cabin positioned to keep a close eye on the place