Heart of the Park - Kiosk to Opeongo - Algonquin Park Canoe Trip Report
August 10 - August 28, 2019
an introduction
Time is the longest distance between two places.
Tennessee Williams
click on any photo or map for full view
August 10 - August 28, 2019
an introduction
Time is the longest distance between two places.
Tennessee Williams
click on any photo or map for full view
 |
| Erables Lake, Algonquin Park, Ontario |
via
Kiosk, Maple Creek, Maple Lake, Erables, Skuce, Little Nadine, Little Osler, Osler, Nadine, Nipissing River, High Falls, Remona, Whiskey Jack, Robinson, Burntroot, Red Pine Bay, Longer, Big Trout, Merchant, Happy Isle, Redrock, Opeongo
Particulars
- # Portages 27 = 20 km total distance @ double carry = 60 km.
- Longest Portage 1930m (Route includes the infamous Heart Attack Hill 995m into Little Osler)
- Longest Portaging Day - Day 9 - 4090 meters (times 3)
- Total Distance of route – 103 km.
- 6 Relaxation Days for exploring and photographs
Equipment
The Trip Report
When researching this trip it was hard to find reports on our specific route so I tried to include as much information as possible regarding portages, lakes and campsites. I did take notes through out, at least until Big Trout when my pen ran out of ink.
The report is photo-heavy. I hope the pictures give you a sense of what it was like being there. If you click on an image (including the maps) they will open large.
As you scroll down through the days you will eventually get to "older posts," which you can click on and the report continues. Or you can use the search engine, enter the Lake of interest to jump to that specific post.
There is also a post on Food Preparation and Recipes at the end of the blog.
If the report doesn't answer some of your questions please feel free to email me at tess@algonquintreks.ca.
- Purple Pack - 50 (plus) pounds (especially when wet)
- Red Pack - 35 pounds (seal-line does not take on water)
- Large Yellow Barrel - food - 60 pounds
- Small Blue Barrel - dog food and miscellaneous - 36 pounds
- Langford Canoe - 48 pounds
- Norman's Day Pack (camera etc.)
- Tess's Day Pack (used a hip belt with pouches...did not work, could not carry barrels or packs while wearing)
The Trip Report
When researching this trip it was hard to find reports on our specific route so I tried to include as much information as possible regarding portages, lakes and campsites. I did take notes through out, at least until Big Trout when my pen ran out of ink.
The report is photo-heavy. I hope the pictures give you a sense of what it was like being there. If you click on an image (including the maps) they will open large.
As you scroll down through the days you will eventually get to "older posts," which you can click on and the report continues. Or you can use the search engine, enter the Lake of interest to jump to that specific post.
There is also a post on Food Preparation and Recipes at the end of the blog.
If the report doesn't answer some of your questions please feel free to email me at tess@algonquintreks.ca.
The we why and how
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| Norm and Tess - heading out |
Norman and I have been tripping for over 45 years now. We go on several canoe trips each season, but it has been quite a few years since we planned a long and challenging route. As we are not getting any younger I thought "now or never." In retrospect, I was wrong. While portages like heart attack hill or those with marathon distances are harder because we are older, they are still doable; only slower, with lots of rest days built in for recovery and importantly, eating a high energy diet with enough calories.
So the seeds for our 2019 adventure were planted. We have always wanted to explore the centre of the park. I have always wanted to get to the headwaters of Algonquin Park; the Oslers and Nadines, Robinson and Burntroot.
So I meticulously planned the trip giving us enough time to take many days off along the way, as much for rest as for the opportunity to swim, explore and take photos.
The route could definitely be completed in a shorter amount of time.
But, I have this desire to be still, to gather a sense of place around me. I need to be present to know a place, to feel I belong. This is something that cannot be rushed.
I think this is a challenging route even for younger folks who are experienced and in good shape. Some of the portages are considered by many to be the hardest in the Park. Some of the lakes are very large wind traps. The rivers were full of canoe-coloured boulder gardens lurking just below the water's surface. There were huge beaver dams to drag over, shallow bogs that held our boat as we humped our way through. And portages so steep I was crawling on all fours to carry the barrels to the top.
A huge challenge was preparing enough food for nineteen days that could be reasonably packed and carried. Another was arranging a shuttle. Lucky for us friends were camping on Kiosk during the same time as our trip so they were able to drive our car down to Opeongo on their way home. That was a big hurdle easily overcome. The food, not so easy, so I have dedicated a page to my process.
I am full of gratitude for having had this opportunity and realize how privileged we are to live beside the park and to have the time we needed. It was an amazing experience, difficult at times, but worth it. I'd go again in a heart beat.
So I meticulously planned the trip giving us enough time to take many days off along the way, as much for rest as for the opportunity to swim, explore and take photos.
The route could definitely be completed in a shorter amount of time.
But, I have this desire to be still, to gather a sense of place around me. I need to be present to know a place, to feel I belong. This is something that cannot be rushed.
I think this is a challenging route even for younger folks who are experienced and in good shape. Some of the portages are considered by many to be the hardest in the Park. Some of the lakes are very large wind traps. The rivers were full of canoe-coloured boulder gardens lurking just below the water's surface. There were huge beaver dams to drag over, shallow bogs that held our boat as we humped our way through. And portages so steep I was crawling on all fours to carry the barrels to the top.
A huge challenge was preparing enough food for nineteen days that could be reasonably packed and carried. Another was arranging a shuttle. Lucky for us friends were camping on Kiosk during the same time as our trip so they were able to drive our car down to Opeongo on their way home. That was a big hurdle easily overcome. The food, not so easy, so I have dedicated a page to my process.
I am full of gratitude for having had this opportunity and realize how privileged we are to live beside the park and to have the time we needed. It was an amazing experience, difficult at times, but worth it. I'd go again in a heart beat.
