Heart of the Park - Kiosk to Opeongo - Algonquin Park Canoe Trip Report
Erables Lake - August 12 & 13
Day 3 – AUGUST 12 - Maple Creek to
Maple Lake to Erables
About a 6 km
paddle from the Creek to south end of Erables
805 m. around
waterfalls – very steep section - nice put-in at end
130m to Maple Lake - relatively easy paddle, no beaver dams
170m into Erables - Very buggy, passes a bridge and campsite, easy terrain
Day 4 – AUGUST 13 - Rest day on Erables
click on any photo or map for full view
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| Erables Loon |
Campsite Rating:
- Water Access: Island Campsite at Point 4/5
- Tent Sites: Room for 3 tents - nice and flat
- Fire Pit - Just Okay, broken benches, some garbage
- Firewood: Even though this is an island we didn't have any problem finding dead wood
- Kybo - Old but acceptable 3/5
- Swimming - Good - starts off rocky but gets deep quick, beautiful water
- Scenery - Absolutely Gorgeous (lots of photos!)
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| Morning Light - Erables Lake Island Campsite |
Maple and Erables are both beautiful lakes. I can see myself visiting both again, and staying awhile. We were met with some drizzle along the way, then the lakes turned to glass and the silence was enveloping. It felt as if we were the only people on the planet. Even our paddles were hushed as they met the water.
As we paddled down Erables I did have a campsite in mind -- east shore on a point -- but it was taken and it did look very nice from the water. The sites on the west side of the lake did not look as inviting so we continued to the end hoping the island was free. It was!
The point campsite on the island looks at a picturesque bay and is very secluded. We were so happy we could have camped here for a week. Alas, we had booked ourselves only one extra day wanting to lighten the food barrels. By the end of the second day we were anxious to start moving with so much travel still in front of us.
The campsite on the point isn't the ritz, but I had a great swim, saw lots of loons and herons and the views were captivating.
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| The 130 meter portage into Maple Lake |
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| A family of Cedar Waxwings on site |
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Erable's Island Campsite
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| Tent Site
There is a second campsite on the south side of the island that had terrible water access. You must climb up and over a large rock wall to where the site sits recessed on flat ground in the woods. This site does not have a view of the lake, however it is perfectly sheltered and would be welcome in bad weather.
Erables Lake In Photos
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Drama in the Sky
Gorgeous photos on Erables. You mentioned that both of these lakes you passed through today were beauties. After seeing these images and your impressions, I think I'll add them to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki! Thank you for your nice comments. I look forward to hearing your trip plans for this year.
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