Canoeing, Bonnechere Lake, Algonquin

Do you want to answer the call of adventure?

Do you want to carry a canoe on your shoulders for pure fun?

Do you want to jump off of a cliff into the crystal clear waters of an Algonquin Lake? (http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/canoe_routes_map/index.php)

This is a shout out for the truly adventurous folks who wish to escape the hot burbs for the cool northern serenity. Our destination Bonnechere Lake in Algonquin Park south of Hwy 60. The mode of travel, by canoe of course!

The Plan:

The paddle in and out is fairly manageable and can be completed in two days. However, to truly experience this route a third day of R&R on Bonnechere is recommended.

Friday, May 17, after work (5:30 pm), leave for Tea Lake Campground, 11 km from the west gate of Algonquin Park. Car camp for the night.

(Those heading up early Friday could canoe camp already on Ragged Lake one of Algonquin's most picturesque lakes and join the main group in transit Saturday).

Saturday, May 18, 8:00 am, proceed to Canoe Lake Access Point (#5), 14 km from west gate, and pick up backcountry permits and possibly rental canoes. Move canoes 355 meters south to Smoke Lake Access Point (#6). Start paddling 9:30 am through Smoke and Big Porcupine Lakes to Bonnechere Lake and setup camp for the weekend.

This campsite is sought after by many who know of this diamond in the rough.

In the event we cannot grab the site atop the cliff a lovely site should be available on Big Porcupine Lake where many jump spots are available for the young and 'young-at-heart'.

Sunday, R&R on Bonnechere.

Monday, Wake up lazily and break camp for a casual paddle back to Canoe Lake. Return gear, head for home.

Difficulty:

This trip involves a mix of big open and small quite lakes. In perfect conditions this will be a "paddle in the park"! but should the winds stir up on the big lakes we could be hugging the shorelines. Of the three portages on this trip, all of which relatively short, one offers a fair inclination between lakes and is aptly named "The Devils Staircase". Conquer that portage and you'll be an honorary voyageur eh!

Rentals:

Both the Portage Store (http://www.portagestore.com/partial_outfitting.html) 705-633-5622 and Algonquin Outfitters (http://algonquinoutfitters.com/contact/store-locations/oxtongue-lake/) 800-469-4948 are located in a fairly close proximity to Smoke Lake.

The Portage Store (http://www.portagestore.com/partial_outfitting.html) offers Kevlar Standard (15ft) canoes for $35.95 per day and you can easily portage them from the store across to the launch point at Smoke Lake, as I did last year.

Algonquin Outfitters (http://algonquinoutfitters.com/rentals/canoes-kayaks/), however, offers Expedition Kevlar (16ft) canoes for $28.50 per day but have to be either picked up from their shop in Oxtongue Lake or if enough canoes are ordered in the past we have had them delivered to the launch point for a nominal fee (if people wished to go with the delivery option rates can be provided).

Cost:

$8 (car camping Friday night) + $23.50 (two nights backcountry camping) + $30 (shared gas) + $53 (1/2 of three day canoe rental from Portage Store) = $114.50 (estimated before tax)

$61 without canoe rental

Links:

Algonquin canoe route map (http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/canoe_routes_map/index.php) (follow route 60 west to access 5 and 6)

Shared document (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtI1mHVqaf-jdHdBdXN6SDBrdzFpd0hqMnowd04xSkE#gid=0) to record car and canoe sharing