Are you looking for a challenging canoe trip? It can be found on the West Side of Algonquin. This trip will follow a route from Kevin Callan's excellent Paddler's Guide to Ontario (Pg. 35). There are great opportunities for wildlife spotting and abundant solitude.
On the down side, the route is a ways off the beaten path, so the condition of the portages are more challenging than most. There is some mud and overall there here will be a fair bit of portaging, about 7-8Km over the 5 days. Given the number of portages (22-24), no kayaks will be permitted. It is recommended that everyone coordinate with their boat mate to insure they can perform single carry portages. Additionally lighter boats will be able to make there way through some of the shallow waters more easily.
I did this trip last year and it was really something, solitude, serious paddling challenges, and of course mosquitoes. ;) I liked it so much I am doing it again!
Participants should have prior paddling experience. Knowledge of bow maneuvering strokes (sweeps, draws, and sculling) may come in handy. There are spots where portages may be skipped if the bow person can successfully keep the boat from getting dashed on shallow rocks. This trip requires good conditioning as the days will be fairly long.
The itinerary is as follows.
Tuesday June 30th
• Drive up and pick up permit in Kearney.
• Head to the MagNeTaWan Lake Trailhead (Labeled as put-in #3).
• Camp on Lake Hambone which is a very short paddle from the trail-head. The first group heading out (likely before sunset) is asked to put a red bike light blinker in the site so people can find it after dark.
•If you are not up for a evening paddle you also have the option of staying near Kearny but make sure you are ready to get out on the water by 9AM Saturday as we will leaving early.
Wednesday July 1st, Canada Day
• Get an early start, 10AM!
• Paddle over to the trail to Hambone Lake and portage.
• Paddle over to the trail to Daisy Lake and portage.
• Paddle up Pentawawa River
• Paddle over to the trail to Little Misty Lake and portage.
• Paddle over to the trail to Misty Lake and portage.
• We camp on Misty Lake
Total Distance is 12.3 KM of paddling and 2130m of portage broken up over 6 trails. The longest carry is 935m.
Thursday July 2nd
• Paddle through Misty Lake to continue along the Pentawawa River.
• Follow the Pentawawa river taking the portages (6) as needed.
• After arriving in Grassy Bay Bay paddle out into White Trout Lake and set up camp.
• If we have time, check out the fire tower trail or explore the old farm depot.
Total Distance is 17.6 KM of paddling and 1640m of portage broken up over 6 trails. The longest carry is 850m.
Friday July 3nd
• This will be a base camp day.
• We will explore White Trout and Big Trout lakes. There are old farm sites, a hiking trail to the site of an old fire tower.
Total Distance is ? KM of paddling and 0m of portage.
Saturday July 4th
We are returning to Misty Lake. We can either come back the way we came on Sunday or take the following suggested alternate route back:
• Paddle Through Grassy Bay to McIntosh Creek
• Take McIntosh Creek to McIntosh Lake
• Cross the lake and portage over to Timberwolf Lake
• Cross the lake and portage over to Misty Lake
• Make camp on Misty Lake.
• Total Distance is 19.3 KM of paddling and 1790m of portage broken up over 4 trails. The longest carry is 745m.
Sunday July 5th
• Reverse the route from Saturday.
• Drive home.
• We will return fairly late. I estimate 11 PM.
Total Distance is 12.3 KM of paddling and 2130m of portage broken over 6 trails. The longest carry is 935m.
All portages are worst case estimates. Several portages may be skipped in higher water conditions.
Reservation fees are being gathered to cover the following
$11 reservation processing fee to be split evenly between all those who are coming. I will assume 6 people ($1.83 per person) in my estimate below.
+ $62.15 | $12.43 per person per night X 5 nights in the backcountry
+ $2.22 PayPal transaction fee
= $66.20
Additionally there will be cash needed for
• Gas money, each car will split gas expenses equally between all passengers and driver
• Cash for snacks for the drive
Carpools, boat and gear sharing
Please use the following spreadsheet to coordinate carpools, boat sharing/rental arrangements, and gear sharing.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vjSp8zQwHDfa1ITbXvdTJbuA21uyxOfEjardXpfWAIQ/edit?usp=sharing