Gordo Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 This year’s Victoria Day weekend canoe trip was at the northern end of Algonquin Park. The access point was Kioshkokwi (Kiosk) lake about a 3.5 hour drive from Ottawa along highway 17. Take the 17 up to Mattawa then west along the Trans Canada until to see the turn off for 630 south into the park. Please watch out for speed traps along the 17 especially near Petawawa. There is an outfitter on the corner of 17 and 630 that you can rent canoes from (Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitters). There is also a ski hill 8km north of Mattawa called Antoine Mountain but I didn’t have time to check it out. This year’s trip would be 4 days, 3 nights in the park doing a loop from Kiosk lake south into Waterclear lake for a night, then Erables and Maple. With the final day paddling down the Maple river. We had very good weather for May with one day of rain on Saturday. The best thing though was no bugs! Like zero black flies or mosquitoes. The fact that the ice had just come off most of the lakes between May 7-10th could have been a factor. Thursday night it was like almost zero at night. Overall another great early season trip into the park. Lots of wildflowers on the portages, lake trout and brook trout in the lakes and streams and we even saw an elusive Pine Marten one night at our campsite on Erables. If you want to get away from the crowds along the Highway 60 corridor then this area of the park is for you. Our campsite on Erables lake Me loaded up for the portage. We did everything in a single carry. Killer never ending sunset on Waterclear lake Maple Creek! some poor souls paddled up stream to get to Maple lake. Down stream was the way to go. Our site on Waterclear Lake Portaging with a light Kevlar rental canoe. Trip map (Jeff's Algonquin Park Map) Our rainy day sight on Maple. View from the Maple lake site. Paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Nice trip, super photos especially of the sunset. Looked like you had a great time out and was pretty peaceful. Thank you for the report and pics. I have never been up that way before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 Algonquin Park is a real gem. This is our third May trip and every time has been stellar. The water is to cold for swimming but the bonuses are good fishing, no bugs and little or no people. For the first two days we didn’t see a single person on any portages. Oh also along highway 17 is the Whitewater Brewery in Cobden. Totally worth checking out on the way home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Very nice trip Paul, that region looks quite amazing from your photos. Always wanted to go check it out, maybe this will be the year. We are all very fortunate to live in regions with so much nature to experience and enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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