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Jennifer
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 06:44
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Hey guys! My friends and I are planning for a trip to Algonquin park and the lakes. Its an all-girl trip. We are planning to stay there for around 3 days. None of us has ever been there before. The though of canoeing is making us go crazy and also sunset in the Algonquin lakes is said to something that's really exciting. Though there were some difficulty in the beginning due to the season rush but finally we managed to book rooms in an Algonquin cottage that faces the main lake. It is located exactly at the center of the park. We're going to explore the place and do not want to miss any opportunity there. So any suggestions on any activities or places that we must not miss?
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FishHog
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 08:29
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Its beautiful country. 3 days is not enough to see everything by any means, but will be a great introduction and you will no doubt be back.
Lots of easy hiking tails right off of the hwy if that is your thing. All kinds of lakes to canoe on but you will have enough right on the lake your on. Lots of history if your into that also.
Don't plan too much, just go enjoy stop at what looks interesting. You only have time to see a bit of it, and there is so much that you shouldn't even try to do it all.
enjoy, its one of my favourite places.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 10:09
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I LOVE Algonquin Park. Many, many, many years ago my first husband and I used to stay at Arowhon Pines in Algonquin. I don't know what it is like now, but back then it was an amazing place to stay.
I don't know if they still do the wolf calls in the park. We didn't do it, but I always wanted to. You go out with a group of people and start howling to see if you can get a response from the wolves in the park.
Canoeing is amazing so you have to do that for sure.
Take lots of bug spray. 
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SteveN
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 10:51
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Bring a camera! You might manage a sunset like this one I took at North Tea Lake in Algonquin Park.
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SteveN
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 10:55 - Edited by: SteveN
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I forgot to emphasize the importance the importance of bug-spray... bring lots!
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 11:22
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A bug net and hat is a nessesity in black fly season .
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 13:14
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Algonquin park is amazing. I used to enter at the east side. Do a three day paddle ending up floating down the gorge. But it doesn't matter where you are. The scenery is epic.
Campsites are really cheap. Lots of stuff to do if you're an outdoors jump off cliffs for a swim sort.
And the portages are really easy. So easy. Why it's like taking an escalator. what with the moss laden soil, the soft breeze, the gentle call of the loon telling you that the portage is almost done and a cold beverage, masseuse, and catered barbeque await.
yup. i used to look forward to portages as a break from all that easy paddling. does anything surpass the joy of watching one foot go in front of the other while that light cedar strip canoe practically floats up the cliff face?
and the bugs. why the breeze from their wings was so refreshing.
ah good times. good times.
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 15:12
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i'm sensing some sarcasm from creeky. Yup, portages can get old. I only did my first trip without considering the portages. From then on, not so bad. And I quickly figured out what I really didn't need in my backpack.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 15:54
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not sarcasm. but humour. satire at the very most. we've all been there.
and portages are part of the fun. You know, the time you organized the trip and told everyone there were 3 portages but there were 4 and the 4th one was 800 yards up two hills and through two bogs. (not that that happened to me)
or the trip we threw potatoes out of the canoe, stroke stroke toss, stroke stroke toss. who'ze idea was it to carry twenty pounds of potatoes per camper. oh. and the first portage that led to the active flinging. 600 yards/meters of elevation change, one rock field, and two bear attacks.
those are the memories you talk about at the pub. and regale others with when you're old. cough cough
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 16:03
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I got the humour out of your post. Sarcasm was a bad choice of words.
Potatoes????? That's worse than the beer I took my first trip. drank them all after the first portage too. (the rest weren't as bad after that, at least I don't remember them as well).
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2015 16:19
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lol.
i long ago switched over to the wine in the bag. tho stream chilled lager after a long hot portage. man. that's livin'.
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Jim in NB
Member
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# Posted: 26 May 2015 10:47
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Enjoy your trip - if it were me heading there I would be looking to get up and enjoy the mornings - nothing like watching the day break - calm and serene and nothing like the big smoke you are no doubt coming from!
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Quad_Hunter
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# Posted: 26 May 2015 14:28
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Wolf call still going strong. Every Wednesday evening in the month of August. It's amazing. They get 200-300 people to be quiet as a church mouse and and the organizer's bring everyone to a pre-scouted area and call for wolves. They'll get them talking 9 times out of 10.
Other kind of cool thing to do is just drive along the highway around dusk and you'll see Moose hanging out saying hi !
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leonk
Member
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# Posted: 26 May 2015 22:41
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I think A. is overrated, I haven't been there in 10 years or so, but it's not a bad place to visit, I just prefer less crowded places.
Plenty of wolves and now they're protected all around the park.
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Julie2Oregon
Member
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# Posted: 29 May 2015 02:18
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Where's Algonquin? And what's a "portage"
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 29 May 2015 08:53
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algonquin is a large national park in ontario canada (sort of northern). it was the site for much of the work done by the "group of 7" who were artists that became famous for their pre impressionist colourful paintings. the work they did now sells for many dollars (millions).
the park has many canoe routes, lakes and much beloved scenery.
a portage is where you take all your gear and your canoe and you carry it between lakes or around a waterfall or rapids. typically a portage trail climbs one or more hills. this trail is rough. it has muddy spots. there are a zillion bugs. ungulates wait for you to get close and then crash through the underbrush causing you to wonder if a bear is approaching.
carrying your 60 lb canoe by yourself on your shoulders is one of the key requirements of a portage. a little known fact: those who would apply for canadian citizenship must be able to properly lift and carry this water transportation device for a minimum of 400 meters.
during the portage, the canoe rests on your shoulders through the use of a canoe yoke. this is a piece of ash wood carved into a shape designed for someone else and therefor rests directly on your clavicles. oh the joy of a 60 lb canoe hitting the rock you will need to step over on the steep slope you are climbing causing it to bounce into the air and then drop down onto your clavicles. you will cry out with wonder.
I could go on about the many finer points of the robust pleasure of wilderness camping in a northern ontario bog, but I will leave it for others to share their experiences.
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Ontario lakeside
Member
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# Posted: 29 May 2015 10:06
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Creeky
I think I have done that protege!
You forgot to mention that the 150 metre portage marked on the map will really be 300 metres and then 200 more of pulling the canoe threw a creek 1" deep.
Loved every minute (almost)
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 29 May 2015 12:37
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that wuz seriously funny. tears funny. thx ol.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 29 May 2015 13:20
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There is a web sight , A WALK IN ALGONQUIN PARK , BY JENNIFER KERR WITH LOTS OF GREAT INFO..???
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Julie2Oregon
Member
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# Posted: 31 May 2015 05:26
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Wow, thanks, Creeky!!!!
The park sounds lovely!!!! I'll pass on the portage, lol. I don't need to be a Canadian citizen, thank goodness. That would definitely show determination and a high degree of desire!
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