So we’ve been to the BWCAW twice and are in the planning stages to head back this summer. Then Algonquin came up in the discussion. Never been there. Would it be worth checking out or just head west to the BWCAW?
Any suggested starting points for Algonquin? Suggested routes for 5-7 days? I like to catch and eat fish. Any other quirks about the park, like permits, fees, etc?
We will be going in late July or August and suspect insect life to be on par with The BWCAW?
Thanks, Mike
Shorter drive
– Last Updated: Jan-04-13 10:59 PM EST –
and much worth it. There is a good website with forum for Algonquin
http://www.algonquinadventures.com/
Reservations for that time frame are advised. APP can be busy or you can choose a remote route. You do have to specify your nignt to night camping spots when you get your permit whether or not you reserve through CAMIS.
Start looking here
http://www.algonquinadventures.com/triplogs/TripLogsIndex.htm
and at Jeffrey Mcmurties maps here
http://www.algonquinmap.com/
fees
http://www.parkreports.com/fees/backcountry/2013
Excellant
Great reading, thanks.
Looking at some of the trip reports and pictures I agree it looks worthy of a trip and less than half the distance. So we should be able to extend our paddle days by 2.
First step, get some maps. Is there one section that is better to quiet canoe tripping? Rather just buy one map than the whole set. The maps look incredibly detailed.
So permits - looks like backcountry fee is $11.87 per person, is this per night? Or a one time entry fee? I think I found somewhere else there is a $5 per person, per night camping fee? Any clarification would be great.
So I have to have a detailed float plan and reserve a permit for each nights stay at a specific body of water? What if the conditions warrant a layover day? What if there are problems that slow progress? What if we travel faster than expected? Lots of unexpecteds out there, hate to have to feel like I am on a timeline. However does this permit system mean that there will always be a campsite available for you at your proposed permit site? That would be cool, cause in the BWCAW, we have had trouble with that before. We like to travel and most seem to like to set up camp around noon, so by 3pm it gets hard to find a site.
How is the fishing?
Enjoy the day, Mike
The fee is per person per night
So it does get much more expensive than Boundary Waters
Expected travel is about 10 miles a day. Once you get your permit for your lakes you are bound to it. In case of illness or mishap the rangers are supposed to be understanding.
But I have soloed there for a dozen times and never had trouble keeping to the permit. The East side of the park by Brent is some five hours by car away from the popular Canoe Lake starting point. A route that has a long portage usually gets you away from the crowds. I like the Rain Lake area but usually go to Kiosk cause its closer to me and being farther from Toronto is less crowded.
Friends of Algonquin sell a cheap paper map that should do for you .Covers the whole park for five bucks. Its got campsites and portages marked. Note on Jeff Mc Murties map that there are two colors of portages… The black are not maintained. You can get lots of seclusion from using them.
No advice on fishing as I don’t fish.
wow
That does get expensive. That’s a bummer for sure.
Algonquin info
– Last Updated: Jan-09-13 7:11 PM EST –
It's definitely worth doing a trip in Algonquin. I'm headed up there this weekend for snowshoeing with friends, and did 3 canoe trips there last year in May, August, and October. I've been paddling up there for over 25 years and have never run into any crowded areas - that's the benefit of the quota system that requires you to select a specific lake or section for each night. You do pay a per person/per night fee for interior camping. IMHO all the access points are interesting. The busier launch sites on the Highway 60 corridor (southern part of the park) typically access larger lakes that spread paddlers out onto many different routes, so once you make a carry or 2, it’s quiet again. Like anywhere, if you avoid holiday weekends (including unique Canadian holidays in May & August), there won’t be too many others also seeking the same solitude. Late July and August will be buggy at times – probably the same as BWCA, but I’ve never stayed away from anywhere because of fear of bugs. There are many routes you can do in 5-7 days, whether you want to move each day or linger an extra day here and there.
One route that is in my sights begins at Opeongo Lake (off Hwy. 60) and take you north up the large lake (windy at times) to Proulx Lake, Big Crow Lake, the Crow River, Lac LaVielle, Dickson Lake, and back to Opeongo for another long paddle back to start. I’ve paddled there many times, and did the infamous 3-mile portage from Bonfield Lake to Dickson Lake and back again last summer. It’s a great place to paddle, and they also have moose & timber wolves. I recommend ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS/Swift Canoe & Kayak for info, rentals, maps, etc. They have several locations.
Opeongo Lake
http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~ngt/algonquin/opeongo/opeongo_frames.html
"Jeff’s Maps" offer more detail and are more accurate than other park maps (available from Algonquin Outfitters) and are also available on PDF (Avenza) as an app for smart phones. http://www.algonquinmap.com/
Algonquin Outfitters http://algonquinoutfitters.com/
Algonquin Video
Algonquin is a great backcountry destination. So many lakes, so many routes. We put together a short video for a film festival a few years ago. Here’s the YouTube link if you are interested in viewing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaQ3Pr1y9jg&list=UUL-2ops9ynws44YWufjznUw&index=4
Enjoy -Wayne-
Nice videos
Thanks for sharing.
The trip is planned, just need to wait to make reservations.
Mike
Video
Very nice film. Makes me want to head north, but I’ll have to wait for early May. I was lucky enough to get a lightweight (32 lb.) solo canoe last year, and have been able to carry my 30-something pound pack while 1-time long carries, including the Dixon-Bonfield (5.7 km) twice on the same weekend last summer.
Algonquin Park is a must go place.
Algonquin park is one of the most beautiful places I visited in my lifetime. So I will definitely suggest you it is a must go place. I visited there about 4 times in last 10 years. Everything from stay at the park lodges like killarneylodge.com/algonquin-park/ to trails like Barron canyon trail,beaver pond trail, visiting Algonquin logging museum, canoeing through the calm and beautiful lakes and camping , everything stays in the memories forever. As a traveler I traveled to hundreds of places around the globe. Algonquin is definitely among the top five beautiful places for me. If you are a photographer, I am sure you are going to have a very busy time. Anything you see there seems like something to stay in the mind forever.