Camping in Algonquin Park, Canada - Photos, Fishing Pole and Pine Resin Lantern

[Mungo]

Here are some photos from a trip I took to Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada last summer - I'd forgotten my fishing rod, so made a pole and used string to catch dinner, and made a pine-resin candle/lantern... had an amazing time. Looking forward to this spring...

http://mungobah.blogspot.com/2006/07/algonquin-camping-trip.html

Cheers,
Mungo

 

[torjusg]

Is that where there is one of the major reservations for wood bison too? Or was that by lake Athapaska?

 

[janiepopps]

Hi Mungo

looks like you guys had a fab time

j

 

[baggins]

Beautiful Mungo, You really do live near beautiful land. Look forward to seeing more photos of your trips
Baggins

 

[Justin Time]

Looks great, lucky fella!

 

[Seoras]

Glad you had a good time there Mungo.

I visited Algonquin Park in 1999 for an open canoe trip and had my first real introduction to Bushcraft. This was brought on by us forgetting the tent and having to make do with an old tarp we had in the car.

Made the trip much more enjoyable though.

George

 

[thackstonii]

Talk about sinchronicity, I was just reading a Jim Harrison novel and thought that I would really like to go canoeing in the Algonquin national park, even google earthed it. Looks like you had a great time, what make of canoe did you rent?
Mark

 

[cicelythepotter]

I spent 3 months in algonquin in 2005 working at camp wapomeo on canoe lake. loved it- had huge muscles by the end from all the canoeing.

I had to help paddle between the two islands used by the camp in a huge 9 man aluminium monstrosity full of 7 year old girls a few times a day- they aren't very strong so its really just 3 adults paddling the whole thing- knackering! stunning scenery and i've fallen in love with caneoing.

actually just about to try any buy one... does anyone know how a penobscot 164 handles as a solo boat ? also.. im not sure how carryable 34 kg is- is that gonna be stupidly heavy and un portagable or would it be ok of i worked out a bit?
any comments much appreciated.

 

[Thorfinn]

I'm plannin on going to canada about june july and plan on doin the canoe trip style.

Is algonquin park the same place Ray Mears went and made the Birch Bark Canoe?

Is it the kinda place you can spend two weeks in I hope to do a week canoing and a week roughing it in the woods.

 

[Mungo]

Hello,
I believe that the Pinnock Smith fellow who built the canoe with Ray Mears is from the area - but the river they built it beside looks more like it was in the east towards Ottawa. Algonquin Park is an amazing place for a multi-week journey, you may go for a day or more without seeing anyone if you go into the backcountry. My uncle went for his honeymoon there - travelled there from Birkenhead area in UK - ex-army fellow. Let me know if you have any other questions about the park, I've camped there about 20 times and some experience there.

Cheers
Mungo

 

[Thorfinn]

Well Mungo,

Is there places there you could hire a canoe? As i am hoping to do at least a weeks worth. If I can i am hoping to go to canada for three weeks and do a week visisting friends. What is the water like there could a intermediate paddler and a beginner? Sorry about the spelling

 

[Mungo]

Hello! Yes, there are lots of places to rent canoes - I always use an outfitter that has several store locations around the outer borders of the park: http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/

As I live in Toronto, I drive North about 380 KM to get to the 'west gate' entrance to the Park (where you buy a permit to be in the park - quite cheap - go to http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/ to learn more about the fees and permit details - you'll want to choose the backcountry sites - as opposed to the drive-in sites - I'm guessing. That's what I use.), and if you are travelling also from the south (Toronto region) about 10 KM before you actually enter the park, there is the Oxtongue Lake location http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/about_location.html of the store - go there, and rent a canoe - rates are on the site. Call in advance if you'd like.
Contact the Park officials via their site (http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca) to get suggestions on routes, locations etc... to camp - they'll answer any questions you have - they have many international visitors travel through each year.

I paid about $90 for a 4 day rental of a canoe recently - paddles, life vest, safety equipment etc... comes included. You can tie it to your car roof, or they will drive it in to a location on a river/lake etc... for you for a minimal fee.

Note location of Algonquin Park in relation to Toronto etc... in this map:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=7&ll=44.964798,-78.640137&spn=3.839997,7.470703&om=1

Also, feel free to download an incredibly detailed 5Mb PDF map of Algonquin Park I have stored at http://www.sgjp.com/algonquin.park.map.pdf - I use this to plan my trips!

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers,
Mungo

 

[Mungo]

Oh - I forgot to answer your question regarding water conditions - small and medium open lakes - rapids in the interior, portaging. I am a relatively inexperienced paddler, and often go on solo canoe/camping trips and I haven't experienced anything tricky yet! On the bigger lakes, hug the shoreline if the wind is high, but honestly, should be easy - the landscape there is breathtaking.

Mungo

 

[Thorfinn]

Mungo you have outdone your self. I just want to get on a plane and go now.

Thanks alot buddy

Hers to ya

Thorfinn
(itchin to get goin)

 

[fred gordon]

Oh - I forgot to answer your question regarding water conditions - small and medium open lakes - rapids in the interior, portaging. I am a relatively inexperienced paddler, and often go on solo canoe/camping trips and I haven't experienced anything tricky yet! On the bigger lakes, hug the shoreline if the wind is high, but honestly, should be easy - the landscape there is breathtaking.

Mungo

Mungo,
Thanks for all this info. My wife is trying to get me to go on a trip here next year. The map is a great inspiration. :You_Rock_