Dream Paddle in Algonquin Park

My visit to Algonquin Park located east of North Bay, Ontario (and south because it is such a huge park) was everything I thought it would be and more. From researching the park,  I quickly learned there are only really three entrances to the park – all leading to the outer edges of the park. The only way into the interior of the park is by paddle or backpack. How cool is that! Two of my favorite activities.

The north end of the park is more remote. The south end the park is accessed by Highway 60 for 56 kilometres. Along the highway are campgrounds, interpretive centres, hiking trails and more. There are over 2100 wilderness campsites located throughout the interior of the park. Most are tenting sites, but some are remote cabins and even yurts. My time in Algonquin was short so I decided to go remote and stayed in the Kiosk Campground. It is a small remote campground on the north end on Lake Kioshkokwi. From there,  I figured, I could paddle to some wetlands, streams and islands.

I arrived in the campground, and to my surprise I was the only camper. Darn I hate it when that happens. I set up shop. Ate some dinner and got ready for my adventure the next day. The next morning I was up at the crack of dawn. I packed the night before and hauled the canoe down to the lake. An early start, no winds and the mosquitoes were still a sleep. I set sail. My goal was to spot a moose and find my island, hence leaving early as wildlife sightings are best in the mornings and evenings. My Algonquin adventure on Lake Kioshkokwi was my first paddle of the year. Bro would of loved this but he is researching Georgian Bay. Ha ha!

I followed the shoreline. The trees were a rainbow of greens, just like the post cards and documentaries on the park. Along the shoreline I began spotting the tenting sites. They were single campsites, private and some with benches. All have great views. I wanted to paddle back and get my gear for tenting right then and there. The wilderness sites would of been wicked camping. Got to come back now and plan for a week in the park.

Man, was it hot. It took no time for the morning to heat up. I saw ahead a small channel with an iron bridge over it. That was my doorway to the next section of the lake. According to my map the small islands are on the far side of the lake on the other side of the bridge. I paddled to the bridge.. stopped..  and then I back paddled back to the bridge. The shade.. it was so cool under the bridge, I had to reduce the Celsius if just for one second.

On the other side of the bridge was open water. You can see the chops in the waves as the wind blew. Nothing serious mind you, just going to take more effort. If it was too windy then I would take the shoreline – a very long route – not my choice today in the hot sun. Anyways, no matter, on my day, the winds were light. It did not take long to reach the island. I quickly beached the canoe and set on foot to research. I scored big. Not a soul in sight. There was a sandy beach with moose prints. Big boulders on the shoreline. A wilderness campsite in the shade (with even a potty) and around back the wetland marsh – “here moosey, moosey“.

I sat and had my lunch. I took allot of pictures. More than I ever needed. I was way too pleased with my surroundings.

Back in the canoe, I proceeded down the side of the island. It was shallow. Had a couple of stalled moments when the canoe caught a submerged tree. Cat tails all around, lilly pads floating up and down but no moose. I coasted, floated and waited. Camara ready, finger cocked. I felt like a tabloid reporter hiding in the trees waiting for my one shot. After finger cramps set in. I decided to leave. The paddle back was relaxing. I had a slight wind at my back this time and it made paddle life easier.

I went to sleep with a big smile on my face, and woke up with an even bigger smile. What a good memory.