Hey,

As a few of you know by some of previous posts, I am a total newbie to interior camping and am taking my first trip(s) into the park this year!

What are the steps to setting up an interior trip? (I am going to Booth Lake, access #17)

I know you have to call and get an interior permit, outlining to them your dates/routes
But whats next? Just show up at the Access Point and they will have the permit waiting for me?
Is there anything else I need?

I assume there is enough parking at the access point?

Also...after studying Jeff's fantastic map, I noticed there is a paragraph that states there is a path behind the Tattler Lake ranger cabin that has a spring 50 m back. Is that spring still there, and if so, I am assuming thats a place to fill up containers with drinking water?

Thanks,

*Jamie

If you are traveling on the canoe routes, I would also recommend a canoe.



not sure the status of the spring these days. someone else can pipe in on that, but the whole permit thing is very straightforward. if you're going to be a keener and arrive early, be sure to look up the time that the permit office opens in the morning of your arrival.

Thanks Bryce.
CANOE...I knew there was something I was missing for my canoe trip! hahaha

Yes, I will be very keen on the 1st trip! I am tempted to go now, but that might be a LITTLE early, due to the fact the trip is in August!

>>>What are the steps to setting up an interior trip? (I am going to Booth Lake, access #17)

>>>I know you have to call and get an interior permit, outlining to them >>>your dates/routes
>>>But whats next? Just show up at the Access Point and they will have the >>>permit waiting for me?

Um, first you have to decide if you want to reserve your dates/lakes or not. Getting a permit and reserving are two different things. You pay extra to make a reservation. To get a permit, you show up at the office.

You only call ahead if you're making a reservation. Even if you do that, you still would need to go to the access office and complete the permit. You need one copy of your permit to remain with your vehicle.

On that other thread of long ago, I think I outlined how to get to the office at Access #17. It will take time to make up your permits because they don't have a computer hookup there.

>>>Is there anything else I need?

Yeah, the canoe was a good suggestion. A paddle, too.

Just joking with ya.

>>>I assume there is enough parking at the access point?

Tons of parking. Spare lot up the hill, too.

Watch out for the logging trucks.

>>>Also...after studying Jeff's fantastic map, I noticed there is a paragraph that states there is a path behind the Tattler Lake ranger cabin that has a spring 50 m back. Is that spring still there, and if so, I am assuming thats a place to fill up containers with drinking water?

From what I've read recently, yes, it's still there.

BUT.....be aware that there might be folks staying at the cabin. It would be rude to just prance up and head for the spring without a bye-your-leave to them.

Um, anything else? I've forgotten, I'm sure I was going to mention something else. Drat.

Oh, right...you don't call individual access offices to make reservations....or anything. You either call the Park for information or the Reservations Line to make reservations.

how many times can i type "reservations" in one post? LOL



Barbara

Hi Jamie;

Its glad to know I'm not the only "little kid" around here when it comes to an anticipated trip into the park.

To answer your questions about the Springs, my experience has been that they can be relied apon, but that you should none the less plan on carrying a water purifyer with you. This is because you will consume way more water in the interior then you would normally. Even two weeks ago during a short canoe ride I ended up having to refill my bottle once, and was glad that I had decided to keep my purifyer with me.

I use the MSR MiniWorks

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/miniworks-ex-microfilter.htm

and it works really well, taking about 2 minutes to "pump fill" a standard water bottle. To be honest, even though spring water is supposibly "clean" given the minimal work it takes to filter, I would likely filter the spring water as well.

Enjoy the anticipation! I think that can be half the fun.





Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.
I didnt realize there was a different between reservations/permits. Thanks for pointing that out.
I am for sure going to reserve our trip. I like having "FOR SURE" things, because who knows what might happen if I took my chances to just get the permit when we arrive.

Yes you outlined how to get there before, thanks again.

I will be sure to add these things you call "canoe" and "paddle" to my checklist. hahahaha.

My next trip to Bass Pro Shops is going to be expensive though, thats for sure!
- Water purifier
- Pelican case
- Hiking shoes
- Dry bags
- Possibly handheld GPS (if I can get that without the wife knowing the cost. She almost killed me when I bought a GPS/fish finder combo for my boat. So in her mind, I "dont need another small screen" as she calls it!)


Thanks again,

*Jamie

It's often iterated here, but check out the fishing regulations for this year. I'd pull a Barbara and supply a link, but it shouldn't be hard to find. Until about two weeks ago I thought I knew the regulations well enough, but there are several lake-specific exceptions. It's nice to realize them not only for legal but also for preservation purposes.

Barbara also said once that she rarely reserves for her trips. I always do (similar mindset to yourself, Jamie) but every time I've gone, the lake has been nearly empty. This would be much different on busy (long) weekends, but if you're in any sort of tight financial situation, it's okay to skip that step, I think.

I'm in the same boat -- my next trip of respectable length won't be until August. Oh well, no black flies for us

Eeeeps.....do price comparisons before purchasing.

You might want to check out MEC, or LeBaron or Tent City, heck even Al Flaherty's before giving BassPro your money.

We don't pump water. We use the gravity feed Katadyn. Lovely thing.

For years we used Pristine. Now we carry it as back-up. Don't buy it from Wally World when it's on sale, unless you check the expiry date closely.



Barbara

Oh, geez. The gps is really just a toy for Algonquin purposes. Fun, but a pain to use under tree cover or under a canoe (also known as "portaging". LOL )

Yes, the fishing regulations have undergone a major overhaul, two years or more in the making. Get yourself two paper copies...one for in your vehicle, and one to take with you. (Having the one in the vehicle always gives me something to read while drinking my Timmie's.)

But for now, start studying the on-line version.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html



Barbara

I got BPS gift cards for my birthday, thats why I was thinking about getting one there.
But I might check out ebay or those other places you listed, and keep my gift card for more important stuff, (fishing equipment).

Gravity fed Katilyn eh... I will have to check that one out!

The GPS isnt for navigation purposes on land, I would use it for topo maps of the lakes, and store waypoints while on the water. I have the Map Chip in my big Lowrance GPS, which I want to save fishing spots on.

Thanks again,
*Jamie

Hi Jamie,

August huh?
A great time of the year, makes you wish when you are there that August could go on forever and ever.
warm days with cool evenings, skeeters are usually less of a hassle.

So if you're not going till August, I recommend you go to the homepage of this site and click on the "Interior" button.
Barry has put together an excellent resource concerning canoe camping in the interior.

There is lots of space at the parking lot at the permit office at access#17.
If it is full, as the folks at the office for assistance.

Yes, once you have reserved your permit, show up at the office to pick up yer permit.
They will ask you questions such as, number of people in your party, their names, etc.

Your Vehicle plate#, your tent(s) & canoe(s) colour. They should also ask you to read the regulations, usually a laminated piece of paper, then ask you to sign yer permit. Lately I've noticed on a few occasions, I've not be voluntarily given my traditional yellow refuse bag. Be sure to ask for it, and observe traditional backcountry practices to safeguarding and protecting our wild spaces. more information can be had over at the ABR site, www.abrweb.ca.

There is a pdf you can download to, for a brief description on some practices to help minimize human impact on Algonquin Parks backcountry;

http://www.algonquinadventures.com/ABR/photos/OtterNewsLetter.pdf

These topics and others on related websites, can give you a good idea of the guideline that you can follow, that will eventually make you a better camper.

I started out by not knowing and came to AA, and learned alot of my better camping practices thru this website's forum and also camping with many of it's members.

Don't mean to scare ya Jamie, but you should check out the MNR site and hte official Algonquin Park site, with respects to wildlife encounters. If you should happen to come upon a bear, the knowledge given at the respective websites, will prepare you for any such encounter.

If you need more info, such as gear, food, packing etc, just ask.

btw, Welcome to AA and the greatest Park on Earth!



Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

whoa..this thread has progressed. I was yaking on the phone with Barry for awhile, and finally finished my post.
Forgive me if my post seems a bit outdated with respects to the other posts.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

Ah, a fishing guy. Alrighty then.

Um, cheap...the eTrex Legend, blue. Should be sufficient, no? (I forget its details re maps, etc.)

Garmin has a comparison page on their website. Pick the models you're interested in, check them off, and it displays their specs, highlighting the differences between them.
http://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

LeBaron was cheaper for the most part, even cheaper than RadioWorld IIRC.



Barbara

Yes, I am a fishing guy for sure!
Serious fishing guy actually! Always looking for that trophy fish!

I will be getting a Lowrance handheld, if I get one.
That way, I dont have to spend the extra $200 on a map chip, I can use the one in my big unit thats on my boat.


*Jamie

Yeah, Mark...late for the dance. phhhttt

neener, neener, neener.


I've never had any person at an access office even mention the regulations.

And I've always been asked "do you want a garbage bag?"

I always say "yes", even though I've brought my own.



Barbara

Realized after that a fishing guy would probably be into Lowrance. Since you got the maps already, guess that makes sense. doh.

Sorry, got nothing for ya, then. LOL



Barbara

Hahaha, thanks Barbara.

Pro Bass is a great place to buy fishing gear, but as for camping and canoeing stuff, it's overpriced.
I've done apples to apples comparisons and Pro Bass is about 30% more expensive on average than
Mountain Equipment Coop. Even Le Baron's is a lot less expensive than Pro Bass for camping gear.

Stainless

I tend to agree with Stainless; BPS is an ok store, but VERY expensive, and their selection isn't really that great.

This year I used Sorting Life for a lot of my newly acquired gear, and found that even their "higher end" products were very fairly prices, and their selection solid. By far my favorite store though is Mountain Coop. They don't have tones of stores, but the one in Toronto (on King street) is fantastic! In fact, if you are buying hiking shoes, I wouldn't go anywhere else. I got mine there a few years back, and loved the act that I could try them out on their "Rock climbing wall." Sure, my shoes weren't for climbing, but it was fun to play on!

They also sell about 5 different types of dry bags in various sizes, as well as every other toy you could imagine.

What ever you do, don't be too quick to hand over your cash, enjoy the shopping around! Each store offers its pros and cons, and even in places like Walmart and Canadian Tire, offer good generic and affordable products can be found.

and yes Markus, left work, and got home, wow how this thread grew!

Great topic; obviously I'm not the only one who likes paddling toys!

FYI, DONT forget a good first aid kit, life jacket, and often forgotten canoe safety kit. While a good PDF can be pricey, the others can be acquired at reasonable prices.

Jeff P

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Thanks for all the info guys.
I might have to take a peek at the Mountain Co-op store.
I work right downtown, so maybe one night after work, I will pop over there and check it out.

Thanks again,

*Jamie

Never been there, but folks have yakked about Europe Bound across the street from MEC. There is (was?) another store, down the street from there, but I don't remember the name.

Fox40 pealess whistles....one for each person, attached to the zipper pull of your pfd.

mini maglites, LED version.

buoyant rope for in the canoe.

spare batteries for all your techie-toys.

Do not keep any food-like items in your tent, or in your jacket pockets. Chewing gum, candy, granola bars....the little critters can be very destructive in their search for food.

Sniffables go in the food pack or barrel...toothpaste, deodorant if you take it, etc.

Don't go with the cheap plastic bags for double-bagging food and garbage. Get the real Ziplock, freezer duty ones, in different sizes.

Skip all the different soaps, shampoos, what have you. Take good old CampSuds and do all your cleaning with it. Use it on land...the stuff is not biodegradable in the water. It's also great for cleaning pine sap off stuff, it you catch the sap while it's still flexible. Mix CampSuds with a little sand....voila, sap-be-gone.

Don't put anything in the privy pit that you wouldn't put in your toilet at home.

Carry hand sanitizer with you all the time. You never know.

Fish cleaning....away from camp, throw the parts you don't eat into the water. Feed the other fishes and turtles, not the birds.

Um....running out of ideas here. And need a coffee.

Oh....take a camera, so your trip report here can include pictures. We like pictures.




Barbara

My take is that Europe Bound has A LOT more clothing than MEC. In fact, Europe bound might even be the most well-stocked store I've seen when it comes to top brandnames like Arcteryx, Marmot, etc. (for that's worth to the reader, i don't know). But these brands are very expensive, and while some are high quality, just keep in mind that one renegade spark from the fire is all it takes to put a dandy hole in that goretex jacket. MEC has much more reasonable prices for their line of products, and i find their shirt sizes are very well-fitting, too -- particularly their wicking materials.

I don't think either carry fishing supplies, though. Glancing at LeBaron's catalogue, they seem to have reasonable prices on EGBs. I've been looking out for the best deal on them for a while. (Aside: Some number of months ago a store in Texas was selling ~80 EGBs wholesale on eBay for dirt cheap. I hesitated for 12 hours and it cost me the sale due to Buy-It-Now. Dang, eh)

We do like pictures!



Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

I'm just glad you didn't say "yes, dear", JeffyP. I've been married long enough to know what that means. LOL

A shopping we will go....

Al Flaherty's....fishing, and some good outdoorsy stuff like tents. Haven't been to the actual store in a few years. Website: "ok"
http://www.alflahertys.com/

LeBaron...just a personal bugaboo...too many times of getting that attitude from the sales staff. Website: "super"
http://www.lebaron.ca/english/cat_ord.htm

Tent City...tent-a-rama come to life. Lots of other stuff, don't recall any fishing stuff though. Website: "meh"
http://www.tentcityoutfitters.com/tc/start.asp

Ellwood Epps...fishing stuff overload. On your way, if you're heading up highway 11, but you need time to check it all out. Website: "meh"
http://www.ellwoodepps.com/

MEC....your biking and climbing store. LOL Website: "annoying and tiresome"...go to the store, it's faster.
http://www.mec.ca/splash.jsp



Barbara

Barbara, more coffee needed...

Europebound, across the street from MEC. Staff never bothers you. Prices comparable to MEC(sometimes better, sometimes not) The place suffers from sensory overload. go for a walk in there, you'll see what I mean. But I like it!!

They've actually improved their website this year, it is actually useable!

www.europebound.com

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

http://www.europebound.com/

Yeah, the website used to be "not so great".

Much improved now, except when I click on "see larger image", I get "log-in session timed out". Geez.

I'm an impatient person...when I know what I want, I want to get to where it is in the store without a lot of rooting around.

I'm a lousy shopper. But I really do need some hiking shoes, and gaiters for the winter. Oh, and another pair of good insoles. They make all the difference in the world.

Oh, and I'm cheap. LOL Why one store sells "made in China" products for more than another store, I'll never understand.



Barbara

Radio World...hey, they've got Lowrance hand-held gps'.
http://www.radioworld.ca/



***I'm not responsible for any enabling of gear addictions.***




Barbara

yeah, I'm impatient too, but that's just because I don't like being around stupid people. In and out as fast as I can.

In Russia you line up for food(the old russia).
In Canada, you line up and pay for the food.

sure our food might be better, but at least if you go the russian way, you're less inclined to waste it.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

man am I sick of hearing sirens...get lost!



Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

Sirens? Huh?

Must be time for another coffee, eh? Decaff this time. LOL



Barbara

yeah.
it's the eve of a 10-dayer into Algonquin, and I'm just itching to go.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

It's hardly noticeable.

LOL



Barbara

Thanks again for all the info. Much appreciated.

I wish I was going to Algonquin sometime soon!
My friends keep backing out on me, so I havent had any luck finding anyone to go with!

*Jamie

Jamie,

Like you, I used to have people back out on trips, or change plans at the last minute, until I simply stopped asking them.

I've read posts in the past "advertising" for a "paddle partner", and have even been approached via e-mail on the subject. In fact my weekend partner for this weekend is TT, whom I only know from a single phone call, and several e-mails. While I am always cautions at first, (of which I think is always important to be) I've quickly learned that if you keep your head on, and your mind open, you may be surprised who you met.

My point you may be asking is simple. My experience on AA, while limited now to 4 months has been that people are really open. Not everyone is looking for new people to explore the park with, but some are. If you are looking for like minded people who enjoy the park, I would say you've come to the right place. My advice would be to keep up with the forums, and I'd bet you'll quickly "click" with someone, and may be back in the part sooner then you might think.

Two weeks ago I know people only from the text they wrote, and now after meeting many members, it's like I've know people for years.



Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

I will definitely keep that in mind next time I have a weekend to spare!
I just need someone who is hardcore into fishing, like myself!

Cheers,
*Jamie