I invited Joan on a trip with me into Algonquin Park's north end.
This trip was to be a vacation..base-camping, with no tripping, but first we had to get there.
Our destination was Erables Lake(Launching from Access#29-Kiosk).
We had 7 portages, six of them going up Maple creek. Although it is uphill all the way, it is the quickest way to get upto the Maple Lakes.
8:17am, Joan is ready to go!
5:49pm, 9.5 hrs later, we arrived onto the expanse of Erables Lake.
We spotted a cow moose far off along the north shoreline, as we paddled to our site for the next four nites.
8:46pm, we were all settled in, dinner and dishes washed, we enjoyed the quiet evening on the rocks watching the sun go down.
The silence was gold!
The next day was very windy...Joan and I relaxed around camp.
We didn't see anyone all day, till 4:20pm when a trio of canoes(lashed together) came up the lake, with a makeshift sail
doing all the work.
Day 3, breakfast consisted of Egg whites with a sweet pepper relish, avacado(surprise surprise..it was good!), and fake bacon with coffee(w/bailey's).
Day 3, We had some heavy rains the night before(for a few hours) and I decided to hang up and air dry the tent, as we had partial flooding in the tent.
Much too much rain has plagued Ontario this year so far, leading to an explosion of mushrooms early this year.
Day 3, 5:00pm, grey skies rolled in the afternoon, and strong winds made cooking tricky for Joan.
Our site was no good for tarping up a kitchen...we had to use the canoe instead.
Day 3, 5:31pm, the sun tried to sneak thru, however we were grateful for the winds as they kept the skeeters at bay.
Day 3, 9:01pm, it cleared up enough right at the end of the day for us to see a little bit of a sunset.
Day 3, 9:50pm, I found a hollowed out cedar log, that was perfect for launching plastic beer bottle missiles!
Ok, they just burst, sending, a shower of sparks...neat though.
Day 4, 1:09pm, We paddled down to the south end of Erables Lake, just exploring.
It was a stormy looking day and these clouds pictured here looked, very creepy...we paddled on however,
Experiencing only a drenching here and there, that lasted for a few minutes at a time.
Day 4, 1:58pm, After a drenching, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to photograph some of the water flora.
Day 4, 2:29pm, We arrived at the campsite/portage to Big Thunder Lake; WE stretched our legs,
had some snacks/water, and swatted many skeeters as they came out of the damp forest to feed upon our flesh.
Day 5, 1:30pm, We moved to Maple Lake for a 5 nite stay, we skipped breakfast as our journey this day was short; a paddle of the upper third of Erables lake to the 170m portage to Maple lake. Then a short paddle on the creek/over a beaver dam and a five minute paddle to our campsite. Once we were set up on Maple, Joan helped me tarp up a proper kitchen for her to cook in. Joan made us a great brunch of whole eggs(the relish again..damn it was good!), fake bacon, bagels and sliced tomatoes, and coffee to boot...life is good!
A shot of the tarped kitchen
Tenting area and hammock on Maple Lake campsite
Day 5, 8:05pm, Chicken Fajitas! yum!
Day 5, 8:45pm, sunset...quiet calm waters...we had quiet neighbours too...awesome!
Day 6, 9:08pm A beautiful sunset, we had the entire lake to ourselves...it was sooooo quiet!
For years and years and years, the campsite had an outhouse, just this year it had been replaced with a thunderbox,
only problem is: if you have to pee, you have to raise your legs or else! Some engineering wrinkles need to be ironed out!
Day 6, 6:53pm, Joan reading and relaxing to the max on Maple Lake
Day 6, 7:27pm, A cedar Waxwing visited our site, eating berries from the many plants around camp.
Day 6, 8:44pm, this awesome sunset was a prelude to an awesome night of thunderstorms.
The kind of gentle storms where you have high cloud lightning and and where the thunder rolls and rolls,
sometimes accompanied with deep bass at great distances. The rain fell most of the nite, but it was a gentle rain. None of that deluge rain.
It was the kind of rain where no one ever has to worry about water getting in your tent, and all you do is snug tighter in your sleeping bag as you roll over with a smile on your face as you again drift into slumber, until the next lulling roll of thunder..it was very soothing.
Day 6, 8:48pm, Joan on the rocks.
Day 7, 1:20pm, we did some tripping and fishing(un-successful) around Maple Lake, investigating this site pictured below, we found it labelled "482".
On the site there was cut up logs used as a kitchen again one of the logs had "482" on it. Did jr. rangers do this? Or crazy campers? for what purpose?
Go ahead speculate or if you know the real answer, please..do tell!
Day 7, 6:13pm, Joan was curious to try her hand at my camera, snapping an image of me snoozing in the hammock..thank god I brought it along,
it was sooo comfortable!
Day 7, 7:10pm, I don't care what anyone says, Keen sandals do not dry well, unless you have a very hot sunny day or you resort to a fire like the one pictured below.
Day 7, 7:14pm, Joan scooping some water to boil, the site north of us, visible in the background.
Day 7, 7:52pm, no that's not me catching a fish...I think there are only minnows in Maple Lake.
I got a snag on the rocks, while fishing from the site, and had to quickly jump into the canoe and paddle out 5 meters to free my line.
Day 7, 8:40pm, more rain threatened, as the air became still, and the sky strangely beautiful.
Is was our second day and night where we had the entire lake to ourselves.
Day 7, 9:19pm, Joan enjoying the firelight.
This campsite is my fav. in the whole of Algonquin Park. Sure there are better sites out there, but this has so much to offer;
Blue herons fly by regularly, almost like clock work, there are blueberries EVERYWHERE, the sunset viewing is awesome, the swimming among the rocks is excellent, and the island has room to roam around on, also you are not to far from shore.
Day 9, 7:37pm, more chicken fajitas...Joan you rock! yum
Day 9, 8:40pm, After dinner we sat around the firepit, drinking the last of the wisers(not enough to do anything!) and crystal lite
Day 9, 9:22pm, coming back from a quick foray for firewood on the mainland...here's the site as viewed from the water.
Day 10, 8:01am, we left behind a generous supply of firewood and kindling. It is important to note that the island site has a very poor supply of dead firewood.
Only by foraging on the mainland, can one locate a good supply of wood. Leaving behind an ample supply for the next camper ensures that they can have a fire, should they arrive late in the day, and not have to worry about collecting wood, and can get on with the job of cooking and enjoying a fire.
Day 10, 11:51am, Paddling down Maple creek.
Day 10, 12:57pm Along Maple creek, very, VERY near to where I encountered a cow moose
and her calf four years eariler, we encountered this cow feeding in the creek.
Those beautiful eyes and that almost smiling muzzle reminded me very strongly of the cow moose I encountered in the same area four years earlier.
It was difficult to not run into the moose, Maple creek had a current that I had never encountered before, and water levels were still high(so much rain this year). I photographed the moose for 15 minutes, as she was blocking the creek. At one point we lost control as I was on a photo rampage, and drifted too close to the Cow...she moved onto the bank, softly calling...hmmmmm..calling to what? her calf...both cow and calf slowly made their way, as we made ours, continuing down the creek, then they stopped and watched us leave..a very happy ending.
We met up with Paddlin(Dave and Jeanine), along with their daughter and her boyfriend at the access point, we where treated to great company and a tall cool one...ahh coming out was never so much fun! Cheers Dave and Jeanine!
