I've been frequenting this site for some time but first time to post. A quick update on my story... I've visited Algonquin 8 times over the last 20 years. Once you're bitten by the Algonquin bug (or was that a mosquito) you'll long to return. Last September I had the pleasure to meet a few of you on your paddle out from a gathering on Boothe Lake. We met Barry and saw the beautiful paddle gifted to him. Sweet!
On each and every trip, even on 2 solo trips, I/we have base camped on Boothe then took day trips (sometimes an overnight trip) in various directions. Even though it is likely we will end up back at Boothe yet again next fall, we are curious about alternatives. A bit more portaging would be acceptable and we are definitely looking to base camp with day trips and good fishing always a plus.
Thanks in advance for any input.

Brew,

Welcome aboard! We used to go to the same place year after year as well but have recently been exploring other parts of the park and have enjoyed all tastes that we've gotten.

One option that offer plenty include a trip to Big Trout Lake. With a water taxi through Opeongo that's only about 4300 meters of fairly level portaging. Plenty of day trips in and around BTL. A similar option is to go to Big Crow or Hogan as well. Big Crow will likely have a little more pressure and the total portaging in is only 1300 meters to BC but close to 5000 for Hogan. Both have lots of dayrip options.

I imagine you could do Burnt Island, Sunbeam or Otterslides but I'm not sure how the fishing would be there. I'd nose around in the trip reports on the site here...there's a plethora of great information held within.

There are 28 other access points, alternatives to Booth Lake.

How far do you want to drive to get to an access point?

How far do you want to paddle?

How much portaging do you want to do?

Do you pack heavy or light or somewhere in between?

Canoe or kayak: do you own, do you need to rent?

Do you want to move every day? Basecamp, with daytrips? A mix of the two?

Do you want a loop trip, or is there-and-back ok?

Are you a fishing fanatic, a photo hound, a wildlife nut?


Lots of variables go into choosing where to start a trip.

A really, really good thing to help with narrowing down the options are the trip logs posted here on AA. They are conveniently arranged by access point, and there's a map to give you the general location of each access.

Check them out...go to the homepage http://www.algonquinadventures.com/ Click on the tab at the top that says "trip logs".

Don't forget to explore the rest of AA....there's lots to see and read.



Barbara
shivering and cold
in Simcoe County

Welcome to AA!

It sounds like you're suffering a little trepidation, fear of new places. The only cure I know of is to just get out there and go somewhere new. Get that sense of adventure you had on your first trip!

There are two types of places I trip. Places I've been before. New places. Both are awesome. It's great to know exactly where you're going, how long to get there, what to expect around the next corner. It's also great to not know what's over the next hill.

Personally I avoid the HWY60 access points except Opeongo. They're over-used and even once the crowds have gone their trash is left behind.

Put the map on the wall and start throwing darts! Pin The Route On The Algo!

Brewticus,
I've been to AP about as many times as you, starting in 1995. But I'm more of a "looper", and I try to incorporate something new on every trip. I like to explore new lakes and creeks, and from your mention of day trips, you must like to explore too. I recommend the northwest corner of the Park. You can basecamp on one of the larger lakes like Kioshkokwi or North Tea. It can be difficult to get deep into the park if you're returning to the same spot each afternoon. So pack a little lighter and try a loop or out-and-back!