Decided to go for a little drive today and see what kind of condition the Rain Lake access road was in. It's been known for washouts in the spring. Last year there was about a quarter km of total washouts so they did some quite extensive work on the road and put in a lot of new culverts, etc.

I think it's still going to be a while before you can drive your Mazda or Honda down all the way to the put in at Rain Lake. See my photos below.

A lot of the access road is soft with loose gravel, pot holes and ruts.


Further on there's some deep ruts (12") and some pretty thick mud.
And then there's this.. a washout that's about 3ft deep.


Most of the road is washed away at this point. If you've got a 4WD truck with good ground clearance you'll be able to get past but the average car just won't do here.


There's still some good ice on the bays and in the shade, also the little river that runs down the side of the road for most of the way is flowing very fast and high, there's spots that if we were to get some good rain it would flow over the road.


MNR was active in the area with one truck and ATV so I suspect that soon they will have the road fixed, doesn't usually take long after the river's lower and things start to dry up.


It was worth the drive though since we spotted our first moose of the season.




Randy Mitson
AO Huntsville
http://www.aohuntsville.com
http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com
mailto:randym@algonquinoutfitters.com

Thanks for the pics, Randy. I was thinking about making this drive to check out the road but now I don't have too!



SBA

Thanks for the pics, Randy. I was thinking about making this drive to check out the road but now I don't have too!



SBA

Thanks for the pics, Randy. I was thinking about making this drive to check out the road but now I don't have too!



SBA

How in the heck did I just post 3x?



SBA

If you press the back button in your browser it does that - really annoying!

very excited about the weekend down here in Toronto ....

3 more sleeps!

Thanks for the photos, any idea how Rock Lake Road is? I have a ford Explorer and a Cougar. I try to take the Cougar as much as possible as it is better on gas, and packing what only fits in its trunk is a great "meter" for what my canoe can hold.

I'm hoping not to need the Explorer, any ideas on this?

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

Rock Lake Rd. should be fine Jeff. It is maintained all winter, as it is used by the AFA for logging trucks to get in and out of their harvest areas.



Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Hey Markus ...

Thanks, I had forgotten that little point ,,,,,, I hope we wont be hearing any distant "Timber...." rghhhhhh

See you Friday.

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

not quite ready for the GrandAm yet - lol - we REALLY need a better vehicle for this sort of thing

Laurie
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
www.outdooradventurecanada.com
www.wildernesscooking.com

Laurie ...

If my cougar can do it, I have a feeling even a "Smart Car" or VW bettle could.

Hummmmm, ever seen a canoe on a "Smart Car" ...... Barbara, I think thats a homework assignment for you

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

The closest I could find





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

Hmm, I wonder if those would be allowed on cart paths? hehe

Ok question,
At what point in the season does this road usually become passable for 4-wheel drive, but low-clearance vehicles? (If ever)

Rain Lake Road is just fine for regular, non-4 wheel drive vehicles...like '86 Cutlasses and '93 Montanas.

once the snow is gone, that is...

check out the ice and access conditions update on the Algonquin Park website, updated today:

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/spring_accessICEsafety.html


Bookmark that link, and keep checking back.




Barbara

Ok thanks for the link Barbara! Looks like currently it says

"Rain Lake Road (Access Point #4): As of late afternoon of April 23rd, the Rain Lake Road is passable using a 4x4 truck to the Park boundary. The 2 kilometres of road from the Park boundary in to the access point is snow-covered, with approximately one foot of snow (no vehicular access beyond the Park boundary). [Pack a shovel.]"


So looks like us Cutlass and other normal car driving people might have to wait for now!

(And I hope I get lucky and the report changes soon or I might be trying to find a tow truck later this year!)

Yeah, that report kinda put a damper on my "can't stand it any more...let's take a day-trip to Rain Lake" idea for this weekend.



Barbara

FYI from the park website:

"Rain Lake Road (Access Point #4): As of April 27th, the Rain Lake Road is passable by car."

The road was passable by car on Sunday April 26, by AWD on Saturday the 26th.

Of course there is no mention of a 5' deep pot hole the size of a Smart car after you cross the bridge for parking. I wouldn't take a narrow wheel base vehicle across the bridge.

Darryl H.

Hmmm...That sounds a little intense...Are you saying that you have to "Span" (Wheels on either side) the pothole and there is no way to go around?

The pot hole is dead center on the road immediately after the bridge to the parking area and outhouse. The hole location is such that you need to straddle to hole with your vehicle.

I'm sure the park staff will have the hole filled ASAP.

There is parking for about 10 cars before the bridge.

- Sorry, I should have taken a picture. It was pouring rain and 3 degrees, so I was only thinking about loading up and heading home.


Darryl H.

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if anyone has driven down this road recently. The report from the Park (May 4th) indicates that is open, however, I just spoke to the folks at Canoe Algonquin and they said that there was still some wash-outs.

I have a 4x4 vehicle but would prefer to take my van. Anybody know?

Thanks,

Goodfella76
Stoney Creek, Ontario

Darryl H, are you talking about the access point at Rain Lake?

It sounds more like the access point at Tim Lake...bridge to parking area & outhouse.




Barbara

Yeah, I'm kinda wondering if I should take the 4x4 (Lot's more $$ on gas) or the FWD car coming up. Website just says "Passable by car".