A buddy and I are taking our first trip to AP (and first canoe trip) mid-August. Entering at access #17 and will be spending one night on Shirley and two nights on Booth. Any recommendations for sites? We are thinking about the site on Shirley that is on the eastern shore directly across from the northern tip of the large island. Any good? If it is taken what should be our second choice? The two in Ancona Bay?? On Booth Lake we are thinking about the site on the Eastern shore across from where the lake narrows going into the northern section or one of the three sites near McCarthey's Creek.

Finally, how is the 1600M portage between Shirley and Bridle. It is unmaintained but I don't know how bad that may be.

Thanks for any advice.

Canoerook

That site you mention on Shirley is nice, and the one below it is nice too(although not as nice as the one you want).
The first site in Ancona bay is large and sweet, the second one(further up), is useless.
Look at my recent post(back from access#17), that is the 2nd one below the narrows...sweeeeeet!

Cheers



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

Rook,

I can't comment on the particular portage you're referring to but the low maintenance portages will just have more variability in them. Sometimes just as nice and wide and clear as normal routes and sometimes a haywire mess of blowdowns. Usually they're somewhere in between with the appearance of being maintained about once a year or once every other year. Also, I'd take a fold-up saw so if you hit a blowdown that makes life difficult you can cut through it and keep to the trail. Kind of paying it forward for other trippers.

Check out the trip-logs for that area:

http://www.algonquinadventures.com/triplogs/tlfr4010.htm





Barbara

This thread's original question is a prime example of why I envisioned the "PCI" project .. Portage Campsite Inventory.

I'm taking this opportunity to request that everyone tripping the backcountry consider gathering and submitting info for the PCI Project ...http://www.algonquinadventures.com/PCI/PCIindex.htm

Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Barry,
Wasn't that inventory intended for only corridor lakes? I recall reading one of the introductory posts and thinking to myself..."well, all of the photos and descriptions I have won't be applicable".