The solitude I usually look forward to when I visit Algonquin was disrupted this week by low-flying CF-18 fighter jets, which were streaking across the skies on the north eastern side of the park for hours at a time during the day and late into the night. I would assume these were participating in military exercises near CFB Petawawa.

I wonder how often this happens, or if there is a way to find out when these exercises occur so I don't have to suffer the sounds of war machines drowning out the calls of the nearby loons.

Barry

Hi again Barry,

I grew up in CFB Pet and have been to Sec Lake and environs many, many times. If it is not the jets it could be helicopters or just the constant boom of artillery fire in the very nearby range. I do know a lot of troops from Pet have been or are still in Afghanistan, and the training may be ramped up a bit. I do not know if the military would be willing to "divulge" training schedules - not that it would be a big secret to anyone working on the base anyway.

Coach

We had a C-130 buzz right over our campsite 3 times on Thursday last week, on Booth Lake.



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

Growing up in the military, I find that the noises from things like jets flying over do not bother me as I have learned to shut the noises out. However, for those that have not spent years around them, I can see how this would annoy you. I would relate it to the sounds of chainsaws heard in sections of the Park. Irritating and encroaching on my solitude...

As Coach said, I don't think you would be able to call up and ask if they are planning any training exercises during certain dates.




Sean (of Ajax)

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

Yes, there's a good chance you'll have a fly-by over Booth Lake.

Hi to the "other' Barry .. not to be confused with this one!

Markus. You mentioning Booth Lake here and you having just got back from there with your cousin, gave me cause to go back over my photos from 2007. I finally did a decent "stitching-up" of a panoramic I took from out in the shallows, looking back to shore. This was the afternoon after everyone else had left. I had the place to myself.

I apologize for the extra-wide size of this. But it is a panorama!



For a big version 4722x600 pixels (522,522 bytes), download here ...www.algonquinadventures.com/messageboard/BoothLake2007-Pan.jpg

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

Here's a video capture from Farm Lake:



The first time we had this happen was when we were on Rain Lake. It was just getting dark, when the big bird flew the length of the lake. Quite a surprise.

But it doesn't bother me in the least. I would rather see and hear these planes, and the MNR float plane than to be at home, not able to enjoy sitting outside on a nice evening because of my neighbours and their stupid outdoor speakers, bar-parties, and showing of movies outside.




Barbara

We went on a canoe trip the day after 911 and I've never seen so many fighter jets over Algonquin. It freaked us out as we didn't know if Canada had been attacked or something.

Last November I was on Sec Lake (island campsite) on a short solo weekender and had a helicopter show up hover for about 20 minutes (10 - 10:20 pm) over what I assumed (based on sound location) to be the canoe access. I was in the tent nearly asleep when it came around. It didn't roam or navigate around the lake, but stayed stationary hovering at a very low altitude (30' off the ground?). Needless to say it was EXTREMELY loud, lol. It finally left and headed back east over the military zone, and I didn't hear it again that nite nor for the rest of that weekend.

I don't mind the incursions at all, even the artillery shells and other like-sounds from the Pet base. It's people doing their job, training, etc and am generally very sympathetic to our military. I don't let selfish needs get in the way, and people who complain should honestly expect these military 'intrusions' and either live with them or trip on the west side of the park where the risk is much lower of an encounter.

I'll never forget my first trip in the Barron. It wasn't planes we saw or heard but some heavy artillery from the range at CFB. At first I thought it was thunder until I realized there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The noise echoed through the canyon. You kind of have to expect these things when you are camping within such close proximity to a base.

Laurie
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www.outdooradventurecanada.com
www.wildernesscooking.com

My friend, Yvonne and I were at Achray from July 16 till today (July 26). On Monday, all day and into the night, we also heard and saw fighter jets. And another day but not many, maybe three or four times. It was really noisy. First time we've heard them. We were not impressed. Probably scared all the wildlife!!

It's to be expected that close to a base. We have to remember that these men and women are being trained to protect the freedoms we hold so dear.

Laurie
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www.outdooradventurecanada.com
www.wildernesscooking.com