I returned today from a 4 night stay up on Maple Lake.
Mike B & I went in on Thursday and on Friday Sean(of Ajax) joined us.
The weather was wet, windy and cool at times. We also had plenty of sun. We had rain, frost, snowflakes and a leaf squall this morning, as the frost did it's damage(Especially to the aspen trees). The weather was a mix of everything actually, overall we counted ourselves very lucky, as it could've been much worse. We didn't see a soul till Sunday evening when a pair passed by us and camped at the next site up from us. We saw one cow moose(thankfully no bull after that encounter!), an otter, and not much else, we called for wolves last night and received an answer, how sweet it was!

On with the pics....

Mike B adjusts his gear at the landing to Maple Creek(Kioshkokwi Lake in background)


Mike B collapses with relief after completing the 805m portage along Maple Creek
(single carry approx.100 lbs, including the nasty ascent halfway thru the trail)


Mike B enjoying the view along Maple Creek


Just one of the many reasons why I love Maple creek so much


Sean(of Ajax) ascending the nasty hill on the 805m portage
(The picture does not do the hill justice)


The reds were gone, making way for the yellows!


Along the portage to Boggy Lake


While bushwhacking Maple Lake I came upon this mushroom and fallen leaf laden tree stump


Maple Lake this morning(8:03am)


Sean(of Ajax) approaches a beaver dam on Maple creek(note: frost to the left)


Close-up of some of the frost along Maple creek


Taking a break: Frost along Maple creek at the take-out of the 635m portage


Nearly sunrise on Maple Lake this morning (7:33am)




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

Awesome! Absolutely beautiful shots, Marcus. Thanks for taking us into one of the Park's very special places at the height of its beautiful fall glory.

Mark S.

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

Hey Markus...thanks for getting pictures up so fast Monday night. Great stuff! Boy, I did not get back to Windsor until midnight...what a long day from being up at 3:00am that day.

-I had such a great time tripping again with you and Sean. So many laughs I got sore from laughing so much.
Highlights of our trip of coarse was seeing Maple Lake and area for first time. I will go back.
-The cow moose that was spying on us on the portage during our lunch breaky.
-you guys calling the wolves. First time for me to hear wolves in the park. What a treat and the pack howling back such a long time.
- cool mornings and sit around a fire to warm up is great stuff.
-Funny trying to untie our food packs from the trees being frozen from the rain that night.
-the portages being covered with leaves on the way out. Beauty and tricky to walk thru.
-great meals. Hambugars. Chicken breast. K-bobs with potatoes. More chicken. Yummy.
--BTW Sean and Markus....those brownies were store made...hahahah.. I thought Laurie made them but she said she had no time before the trip....she tricked me and told me as I left they were hers..funny girl.

Last year the water was 60F. This year the water was 48F. No swimming this year! A little to cold for me.

Hope to trip again with you guys.

Cheers

Mike B

Absolutely gorgeous!

Wow, those colors are amazing! Brings back some very recent memories from my August trip, but with the beauty of the autumn colors. Do I really need to ask if you stayed at the favorite island site on Maple? I showed it to my buddies in passing, but we didn't stay there this year.

Did you ever get a chance to do that duo-solo you had in mind earlier this year?

Fanatastic quick mini


Three words come to mind:

Wow, Greatstuff and Brrr

1. Fantastic quick report.

2. Its amazing and good for the heart to see/hear
the last of what Algonquin has to offer be seen/heard from
the warmth of a laptop:-)


3. Tad brisk in the morn EH!...



Rac n


P.S. Appears like Les Stroud may have more than one contender when he
hangs up his shingle!

P.P.S Hot tub should be operational again 1st week Nov - 1 Jan
and perhaps some 2010 planning is in order ?

Great looking colors and clear, cold air! Thanks for posting and sounds like you boys enjoyed the heck outta yourselves! Spring seems so far away but gets closer every day!

PaPaddler

Beautiful pictures, particularly Maple Lake.

Hi Mark S,

Yeah I've never been to Maple Lake area in the fall, was all excited to see the colours.
Kiosk was very pretty too. Mike & I walked down(via rock hopping) down much of the creek along the 805m portage, was alot of fun and full of eye-candy. Was very glad Sean decided on this area, sweet!

Mike B,

ahhh, so I was right, when I asked if they were store bought(The Brownies), heh heh.
Tell Laurie thanks for the Salmon packets(via you and Sean, thanks!) will let ya know how they work out.
Yes it is a nice area, when you go back, try the height of summer, can be a very nice area to camp, with the warmer temps.
Yes, long drive indeed!

Jo_D & Rory,

Thanks guys, and no we did not stay at 'my' island site. I decided beforehand to stay at the mainland site, in the North end of the lake, next to the lone island campsite, not too far from the first portage off the lake*heading back to Kiosk). If we had camped on 'my' island site, we would've froze to death. Our campsite choice was awesome, as we did not feel any of west or chilly north winds. Whoever camps there next will be happy, courtesy of Mike B & his sweet woodpile.

Maple Lake itself is pretty much a 'non-descript' lake. It is not pretty like alot of other Algonquin Lakes(Opeongo, BT, McIntosh, etc), but to me it has it's own charm, plus the lack of traffic, make it special in my mind. Then there's 'my' island campsite, that is quite nice actually.

Racoon, 'from the warmth of a laptop'.
Had to laugh at that one...wooohoo!
heh heh

I was talking about Les when we were up there. He is so hardcore..I don't think I could ever eat half the bugs he does..yuck!
November sounds like a plan sir! November 6-8 & 13-15 are no good though, have to be later.

Thanks Keogh & PaPaddler,

I feel for ya though PaPaddler, only one trip per year? I bet you relish every moment stupendously!

Cheers all!






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

Did you guys use rubber boots on this trip? I am going into this area in a week and am trying to decide what to use for footwear...............hopefully not snowshoes!

thanx
jim

Yup, we wore our 'suicide' boots. Didn't bother to bring my water sandals. Very mucky up there.
Just the rubbers and some 'booties' for around camp.




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

Hi Jim,,,,
Yes sir...use BOOTS!
I was going to use water shoes but last minute I decided to wimp out and boot it....well am I glad I did.
Muddy portages and cold water well below 10C now. I brought some camp shoes to let my feet breathe. I did get water over the top on my boots but were fine for the day and the fire does a great job drying out wet gear.

The only bad thing is if you capsize....boots are bad! I also do not like boots as I like to kneel when I paddle and boots are hard to fit under the seat.

Please be carfull this time of the year.
Portages are a little tricky with leaves covering rocks, roots, holes and what ever may cause a trip head over heels.

Cheers

Mike B

Memories of Bo Knows wearing those rubber boots we called
"Stebbles" come to mind. That and long johns donned at the start
of a trip and worn constantly!

BTW: When we were younge , the trick was to always see who
could get the red rim on boot top wet and not get a soaker


Boots in my opinion just cause your feet to sweat.

I stick with my Gortex socks and running shoes or
hiking boots on the trail. If your boot get wet, No sweat
... Just keep wearing them as you feet are dry and if
necessary the boot can be dried a bit at the one channel TV

If still damp.. No sweat .. Just slip the gortex sock covered
feet back in and wear the boot till they dry ( yes your feet are
still dry and they breathe a bit ! )



*Rac n*