Location: Algonquin Park, OntarioPrice: Forgot (check current rates)
Distance Covered: Approx. 24km there and back (not counting elevation on portages and wrong turns).
Links:
Trip Photo Album
Trip Video
Opeongo is a pretty big lake, so we just paddled from one end to the other. Not to say there's no challenge. It can get really windy and wavy out in the middle of the lake. It's probably wise, especially for beginners, to stay close to the edges... which we didn't do. We were pretty lucky the canoe didn't capsize since the gear wasn't tied in.
We paddled about 12 Km to our campsite. The distance wasn't too bad, but the waves are what tired us out. To make things more difficult, we were trying to find, Hailstorm Creek, a nature reserve on the north west part of the lake. The plan was to set up camp near there then explore the creek. We looked for the site we wanted for a while until we were too tired and just took our best guess. Even the next day we were too tired to go looking for Hailstorm Creek. Disappointing, but that's how it goes.
Once there we had time to set up camp, do a little fishing and watch the water taxi go by before it started raining. Did I mention you can get a water taxi on Opeongo? By the time we made it there we we're thinking we should have taken advantage of that option. Anyway we covered our stuff with a spare tarp and sat by the fire to dry our shoes while it rained. The campsite was a little awkward because it was on the side of a hill, but it had everything we needed and we were able to make an excellent cooking fire for our steak dinner.
It was windy and over cast most of the weekend, and it rained a little on our way out, but the water was more calm. Thankfully we didn't have to go against the waves either.
If there's anything you want to know or say, leave comments bellow and follow me on twitter. Don't forget to subscribe. Until next time, take care.
Trip Video
Trip Breakdown
My friend Nick had been suggesting Opeongo Lake for a few years. I kept putting it off, but finally caved. It's the largest lake in Algonquin Park, and the water can get pretty rough. Around 8AM, we met at access point 11, which is right on Opeongo Lake. Aside from the permit office, there's also an outfitting store if you need extra equipment. I think I actually forgot my life jacket and was able to rent one there. The layout made it pretty quick and easy to unload the cars and pack the canoe. Though, in hindsight, we should have taken an extra minute to tie everything in. Then we grabbed our permit and took a quick look around the store before shoving off.Lakes & Portages
I'll start with the portages. There were none. Now for the lake.
Opeongo is a pretty big lake, so we just paddled from one end to the other. Not to say there's no challenge. It can get really windy and wavy out in the middle of the lake. It's probably wise, especially for beginners, to stay close to the edges... which we didn't do. We were pretty lucky the canoe didn't capsize since the gear wasn't tied in.We paddled about 12 Km to our campsite. The distance wasn't too bad, but the waves are what tired us out. To make things more difficult, we were trying to find, Hailstorm Creek, a nature reserve on the north west part of the lake. The plan was to set up camp near there then explore the creek. We looked for the site we wanted for a while until we were too tired and just took our best guess. Even the next day we were too tired to go looking for Hailstorm Creek. Disappointing, but that's how it goes.
Once there we had time to set up camp, do a little fishing and watch the water taxi go by before it started raining. Did I mention you can get a water taxi on Opeongo? By the time we made it there we we're thinking we should have taken advantage of that option. Anyway we covered our stuff with a spare tarp and sat by the fire to dry our shoes while it rained. The campsite was a little awkward because it was on the side of a hill, but it had everything we needed and we were able to make an excellent cooking fire for our steak dinner.
It was windy and over cast most of the weekend, and it rained a little on our way out, but the water was more calm. Thankfully we didn't have to go against the waves either.
Highlights
This was a good trip. We could have done a few things differently, and the weather wasn't the best, but it was an adventure and that's what we're after. It was nice taking a break from portaging and it was fun to ride the waves. Nearly capsizing the canoe a few times was stressful, but made things more exciting. By the way, a little tip for paddling rough waters. Don't fiddle with you're camera. My fiddling almost made us capsize at least once. Also, don't forget to tie your stuff down. Anyway, there weren't as many sights to see on this trip, but I got some okay footage of the waves and our close calls. To see those and more, check out the photos and the video listed above. That's all for now.If there's anything you want to know or say, leave comments bellow and follow me on twitter. Don't forget to subscribe. Until next time, take care.
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