Participants: Andrew, the IRI Gang
Dates: 2001-08-23 to 2001-08-26
Level of difficulty: Easy
Total portages: 780m
This was a trip I took with people from the company that I worked with at the time. We were a large enough group that we required two campsites, as Algonquin limits you to 9 people per site in an effort to reduce the impact on the environment. However, we planned to have our meals as a group, and took in much too much food. We packed out approximately 40% of the food we took in, so the food planning was definitely something that needed work, although I was not involved in this aspect of the trip. Part of the problem with this aspect of the trip plan was the rain that occurred on the final day of the trip. Rather than taking time to prepare proper meals, we simply packed up, and paddled out of the park. We did eat some food on that day, but not as much as we had planned for.
Thursday, August 23, 2001 - St. Catharines to Voyageur Outfitting, Kawawaymog Lake
As a group we make our way North from St. Catharines to stay at the cabins of Voyageur Outfitting on the south shore of Kawawaymog Lake. We all arrive well after dark as we have left work after 5pm. We find the cabins along a dark, but relatively well marked trail. The cabins are all pretty basic, with old bunk beds and gas lamps. After staying up for some time to talk and generally relax, we turn in for the night.
Friday, August 24, 2001 - Kawawaymog Lake, Amable du Fond River, North Tea Lake
Portages:
1. Amable du Fond River to Amable du Fond River - 135m
2. Amable du Fond River to North Tea Lake - 255m
Total for today: 390m
As part of the price to stay at Voyageur Outfitting, breakfast is included. We wake up in the morning, eat the provided breakfast (cold cereal, toast, juice and coffee). We have rented canoes from Voyageur, so after sending a group down to the park office on the western shore fo the lake, we bring the rented canoes down to the water, load them up, and make our way into the park.
The water level this year is relatively shallow so at the entrance to the Amable du Fond River, we need to get out and push our canoes along. The water level deepens further down the river, but there are still sections where it is quite shallow, and the narrowness of the river means the banks are always right next to you.
The first portage avoids a rocky section of the river, but there is a path through the rocks. While its impossible to ride the canoes through this section, it is possible to wade through the river and pull/push the canoes through this area. We do this and avoid having to unload the canoes. While we may not save much time, it does save a bit of trouble in terms of the packing and unpacking of the boats. We aren't so lucky at the second portage and make our way on to North Tea Lake.
We have planned beforehand to make our way directly to a pair of islands part-way down the western arm of the lake. However, our group gets split up on the paddle there, and we find that we can only get one site on the island we'd like to camp on, as the others are already occupied. We find two neighbouring sites on the northern shore of the lake near the outlet from a beaver dam, and make our camp there. Our group is large enough tthat we require two sites, but we all go as a group to the larger site for cooking and meals.
Hanging the food packs after dinner becomes a bit of a farce. The group is large enough that we have packed a very significant amount of food. We struggle to find a group of suitable trees strong enough to hold the food we have brought, and enough rope to hang it all. However, after some time, we manage to get things hung safely in three separate trees. There is plenty of firewood to be had, so we are able to enjoy a nice fire before turning in for the night.
Saturday, August 25, 2001 - North Tea Lake
Today is a relaxing day spent on our sites. People spend their time swimming, reading and paddling around the lake. A few people disappear to explore the lake in some detail, and we all return around dinner time to enjoy a meal as a group.
Sunday, August 26, 2001 - North Tea Lake, Amable du Fond River, Kawawaymog Lake, home to
St. Catharines
Portages:
1. North Tea Lake to Amable du Fond River - 255m
2. Amable du Fond River to Amable Fond River - 135m
Total for today: 390m
Rain! It starts raining early in the morning and continues raining as we paddle our way out of the park. The rain stops while we are on the Amable du Fond River between the portages. However, everyone is very wet by this point in time, and so we all get somewhat cold. We push our loaded canoes through the rocks at the second portage and make our way down the rest of the river. We stop at the mouth of the Amable du Fond River in the shallows for a break from the paddling, and to grab a bite to eat. After this we make the relatively short paddle back to the Voyageur Outfitting location on the south shore of the lake and return our canoes. Those who are fortunate enough to have a change of clothes with them get dry, and we make our way home to St. Catharines.
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