Participants: Andrew, the IRI Gang
Dates: 2003-07-30 to 2004-08-02
Level of difficulty: Easy
Total portages: 4670m
This trip was planned by myself and my colleague Michal Blazejczyk. We had originally hoped to go to Killarney this year, but left the permit reservations too late. Because we wanted a change from Algonquin Park, we chose to go to Frontenac Park. We rented boats from Frontenac Outfitters.
Frontenac Park is much smaller than Algonquin, but has the advantage of several hiking trails throughout the park so that if we stay in one place for some time, it is possible to do some hiking and exploring without needing to take a canoe. It is still a wilderness park however, and provides a good way to get away from the city and the built up world.
Friday, July 30, 2004 -
Portages:
1. Big Salmon Lake to Little Salmon Lake - 974m
Total for today: 974m
We have an early start to the day today because we decide to meet at the outfitter's rather than leaving the night before and having a short trip to the park as we have done in the past for Algonquin. The day turns even longer when a group of us in one car (including myself) are caught by a major accident that closes the 401 at Port Hope. Three hours later, we finally get off the 401, and are able to contact the other groups who are already at the outfitters. They agree to collect the boats from the outfitter, and make their way to our first campsite. By the time our car arrives at the park, it is raining quite heavily as it will be for some time. We don't stop at the outfitter, but have to go back to sign liability releases after we get our permit, and arrive at the first lake to start our trip. In the end, we finally get to campsite 6 where we will stay for the next two nights.
Because we are an odd number on this trip, I have opted to solo a canoe. Considering that we have relatively short distances to cover, this is not a liability for this trip. The thunder begins not long after we start making our way to the campsite.
The portage begins with a stretch of rocks that is a bit challenging, but not impossible. After the rocky stretch, there is a long gradual climb through the forest up a hill. Once the top of the hill is reached, the descent down to the lake is relatively short.
We hang up some tarps to try to provide a bit of shelter from the rain while making and eating dinner. The tent pads that are built in Frontenac park make it nice and easy to find a spot to put your tent, and the spot is guaranteed to be flat. Unfortunately, the rain that is falling overwhelms the ability of the tent pad to drain, and they are often not adequately sloped to drain well anyways. We need to make a few modifications to one tent pad by digging a small hole to let the small lake that has formed drain.
Because the weather is so miserable, we all head for bed relatively early to try to stay dry.
Saturday, July 31, 2004 -
Portages
none
Total for today: 0m
More rain greets us in the morning. We have decided not to move anywhere today so we remain on campsite 6. After a soggy breakfast, the rain begins to dissipate. We take advantage of the reelative lull in the rain to collect some firewood. There is considerable dead fall around our campsite area. We are able to collect some good quality wood, and also a good amount of birch bark to use as fire starter (a trick I learned from Gwen on our Barron Canyon trip in May).
Just after lunch, the weather appears good enough to try building a fire. The fire comes along relatively well, and in a couple of hours, is burning very well and warming everyone up after a couple of wet and cold days. We spend some time exploring the swamp area and hills around the campsite. This occupies the rest of our day, along with eating lunch and dinner.
Sunday, August 1, 2004 -
Portages:
1. Little Salmon Lake to Big Salmon Lake - 974m
Total for today: 974m
Finally, a beautiful and sunny day. Campsite 3
Monday, August 2, 2004 -
Portages:
none
Total for today: 0m
Another glorious and sunny day.
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