EGL Spring Canoe Hang - May 2013 - Late Thaw Lakers

[Chard]

From left to right: Bubba, Mongrel, Jiblets, Keg, Chard and Chenvre.


Whew.

Just back from the Spring 2013 EGL trip back into the piney woods Ontario's Algonquin Park. Blue skies, blazing sun, icy waters and beautiful scenery all made for a wonderful weekend. Yes there were long stretches of paddling and yes there was one very long portage, but I think I speak for the group when I say it was well worth it. McIntosh is a beautiful lake.

More to come..


Ink Creek to McIntosh

[keg]

Great trip and great weather, especially since only a couple days before the lakes were still ice. Of course the late ice out meant next to no bugs.

[sturgeon]

Looking forward to trip report and photos. I see that the ottertail is the paddle of choice!

[BrianWillan]

Looks like you guys had the opportunity to test the shade and UV performance of your tarps for a change.

Cheers

Brian

[dragon360]

Looking forward to this!

[PineMartyn]

Your timing was excellent. The blackflies are just beginning to emerge. They're not biting yet, but by next weekend, they will be...and soon after that they'll be swarming.

Looking forward to more pics.
- Martin

[nothermark]

I was thinking about you guys. Drooling a bit. I hope by next year I will be back into trips like that.

[Redoleary]

Look'n good! Also looking fwd to more photos.

[keg]

All the comments with no trip report. I feel guilty so here goes. (Sorry - no pics from me)

We met up on a beautiful morning on canoe lake at around 10:30. The permit guy seemed a bit put off by 6 'tents', 5 cars, and 5 canoes but whatever works. We hit the water a little after 11, 5 solo canoes and a tandem. On a side note, this was my first trip in a real solo canoe and it is amazing how much easier it is to paddle than soloing in a larger tandem.

After a fairly easy paddle across Canoe Lake with the wind at our backs we hit the first portage, a short 300m along a smooth and level path. After that was a lengthy chunk of paddling through four lakes. The high water meant that a beaver dam was washed out and no need to get out.

We eventually made it to the portage form Tom Thompson to Ink Lake. Maybe I was enjoying the leisurely paddle too much so this was one of many put ins where I was last one in. A short lunch break and we hit the wonderful 2.5 km portage. On the down side, early in the season made it a tad tiring but on the positive side, it was reasonably cool in the shade and the bugs were absent.

We hit a beautifully calm Ink lake, a short paddle then along a quiet winding creek before hitting our destination, McIntosh Lake and the promise of trout for those so inclined. After hitting an Island campsite and partially setting up, Chard arrived and informed us that there was a better Island nearby. Despite hesitation about packing up and moving, especially after a tiring day, we made the move and Chard was right. There was even firewood left behind by previous campers.

By that time the sun was setting, the fire was going, and the varied meat products came out (I realized another perk of hammocks is not having to share a tent with others who consumed typical camp fare).

Others will need to fill in the details of day two since I slept late and took a long mid-afternoon nap. There was some playing with various wood processing instruments, comparison of varied water filtration devices (jiblets planning a Sawyer/Katadyn gravity filter mod), a couple attempts at a fire bow, a little fishing, and a meal or two.

Day 3 saw a fairly early start (at least for me). As we were getting ready I 'decided' to take a quick swim while getting into my canoe. Can't remember the last time that happened and I'm glad I did it in a lake that was still frozen a couple days earlier.

The way back was fairly straightforward. The portage seemed easier but the winds were not as friendly. A bit after six we hit the beach at the end of the trip (me last as usual) and no one seemed in too much of a hurry to get their act together but after a little sugar we got moving, dropped the rentals and hit town for some grease.

Worth mentioning was we raffled off a fire starting kit that Mongrel arranged to have donated. Thanks (I believe) to Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. Chard went home with one of these.
http://www.canadianoutdoorequipment....-fire-kit.html


Great trip, great weather, and nice relaxed company.

[quiet]

Here are some pictures of the trip.

Still snow left in the shade:


Bubba and Jiblets - last minute packing:


Chard setting up his milk crate canoe seat:


Mongrel’s canoe:


Jiblets’ canoe at the Canoe Lake put-in:


Jiblets & Bubba on the way:


Keg, Chard Jiblets Bubba & Chenvre:


On Canoe Lake:



Heading into Fawn Lake:


Portage to Ink Lake:


Chard on Ink Lake:


Fresh beaver activity:


McIntosh Lake:


Jiblets catches a Laker from his porch:


Jiblets’ Lake Trout:


Cooking fish:


Steamed Lake Trout:


Leaving the campsite:


Chenvre:


The fish was delicious. Not only can Jiblets catch fish, but he can cook them as well. Thanks to Keg for showing how well his Sawyer squeeze water filter worked; I’m now going to have to buy one.