Eastern Great Lakes Hang - Sept 28-30, 2012 - Autumn Paddle in Algonquin

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Calling paddlers & hangers,

I can't believe it's been a year since our last EGL paddle in Algonquin, but since we had such a great time, we're going to throw our canoes in the water again and paddle away for a long weekend trip in our own Piney Woods.

Although we're planning on a two night trip, we'll definitely be camping within range of someone wanting to come in for the Saturday night only. Locations haven't been fixed, but it's between Ragged/Parkside Bay and Lake Louisa.

Although I have my own preference, let's get some feedback. It comes down to a 2895m vs a 240m. But sometimes the rewards are worth the extra effort, and it's only one portage after all. One advantage of single portage... Good food!!!!! Expect a BBQ the first night for sure!!!!

Don't forget to bring your camera!!!

So if you're interested, just post a response. It'd be nice to see some of the new Canadian hangers and even some of you South of the border. We've already got most of one site filled, but will be more than happy to open a second.

Responses so far...

Looking back to shore...(aka Confirmed)
:thumbup1:Chard - D'uh!
:thumbup1:Dant8ro - Arrr, now that's the spirit!
:thumbup1:Ryvr - How bad can it get with a master chef on hand?
:thumbup1:Jayson - On board!!

On the docks checking out the waters...(aka Positive but unconfirmed)
:shades:Bubba - Definitely looking good!
:shades:Brantwing - You know you want to!!
:shades:Jiblets - So far so good
:shades:Bcaron - Tentatively positve
:shades:Kasuko - Have hammock. Will travel.

Trying to get the canoe on the car...(aka Unconfirmed)
:confused:[o[TTer - Entering complex and delicate negotiations with key stakeholders

Staring sadly at the canoe gathering dust in the garage rafters...(Confirmed not coming)
:cryingDeadeye - Out - In the bush the last two weekends of Sept



Smoke/Ragged/Parkside Bay
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Rock/Louisa
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Need a partner Chard?:D Looking pretty good for me to go.

What is the advantage of the route with the longer portage?

A fair chance at one of these lies at the end of that portage... That and hopefully that longer portage will prove daunting for the weekend yahoos interested in radios and late night partying.

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Will talk to Tracey and see what our calendar looks like.

I'm definitely in. Just let me wangle the Friday off, which shouldn't be to hard. Man i'm not going to work much of September. lol :D

It'll be good to see some of the same faces, and some of the new ones.

Dan.

Man, I wish I was in the country that weekend..... I miss my fall trips to APP. I don't miss my old nemesis Smoke Lake though.

I have been to both lakes and they both have excellent campsites. The fishing is better at Louisa, but the shorter portage has the advantage of being able to bring more creature comforts.

Have fun and keep the open side up!

I'd be happy with the long portage since it is the only one for the trip. After all, a little hard work can pay off in the end. How's the terrain of the long portage?

I haven't been on the portage myself (one of the reasons I want to give it a go), but looking at the elevation chart I made on mapmyrun.com, it looks like the first quarter starts a little steep coming off the lake but levels off, the second quarter climbs 60m to the peak of the trail in half a km, with the remaining half of the portage rolling within a 20m range from the peak. Best I can do without being there. I'll check the web and see if there are any horror stories about that portage. There're probably all terrible because nobody wants to let on that there's a beutiful interior lake within such easy access of the main roads. Either way, my trip report will confirm that this portage is absolutely the worst I've ever been on and that I'd definitely recommend that anyone with any sense consider another lake to camp on!

But we'll see when we get there if that's the route we choose. Likely we'll want to double carry the first quarter and second half and double carry the hill. We'll see. We should also have enough guys to share the load of any group gear we bring in (extra tarps, etc...).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chard

...I'll check the web and see if there are any horror stories about that portage...

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I've read a few blogs saying it is incredibly difficult and not worth doing.:rolleyes: Seriously, from what I've read, its not bad at all.:thumbup1:

The portage is not bad at all .... pretty wide and fairly accessable. We were there in the spring, so there was a ton of deadfall covering the trail.

I will say this .... that's almost 3km of non-paddling ..... not how I wanted to spend my time with my canoe.

Like I stated earlier .... I like the open side up!