Triplogs / Triplog#5 / Days 3,4 & 5
Day 3 - Big Trout, Otterslide Creek, Otterslide Lake
We headed out onto a grey lake under a grey sky, the water was choppy but quite manageable, there was almost no wind. We paddled out east and down past the islands along the west side of the lake, essentially we were in the middle of the lake. Sean's shoulders and back were killing him that day, and progress was slow, we were made aware of our slowness by a another canoe tracking a parallel course to us, along the east shore, cutting across towards us. We had almost reached the bottom of the lake, when the canoe crossed our path and overtook us. It was 2 teenage boys, heading to Otterslide creek, I guessed. however they seemed to be going away from the creek. In fact it was us, using an older map, I was thrown off, by the appearance of a site where it shouldn't have been. I discovered later, that I had not mis-read the map, I had an outdated one, and ended up much farther west of where otterslide creek really was. Once at the landing to the first portage, a short but very steep 105m climbs up and up. Sneaking into the bush, we found some waterfalls, and shot some video of them. We also met a couple from England, where the guy, had the unfortunate luck of getting 6 leeches on his feet earlier the day before. He said he had stepped into some sandy shallows and they just latched onto him. I guess to the leeches English blood is a rare delicacy! We paddled and portaged our way to Otterslide Lake. All the portages are not bad at all, well worn, mucky in some spots like the creek too, and very little in the way of human traffic was encountered. We came upon a few canoes loaded with kids, heading towards Big Trout Lake, at one point on the creek, and the English couple again on one of the portages, but that was it. We had gone much farther than most I guess, it was nice to be away from the noise people generate. More Herons were spotted along Otterslide creek.
Waterfalls at the 105m portage off of Big Trout Lake
Reaching Otterslide Lake, there is an old Log jam, at the head of Otterslide creek. I'm guessing they could be from an old log drive, that never completed it's journey. I ventured out for a walk on the logs. I walked out quite a way, just to get a feel of what it must've been like to be a logger in the old days. It was fun, and coming back to shore I stepped on one log that rolled on me and I almost fell in. Luckily I made it back to shore. Enough log walking, let's find a campsite. We paddled out and onto Otterslide Lake. To the south and a little west of us as an imposing hill line. It seemed to rise up out of the water, what a view!
Walking on the logjam on Otterslide Lake
There is a campsite on the left shoreline here, with a few Cedar trees overhanging the shoreline. As we approached, we heard long before we saw, that the site was occupied. A large group of young people hanging out. The island site too was occupied, we moved east, the next site again, was taken. We finally settled on the 4th site east of the creek, along the north shore of the lake. An interesting site. Crowded with pine, and a visible root system. The site itself sat low and almost level with the water. There was some nice flat rock to sit by the waters edge, however the water didn't look inviting to swim in. It was rocky, and the weather was still grey anyways. We set up camp, and I decided to go fishing and paddling alone, just to the other side of the bay. It was my first time being alone in the canoe, things went well for the most part. I didn't catch any fish, and as I headed back to camp the wind woke up. I got pushed around like a feather. After much swearing and furious strokes I made it back to camp, realizing I didn't wear my pfd.
The first campsite on Otterslide lake, south of the creek
Just before dinner, I was setting up the tripod for the camcorder on the shore, when I spotted a pair of loons, down the lake. Suddenly they took a long run, and started to head towards me. I fumbled with my gear, too late! The Loons did a perfect take off and flyby, mere meters from me at head level, ascending as they skimmed the shoreline, what a fantastic scene it was, too bad it wasn't captured on video. I guess some things are best left remembered.
Day 4 - Otterslide, Little Otterslide, Burnt Island Lake
We headed to Burnt Island Lake, via Little Otterslide Lake. Again there are some nice hills here, yet I didn't like the look of the campsites in the south west end of the lake. They were all bushy looking. Being this close to Burnt Island Lake, I was surprised to see group of 8 canoes head for the portage behind us. Soon we reached the 790m portage to Burnt Island Lake. The beginnings or at least the first 100m or so of the trail is very rocky as it ascends. It felt like we were climbing an ancient creek bed. Eventually the trail flattened and smoothed out, with the last 100m or so being decorated with chipwood. I went back for the second trip, to get the canoe. I passed the group of teenagers as they ascended the trail, and when I came to the end, and was about to pick up the canoe, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye.
All the teenagers packs were here, as they had carried there canoes first. One one of the packs, sat a squirrel happy munching on dried fruit and nuts..fresh oranges and apples laid about as well. The squirrel had found his treasure! As I was watching the squirrel, one of the kids came back. Obviously he was sent back to watch the gear, and when he saw me looking at the packs, he ran over. "What are you doing?", he asked nervously. "Trying not to laugh", I said, pointing at the squirrel. "You really shouldn't trip with fresh fruits, it attracts animals, bigger ones too, sometimes". "Bye", I said with a grin. I picked up my canoe and started off up the trail.
soloing for an hour on Otterslide Lake
soloing without a PFD, not a smart way to paddle
It was a beautiful day as we launched onto Burnt Island Lake, the sun was shining, with a slight haze in the air. We spied a campsite just north of the portage. It had a few overhanging cedars on the shoreline, with a picnic table too! The site looked spacious, and we both thought about staying there. It was too early in the day I said, and besides I had a better site in mind. Burnt Island Lake is a big lake, especially at it's eastern end, and we both enjoyed the view immensely, the southern shoreline dotted with many pine clad islands. It is a very pretty lake. Soon we reached the midway point of the lake, just before Caroline Island. We came around the bend, and I swore much too loudly, suddenly very upset. The site I had my mind on was occupied. I really had wanted to stay on this site. I was here two years eariler, and it is very spacious, with a great swimming hole. The occupants were on the shore's edge enjoying the morning view. I noticed that the 'diving tree' that I had used 2 years previously was washed up on shore, and the water level, was much higher, so much so, that the rock ledge I had sat upon, was submerged. What a difference time can make! As we left, the group of 8 canoes, came upon us, and I looked around, to see canoes everywhere. It suddenly occurred to me that we had better start looking for another site, fast. We chose the next site, directly across from Caroline Island on a point on the south shore.
Some Fungi growing in a stump
It was not a very good site. But as we unloaded, more and more canoes, coming from the west, paddled by, the occupants looking for a spot to camp. I realized then that the lake was probably very close to capacity, and decided we had better not move at all, despite the bushy-ness of the site. It is a great site for rainy weather, as it is closed in. There was a massive pine that had fallen over, and sat at a 45° angle. Looking up, one could almost shimmy up it, almost. The landing, had lots of vegetation and slimy rocks, and looking into the water, I shrank back, as I spotted two leeches. No swimming here for me. In the late afternoon, it became overcast, and as I watched more and more canoes go by, a motorboat went past, heading east. On this LAKE? I thought to myself. About 45 minutes later, the boat came back, the driver waving to me, carrying a passenger. Injury I speculated. Thinking of this, I went over to my hammock, and sat in it, and crashed to the ground. A few of the strings had snapped, and I fell with a heavy thump and curse. Sean was laughing and came over to see if I was alright. Injuries indeed! The bush was filled with them today. My hammock had seen alot of use the last few years, and it had decided to then and there call it quits. Fortunately only my pride was hurt, as I grinned back at Sean. "Just glad that canoe, won't be turning into a hearse!". We set up our tent in a bowl shaped depression, filled with hay and grasses, at least 2 feet thick. Our tent fit the depression perfectly, and I said to Sean that if it rained, we would be dry here, instead of camping under the trees on flat dirt covered ground. As it was, it poured rain for several hours during the night. It seemed at one point that the raindrops were gonna tear holes in the fly. It worked perfectly though. The grass filled depression acted well as a drainage system, and we were still dry when morning came, not one leak came into our tent.
Day 5 - Burnt Island, Joe series of lakes, Canoe - Out
It was another beautiful morning, as we packed up and left. No haze, just crystal clear sky. We left early, as I didn't want to paddle against the wind, which seem to be prevalent on this lake. There is a couple of deadheads on the lake, so you have to watch out for them, it isn't of any real concern, as you can see them from quite a distance, but I can imagine paddling in the dark, it would be quite startling to run into one. We reached the end of the lake, and came upon a well constructed landing, and a short and very wide and smooth 200m portage to Baby Joe Lake. Next came the 435m portage bypassing Lost Joe Lake, then the 165m to Joe Lake.
I've been told sometimes the water is high enough to bypass the last two portages. As it was, we did manage to bypass the 165m portage, and paddled out onto a weedy bay on Joe Lake. We passed Arowhon Lodge and continued west along Joe Lake. It is another pretty lake, especially where it starts to narrow. The first few campsites on the north shore were occupied. These sites weren't that great, and it just goes to show that during long weekends along the highway #60 corridor lakes, choice campsites are very limited. It was during this paddle down Joe Lake, that Sean voiced his only regret on the whole trip. "We should've done this years ago", he said. A pang of regret hit me too, when he said that. All those years wasted in the city, when we could've been up here, enriching our lives with the perfection of Algonquin. "Well, we're here now, and we can always come back for more", I said. Sean brightened and forgot his regret as he said, "yup, there's next year and the year after that, and so on". Sean had told me that he really liked Big Trout lake, and wished we could've stayed there longer. I said maybe next time, but this trip was a chance to give him a tour, to see and get a feel of what it is like to trip. Despite his injuries, Sean plodded thru our trip with exceptional stamina, and rarely complained, and only did so, once camp was made, when he could relax, and stretch and groan in agony. He is an excellent partner, despite my impatience at times.
We have since then, had more trips together, some more relaxing than this one.
We paddled onto a breezy Canoe Lake, and headed back to the Portage Store. Another regret for myself, was that when we got in Sean's car and pulled away, that we were not heading to another access point to start another trip, but to head back to so called 'civilization'.