Triplogs /Triplog#64-Day 1 / Day 2
Cache Lake - Tanamakoon Lake - Sheriff Pond - Little Island Lake
Day 2 - Little Island Lake - Kootchie Lake
Some light morning mist on Little Island Lake
A variety of canoes parked on our island campsite
It was around 8:30 am when I finally emerged from the tent. Late in the morning by summer standards, but just about right, in late October, the sun had just risen above a layer of morning mist, and the solar radiation was heating up the tent enough for me to crawl bravely, out of my sleeping bag. Joan made a superb breakfast of bagels with bacon and eggs, and coffee, with bailey's...mmm mmm good. Stainless & Dave Harman were the first one's out, soloing side by side for a morning paddle around the lake. Swede hung around camp, Dave & Jeanine went out for a paddle as well did Joan & myself. We stopped at a few locales around the lake, to survey the surrounding forest. We were concerned by the amount of blowdowns around Little Island Lake. There seemed to be a significant amount of dead timber lying around, more than usual that we have seen. I remarked about our observations to Dave Harmen about this. Dave was of the same mindset, commenting that he seemed to think that there was a growing abundance of fallen timber throughout Algonquin Park. With wind storms of the last few years growing both in frequency and intensity, Algonquin Park seemed to be on the road to forest fire disaster. Should a season or two of extremely dry conditions exist, forest fires could become a real problem in Algonquin Park. Even the island that we were camped on, had significant areas of blowdowns. If people didn't use it up first(for firewood), a forest fire could possibly flourish under the right conditions. Joan & I paddled on, marveling at the clarity of the water. I peered occasionally over the gunwale, looking for fish. This lake was supposed to harbor a brook trout population. Although the fishing rod was left at home(trout season closed), I couldn't help but look for fish, imagining a large trout circling the canoe, teasing me. I didn't see much except bottom, unless where it became too deep for us to see the bottom of the lake. There didn't seem to be much in the way of vegetation growing in the lake, and mostly what I saw was sunken timber. I didn't see any gravel beds or shoals, a requirement for brook trout populations.
Dave & Jeanine paddle Little Island Lake for firewood
Many islands populate Little Island Lake
We paddled over to the portage (225m) to Kootchie Lake. The landing was rocky layered with fallen leaves from the surrounding forest. The trail was wide and clear as it went slightly uphill thorough a deciduous forest, now bare with the progression of the Autumn season. Kootchie Lake is a very small Lake, much smaller than Sheriff Pond, and is a short paddle across on the way to another portage (835m) that leads to Smoke Lake. We left are canoeing back at the landing, and walked back along the portage. I wondered off the trail with Joan following, I had spotted a few Beech trees, and was looking for bear claw marks to show Joan. Bears will climb Beech trees in search of beech nuts, as rich source of food for black bears. I didn't find any marks, and continued to walk among the bare forest, climbing the hillside. We decided to see if we could find a vantage point that over looked the lake. After much huffing and puffing from the climb, we found a rock outcropping on which to sit. The view wasn't great as there was too much forest obscuring the lake and the outcropping of rock wasn't very prominent. We rested a few moments then headed back to our canoe. We decided to circle the island, passing the sight that Joan had declared as been too shady for Autumn. Dave & Jeanine were there scouting out the sight, they had also been on a firewood gathering mission and had a well loaded canoe full of wood as well. On the western edge of the large island are a few small islands..one looked perfect for a summertime lunch. The lake is well named, for it has several little islands scattered around the large island. We paddled with Dave & Jeanine, eventually landing back at camp. I dropped Joan off, and headed out for a solo along the south shore of the mainland, collecting more firewood.
Portage signage for the trail to Kootchie Lake
The take-out to the Kootchie Lake portage
Upon my return, Sean(of Ajax) and his daughter had arrived. Sean is a great friend, a fellow AA'er I had hooked up with a few seasons previous, and have enjoyed camping with him ever since, as well his photography expertise gives us something else to talk about and enjoy. Sean & his daughter had dropped by for a day visit. They weren't even staying the night. They came in via Smoke Lake...all that for a few hours of visitation. Ya know the lad loves Algonquin when he comes all that way just to say 'Hi' and relax for a few hours in Algonquin Park. Amazing! By late afternoon, we had more visitors; Jeff Proppe, Jeffrey McMurtrie(Algonquin Map Master), and his friend Andrew. It was looking like quite the get together was shaping up. As the afternoon wore on, Sean and his daughter had to pack up and leave. They didn't want to get stuck paddling and portaging in darkness. We said our farewells, and watched as they paddled away.
Swede, Andrew & Jeffrey McMurtrie - Algonquin Park Enthusiasts
Sean likes Jeffrey's Algonquin Park Map
Dinner time approached as everyone set about the task of cooking, eating and cleaning up. After dinner we all gathered around the fire, jokes, stories, and tales were traded. At one point a wolf howl ensued. We received an answer, but not by wolves, but by people we suspect that were at Camp Tanamakoon! There was no one else camped on Little Island Lake, there are no campsites on Sheriff Pond, and with the clear cold night air, I'm sure our howls carried over to Lake Tanamakoon. It seemed quite logical. Our answers had come from the direction of Lake Tanamakoon. It was quite funny actually. I wonder if there were any real wolves in the vicinity, and what they thought of all the commotion? The temperature that night dipped to below freezing -1.9°C on my LCD thermometer, and around -4°C on stainless's(Alcohol based) I think my thermometer needs to be calibrated as mine seemed to be off by two degrees.
Sean & his daughter depart after a short visit
it was around mid-night when everyone started to drop off to sleep. The was no wind, and the lake and surrounding forest was absent from sound. Although I do recall hearing a loon call a few times during the night, they were still some out there, but not as prevalent as summertime.
Andrew, Jeff Proppe & Dave Harman enjoy the sunset
Sunset on our last night at Little Island Lake