We left Thursday afternoon for Algonquin, stopping for dinner on the way and arriving in Kearney just at dusk. Discovering that the park office closed at 6:30p.m., we continued down the 27 km. washboard road to the park. Finding a place to camp for the night at the access point. We set up the extra tent that we had brought so that we would have to unpack only a few items.
Upon arriving in Kearney at the park office we discovered we had no brakes on the car and Al had to use the standard transmission and hand brake to stop. We got our permit and were told the "Fire Ban" had been lifted. Al checked the car and found with the vibration and sudden stop we had broken a brake line on the left rear wheel. We proceded to the only garage in town to try and get the car repaired. We were told the mechanic would not be in so we decided to worry about it at the end of the trip. We returned to the park and set off down Rain Lake.
The first Portage 1275m. and a little rough up and down hills, over rocks etc. found out we weren't in as good shape as we thought we were. Arrived in Casey Lake completely pooped! picked a campsite (there were only three) and set up camp (We had the whole lake to ourselves).
Woke at 6:A.M., had breakfast, struck camp and headed for the portage (1135 m.). This portage was not too bad the first 200 m. is uphill about 100 m. then down hill the rest of the way (a long grind uphill if you're going the other way.
We travelled to the island on Daisy Lake and found a campsite on the west side of the island. We set up camp and went to explore the island and found a real nice campsite on the south point. When we saw it from the water it didn't look very good but we found it was very well laid out and quite flat. Karen took a photo of a tree stump on the campsite. Back at the camp site we saw a brood of Mergansers come by about dinner time. (mother and 7 little ones)
Set out for 1st. portage (135 m.) to the Petawawa R. (a doddle), water level in river very low. We had to walk and drag the canoe for about 2 km. off and on to the next portage (460 m.), saw a Blue Heron and passed within 25' and it just stood there watching us.
The portage was not too bad at the end of the portage we ate lunch and proceded down the Petawawa about half way between the portage and Little Misty Lake we came upon a beaver dam where we had to do a liftover. Continued through Little Misty to the next portage (915 m.) to Misty Lake. The portage was very hilly and rocky at some points. Al slipped and twisted an ankle and banged up a knee. At the end of the portage we got some great pictures of 3 Moose.
We found a nice campsite at the NE. end of an island. Being a long weekend, most of the campsites were taken. We set up and made dinner. (Garlic Herb Pasta W/Dried marinaded beef, Tea and dried fruit.)
Up at 5:30, took photos of Sunrise. Had breakfast and did some laundry. Later we went swimming and for a little explore. We found a Loon nest just around the point from our campsite. The pair had 2 chicks and they all came quite close to our campsite and we got some photos of them feeding their young. Al's ankle and knee is really giving him a lot of trouble. Went over to 1030 m. portage to Muslim L. to check it out (mostly uphill not too steep and in good condition), rest of day lazed around. Looks like it may rain.
Had breakfast packed up and headed for Macintosh Lake. First portage (765 m.), not too bad going to Timberwolf. Since this was a short trip we decided to check out some of the campsites on Timberwolf (not very impressive, very hilly and not much space to pitch anything larger than a pup tent).
We continued to portage to Macintosh L. (405 m.). At the end of the portage we ate lunch. Due to the problem with Al's leg and ankle, we wimped out and decided that it was not a good idea to travel from Macintosh L. to Winona including 4 portages in one day (as planned), so we returned to Misty Lake and our old campsite. We had our pick of sites due to most people leaving on Monday from the long weekend.
Mid afternoon, it looks like rain, we had some rain last night but it only lasted 10 minutes or so. Also, there is thunder in the west but no lightning as yet. We went swimming the water was just about right with some real warm spots, that really helped the leg.
About 10:30p.m., we saw some guys looking for a campsite with a flashlight. They came over to our site and told us they had been 11 hours coming from Magnetewan access but low water and knee deep mud had slowed them down. We told them of a empty campsite on the point to the east, and they were off. Later we heard some wolves howling across the lake.
After breakfast we went to explore the 130 m. portage to Timberwolf L., which turned out to be not accessible (as advised by parks staff on beginning our trip). We then explored other parts of the lake including a portage (705 m.) to Pandion Pond. Saw a very large brood of Mergansers (about 20, 1 adult). We then returned to our campsite for a late lunch. After lunch, had a good wash and rested the leg until dinner.(Beef stew W/dumplings, Rice Krispi Squares and tea.)
After dinner, got fire ready and planned tomorrows' trip Misty to Winona Lake. Just after dinner a Marten ran through our campsite and we saw a Blue Heron sitting on a rock just off of our campsite.
Up at 5:30a.m., took our time, had breakfast and got ready to leave for Winona lake. Set off about 8:30 and arrived at the portage (1030 m.) to Muslim L., met couple who told us they had seen a she bear and two cubs on the portage about half way. We unloaded and started down the portage (On many of the portages we had seen bear scat but no bears). We continued on the portage but didn't see the bears and arrived at Muslim L. (Pond). This Lake is about ½ km. in length then another portage (370 m.) to Winona L. (very hilly, short, but a killer).
We got set up and it started to rain (hope it doesn't last long). There was one loon on the lake and it didn't move around much. We made a cup of tea and sat as the rain became a fine mist that just made every thing damp but not wet. The wind came up and the rest of the day was quite nasty. Just this steady mist like a very heavy fog, but more coarse. Had Dinner (Bean Thingie, tea and raspberry cobbler) and crashed early (8:30) due to the inclement weather.
First portage (540 m.) a little rough but not too bad. Bandit Lake is small but has two excellent campsites on it. Next portage to Moccasin L.(440 m.) only 2 campsites but a major crossing for 4 routes, campsites fair. Portage (165 m.) to Juan lake a real nuisance but quite level. Next portage (450 m.) to jubilee this portage could be quite nasty, but thanks to maintenance volunteers, they have built a wooden walkway over the marsh to the lake about 250 m. We found a nice campsite on Jubilee L. and waited for the weather to clear. After dinner (Orange rice, stir fry, meat patties (freeze dried), tea and (blueberry cobbler.) we went to check out the portage to Sawyer L. This portage is very difficult to get to. We would have to maneuver the canoe between rocks with us out and then in a small bay we got as near the access as we could. At best we would have to carry the canoe over about 200 m. of rocks just to get to the access. With gear this would be tough. We returned to the campsite and got ready to crash.
Got up and headed for Rain Lake. Portage to Sawyer L. (560 m.+200 m.) for rock pile, due to low water. Sawyer L. all campsites full nice lake appears to be good fishing. Portage Sawyer to Rain L. (310 m.) quite easy. As we travelled down Rain lake trying to find a campsite for our last two days, we found all of the campsites full (looks like they over-booked) however it was still early. We decided that we would camp at the access point and Al would use the last day to get the car repaired. At the access point we met Andy and Mary King the park hosts (volunteer) a really great couple who offered the use of their emergency telephone for Al to call a garage to try and get the car fixed. In the end, We drove to Huntsville to try and get repairs done. No one would look at it before late Monday afternoon. So at Canadian Tire, Al bought the necessary part and went back to the park.
Later around a campfire Andy and Mary celebrated their 18th. Wedding Anniversary.
Got up 6:00 A.M., looks like a beautiful day had breakfast and Al repaired the car (It cost $3.99 and a half hour of time)(We have brakes!!). Later we went swimming after lunch we had a thunderstorm (it didn't last long) We went for a walk along the hiking trail about 2½km. and picked tons of blueberries and Blackberries. (a real bumper crop!) We're berried out, we've had berries almost every day. Went swimming again and met another couple from Bancroft (Doug and Debbie Sergeant)
Got up 6:00 A.M. had breakfast and struck camp. managed to get in one more swim. started to rain about 11:00 so we started for home.
