2010 Adventure Highlights – Algonquin Provincial Park
A look back at some of the best adventures of 2010.
Logging Some Quality Time on Kiosh Lake
Algonquin Provincial Park left some lasting memories with me. It was one of the few times where I felt alone in nature, away from the big city sights and sounds in 2010. Algonquin was a self imposed treat to myself, because at the time I knew that much of the summer would be researching big cities in Ontario and Quebec. Many were going to be cement cities in a greenless society.
I arrived at the campground in Algonquin on the north end of the massive park early in the day. The early bird gets the worm – and a good campsite if he is lucky. It turns out I was the only one camping there. My selection of a deserted campground suited me perfect as I was seeking some quiet time. The park has a few campgrounds to select from. There are two types of drive-in campgrounds – the monster campgrounds that resemble a small city and a few out-of-the-way remote campgrounds like the one I was in. And then there are the gems – the wilderness campgrounds accessible only by canoe or hiking trail.
The campground I decided to stay in, by choice, was the out-of-the-way remote campground on the north end of the park on Kiosh Lake. I scored too. The campsite was an end unit, waterfront and I could launch my canoe from the campsite. I was alone, just me and Ranger Rick – no other campers. I was chilling big time.
Canoe Trip
What made this trip such a highlight was the solitude, the lake views and the planned canoe day trip. No trip is complete in Algonquin Provincial Park unless you go canoeing. Algonquin is all about the lakes. Now.. in most circumstances I would of liked to go out canoeing for a few days and tackle some of the portages and stay in some of the wilderness campsites. But I had a limited window of opportunity and time so I spent a day paddling from island to island on Kiosh Lake.
I packed a lunch, a good book, my camera equipment and set out on a paddle in search of my own little piece of paradise. Soon later I found it – a tiny island with a private sandy beach tucked away in the corner of the lake. I beached the canoe. I scoped out the island for any hostiles. Once I was sure I was alone I set up day camp on the sandy beach. I felt like a little boy in a candy store.
The images of Alonquin Park will always be with me as it was that beautiful. And I look forward to my next trip.. a longer trip, a trip of portages and wilderness camping.