The weather last week was amazing and it ended up being perfect for our annual paddling trek into Algonquin Park. The four of us (Rob ,Julia, Meg and Mike) only had a few days to spare and decide to try out the Barron Canyon route.
Access to the Canyon is via the eastern edge of the park on a logging road that takes you to Achray. We left on the Monday Sept 19 in the afternoon and travelled to Pembroke so that we could get an early start on Tuesday; Meg and Mike decided to catch up to us and leave very early from Dwight on Tuesday, Sept 20 . They made the right move as the motel we stayed at in Pembroke was the absolute worst we have ever experienced - check out TripAdvisor for the Champlain Motor Motel/Inn in Pembroke to get the details!
On Day 1 we got the canoes into Grand Lake by 10:30am and had the wind at our back most of the morning. We stopped at High Falls for lunch and exploring. The fall are a very popular and have a water slide which Julia tried out. It was so beautiful. While on St Andrews Lake we caught sight of several water snakes and even a chipmunk paddling across.
By 4:30pm we made to our campsite at Opulesent Lake. We made a fire and had a fabulous pasta dinner complete with wine, beer and a touch of scotch....ok, so only one of us had the scotch
The next morning we got into the canyon but not before talking to a group of paddlers who made camp a few kilometers from us. They heard the wolves howling the night before...WOW!
The canyon was amazing. The walls were up to 300 ft high at times and were carved out by the retreating glaciers and huge runoffs of melt water over 10000 years ago. Shortly after finishing our paddle we were able to take a hike which followed the upper canyon and gave a great view of the river below. It is not the type of hike for those who have a fear of heights!
As usual, Annie our border terrier loved the trip, finding herself at ease in the canoe on her perch high up on our packs. We'll be back.
