Parks Canada: firing staff, shortening seasons privatizing hot springs. What’s next? Branded elk?
This week’s announcement of federal government layoffs featured a lot from Parks Canada. And then, a day later, the agency announces they’re going to sell off three of its most iconic attractions. Now I admit, I work for the union that acts on behalf of the people losing their jobs at Parks Canada. But the parks and wilderness lover in me is also outraged.
Can I use a sea kayak in the Algonquin Park interior?
Well, it’s not against the law. And you probably won’t die if you do. But my strong suggestion would be ‘no’. Why? Three reasons: the portages, the portages and the portages.
How far can you go in a day
Another canoe tripping question. Trip planning is fun but there’s too many variables, I tell you. And if you’re travelling in one of Ontario’s managed parks, it matters how far you can go every day because you have to book into a particular lake for each night of the trip.
Do you drink the water in Algonquin Park?
I got an email from someone planning a trip to Algonquin Park this spring and he posed me the question. It’s a good one. And while I hasten to add I’m no expert I’m making my response into a post because… uh… I need a post today and it’s an interesting question.
Topographic Maps Canada – an app that puts all Canada’s topos on your iPhone or iPad
I’m someone who likes to hang out in bars and talk about where to paddle a canoe. It doesn’t happen that often but I’m forever bringing maps along which is fine – because Tyvek is also beer resistant – but inevitably the question is ‘how far is that’ or ‘do you have the map for X’?
Looking for kid-friendly Algonquin interior destinations
We’ve thought of Achray. We’re headed to the park (we hope) in August, and were hoping to keep crowds to a dull roar. We’re willing to do a couple of short portages (aka less than 500m each). We’ll be coming from Ottawa and driving four or five hours is about as much as the family can tolerate.
Wolf Lake Wednesday
It’s late but here’s my week’s contribution to Wolf Lake Wednesday. Friends of Temagami, Earthroots and no doubt a bunch of other organizations and individuals are trying to pressure the Ontario government to take Wolf Lake in the Chiniguchi waterway off the table for mining and logging.
Where’s the peak of Silver Peak
Someone posted a comment on my recent trip report wondering where indeed is the highest point in Silver Peak. Apparently there used to be a fire tower on top of it? And the tower footings mark the highest point. At the end of the Silver Peak trail section there are some concrete footings. I’m not sure they’re from a fire tower – they don’t seem far enough apart, compared to those still around at Maple Mountain and Ishpatina Ridge. But they’re for some kind of tower. One is visible in this photo.
Killarney Park: to Silver Peak and back via Three Narrows
I have posted my usual report on the canoe trip my friend Martin and I took last weekend. This year we went to Killarney Park. Martin had never been so I had to take him ’round to show him the sites. The trip did not disappoint. Read: Killarney Park: Carlyle, David, Killarney via Three Narrows
Back from Killarney
I’ll have a full report soon, but I wanted to say re-bonjour to the internet after my server also decided to take the weekend off. I’m looking into the causes and the solutions. Apologies to all whose websites I host and who missed my blog.
What have I forgotten?
Tomorrow is an early morning and a long drive to Killarney Provincial Park. The car’s packed. The boat is strapped onto the roof. Hope them foam blocks hold. Hope I haven’t forgotten anything. Hope the weather’s good. Hope the route is navigable.
Foam blocks? Check. Spatula? Check
Next weekend my friend Martin and I are off to Killarney Park. Our third annual fall canoe trip. I’m very excited. I was trolling the gear shops in the west end for bits and pieces of gear, including foam blocks to put the canoe on the roof of the rental.
As kid-focused and limited as it was
This weekend’s trip really did whet my appetite for this September’s canoe trip with my friend Martin. We’re going to Killarney Park this time. Something of a re-do of trips I’ve done before, but we’re going through some terrain I’ve never seen and Killarney is so beautiful I could go there a million times and not be bored of it.
Frontenac Park, Site cluster 5
We’re back from three nights and four days at Frontenac Park. We had a lovely time. Select photos below. Some random notes before I fade off to sleep.
Booking in Killarney was easier than I thought
I have booked me another canoe trip. My friend Martin and I are staking out the second or third weekend in September as our new traditional canoe trip weekend. In the last two years we’ve gone to Algonquin and Chiniguchi.
