Alone on McGarvey Lake, Algonquin Park - solo canoe trip

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Alone on McGarvey Lake, Algonquin Park - solo canoe trip

http://myselfreliance.com/mcgarvey-lake-algonquin-park/

I finally reached my destination for the night, McGarvey Lake, at 5:00 pm, about 8 hours, 14 kms of paddling, 6 kms of portages and 13 lakes after leaving Cache Lake this morning, September 26th. I haven’t seen anyone since Little Coon Lake and at this hour I don’t expect other canoeists to show up so I should have the lake to myself for the night.

Looking northwest from the portage from Whatnot Lake, the lake looks tranquil and wild and I hope to see and hear moose this evening.

I have never been on this lake before, but I know from Jeff’s Map that there are three campsites on McGarvey Lake, and I’m assuming I’m going to prefer the island site halfway down the lake. I’ve heard that the Lake Trout fishing is decent, so I immediately drop a line so I can troll while scanning the shoreline for moose. The creek south to Loader Lake and Lower Whatnot Lake looks like prime wildlife habitat, and I’m tempted to take the south campsite simply for the chance at seeing moose, deer or bear this evening. It has a nice beach landing and an opening in the dense trees looking southwest, overlooking the marsh and providing a clear view of the setting sun.

However, as expected, the island campsite midway down the lake is fantastic and I’ve decided to stay here for the night. There is a good canoe landing area on the north point, which also provides good west exposure to view tonight’s sunset.

The fishing was unproductive, so I’ll be making homemade dehydrated pasta with meat sauce for dinner. My small kit is efficient and easy to unpack, and I’m ready to cook within minutes. I set up my simple sleep system quickly while dinner is simmering.

The evening is relatively uneventful and quiet, other than several immature loons that entertained me for hours – trying in vain to sing their ubiquitous song with their young voices, and practicing their take-offs and awkward landings. I go for a serene paddle around the lake in the moonlight and am able to call back and forth with a bull and cow moose up on the ridge to the southeast, but they stay high and I never do see them.

Day 2: Morning on McGarvey Lake

My bed for the night is fantastic, comfortably nestled at the base of a mature white pine tree, overlooking the water where I watch the loons play and the early morning sky slowly brighten.

I prefer eastern exposure campsites so that the morning sun dries out my equipment before packing it away, and this one fits the bill. This perfectly placed bench is a wonderful place to enjoy my morning coffee and watch the spectacular sunrise, mist drifting across the lake. I wish I could capture and convey the aroma of a dewy Algonquin Park morning – lake water, dirt, campfire smoke and baking pine needles.

While enjoying a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries and bacon, I consider my route ahead and adjust my plan considerably. Rather than loop south through Pen, Welcome, Harry, etc., I decide to take more time to fish and instead head up through Louisa to spend the night on Pardee Lake. I wouldn’t attempt this during peak summer months when lakes are fully booked and taking an unreserved campsite may displace another party who have reserved the sites. Solo tripping also gives me the luxury to utilize any campsite, regardless of quality or size, and I would gladly give up a premium site to a larger party if necessary. If a lake is occupied, I can quickly adjust and move to another lake. Today, September 27th, I don’t expect this to be an issue. So, decision made, I pack up and head out.

Passing the northern most campsite, I’m glad I chose the island site. This one would do in a pinch, but it’s not what I would call a destination site.

The Lemon Lake portage landing is found directly across from the island campsite. It’s rocky and requires some tricky maneuvering to avoid scratching the bottom of the canoe, but the 810m portage itself proves to be high, dry and makes for a nice morning walk. Quickly evident though is that the wind has picked up considerably and I expect it to be a factor in my lake paddling today.

I’m eager to complete this portage to Lemon Lake and the following one to North Grace, which is a lake I’ve always wanted to visit, and I expect to be impressed with the scenery and the fishing quality.

Tags: iMovie,algonquin park,canoe trip,camping,solo

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