Head Lake & Head Creek, Algonquin Provincial Park

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Head Lake and Head Creek, Algonquin Provincial Park

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

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I follow the long 1035m portage to Head Lake from Harness Lake Portage mid morning on September 28, 2015 and find low water in Head Creek. I like this kind of terrain. The shallow, narrow creek winds through a swampy lowland that should harbour an abundance of wildlife. The landing is rocky and it’s difficult to launch without adding a few more character scratches to the bottom of the canoe.

Once I reach the main lake a few hundred metres from the portage, it opens up and I paddle past five campsites on the right bank – three for backpackers and two for canoeists. I like the look of them and I can see why this lake is often fully booked during the summer season.

Because I’ve decided to detour down Head Creek and up the Madawaska River, I don’t linger long on Head Lake and I reach the portage down Head Creek in less than half an hour.

I don’t want to rush this day, my last of this trip, so I sit for a short lunch break and fill up my water bottle. I’m a little nervous about the water here since the west wind is blowing surface water into this narrow bay, so I add a Micropur tablet to the bottle and wait a few minutes before drinking. I don’t know it now, but this refreshing drink may contain Giardia parasites.

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Head Lake, Shawn having lunch

Head Lake, Algonquin Park

I follow the long 1035m portage to Head Lake from Harness Lake Portage mid morning on September 28, 2015 and find low water in Head Creek. I like this kind of terrain. The shallow, narrow creek winds through a swampy lowland that should harbour an abundance of wildlife. The landing is rocky and it’s difficult to launch without adding a few more character scratches to the bottom of the canoe.

Head Creek above Head Lake

Head Creek above Head Lake, at portage to Harness Lake

Once I reach the main lake a few hundred metres from the portage, it opens up and I paddle past five campsites on the right bank – three for backpackers and two for canoeists. I like the look of them and I can see why this lake is often fully booked during the summer season.

Head Lake south campsite

First canoe campsite on the northeast shore

Head Lake north campsite

Head Lake north campsite

Because I’ve decided to detour down Head Creek and up the Madawaska River, I don’t linger long on Head Lake and I reach the portage down Head Creek in less than half an hour.

Head Lake outlet to Head Creek

Head Lake outlet to Head Creek

I don’t want to rush this day, my last of this trip, so I sit for a short lunch break and fill up my water bottle. I’m a little nervous about the water here since the west wind is blowing surface water into this narrow bay, so I add a Micropur tablet to the bottle and wait a few minutes before drinking. I don’t know it now, but this refreshing drink may contain Giardia parasites.

Head Lake, Shawn having lunch

Head Lake, Shawn having lunch

Once I’m refreshed, I’m load up and single carry my canoe and gear down the short but relatively steep portage to Head Creek. In hindsight, I could have spent a little more time on this lake to explore, checking out the pretty little waterfall found in the bay leading to Kenneth Lake.

Tags: iMovie,algonquin provincial park,camping,canoeing,lake,self reliance,my self reliance

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