Adventure #5: A Weekend in Algonquin with the Boys Exploring Ralph Bice Lake
Having heard all about my past canoe tripping experiences, my brother and dad became interested in joining me on my most recent trip into Algonquin Park. The two had wanted to get into canoe tripping years ago and kept putting it off, only becoming interested in the idea again after hearing about my many adventures. Thus, we decided to plan a weekend to go together, along with my good friend Michelle.
After a week or so of planning, my dad, brother, and I set out on Saturday, July 6, leaving around 8am. We had loaded up my brother's and my canoe, along with my dad's kayak, and headed on our way, but had to stop several times, touring various Canadian Tire stores along the way, in hopes of finding isobutane canisters for my stove. We weren't entirely sure we would have enough fuel in the canister I already had and wanted a backup just in case. It took us stopping at 4 different places before we finally found one! Once we had found the fuel, we finished our journey to Algonquin, stopping at the permit office in Kearney before heading down the long road to the Magnetawan access point. Upon arriving, the parking lot was packed full of cars, and many people were using the launch. It was a busy place, to say the least! We got to work unloading our gear and carrying it to the put-in, before loading up our boats and heading on our way towards the portage into Hambone Lake.
The paddle from Magnetawan Lake to the portage was super short. We then unloaded our packs, getting all of our gear situated to make it across the portage. With my dad's kayak being so heavy, he opted to use a kayak cart that he had made, so my brother ended up carrying his pack and our canoe, while my dad and I each took our own packs and worked together to wheel his kayak to the other side. At just over 100m the portage was very short, and we were soon loaded up and on our way paddling through Hambone Lake towards our next portage into Ralph Bice Lake. We ended up having to wait for a large group before we could get out at the portage, however, the day was so nice that it was peaceful to just wait in our canoe/kayak. As we made it over the close to 300m portage, the large group was super kind to let us load up first as they realized we would be a lot faster than they would be (thanks kind campers!! 😃).
Ralph Bice Lake was somewhat choppy due to how windy it was, but we managed to paddle through it. We ended up choosing one of the first sites to the left of the lake, which was a beautiful site. Now you may recall that I had mentioned Michelle was coming with us on this trip, and may be wondering where she's been this whole time. Well, unfortunately, Michelle had to work until 1pm on Saturday, and so we had planned to meet up with her once she got off work. As Ralph Bice Lake is quite large, we had opted to portage back into Hambone Lake and meet up with her there around 3pm. That left us just enough time to set up our sleep systems and eat a quick lunch of pepperettes in tortillas before heading back on the water to meet Michelle.
After making it back through the rough waters, we decided to just take the canoe over the portage, leaving my dad's kayak at the end rather than having to pull it through the portage again. The three of us loaded up into the canoe in Hambone Lake with all of our fishing gear and set out, spending our time waiting for Michelle by catching some fish. Luckily, my dad's first cast into the lake caught him a good-size trout that we decided to keep for dinner later. We didn't have too much more time fishing before Michelle caught up to us and we all set out on our way to the site on Ralph Bice Lake.
Once at the site, we got to work finishing setting up. We had a cute little fire pit, a good tree on the point of the site that was perfect for our bear hang, a nice flat spot for my brother's Kelty tent, and a cluster of trees that were spaced out perfectly for my Lawson hammock, my dad's Amok hammock, and Michelle's Hennesey hammock.
By the time we finished setting up, it was around dinner time, so we got to work boiling our water for Backpacker's Pantry and Alpine Aire meals, and start cooking our freshly filleted fish. I was trying Alpine Aire's Leonardo da Fettucine, which was really tasty. After dinner, the water had calmed down enough that we all set out on a little sunset paddle exploring the left side of the lake, all around an island. We then returned to the campsite, and basically, all decided to go to bed before the bugs carried us away haha. Only my dad made time for a quick swim first.
The next morning we woke up and got to work preparing our Alpine Aire and Backpacker's Pantry breakfasts. I had Alpine Aire's Raspberry Granola, which is one of my all-time favourite backcountry breakfasts! After breakfast, we made plans to head up Ralph Bice Lake and portage into Little Trout Lake to explore. The water was much calmer this day. We ended up just taking the canoe again, leaving my dad's kayak behind. So it was my dad and brother paddling the canoe, with me having a comfortable ride in the middle, while Michelle paddled her own solo canoe.
Little Trout Lake was a lovely lake, however, with the wind being less intense, more bugs came out to bite! We spent a few hours exploring before we arrived back at our site for a swim and lunch. We swam out to a little island in front of our site, laughing as we struggled to walk on the slippery rocks. The water was super warm! After swimming we had lunch, enjoying the same thing as the day prior, with some snacks as well. After lunch, we started packing up our site, heading on our way back towards the Magnetawan put-in as soon as we were done. After paddling and portaging, we arrived back to our vehicles, loading up our gear before heading on our way back home. Sadly, our trip had come to an end, and we had to head home as we all had work Monday morning. It had been a gorgeous weekend, weather-wise, and we had seen so many loons! My dad and brother are pleased they came out and are already planning our next trip for the fall. Ralph Bice Lake is definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit again! Has anyone else ever stayed on this lake? If so, what memories do you have from your trip here?
Until the next adventure,
- Megan
After a week or so of planning, my dad, brother, and I set out on Saturday, July 6, leaving around 8am. We had loaded up my brother's and my canoe, along with my dad's kayak, and headed on our way, but had to stop several times, touring various Canadian Tire stores along the way, in hopes of finding isobutane canisters for my stove. We weren't entirely sure we would have enough fuel in the canister I already had and wanted a backup just in case. It took us stopping at 4 different places before we finally found one! Once we had found the fuel, we finished our journey to Algonquin, stopping at the permit office in Kearney before heading down the long road to the Magnetawan access point. Upon arriving, the parking lot was packed full of cars, and many people were using the launch. It was a busy place, to say the least! We got to work unloading our gear and carrying it to the put-in, before loading up our boats and heading on our way towards the portage into Hambone Lake.
Ralph Bice Lake was somewhat choppy due to how windy it was, but we managed to paddle through it. We ended up choosing one of the first sites to the left of the lake, which was a beautiful site. Now you may recall that I had mentioned Michelle was coming with us on this trip, and may be wondering where she's been this whole time. Well, unfortunately, Michelle had to work until 1pm on Saturday, and so we had planned to meet up with her once she got off work. As Ralph Bice Lake is quite large, we had opted to portage back into Hambone Lake and meet up with her there around 3pm. That left us just enough time to set up our sleep systems and eat a quick lunch of pepperettes in tortillas before heading back on the water to meet Michelle.
After making it back through the rough waters, we decided to just take the canoe over the portage, leaving my dad's kayak at the end rather than having to pull it through the portage again. The three of us loaded up into the canoe in Hambone Lake with all of our fishing gear and set out, spending our time waiting for Michelle by catching some fish. Luckily, my dad's first cast into the lake caught him a good-size trout that we decided to keep for dinner later. We didn't have too much more time fishing before Michelle caught up to us and we all set out on our way to the site on Ralph Bice Lake. Once at the site, we got to work finishing setting up. We had a cute little fire pit, a good tree on the point of the site that was perfect for our bear hang, a nice flat spot for my brother's Kelty tent, and a cluster of trees that were spaced out perfectly for my Lawson hammock, my dad's Amok hammock, and Michelle's Hennesey hammock.
By the time we finished setting up, it was around dinner time, so we got to work boiling our water for Backpacker's Pantry and Alpine Aire meals, and start cooking our freshly filleted fish. I was trying Alpine Aire's Leonardo da Fettucine, which was really tasty. After dinner, the water had calmed down enough that we all set out on a little sunset paddle exploring the left side of the lake, all around an island. We then returned to the campsite, and basically, all decided to go to bed before the bugs carried us away haha. Only my dad made time for a quick swim first.
The next morning we woke up and got to work preparing our Alpine Aire and Backpacker's Pantry breakfasts. I had Alpine Aire's Raspberry Granola, which is one of my all-time favourite backcountry breakfasts! After breakfast, we made plans to head up Ralph Bice Lake and portage into Little Trout Lake to explore. The water was much calmer this day. We ended up just taking the canoe again, leaving my dad's kayak behind. So it was my dad and brother paddling the canoe, with me having a comfortable ride in the middle, while Michelle paddled her own solo canoe.
Little Trout Lake was a lovely lake, however, with the wind being less intense, more bugs came out to bite! We spent a few hours exploring before we arrived back at our site for a swim and lunch. We swam out to a little island in front of our site, laughing as we struggled to walk on the slippery rocks. The water was super warm! After swimming we had lunch, enjoying the same thing as the day prior, with some snacks as well. After lunch, we started packing up our site, heading on our way back towards the Magnetawan put-in as soon as we were done. After paddling and portaging, we arrived back to our vehicles, loading up our gear before heading on our way back home. Sadly, our trip had come to an end, and we had to head home as we all had work Monday morning. It had been a gorgeous weekend, weather-wise, and we had seen so many loons! My dad and brother are pleased they came out and are already planning our next trip for the fall. Ralph Bice Lake is definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit again! Has anyone else ever stayed on this lake? If so, what memories do you have from your trip here?Until the next adventure,
- Megan
Comments
Post a Comment