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Spring 2009 Trip Log
(7 days)
May 6th - May 12th
Access 2: (Tim River - Tim's Lake - Chia-bia-bos (May 6th) - Indian Pipe - West Koko Pond - Big Bob (May 7th) - Nipissing River - Grass - Loontail Creek (May 8th) - Latour Creek - Floating Heart - Rosebary (May 9th - 10th) - Little Butt - Tim River - Tim's Lake (May 11th) - Tim River (OUT - May 12th))
Above you will find an extrapolated section of Jeff McMurtries's Digital Algonquin Map that has been expanded to show the route I took.
Camp locations are marked as red squares on the map.
Well, it was Spring again (seemed like a long winter), and it was time to head to Algonquin. This year I planned a seven day solo loop into the west side of the park, mostly because I han't been to this side of the park yet and I had heard the wildlife was great in this area. The kids wouldn't be joining me because of school, but I plan on bringing them in lateron in the year. I was up and ready to go at 1:00 AM and started my six and a half hour drive to the park with a stop at Tim Horton's to get myself a large, black "go juice". I was hoping that I would see lots of wildlife during this trip and it started off well, as I drove through the Highway 60 corridor. Only several minutes after entering the eastern gate I had a female moose walk across the highway in front of me, but as I approached and slowed the car down to get a better look, it disappeared into the undergrowth and was gone. Signs of things to come? I was nearly out the other side of the park when another moose appeared,, running down the side of the road. Spooked by my approach. I pulled the car over tothe side of the highway where it entered the brush and got out to take a shot. I managed only one good shot.
I arrived at the permit office around 7:30 and was concerned that I would have to wait until 8AM for it to open, but I found the door open and someone was already inside talking to the Ontario Parks worker inside and booking his trip. I waited patiently as they completed their business and discussed wildlife, fishing and routes with the gentleman that was there. Once he was finished I completed my business with the girl at the counter and headed off down the road to the put in. The wildlife almost hit me in the face as I turned onto the dirt road to the access point...literally! A large turkey vulture ran across the road right in front of my car. I barely missed him as he scurried off into teh brush on the other side of the road. A large bird of almost 4 feet high on its hind legs. The vulture was follwed closely by a relatively small grouse....?????
It all happened to fast for me to get the camera out, but I had a good giggle at the sight.
The balance of the drive down the access road took about half and hour and I soon pulled into the put in at Tim River. To my delight as I arrived, a large female moose was munching on lilly pads in the water near the put in. I jumped out of the car and snapped several shots before she meandered out of the water and hid behind bush until I departed.
I was feeling good about this trip and the wildlife that I had already seen as I loaded up the canoe and began my trip down Tim River.
The Tim River
The trip down the Tim River took about 45 min solo paddling (I'm estimating this time, because I don't carry a watch when I go into the interior), and I eventually entered Tim's Lake on calm waters.
Calm waters on Tim's Lake
There were a few people camping on the lake as I entered it, as well as a solo paddler trying his luck at some fishing. As I passed him I asked if he had any luck and he responded with a "little here and there." We exchanged a few more pleasantries as we paddled passed each other and I continued on to the portage to Chia-bia-bos Lake.
This little portage was easy to negotiate (being only 345 meters long), and I was soon on the lake of my first scheduled campsite.
A couple of shots of Chia-bia-bos Lake
I paddled down the little lake and around a small point, headed for my planned campsite. I was hoping it was vacant. I was pleased to find it empty as I approached and landed the canoe to find a clean, and relatively neat site.
The relatively clear campsite on Chia-bia-bos
There was, however, a couple of downed trees behind the site (from wind, I Imagine).
I wonder if anyone was sitting here when these came down!
Once my camp was set up I decided to have a little lunch (KD) and relax by the water to enjoy the day.
It was time to do a little fishing, so broke out the rod and started to set up. It was then that I noticed that I had brought the bottom of my ultralight rod and the top of my other Shimano. The two don't fit together!
So, I spent about 20 minutes widdling the graphite down with my knife so they two pieces would fit together. It eventually worked, and I sharpened my knife in the process! With the rod now usable, I hooked on a Mepps spoon and set out onto the lake to try my luck. The water was calm (just the way I like it) as I paddled around the lake, but the fish weren't biting for me. I did manage to get a good look at the lake, however.
During this trip I missed several great shots of fauna because I couldn't get the camera out fast enough, and Chia-bia-bos was no exception. As I paddled around the lake looking for the fish, I was startled by a small beaver as he slid into the water not 10 feet from my boat. He swam beside me for a few moments, but before I could get a shot of him, heslapped his tail and was submerged. I had just put the camera away, when I noticed a snapping turtle on one of the deadlogs along the sode of the lake. As I again fumbled for the camera, he slowly slid into the water at my approach and was gone. That was two! I was beginning to get upset...so I kept the camera around my neck for the rest of my paddle....but, you guessed it...I saw no other creatures!
The beaver lodge on the far side of the lake.
At the far end of the lake it narrows and the stream into Indian Pipe creates a small swampy area. I snapped a few shots hers and then decided to take a walk down the portage to get a look at the next lake.
The walkway to Indian Pipe
Indian Pipe Lake
The portage trail was pretty good, considering it was marked as a "low maintenance" area. I returned to the campsite and spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the sounds of the park. I ate a fine serving of my Mom's homemade lasagna (fried in excess amounts of butter! Mmmmm!) and stayed up until just after sunset. I had been up since 1AM, so I was, to say the least, exhausted. Sleep came very quickly.
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