Algonquin 3-4 Day Trip?

[SouthernKevlar]

I realized that after I drive to the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous from South Carolina, a rather long drive for a couple of days of mucking around in boats, I would be around 60% of the way to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario. I last planned a trip there in 2020 and got my permits but Covid closed the borders; I went to the Boundary Waters instead. I am now in the planning stages of a 3-4 day canoe trip with hopes of getting permits at this late date, if not I will stay at one of the Algonquin campgrounds and do day trips. It is a bit earlier in the year than I would like with blackflies at their peak and a greater chance of rain than later in the season, but the opportunity is here. I still have my guidebooks and 2020 maps on hand and have listed several potential routes. After the paddling trip I also hope to get to Peterborough and see the Canadian Canoe Museum before driving home.

My question is: Does anyone have any recommendations or a favorite route for a fairly laid-back 3-4 day Algonquin paddle?

 

[Pook]

Hiya!

I can probably offer up a number of suggestions...but you didn't indicate when you are planning your trip.
The Park is incredibly popular- even the interior- so dates will make a difference.
A few other things: what does fairly laid back mean? What kind of a trip are you looking for- ie paddling or more of a paddle in and camp for a few days, what is your experience level and most importantly, what is your appetite for portages?

if you can answer a few of those questions to give me a better idea, i'll give you a few suggestions.
And as a Peterborough resident, i can make some recommendations about the canoe museum and nearby Trent Severn Waterway and Liftlock...

Cheers! Bruce

 

[scratchypants]

Bog standard and leisurely: Rock, Pen, Clydegale, there and back with a rest/explore day on Clydegale. Uplevel to the Louisa loop if you need to burn some energy.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

Bog standard and leisurely: Rock, Pen, Clydegale, there and back with a rest/explore day on Clydegale. Uplevel to the Louisa loop if you need to burn some energy.

Hi Pook; I will be arriving at Algonquin the morning of June 2nd. I may do this one as a paddle-in and base camp then explore other lakes from there as day trips or continue to another lake, depending on the permit situation at this late date. In 2020 I had planned a 7 day solo trip from Canoe Lake up to Big Trout Lake, over to McIntosh Lake, and back to Canoe. Covid reared it's ugly head and shot that idea down. I have also paddled some in the BWCA and a trip in the Adirondacks, which was cut short due to a major weather system moving in. I would like to have this trip, my introduction to Algonquin, as a fairly relaxed one, 10-12 mile a day with a max of a couple hours portaging. I will be soloing and doing double portages.

Information on the Canoe Museum and waterways will be well appreciated. Any hometown restaurants that you could recommend? I currently only have one day planned for Peterborough, but nothing is yet carved in stone.

Scratchypants; Potter Rock and Pen to Clydegale was my first pick too. It sounds like a bit less traffic than the Canoe to Burnt Island loop. I wonder how the fishing is?

 

[scratchypants]

First rule of fish club...

 

[Gamma1214]

I don't think @Algonquin lakes has been on for awhile but Drew's put together a pretty extensive site for helping to plan trips. Campsite reviews, portage notes, etc.

His website is https://allofalgonquin.com/ if that helps.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

Thanks Gamma, I have not seen that site and it looks very interesting.

 

[Gamma1214]

You're welcome. He's an good writer, does a very nice job of documenting campsite reviews, etc. and I especially enjoy his newsletter "The Thunderbox"