Algonquin Park: Camping Trip Logs: 004 - White Partridge Express - Access Point #A29

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Day 4

Finally! Today would be the day we would do some actual canoeing, heading into North Branch Lake. Bo had decided he didn't wish to make the trip in and was going to stay put at the meadow. The Scarlett's, Mike and Pete also stayed an extra night at the meadow, but the rest of us packed up our canoes and set off for the interior of Algonquin Park.

It wasn't far, across the end of White Partridge Lake, the P560 to May Lake, a short paddle across May and then a P1235 into North Branch. The only problem is that the P560 to May Lake runs at about a 45 degree angle, it rises 66 meters in its length. It is a bit challenging but we'd had three days of rest to prepare for it and made it with only minor complaining.

Preparing for the straight up portage.

The Hill.

Launching onto May Lake.

Refueling after getting to May Lake.

We tackled the P1235 next, no where near as bad but it still had its fair share of ups and downs. Before long we were on North Branch Lake, a very pretty lake with many nooks and small bays. This lake is about the highest elevation in the area and it was interesting to look around and not see any hills rising above you, a little different than your typical Algonquin Park lake. We also noticed that all the trees were Red Pine and nearly the same size, we suspected that there had been a fire in the area at some point in the past.

Paddling down North Branch Lake.

We traveled down to the midway of the lake and found a nice large camp site. We were only five now but the other four guys were going to be arriving the next day. The camp site, on the east shore in the middle of the lake is the only really nice site on the lake. I was sleeping in my hammock and had also lent one to Jeffrey to give a try. Trees were plentiful for the placing of hammocks, couldn't ask for anything better.

Setting up the camp site, home for the next few days.

Hammock with lakeside view.

We squared away the camp site and sat around wondering what to do. NO, actually we jumped in the canoe and explored the lake with our fishing lines getting wet. We decided that it was a great location and that the fishing looked very promising.

Shoreline of North Branch Lake.

Markus shows of his catch.

Day 5

With such a promising start to fishing the previous evening, Preacher, Markus and then Julian were up and out on the lake early. They were catching fish but they must not have been large enough for breakfast - they all returned empty handed having released their Speckled Trout to fight another day.

After having my coffee and breakfast I thought it about time to try my hand at fishing. I joined Markus and Jeffrey in a canoe and we headed out to catch something for dinner. North Branch Lake seemed to be full of smallish Brook Trout and they put up a good fight. Since the action was good we spent a couple hours trolling the length of the lake looking for where the really hot spots where. When we returned I had two nice sized trout and Markus and Julian each had one.

Julian weighing his catch.

Fishing luck.

Since we had our fish Markus and I decided to wander the lake a bit and then went bushwhacking between our site and the Loonskin portage looking for any remains of a cabin that was shown on the map. We didn't find any and returned.

One of many trees or stumps with fire damage.

That's a big snapper under the water.

Dinner was a feast of fresh caught Speckled Trout and baked potatoes. It was delicious and I almost felt guilty watching Pete make a Spam sandwich. Luckily he was just having a snack after his group arrived and setup their tents. They headed out fishing and managed to catch enough fish for all. Everyone was out fishing again in the late afternoon/early evening, with those who hadn't had their fill keeping a few for the frying pan. The Brook Trout on North Branch had a very reddish pink colouring to them and their flesh was very pinkish.

Cooking up dinner. Speckles on the grill.

Enjoying the days catch.

Pete eats Spam when there's trout cooking?!

Some chose to fry their trout.

It had been a great day on North Branch and we all sat around enjoying the fire, discussing how many fish we'd had on the line and enjoying a beverage or two until very late.

A happy group.

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