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

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Day 6

Today we woke up to a gray, windy and overcast day. It did not look like a day for fishing so we discussed our options. In short order breakfast was done and the decision made to walk the portage to Loonskin Lake. Only Preacher and Julian remained to so some more fishing.

The portage is 4775m in length and winds it's way through some nice forest and beaver meadows. In fact at one point the portage goes across the top of a large earthed beaver dam. There were some blow downs that we were able to clear with a small saw as well as a large area damaged heavily by a wind storm. This area had been cleared by Park staff and/or re-routed around. Again here we saw lots of evidence of wolves using the portage, seeing piles of scat frequently along it's length.

Portage sign.

Pete and Markus clear the portage.

Large beaver dam on North Branch Lake to Loonskin Lake Portage.

Portage crossing over earthen packed dam.

Walking through a cleared area of blow downs.

It was a great day for a hike and the scenery was beautiful, everyone had their cameras out taking pictures. Once at Loonskin Lake we took time for a trail lunch before heading back. Once you were sitting and getting the wind off the lake it sure cooled down in a hurry. John and Mike were lagging behind the rest of the group, we later found out this was because Mike felt the need to take a bath in one of the beaver ponds. Not sure how clean you would be coming out of that collection of mud and crud but he said he enjoyed it!

The guys on the Loonskin Lake portage.

Mark S. taking a photo.

Looking down Loonskin Lake.

John was also able to tell us how the portage had changed since his last visit over three decades ago. Apparently none of the large beaver dam and pond was present at that time, it was just all forest. It's always fascinating to hear and see how nature is constantly changing things.

When we returned the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing around a fire, by me anyway. It tuckered me out walking 10 km's and the cold Wells tasted a lot better than usual after the trek.

After supper the sun was shining and it was a fine evening. Markus, Jeffrey and I jumped back in the canoe and trolled the lake one more time, we would be making the trip out tomorrow. The fish were biting and we enjoyed catching and releasing a few more Brook Trout, getting pictures. I think everyone was out on the lake at one time that night, getting in every minute of enjoyment they could. Once it was too dark for fishing we returned and watched the one channel TV as they say.

A quick snapshot before releasing.

Markus was catching them too.

Day 7

We were heading back to White Partridge Lake today and wouldn't you know it. It was a beautiful sunny day in Algonquin Park - typical leaving day. We weren't in a big hurry, we had one more night on White P before leaving on the wagon the next day. Mark, Pete, John and Mike must be more efficient at breaking camp as they were off first. About an hour later the rest of us trickled out one after another.

Retracing our route was easy going, no deadline to get anywhere means you can take it easy and enjoy the travel. Everyone seems to comment on the Pyramid Rock in May Lake, Jeff and I paddled over and gave it the once over. It does seem a little unique, not too many rocks end up that shape I guess.

Jeffrey old-school portaging.

Pyramid shaped rock on May Lake.

Since we are official members of the Lazy Son Of A Bitch Club (inducted by Bo Knows) we skipped the take out on May Lake and pushed on to the dam right at the top of the hill, avoiding a good stretch of portage. The trip down the hill was a little easier, if you weren't carrying 50 pounds of gear one might actually enjoy this area.

Preacher paddling past the portage take-out.

Back at the meadow we caught up with Bo who had remained behind to relax and fish. There was also another group who had come in on the wagon that we were to take out the next day. So there was a large crowd of about 20 people, it was a little unsettling after enjoying the solitude of interior Algonquin Park. But we all got to know one another and swapped stories over a roaring fire. We made use of the covered wagon again, instead of sleeping in my hammock I jumped in there. It was warm and comfy but the noise level was a lot louder, five or six guys snoring sure makes a racket!

Bo and Markus inspect the grub box.

The horses settled in for the night.

Day 8

Today was our last day. Once awake and finished having breakfast the job of packing our gear and loading up the wagon began. It was decided that the canoes and all the gear would go on one wagon and we would all ride on the second. The gear wagon was to be taken out by truck while we would be pulled by the horses.

It was still early morning but we were packed and ready to go. We each found a spot on the wagon, some lucky enough to get a seat on old minivan seats and others just anywhere they could. Didn't matter where your seat was, you still saw the same beautiful scenery of forest, hills and flashes of water from lakes and streams that everyone saw.

Part way out we came upon another wagon load heading in. And what a load it was, besides the group of guys, the bbq and gear I think we saw three boats and motors on that wagon. The poor horses had their work cut out for them. I know our group enjoyed a few beverages on the trip in, but these guys looked like they were well into the supply and it was not even 10 AM yet. But that's part of the adventure, what happens on WPX stays on WPX.

When we were nearly out to the parking area all hell broke loose. One minute I'm talking and enjoying the ride, the next I'm making a split second decision to jump off a racing wagon before it heads over the road embankment and down a good sized hill covered with rocks and trees. Something had scared one of the horses, causing it to bolt and break a piece of the harness. Andrew struggled to try and control the two horses but with the front damaged we started heading into the trees and everyone started falling or jumping of the wagon. I know when I jumped that the wagon was tipped up onto two wheels and bodies where flying every which way.

Gathering our wits after totaling the wagon.

It was quite a bit of excitement, but not something I would want to go through again. We were very lucky that nobody was seriously hurt. There were some bumps and bruises however. With the wagon out of commission we gathered up the horses and walked the last two kilometers out.

"We're walking from here boys", says Andrew.

Once back at the parking area we talked with two guys who had just taken a photo of a wolf on the road. We think that the scent of this wolf is what spooked the horse and caused our accident.

It was only the middle of the day but we were already wrapping up our trip. I drove the loaded gear wagon to Andrew's farm where we all grabbed our own stuff, loaded it into our cars and began our farewells. We were all heading in different directions to get home.

Truck and wagon on the way out.

The White Partridge Express is a one of a kind Algonquin camping experience and I feel privileged to have taken part in it. Opportunities like this are disappearing. How long will people be keeping working horses? What are the chances that you know someone who knows someone that can offer an experience like this? Who is willing to take a week to disappear from work and responsibilities? And how long will wagon riding into Algonquin Park go on for? I think a person needs to jump at the chance for such adventures whenever possible.

Bo keeps his tent clear of snow.

The happy WPX 2010 gang.

Short clip of ride out on WPX2010.

Mark Scarlett put together an amazing short movie using the videos and pictures taken on the trip and mailed out a copy to all the WPX'ers. A shortened version of this video can be found on his YouTube page.

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