Come join us for a beautiful canoe trip through Algonquin Park!

Late September would offer spectacular fall colours and warm that's still warm enough for the more daring folks to swim in.

Algonquin is the oldest provincial park in Canada, and is a premier paddling destination for nature enthusiasts from both North and South of the border.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an intermediate-level trip. Previous overnight canoe trip experience required. 

IMPORTANT:

1. A Mandatory pre-trip meeting will be held on: Tuesday, Sep 21 at 5:30 pm in DBAC WB111 (across from Pulse entrance)

We will discuss equipment needs, dietary needs and answer any questions about the trip.

Please let us know if you cannot come to the meeting. We need to know if you need any of the equipment on the list.

Most importantly: Tent, Sleeping bag, sleeping pad.

2. Please let us know if you have a vehicle to car-pool and help reduce cost

3. See notes on registration / sign-up fees below

DESCRIPTION

Departure time: 6 AM sharp, on Friday, Sep 24

Route:
- Access from Canoe Lake.
- Start by portaging across Hwy.60 to Smoke Lake (drop off gear at Smoke Lake, and then park 1 car at Canoe L, and one at Cache L.)

- 3 portages 1st day  (240m, 590m, 395m)

- Camp first night on Big Porcupine L. (2 sites booked)

- 5 portages 2nd day (200m, 175m, 60m, 750m, 145m)
- Camp second night on Harness L. (2 sites booked)

- 2 portages 3rd day (1035m, 1640m)
- Exit at Cache Lake (must arrive before 7pm, as Portage Store closes at 7pm!!!)

- Shuttle pick-up from Portage store ($30 flat fee for pickup)

ADVICE:
- Pack light! You'll be carrying it all on your backs!

TRIP LEADER:

Kyle McLoughlin

Cost: $215 DBAC members (Mac students) / $240 non-DBAC members

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

We'll talk about all equipment needs at the pre-trip meeting. But if you have some of your own, please bring a list with you. If you have a tent, we will need to know how many people it fits.
If you have your own paddle and lifejacket, bring those to the trip!

Each person must have the following items

- tent (we will provide tents, unless you have your own)
- sleeping bag (you can borrow it from us)
- sleeping pad, foam or inflatable (you can borrow it from us) (basic foam pad: $10 at Canadian Tire, great inflatable pad $60 at MEC)
- appropriate footware that can get wet (sandals, etc) + another pair to wear around camp if you want it
- good pair of boots or running shoes for portages (no flip-flops!!!)
- headlight or flashlight (headlight strongly recommended. $20 at MEC)
- rain jacket and pants
- water bottle (1L recommended)
- cutlery (spoon/fork) + mug for tea/coffee (metal or plastic only)
- hat for sun + sunglasses
- warm clothes for sleeping (hat, sweater, etc.). Nights will be cold.
- zip-lock bag to waterproof your camera/wallet/cell phone
- NO PERFUME OR anything with a strong smell will be allowed on this trip

(There is NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION in Algonquin Park. You can use payphone at the park office and pre-paid phone cards)

 

FOOD

All food is included in the cost, except for stops on the way to and from the park.

Check out our typical camping menu and bring your comments/suggestions to the pre-trip meeting on Tuesday.

 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Friday, Sep 24

- Leave Hamilton at 6 AM (from IWC south entrance)
- Drive to Algonquin Park (~4.5 hrs) (car-pool if possible)
- Rent kevlar canoes at Portage Store
- Camp on Big Porcupine Lake

Saturday, Sep 25

- Camp on Harness Lake

Sunday, Sep 26

- Paddle to Cache Lake
- Shuttle pick-up from Portage store
- Drive to Hamilton
- Arrive in Hamilton around 10-11 pm

 

NOTES ON REGISTRATION:

1) DEADLINE: TBA

2) You need to sign up in advance for any event that has a cost associated with it, so that we know how many reservations to make. Please visit the link below.

4) Everyone must be an outdoor club member ($10 annual fee) to attend any paid event; non-Mac students pay a slightly higher price than mac students (see DBAC/non-DBAC membership costs)
This page below explains everything, along with various payments methods:
http://www.macoutdoorclub.ca/membership_n_registration

*DBAC membership is a gym membership at David Braley Atletics Centre, and all current mcmaster students should have it. It's not the same as McMaster Outdoor Club membership, which is a mandatory annual $10 fee.
To learn more about these fees, visit our FAQ page.NOTE: All current McMaster students are DBAC members.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALGONQUIN PARK, visit:

Algonquin Park page on Wikipedia

Free Algonquin Park MAP

Also visit www.algonquinpark.on.ca 

PHOTOS FROM PAST TRIPS

See pictures from previous trips here.

LOCATION OF ALGONQUIN PARK

View Larger Map