A Day Trip out of Achray to McDonald Lake

An account with photos and audio clips of a solo day trip in eastern Algonquin Park, from Achray to McDonald Lake. I (Bob) started at Achray on Grand Lake, proceeded up Carcajou Bay and then Carcajou Creek. I portaged over to McDonald Creek and then worked my way upstream into McDonald Lake.

May 28, 2008

One thing I like to do is find, identify and photograph interesting plants — orchids in particular. While not all orchids are found in bogs, a good sphagnum bog is an excellent hunting ground, especially during the bug season ;-) . With this objective in mind, the McDonald Creek area looked like a fruitful area to explore. Of particular interest would be Grass Pink Lake and Pogonia Lake in June. (No Arethusa Lake, however.) But that's a little far for a day trip out of Achray, so instead, I decided that I would check out McDonald Lake. McDonald Lake lies behind the hills, across from Achray. It is a dead end lake and not part of any recognized canoe route.

Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — At the mouth of Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake across from Achray.

Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine at Carcajou Bay Algonquin Park — Columbine growing in granite along the shore of Carcajou Bay

Algonquin Park Grand Lake Carcajou Bay rocky defile — Rocky defile near the top of Carcajou Bay. Depending on the water level, you can portage (10m) on the right or pull the canoe up, hand over hand on the left. The latter can be tricky for a solo canoeist. The relaunch is the tricky part as I don't like to get my feet wet.
(Note the elm tree on the right hand side of this photo. It's nice to see tha a few are still around.)

Algonquin Park Grand Lake Carcajou Bay Carcajou Falls — Carcajou Falls at the top of Carcajou Bay. (My unofficial name; the more accepted alternative — High Falls — just leads to needless confusion).

Algonquin Park Carcajou Creek — Carcajou Creek above the portage around Carcajou Falls.

McDonald Creek in Algonquin Park — McDonald Creek looking east.

Algonquin Park McDonald Creek — Obstructions on McDonald Creek. There's not a lot of water in McDonald Creek, even in May.

Algonquin Park McDonald Creek side creek to McDonald Lake — This is the little side creek that drains McDonald Lake. In many places, it was too narrow, even for my Osprey. Sort of like Latour Creek, only more so.

Algonquin Park McDonald Lake — McDonald Lake. Grand Lake is beyond the background hill. In general, the shoreline is dry to the north and marshy to the south. But no sphagnum. So more of a marsh than a bog, and consequently less interesting. No rare orchids in here; I guess I'll have to venture farther up McDonald Creek — but on another day.

I returned to Achray without incident. I ran the little rocky defile on Carcajou Bay without adding further scratches to my canoe. The wind on Grand Lake was noticeable but not a problem. While I didn't find any orchids, it was an excellent day. McDonald Creek warrants further exploration.

Notes

This file contains audio clips recorded during my paddle. They may not be present when this page is viewed with older browsers.

The wind phenomenon that I was trying to remember the name of in the second audio clip was a williwaw. I note, however, that my understanding of a williwaw and wikipedia's differ.

Sources

For an interesting account of travelling through this area, see August 24, 2011 - Day 13 Something wicked this way comes... and August 25, 2011 - Day 14 Slogging through the solitude! by Mark Rubino.