The Barron River between St. Andrews Lake and High Falls Lake is very scenic. Tom Thomson painted at least painting along this stretch of river: " Woodland Waterfall" and "Autumn, Petawawa". Here are some photos from our recent visit.
One feature that we particularly wanted to photograph was the old pointer at the foot of St. Andrews Lake. Sadly, it seems to be gone.
On one of the days of our stay on St. Andrews Lake, we travelled through High Falls Lake. We were quite taken by the aftermath of the 2016 High Falls Lake Forest Fire. Immediately following the fire, it didn't look that bad. However, in the interim, many (most?) of the still standing trees have died. Given the minimal soil and bare rock, we expect it will take a long time for this area to recover. Here are some photos:
We recently spent three night camping on St. Andrews Lake in Algonquin Park. On one of the days we travelled to St. Francis Lake via Rouge Lake. In spite of the portage into St. Francis Lake being unmaintained, it was pretty straight forward. There were a few minor blow-downs but nothing you couldn't step over or around. But it was also clear that this is not a high traffic area.
On Friday May 31, Bob undertook a solo paddle up the Barron River, from Squirrel Rapids through the canyon to Brigham Chute and return. The weather did not live up to the forecast; it was overcast with a chill wind blowing downstream. The conditions were not conducive to scenic shots, but the high water and wildflowers were good subjects. While the water levels were still high they were much reduced from their peak.
I continued our exploration of Cache Rapid (see Exploring Cache Rapids on the Barron River ), this time bushwacking up from the bottom; it's no easier.
Algonquin Park Barron Canyon Barron Canyon (Barron River) Barron Canyon (Barron River) Barron River Brigham Chute (Barron River) Cache Rapids (Barron River) Hardwood Creek
On Wednesday May 22, I (Bob) met up with a couple of internet friends in Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park; Markus (Mark in the Park, Rogers TV, and Algonquin Outfitters,) and Glen (Cold Spring Tripper). The original plan was that I would be accompanied by Diana and that we would also meet up with Jeffrey and Deki (Jeff's Map / Unlostify) who would be camping in Carcajou Bay. But Diana had a bad cold and Jeffrey and Deki were just too busy finishing up their new Algonquin Map to get away.
Markus and Glen were on the penultimate day of a week long trip and I didn't expect them to appear until mid to late afternoon. My plan was that I would spend a leisurely day in Carcajou Bay and at Carcajou Falls and then I would join Glen and Markus at their campsite for coffee and talk. (That plan was based on an overly optimistic weather forecast.)
In the event, Glen and Markus arrived around noon, which worked out well because the lighting was not all that great for photography. After sharing coffee and junk food at their campsite on Grand Lake, I paddled back to Achray in a very light rain. Here are some photos from my day (essentially all pre-meeting).
