An early Spring Drive to Lake Travers in Algonquin Park
2019 April 06
We drove into Lake Travers in Algonquin Park to check the progress of Spring. As expected, everything is still pretty frozen and running behind last year. For a comparison, see An Early Spring Drive into Lake Travers in Algonquin Park. Note that last year's drive was about 11 days earlier.
Last year's drive was much more idyllic; the day was sunnier and the road was much better. This year the road was passable but we're happy we had four wheel drive. For the most part, the road was essentially one lane but two vehicles could get by by venturing into the snow. (But there were good sections too.) Fuel economy was terrible with all of the mud and snow.
We also ventured along the side road into the Achray Campground in the vain hope that the gate might be open. We were the first to drive in there since the snowfall of last weekend.
We saw two geese flying over, crabbing about the lack of open water. And a woodcock! We saw a few other vehicles but not many. Most were in the vicinity of the Barron Canyon Trail. Our main discovery of the day was a trapper's cabin just off the Achray Road.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Frozen wetland along the Achray Road outside of the park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The road varied from snow covered to water logged and muddy to bare and essentially dry beyond Stuart's landing.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Sand Lake Gate is still snowed in.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Road leading down to the Barron River. We believe those are man-made water diversions across the road to localize the erosion.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Squirrel Rapids on the Barron River as seen from the bridge.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Barron River looking upstream from the bridge.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
A wet area adjacent to the road and the Barron River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The access point at Squirrel Rapids on the Barron River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The access point at Squirrel Rapids on the Barron River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
This small hidden waterfall is still asleep - although you can hear it.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Brigham Lake access point.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Tributary of Forbes Creek.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Forbes Creek.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Forbes Creek.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Forbes Creek.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Forbes Creek.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Snow layer geology along Forbes Creek.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The hydro corridor looking north.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Pretty Lake.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The campsite at Pretty Lake.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Pretty Lake.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Wetland near the Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Petawawa River looking towards Lake Travers. Lake Travers is still ice covered.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Petawawa River and Lake Travers. The river in the foreground of this photo was largely open last year.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The portage around Poplar Rapids on the Petawawa River.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The side road into Achray.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The side road into Achray - our tracks.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
The Achray campground is closed.

(photo by Bob: 2019-04-06 - map - explore)
Trapper's cabins along the Achray Road.

(photo by Diana: 2019-04-06 - explore)
A dirty drive but somebody's got to do it.
Achray Road Algonquin Park Barron River Forbes Creek Lake Travers Point Alexander Pretty Lake