Meeting Markus and Glen in Carcajou Bay

2019 May 22

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).

Mouth of Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — Mouth of Carcajou Bay. Lots of dead jack pine from the drought of 2012.

Pictograph site on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — Pictograph site on Grand Lake / Carcajou Bay.

Epigaea repens Trailing Arbutus on cliff in Carcajou Bay in Algonquin Park — Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus on a cliff in Carcajou Bay in Algonquin Park. I could see these flowers up on the cliff face, but I couldn't identify them until I used my camera's telephoto.

Spring Colours in Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park.

Rocky gut in Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — Rock stuffed pillow in rocky gut in Carcajou Bay

A cleft in the bedrock bedrock in Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — I've always been intrigued by this cleft in the bedrock a little below Carcajou Falls. I assume it is part of the fault system that gave rise to the Barron Canyon.

Hidden amphitheatre adjacent to Carcajou Falls on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park — This hidden amphitheatre is on the opposite of the pond below Carcajou Falls from the bedrock cleft. I am not geologist enough to understand what gave rise to its formation.

Carcajou Falls at the end of Carcajou Bay on Grand Lake in Algonquin Park. Lots of water. They used to run logs down here. I'd be interested in knowing what the dam structure here was.

Day Trip to Grand Lake Carcajou Bay to meet Marcus and Glen — Markus and Glen after completing the portage(s) around Carcajou Falls. Erosion has not been kind to the end of this portage.

day trip (canoe) high water Mark in the Park Trailing Arbutus

Algonquin Park Carcajou Bay Carcajou Falls Grand Lake