St Andrews Lake to St Francis Lake via Rouge Lake
2019 June 18
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.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Morning calm on St. Andrews Lake in Algonquin Park (with poplar fluff).

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Submerged pyramids are everywhere in Algonquin Park. This one is on St. Andrews Lake.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Fringed Polygala at the start of the portage from St. Andrews Lake to Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The portage from St. Andrews Lake to Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park. It follows the old rail bed.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Finishing the portage from St. Andrews Lake into Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The outlet of Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park. The lake level is beaver dam controlled.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The abandoned rail bed along the northern shore of Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park. It seems clear that the railway significantly affected the drainage of this area.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The start of the portage from Rouge Lake to St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The portage from Rouge Lake to St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park is not maintained, although it was straight forward to follow once into the bush.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
From the lone campsite on St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park. The fire pit used to be up against that rock with a big pile of rusted tins on the other side.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The sole campsite on St. Francis in Algonquin Park is compact and nicely located. However, there's not much in the way of tent pads.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Looking west from the sole campsite on St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Looking east from the sole campsite on St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
St. Francis Lake seeps out here towards Rouge Lake (St. Francis Creek).

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Yellow hawkweed at the sole campsite on St. Francis Lake.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Cornus canadensis, Bunchberry, at the sole campsite on St. Francis Lake.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The western end of St. Francis Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The western end of St. Francis Lake. There are some large deciduous trees in there.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The south-eastern end of Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The northern shore of Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
The northern shore of Rouge Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Diana: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Looking back into Rouge Lake from the start of the portage to St. Andrews Lake.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Diana waiting to begin portaging from Rouge Lake to St. Andrews Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Cliff on the shore of St. Andrews Lake in Algonquin Park.

(photo by Bob: 2019-06-18 - map - explore)
Cliffs on the shore of St. Andrews Lake in Algonquin Park.