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Bob & Diana McElroy / News and Updates / archive / Four Nights on Whitson Lake

Four Nights on Whitson Lake

2019 September 05

We recently undertook a short canoe camping trip to Whitson Lake on the Petawawa River in Algonquin Park. The trip was characterized by low water levels and iffy weather. Our primary objective was to locate two historic photo locations and two Tom Thomson painting locations, but our searches were inconclusive. However, in spite of that and in spite of the weather, it was a good trip.

It is our intention to publish a Bushlog description of our trip, but in the meantime, here are some photos:

McManus Lake in Algonquin Park
Paddling up McManus Lake in Algonquin Park
The mouth of Spoor Creek on McManus Lake in Algonquin Park
Reflections along the shore of McManus Lake in Algonquin Park
Take out for the portage from McManus Lake to Smith Lake at low water
Between Smith Lake and Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Campsite between Smith Lake and Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Lining canoe from Smith Lake to Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Pitching the tent at our campsite on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Contemplating the view from our campsite on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Photographing Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Sunrise on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park  It looks like rain is on the way
Keeping up the diary
Rain  A red sunrise seldom lies
The outlet of Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park through the rain
Our neighbours leaving
The shoreline at our campsite on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Cardinal Flowers along the Petawawa Rive at Five Mile Rapids
Low water in the Petawawa River at Five Mile Rapids
Many of the old logs still have discernible timber stamps
Sweet Joepyeweed along the Petawawa River at Five Mile Rapids
Changing batteries in my camera
Photography in process
The big hill on Whitson Lake as seen from the end of the Five Mile Rapids portage
Poison Ivy with fall colours beginning to show and berries
Northern Wildraisin Viburnum cassinoides on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
The clear water of the Petawawa River
Great Blue Heron
One of the characteristic silver maples of Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park  This ones on quite a tilt
More rain
Waiting out the rain on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
It was raining pretty heavily but we remained dry under our tarp
The big hill on Whitson Lake through the rain
clearing
Some morning sun on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Morning cloud on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Contemplating Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Checking the maps for the days activities
Clouds on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Island shoreline on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Low water in Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Low water in Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Getting water for the water filter
Chillin on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park and listening to approaching thunder
A thunder storm on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
A thunder storm on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
Clearing after the thunderstorm on Whitson Lake
The beginning of another unsettled day on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Enjoying morning coffee on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  the start of the portage upstream
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  at the islands
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  portaging from the portage trail down the sand bank to the river
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  the Petawawa River at the foot of the sand bank
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  the portage trail and a campsite is at the top of the sand bank
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  the sand bank along along the Petawawa River
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  the sand bank along along the Petawawa River
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  low water
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  low water
Exploring Five Mile Rapids  an old logging chain exposed by the low water
Drying our feet back at camp on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Clearing  on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Clearing  on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Another misty morning on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Another misty morning on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Another misty morning but with some sun on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Another misty morning on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
The mist has dissipated on Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Whitson Lake in Algonquin Park
Weed beds on Smith Lake in Algonquin Park
Another pyramid  this one on Smith Lake in Algonquin Park
Smith Lake in Algonquin Park
Burning bush on McManus Lake in Algonquin Park
Put in  take out on McManus Lake in Algonquin Park

canoe trip

Algonquin Park Five Mile Rapids  (Petawawa River) Five Mile Rapids (Petawawa River) Five Mile Rapids portage (Petawawa River) McManus Lake Petawawa River Smith Lake Whitson Lake