Day Trip into the Barron Canyon

2020 August 13

Recently I undertook a solo paddle through the Barron Canyon in Algonquin Park -- Squirrel Rapids to Brigham Chute and return.

All summer I had been hearing horror stories about how crowded the Park was. For the first hour or so, I thought these reports were completely overblown -- I hardly saw a soul. Then the hordes arrived; it was a zoo out there -- day trippers and late rising overnighters. I encountered at least three (perhaps more) separate parties on the Brigham Chute portage; social distancing was a challenge. But it was a beautiful summer day and, if you chose your moments, you could enjoy the location undisturbed.

Cardinal flowers at Cache Rapids on the Barron River in Algonquin Park — Cardinal flowers at Cache Rapids

Barron Canyons on the Barron River in Algonquin Park — Barron Canyon

Cardinal flowers at the outflow of Brigham Chute on the Barron River in Algonquin Park — Cardinal flowers at the outflow of Brigham Chute

Brigham Chute on the Barron River in Algonquin Park — Brigham Chute

cardinal flowers day trip (canoe)

Algonquin Park Barron Canyon (Barron River) Barron River Brigham Chute (Barron River) Cache Rapids (Barron River)