Abstract: Several of Tom Thomson's sketches of 1916 are entitled as some variant of "Gorges of the Petawawa". While many of these are from the Barron Canyon, at least two appear to be from The Natch on the North Branch of the Petawawa River.
Petawawa, Algonquin Park
Petawawa Gorges, Night
It had previously been our contention that most of the various Gorges of the Petawawa sketches were from the Barron Canyon and that at least reasonable matches could be found there. However, we were aware that a strong case could be made for Petawawa, Algonquin Park having been painted at The Natch on the north branch of the Petawawa River. In 2016 September, we travelled to the Natch to investigate further (see Trip Log - The Petawawa River from Lake Travers to McManus Lake).
On the basis of this visit, we have concluded that Petawawa, Algonquin Park and Petawawa Gorges, Night were painted there. If you are there with copies of the prints in hand you have no doubt that this was the painting location. But our photographs are not sufficient to prove the case. When you are there in person, your mind can see through the changes in vegetation and tolerate not being in the precise location in way that it cannot do when only looking at photographs.
Petawawa, Algonquin Park
From the photographic evidence, the choice between the two possible locations is not clear cut. But having visited both locations, we are convinced that Petawawa, Algonquin Park was painted at The Natch. For completeness we need to return to the Barron Canyon in August at sundown in order to establish how (if) the sunset shadows fall on the cliff face.
Petawawa Gorges, Night
We believe that both these sketches are from The Natch but accept that there still remains some uncertainty.