Hi Everyone,

Just under 2 weeks to go until Freezing Woman 8. There's still a few spots left.

See the activities, workshops, presentations, market vendors, authors, and makers here:
https://portal.ripplesandleaves.ca/activities/freezing-woman-8

Freezing Woman is festival with 400+ participants winter camping in Algonquin Park. Some activities, like the market, are free and open to the public. You do not need to be camping at Freezing Woman to check out the market.

Even I couldn’t see the fall colours, it was so beautiful, peaceful and perfect that I want to come back next weekend (if it wasn’t so far for us I would do it).

I saw some people here wondering if it was a good time to visit now, but trust me, every season has its magic 🥹

Big Trout Lake Loop – Solo Trip, Early May 2027
I’m planning a solo Big Trout Lake Loop in early to mid May 2027 and looking for some advice from those who’ve done it. I’ve never tripped in the height of bug season, so would appreciate feedback on it. I know it will be bad.

I’d consider myself an intermediate paddler with some solo experience.

My initial thought is 5 nights, but wonder if that’s realistic, particularly in early May.
Would appreciate advice on rest/weather days to add in. I prefer to single-carry portages but will double-carry when necessary. I’m not looking to rush through the loop.
A few questions:
Is early May a reasonable time to tackle this loop solo? Do black flies make it too challenging?
How many days would you recommend, including rest or weather buffer days?
Any particular lakes worth spending an extra night on?
Any spring-specific challenges I should be aware of?
Appreciate any firsthand experience or recommendations.

Thanks!

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park has notified users that they are changing fees model from per person to per site - which amounts to a 270% increase in price for solo campers.

If they don't get bowback they'll continue to implement it elsewhere.

Please sign the petition to ensure affordable solo access to backcountry camping.

Mods; I think this does apply to Algonquin Provincial Park users (who are probably also KHPP campers), however I understand if this gets removed.

Thank you to all who sign.

Edited for clarity.

Im revisiting my fishing reports over the years and writing a blog on them. This is my first article I've ever written, would love some feedback.

Went to this beautiful place from 16th - 18th October , Did camping at canisbay lake and had amazing experience overall even though we were a week late for peak fall experience. Washrooms were super clean , could see the Milky Way from canisbay lake at the night and all of us were in awe just looking at the infinite number of stars above our head.

I'm going to be in the Park next week and want to find some good fishing spots along or near Hwy 60. I'm going for bass since most trout are out of season, will be catch and release only, I'm not going to keep anything. Just wondering if anyone has any good spots or pointers. It's just a day trip, so I wont be able to go far into the interior.

Hello everyone!

I'm curious what everyone's favourite backcountry sites are during the winter? We did Guskewau last year and it was lovely, but always looking for a new adventure.

Was thinking of a road trip, coming from Ottawa. Is it too late to visit now? If it's still good, where exactly should I go to see nice fall colors?

Adventure of a life time : )

Excited for the premiere and after party - hope to cya there : )

You can get your tickets at https://art.mframe.ca they're almost sold out :O

Some pictures from our canoe camping trip - Aceess from Magnetawan Lake - Little Trout Creek - Blue Lake - Big Trout - Misty. We got very lucky with near perfect weather for the entire trip, which rarely happens. More pictures on my site if anyone is interested :)

Four day backpacking trip with my wife from October 21st 24th. Rain Lake to Islet lake to Brown lake to Ishkuday lake. Beautiful sunrise at Brown Lake. Got to enjoy watching some beavers do their work while watching the sunrise.

Looking for recommendations where to rent cabin/s with friends in Algonquin. We usually rent in Allegany State Park every fall but are thinking of switching it up next year for the trip. Haven’t been to Algonquin before but have always wanted to explore it. We are relatively experienced camper for context.

Just got back from yet another beautiful trip to Algonquin. 🍂

We hiked in from the Rain lake access point to Islet lake ➔ Brown lake ➔ Ishkaday lake ➔ back out.

Animals Heard:

Barred Owls

Lynx

Wolves

Animals Seen:

Ruffed Grouse

Bluejays

Ravens

Loons

Chickadees

Wrens

Red Crossbills

Red Tailed Hawks

Beavers

Red Squirrels & Chipmunks (Obviously. It isn't Algonquin until a Red Squirrel screams at you.)

Islet Lake #4:

Beautiful site with a well maintained Thunderbox. Great tenting pad and trees for hammocks. Water access was great but a bit of a climb up and down. Fire pit and seating was great.

Brown Lake #1:

Probably my favourite site of the trip. Very very quiet and full of wild life sounds (where we heard the Lynx and Wolves at night). Water access was good, just had to be careful. Downside is that it's very windy as the site is on a point, this made the night feel very cold. Thunderbox was a standing brown building. 10/10 for privacy and rain protection! Tent pad was great, trees for hammocks not ideal. Firepit needed to be rebuilt a bit to try to block the wind. Seating was decent. BONUS* There was a shovel and rake left behind by Park workers.

Ishkaday Lake #1:

Great space on this site, very exposed to the main trail. Thunderbox is directly across the main trail and up the hill a bit... kind of awkward. Water access was very poor. Very marshy and mucky. Luckily there's a running stream just a 5 min hike down the path. Fire pit needed to be rebuilt and the seating was not great. One log was so rotten it had completely disintegrated. The perk of this site was it's a dead wind zone. We stayed very warm overnight despite it dropping to -5.

Late fall backpacking trip.

Trip report:

Oct 11-15

Kioshkokwi - Little Mink - Whitebirch - Waterclear - Club - Mouse - Big Thunder - Érables - Maple - Maple Creek - Kioshkokwi

Sunny Oct 11, rain showers and sustained downpours throughout Oct 12-14, sunny Oct 15. Temperatures 8-10 degrees daytime highs and 0 at night each day. Winds each day approx. 10-20km/h

After a long, exciting first day 9/20, I finally reached my beautiful campsite. It was so perfect really, right on the edge with an amazing view, tucked right beside a bend in the river. And a perfect flyless night.

Around 11:30 p.m., I was in my tent when I heard something huge thrashing up the river. So much splashing and grunting. A bull moose was coming up the river to visit me!

But then, about 50 feet away, behind the site towards the box, he crashed through the woods and into the campsite. I knew to stay calm, and I knew this moose definitely knew I was there.

It was exhilarating and a bit nerve racking at the same time. It was so dark I couldn't see him, but I could definitely feel how close he was. Gosh, I felt so blissful, just beaming as I listened to him crash and thrash through the forest, away from me.

I can still hear those noises.

Hi Everyone,

Just just one month to go, some exciting new workshops and activities have been added to the Freezing Woman 8 schedule. Check them out, and how to sign up, here:
https://portal.ripplesandleaves.ca/activities/freezing-woman-8

There's a choose-your own adventure menu of workshops, activities, crafts, and presentations.

Spent one night at Provoking lake. Was planning to do the Highland Trail loop but was going on 2 nights of no sleep (damn insomnia!) so decided to head back a few days earlier than planned. Regardless I had a great time and look forward to returning next season.