Mon, Aug 24 2009, Tue, Aug 25 2009, Wed, Aug 26 2009, Thu, Aug 27 2009, Fri, Aug 28 2009 - Whitewater Canoe Trip - Algonquin Park: Petawawa River (View Original Event Details)
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Our trip started with a long drive to the east side of Algonquin Park where we picked up our whitewater canoes at the Portage Store (just outside the east gate). It was a pleasant day in the low 20C range with mostly blue skies. We drove the 3 vehicles up to Lake Travers and sent the main group ahead to find a campsite a few K’s away, while the 3 drivers shuttled vehicles for the next 2 hours. Once we (the drivers) got to camp we where happy to see the tents up, fire going and food preparation in progress. We were the only ones on the lake except for one fishing boat. We had a clear star covered night. The campsite was a sand site surrounded by pine trees. Lots of good soft tent sites available. The only problem I had, was with sand flies around 8 pm that were eating my angles and forearms. Across the lake we can see the Algonquin Radio Observatory with its 46 meter satellite dish, which is Canada's largest antenna. DAY 2. Today is our first full day. We were off around 10 am. It is a blue sky day with temperatures in the 20’s. We had a few K’s to sort out who was stern and bow and get use to the boats. Whitewater canoes are designed to easily move in any direction in whitewater, but on lakes they do not like to go straight(depending on how beat up they are). The plan today is to make it to the Crooked Chute rapids and camping between the first and second sections, a distance of about 18 Km. Along the way our first grade 2 rapids is the Big Thompson closely followed by the Little Thompson. We portages our gear down the portage (to make our canoes lighter) and scouted the river on the way back up river. With some basic discussion on the planned route and instruction and lead by example we where ready. (Check out the photos) A couple of K’s and a swift we were at the Grillade Rapids, which were a class 1 rapids. Next, we ran the first section of the Crooked Chute and exited to set-up camp on the river bank. The campsite was good with plenty of nice flat spots. Everyone had a good day and loved the rapids. After supper we walked the river trail to check out the Crooked Chute (a class 4 rapid), that has claimed many a canoe. We decided to portage the middle and Chute section. The second section could be run but if you make a mistake and miss the small eddy at the last takeout, you are going into the Chute. We decided that risk was not going to be taken by our group. DAY 3. Last night was really cold (3C). Nothing like starting the day with a 1 Km portage pass the Crooked Chute. Clear blue skies again. We decided to portage around the class 3 Rollaway Rapids site of the memorial cross for Blair Fraser who died here. The portage was fairly rocky at the end making river access a challenge. A little down river we hit The Natch, which is a class 3 only because of the first ledge, which we decided to bypass. The rest of the run is a class 2. The portage trail is described as a mountain goat trail. Some of us, did a few runs of this set of rapids by doing a short portage over the second ledge. The Natch second section was classed as a grade 3 and we all ran it on the right side, just left of the souse hole. I know Steven wanted me to go through the standing wave but I decided to just hit half of it. We still took on some water, but not as much as we could with Stevens plan! A couple of K’s and swifts later and we arrived at Schooner Rapids and our campsite (about 500 meters down). The site was very rock and it was hard to find tent sites. Some of us went swimming in the fast moving river bend. At night the fishing was great, but we were all to full from supper, so the fish were released to fight another day. DAY 4. Cool morning with a misty fog rising off the water. The day started with the Schooner Rapids (about 2 K’s of grade 1-2 rapids) a small lake and another 1.4K’s of the second half of Schooner Rapids (also grade 1-2). Pass Coveo Lake and we are into 3.4K’s of grade 1 rapids and short still water sections. These are called Five Mile Rapids. Very nice! We’re moving at about 10Km/hr. Lunch break in Whitson Lake. A few more K’s we pick a site on McManus Lake (north side just after the swift). Very good campsite with sand beach area for swimming. Some of us try fishing again. Alex caught a large sturgeon but it broke the line when he got it near the boat. Another fisherman did land one in the same area and it was big (about 2.5 feet long). DAY 5. Slight overcast day but still pleasant for our short 3 Km paddle to the exit. A 2 hour car shuttle and where off to return the canoes and the long drive home. On the way we had lunch at the Wilno Travern to break up the drive. See you all soon! Gary
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