Sunsets and snakepits at Achray

After a couple of weeks back at the office it was time for our annual camping trip to Achray in Algonquin Park.

The kids were especially excited as they remember this getaway to be a snake catcher's dream. Together they caught nearly 50 snakes (some were caught more than once). Surprisingly this year there were more water snakes caught than garters. The largest one by far was a monster northern water snake measuring about 4 1/2 feet long.



Most of our week was spent paddling, fishing, catching snakes, and dodging rain storms. For the most part our weather was great - sunny and low 20's. We did have one downpour on the first night that flooded out some of our fellow campers but we were high and dry in our tent trailer. Suckas!

Algonquin, she's a beauty eh!

Algonquin
Elevation: 5114 ft (1559 m)
Peak: N44 08.616 W73 59.214
Parking lot: N44 10.945 W73 57.769
Distance: 15.3 km

With the weekend forecast calling for rain I decided at the last minute to take the day off to enjoy some sunny midweek weather and join my buddy Mike on another hike in the Adirondacks. It was a damn good call.

After some debate on how cold and icy it was going to be above 4000' we finally decided to throw caution to the wind and just go for it - Noonmark out and Algonquin Peak in.

At 5114', Algonquin ranks as the second highest of the 46er peaks, second only to Mount Marcy. I was stoked. Mike has been telling anyone that would listen that this was his favourite 46er peak so far and I couldn't wait to get on the trail and see for myself.




We were on the road by 5am and signing in the logbook by 8:45am. We made relatively good time hiking up the rocky trail stopping only briefly at the falls for a snack and a chat with some of the passing dog walking hikers.

After the falls we soon came to the cut off for Wright, another 46er peak. There was no decision to be made, we were Algonquin bound. After a couple of scrambles up some slabs we began to break through the treeline where the "wow factor" kicked in and the cameras came out. Needless to say our speed was greatly reduced at this point.

Big Slide thru the trees



Wright

Once we cleared the treeline entirely I just couldn't seem to stop pumping the button on my camera. There was so much to take in. The other peaks, Lake Placid, Vermont in the distance, the shadows, the clouds, the cairns, and the colours. The lichen had started to turn orange and yellow and all I wanted to do was roll in it but alas the signs and markers clearly indicated that this was frowned upon.

Some time later we finally reached the top and the 360 degree view was something that just can't be captured on film. We stopped to enjoy a quick lunch and then once again picked up the camera to wander around (stepping only on the rock of course) and explore the large summit. At some point we both agreed to pass on nearby Iroquois and Wright peaks in order to allow ourselves more time to soak it all in. Sweet.

Colden





This was by far the most rewarding hike I've ever been on. The weather was perfect (I like it a little cool so I don't sweat my gonads off) and the views were absolutely breathtaking. I'm still on a high and find myself changing my computer's wallpaper every hour or so.



Algonquin is definitely going on my repeat list... well, technically it's already on there if I ever want to be a 46er as it lies between me and Iroquois.

Camping at Achray in Algonquin Park

This year we somehow managed to get the last two sites in early July for a 5 night stretch at Achray Campground in Algonquin Park. Not only were they the last two sites available at the time but they were side by side and on the beach. Perfect.



We were a little nervous about what the weather would bring in light of the fact that June was so wet but in the end we managed to only have one sprinkling of a rain shower. Finally.




The kids spent their free time between swimming at the beach and catching frogs, tadpoles, leeches, and (many) snakes. And except for one good-sized bullfrog that ended up being snake bait, all creatures great and small were left unharmed and released back into the wild.





The only drawback of the trip would have to be the bugs. The cool, wet months preceding our week provided prime breeding grounds for all kinds of biting critters. We found ourselves swarmed by black flies and mosquitoes in the early morning and late evening and during the heat of the day we swatted and cursed the horseflies, deer flies, sand flies, and even the Chinese houseflies. What are "Chinese houseflies" you ask? Well they are the speedy little houseflies (apparently called stable fly or dog fly) that have evolved into blood sucking flies that bite rather than lick. Man are they annoying. At least with horseflies and deer flies you get to let out a satisfying victory scream with every second smack (my personal technique is to follow the smack with a rather gross but very efficient roll in order to ensure that the little bastards don't fly away only to bite you again).



In an attempt to avoid the bugs most of our outings involved a paddle to some remote campsite or jumping rock. And of course we made the prerequisite (short) hikes to the Tom Thompson plaque and the spectacular Barron Canyon.


One small highlight of the week was when we finally took the time to test out our new Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker. Although it did take a fair bit of effort (true dat!) it was by far one of the most tasty vanilla ice creams I've ever had. Thumbs up all around.


Making memories...
It's hard to believe that another year at Achray has come and gone. Although camping season is far from over it's always a sad moment pulling the canoe out of the water and turning my back on such a beautiful place. I can certainly understand what urged Tom Thompson to put brush to canvas when he painted this landscape in his infamous "Jack Pine".

Until next year...