Kayaktraveller

trip # 5: Massasauga Provincial Park, Georgian Bay, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

2011-08-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Finally found a day to escape from the downtown Toronto and kayaking on the Georgian Bay. Exit 189 from hwy 400 to hwy 69, High St (Muskoka 11) through the town of MacTier then left onto Healey Lake Road to Woods Bay Marina. This portion of the route was reconstructed last year and now you have no troubles to drive to the Marina. Parked the car at the Marina parking lot and launched kayak at the public launch spot close to marina. It was really windy this day and despite our hope that wind is dying it's not. We crossed near 1 km of the open water from Marina to the entrance to the Captain Allan Channel and went along the Channel. Wind still was very fresh and always in opposit direction.
Reaching the Channel opening on its West side we tried to paddle further to the Northwest, but wind was even much stronger on this open water and vawes were one foot or more preventing us to move well. So we decided to turn back and camp somewhere in the Channel.

Thus we stayed at the site 408 in the Eastern part of the Channel.

Unfortunately no fish at all in the Channel though I put a worm for hundred of times in different places around the site.

Around 6 PM it felt like wind began to calm down and we went out toward the Marina. At the exit of the Channel we made a stop and swam in the calm water. Then back into kayak, crossed 800 m to the Marina, deflated kayak and at 8:00 PM start out home.

trip # 4: Beausoleil Island, Georgian Bay, Friday, July 22, 2011

2011-07-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

It was short improvised one day trip "for fun and pleasure". And we received both!
It was also an attempt to escape incredible heat of the downtown Toronto. This attempt proved to be 100% successful.
We drove North on hwy 400, took exit 156 West to Honey Harbour (about 5 km) and parked there "at Jack" for $10 a day. The launch site is situated near the small plaza with the Church, store, library etc.
2.5 hrs after leaving downtown we were in our kayak on the water of Georgian Bay!

Short trip between the islands through the Big Dog Channel and in front of us appeared Beausoleil Island.

Despite it was Friday there were a lot of boats and every campsite was occupied but one named Sandpiper. When we approached the site everything became clear - we saw the big sign (see picture below).

Thus we were forced to move further to the North, where we stopped for a lunch on a small cape in front of the private island.

It wasn't hot at all, the sky was cloudy but the water was warm and we swam a lot.
On our way back we have a look at a small bay to the North of our site and came back through the Big Dog Channel again.
At 8:00 PM we left Honey Harbour and at 10:30 PM were at home (we were 30 min late due to a jam on the hwy 400).

And still everything was fine in this trip!

trip # 3: Crab Lake with Ivan, overnight Monday July 11 - Tuesday July 12, 2011

2011-07-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Being last time on the Long Lake which belongs to the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park too we discovered that since this year one have to book campsite in advance and pay for staying there. So we did this for the Crab Lake and paid $33.00 ($11.75 per person per night plus processing/registration fee $9.50). Besides this substantial amount of money I encountered a number of inconveniences: i) to book a site one have to make a long-distance call (there is no free number); ii) there is no campsite map anywhere on the Internet and it is difficult to choose the site you want (I try to correct this putting below a picture taken at the launch site on the Wolf Lake); iii) campsite labels are old and small - site numbers cannot be read from the water; iv) at the launch site they provide you with the garbage bag, but there is no garbage can there and you have to drive with your garbage to the next rest area to throw it away. I'd like to see better service for my money. And from unknown reason they eliminated one of the best campsites on the small island at the south part of Crab Lake (just in front of site 313)...
Despite this negative remarks which I never would mention if it was free out trip was excellent as it always was on Crab Lake.

Site Map of the Crab Lake

Ready to go. At the launch site on the Wolf Lake

The famous Crab Lake bass

The turtle's feeding at the camp site

Great Blue Heron lives here

And we're the guests

trip # 2: With Ivan on the Kawarthas Long Lake (The Kawartha Highlands Park) - Monday, June 6, 2011

2011-06-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Long Lake in Kawarthas (North of Peterborough on hwy 28) was my "point of interest" since 2010. I even printed out the satellite map, but at the last moment switched to another Georgian Bay trip for some reasons. This time I reread the description of the "Long Lake loop" in Kevin Callan's "A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Cottage Country" and decided to go there. Ivan accompanied me looking for the good fishing.

We left downtown Toronto at 7:00 AM and adopt the fastest way: Gardiner-DVP-hwy 401-hwy 115-hwy 7-hwy 28-Long Lake Rd. It took us 2 hrs only!

Long Lake. View from the launch site.

The public launch spot is situated on the East end of the Long Lake in the very nice place, near the Long Lake Lodge. Due to Monday the parking lot was empty. In less than 30 min kayak was on the water and we were ready to go.
We went initially along the main left channel of the lake and then adopt right channel rounding the Brown Island. Northwest of the Island we tried to paddle a small channel to the North, but very soon were stopped by beaver dam and turned back.
Heading further to the West along the main channel we began to put our warms into any deep place at the rocks and have a lot of fun catching bass of various sizes (of course we released them immediately, because the season for it will begin only on 4th Saturday of June (June 25 this year). In such a way we arrived at the campsite 401 on the right (North) bank. Here we stayed for 1-2 hrs. Ate, swam, relaxed. We were agreeably surprised that there were no mosquitoes at all. may be it was partly due to light wind which came from time to time from the West.

Campsite 401

To finish our first exploration of the Long Lake we paddled 1 km more to another narrowing leading to the west end of the lake. There on the small island we've seen a sculpture curved from the big stone - a lady exposing herself to the sun.
From this point we turned back and followed another (South) shore to the launch spot.

Sunset. Before departure

At 7:15 we were at the Start point, dried kayak a little bit, ate a bit and at 8:05 start our way home. Same route, same speed, same time: In 2 hrs we were back home.

trip # 1: Solo trip to Massassauga Provincial Park - season opening, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

2011-05-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

The 2011 summer kayak season is open!!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Long delayed spring 2011 prevent me went out earlier. But I really can't wait anymore and used first relatively hot and sunny day to open the season.
7:10 AM I drove out of underground garage on Front St W and headed to hwy 400.
9:40 AM I was at the Woods bay Marina. Since last year they finally finished repairing the Muskoka Rd 11 and it takes much less time to drive there from hwy 69.

My trip from Moon Marina (B) to the Sharpe Island (A) and back.

10:45 AM Paddling toward the North outlet of Captain Allan Strait and sent an sms to Ira and Tanya: "I'm putting to the sea"
12:00 PM I left behind the Pleasant Island (I rounded it from Northeast) and headed toward Shrack Island
12:30 PM I passed a narrow strait at Sharpe Island, left behind a few small islands and enter the system of small inner bays which I loved since discovering them last summer.

Approaching to The Sharpe Island from the South. In front of me campsite # 334
we stayed on with Irina last summer

Site # 334 we were last summer

My small camp on one of the inner bays of the Sharpe Island.

17:00 PM I set out back to marina. In the mean time I burned myself on the sun, but noticed this only later on.
19:30 I was back at marina. This time I passed the South channel of the Captain Allan Strait, but I think the way through North channel is little bit shorter.
20:10 PM I left the Woods Bay marina.
21:50 PM ESSO Gas station near Dunlop St.
23:58 PM Called Irina from the garage.
The 2011 summer kayak season is open!!!

Saturday, May 14, 2011 4:48:00 PM PDT

trip # 12: Crab Lake with Irina, Tuesday, September 21, 2010

2010-09-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

For the first time we went to the Crab Lake from our new downtown residence. It took us more than 3 hours to get there via Port Perry and our designated Bite Shop (one dozen of warms for $3.00).
Stayed on our Big Bass Island, where campsite is closed now. It was very windy (South). They promised 22 C for this day and it was when on the sun and without strong wind. Water was cold, so we had no desire for swimming There were rainy in the morning (we even met thunderstorm on our way there driving by Burleigh Falls). Then clouds were gone and sun shined in full. Closer to our departure at around 6-7 PM another thunderstorm approached and we even saw a few lightnings far away (it was enough though for us to paddle like crazy to reach launching point before dusk and rain). We were in time and put our gear into the the car successfully. The moon was full, but was closed by the clouds soon.
Two small basses was our catch. We were back at home at 10:30 PM (2.5 hours driving due to use of the hwy 115 and 401 instead of 407 and 7A on our way to the Lake in the morning. But we were tired at the end of this day.
P.S. No camera with us this time, alas.

trip # 11 The Massasauga Provincial Park, Wednesday, August 18, 2010

2010-08-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

(Compare this map to maps from trips #5 and #6 of this year).

This time we left the house earlier and were on the water at 11:00. On our way to the Woods Bay (Moon Marina) we took Spadina< Lake Shore Blv, Parkside, Weston Rd, Black Creek, hwy 400 North, hwy 69 (exit 189 from 400), Muskoka Rd 11, Healey Lake Rd. We visited shortly Pete's Place Access Point to the Park to buy new map of the park with the camp sites and to learn that they still cannot provide parking for the day users (mentioned some kind of contract between Park and marinas).

From the Moon Marina ($8:00 for one day parking) we navigate to the Eastern entrance of the Captain Allan's Strait and along it to the Western shore of the Moon Island. Then NW along the shore and between small private islands to the seclude inlets with the sites 307 to 313. We checked 307 and camped on 309. 308 slightly to North was occupied.

Spent wonderful time swimming and fishing (me) and answering phone calls and sleeping (Irina). Plus prepared dinner (minestrone soup and tea).

At 6:00 PM we left for way back. Thought to try the sail, but wind died fully and sail was broken again (it's second time! and I decided to return it forever and forget about this sail). It bekame a tradition already to swim in the Captain Allan's strait (at site 403) on our way back.

10 past 8:00 we landed at the Moon Marina and at 8:40 left for home.
Were at home on Front St. at about 11:30 PM.

Very nice day!

trip # 10 Beausoleil Island again, Tuesday, August 09, 2010

2010-08-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

After a long delay due to our moving to the new place in downtown Toronto we finally escape to the Georgian Bay again. Longer trip time from downtown forced us to choose closer destination and we drove to the Beausoleil Island (Exit 156 from hwy 400 and then 32 km on the hwy 5 to the Honey Harbor).
The same pier in downtown Honey Harbor near the Church and Library, the same parking at Joe's backyard for $10 per day. Bought a snake at the local store and leave the marina at 2:10 PM. "Better later than never."

Went through Big Dog Channel and then turn right (North) along the shore of the Beausoleil Island. Made two stops: first one very short - to swim, and the second one - in a small bay with the fire and snorkeling.

Кипяток для мису-супа и другая кастрюлька - для чая.

Опытный загребной Ирина Фурсенко. Техника гребка очень напоминает движения известной загребной Галины Н из Сиэттла.

More pictures in Picasa Album

trip # 9 Crab Lake again, Friday, July 16, 2010

2010-07-18T19:25:00.001-07:00

Again did we decide to visit Crab Lake dreaming of it's big basses and cozy island. One day trip with Vanya was exciting. He caught a few medium basses, fed a turtle at the campsite, while me sleeping after the lunch. Crowdy was the lake this Friday morning and much more Friday evening.

# 8: Massasauga Provincial Park, Sharpe Island, Wednesday, July 7

2010-07-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

This time I brought Irina to see the beauty of the Georgian Bay. Initially I thought to go to the Crab Lake with Tanya. Then Tanya got more attractive offer and decided not to go with me. Irina on the contrary all of a sudden decided to join me though strongly rejected Crab Lake idea as "annoying". Already in the car we changed our route from Bloomington East to King Rd West and 400. And we never regretted our decision. Two obstacles slightly slowed down our launch into Georgian: road construction between 69 and West Bay Marina and Marina itself. Previous times we parked at Peter's Place Access Point and had two launch pads and no troubles . At Marina we ended launching at the public launch and parking at Marina's (?) lot for $8.00. I still think that we could park free there. Otherwise the trip was beautiful.

# 7: Beausoleil Island, Monday, June 21

2010-06-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Three weeks without kayaking it's too much for me. This time I was going to go with my granddaughter Tanya a nice girl 20 years old coming to us for summer vacation from Siberia. I was thinking about something easy and not far from home to minimize driving time. It would be better on Georgian Bay because almost no mosquitoes there. I even began to consider Massasauga Provincial Park though i was there two last times. And all of a sudden friend of mine sent me report of his family trip near Beausoleil Island. The pictures were wonderful and circular trip drawing made by his 5 year old son attract me immediately. The weather forecast was very good for this Monday. Hwy 400 moved well, when we enter it from King Rd (exit 43) at 8:00 AM. At the Exit 156 we adopt a hwy 5 North toward the Honey Harbor and after 13 km stopped near the Church, Library and Public launch site. It was 9:15 AM. Of course everything equipped here for the motor-boats, not for the small inflatable kayaks. So we needed some time to find proper place to inflate and launch our kayak and to park the car for a day (ended at nearby Joe's private parking lot for $10 per day).
At 10:30 AM we pushed off. The Park brochure we took free in the public box on the street contained the map of the Beausoleil Island. It was exactly the same map where little Tosha drew his route.
Below is Google aerial view of the Beausoleil Island and Honey Harbor with our South loop (white) and Tosha's North loop (yellow).
Leaving the harbor and having no idea where the Big Dog Channel is we decided to go South and reach the southernmost point of the Beausoleil Island, where the large group campsite has to be as was written in the books I read.
First we rounded small Picnic Island on our left (with the big gas station and store situated on the large wooden platform) then crossed the strait and went South along the East shore of the Roberts Island.

What we seen then was a huge open water space with the various colors of green on the horizon. Again we had no idea where the Beausoleil Island is. But having no choice and taking into account very good weather conditions (sunshine and light wind) I decided to paddle toward the light green cape in 3-4 km to South-West. And I was absolutely right! Less than in one hour we find out the pavilion among the trees and stepped down on the huge group camp site I read about. Long ago in 1819 Mister or Messier Beausoleil settled here as a first white man in this area. There we had a meal, took a picture of the turtles sunned themselves on the stones and Tanya as a "Girl with the paddle".

Our way back was to the North along the East coast of the Beausoleil Island.
More pictures at:My Picasa Albums

trip # 6 Overnight stay on the Wreck Island, Sunday May 30 - Monday May 31, 2010

2010-05-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

My goal was as always - to reach the destination not reached previous time. Now it was Wreck Island in Massasauga Provincial Park (see trip #5 and the map with campsite descriptions). I decided to go overnight on Sunday to Monday to avoid the weekend traffic on 400 and to have a better choice of campsites.
Knowing that I'm not obliged to drive back tonight I was more relaxed when packing in the morning and left at 8:05 instead of 7:00. Highway 400 Northbound was not crowded and it takes me less than 2 hours to come to Pete's place Access Point in Massasauga Provincial Park.
The full time schedule of this trip is presented at the Russian version of this site.
The office was closed and I began the self-registration procedure. When I was almost ready, the officer came in and we switched to the regular procedure which I like more. Especially because we could discuss sites advantages and weather (wind first of all) forecast. As a result I choose site 336 on the Sharpe Island with the opportunity to switch to # 325 on Wreck Island if such will be my desire and it will be unoccupied. I paid $11.00 in cash (1 night for 1 person), received green sheet for the car parking and pink one for site occupation and dove to the launch point.
It takes me another 30 min to inflate the kayak and put everything inside.

11:05 AM I started setting my course to the first strait connecting Blackstone Harbor to the Woods Bay. In less than 20 min I was there and crossed the Woods Bay to the Captain Allen Strait.
(See map of the trip #5).
At 12:00 I made a stop at the site # 304 on the North bank of the Captain Allen Strait not far from where it flows into the Moon Bay (it's the point where map begins).
12:20 PM I headed toward the Sharpe Island. On my left were long island where we turned back last time with Ivan and then horseshoe shaped Pleasant Island.

#325 site inlet on the Wreck Island.Rocks are really impressive!

Inland part of inlet and fireplace at #325.

My tent on the smaller spot but closer to the fireplace.

Just before departure from Wreck Island.

Fantastic beach on the Northwest shore of the Sharpe Island.

Launch site at Pete's Place Access Point. My gear and my kayak.

End of trip.

trip # 5: First try of Georgian Bay, May 24, 2010

2010-05-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

I've two choices for this long first summer weekend: Long Lake in Kawarthas or any place of my choice on Georgian Bay. Have to say that I never been to Georgian Bay kayaking though heard a lot about how fantastic it is. We were going duo: me and Ivan. Fishing which is very important for Ivan could be better in Kawarthas but the huge concentration of blood-sucking insects too. As to the Georgian Bay I have no special point chosen and weather (wind) conditions are more important there. So may be it was meteorologists who made final decision. They promised 27 C and almost no wind - ideal conditions for the Georgian Bay first trip. Then I spent a day reading the books and looking on the maps to find an optimal destination for the one day trip. It has to be closer to Toronto than Parry Sound and paddling distance no more than 20 km. Massasauga Provincial Park seems to meet all these requirements.

Again the first trip to new place turned out to be half as long as was planned initially (see map). We were lucky this morning driving on almost empty hwy 400 to the North. In two hours we were at the South Access Point (Pete's Place) to the Massasauga Provincial Park. (Exit 189 from hwy 400 to 69 (3.5 km), then Left to High Street (6,5 km) and then 17 km on the Healey Lake Road and 600 m right to the Pete's Place).

They confirmed that they provide parking only for their campers - others have to go to the various Woods Bay marinas. However when I bought the Park Map ($10:00) at the office they decided that it's enough to provide parking for us.

At 10:05 we put the paddles into water. Leaving the home at 7:35 it was great result!

45 minutes more and we are at the first strait connecting Blackstone Harbour to the Woods Bay.

Entering Woods Bay from East.

First short halt on the Southwest shore of the Woods Bay.

The geese took a rest too. At the farthermost point of our trip. From here we turned back.See map.

Nice beach at the site 403 on the strait between Woods Bay and Moon Bay. We swam here, had a lunch (misu-soup, sandwiches and vegetables) and relaxed before paddling back home.

We were back to the Pete's Place Access Point at 4:30 PM and at 5:00 PM started the car.

This time traffic was heavier than in the morning because it was the end of the long weekend. In spite of this in 2.5 hours we were at home. Our first reconnaissance trip to Georgian Bay was fulfilled successfully.

trip #4: South Muskoka River - there and back or down and up - May 17, 2010

2010-05-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

As it is well described in Kevin Callan's "Ontario's Cottage Country" and in Hap Wilson's "Canoeing and Hiking Wild Muskoka", navigation on South Muskoka River down from Baysville (hwy 117 East of 11) is possible to hwy 11 and comprises about 42 km. However due to absence of public campsites further than on Cooks Falls (about 8 km down from Baysville) recommended route includes way down to the Cooks Falls and way back (upstream) to Baysville. As Kevin explaines it gives you a better understanding how the explorers and fur traders felt like travelling this route in both directions. This time my understanding became even "more better" due to earlier than usually beginning of black fly and mosquito season.
On the river everything depends on the water level. This time it was "medium" I think. Yes, it was spring but after such a snow-less winter no flood can be observed. And at any rate I'd like to come here in the midsummer. Even my inflatable kayak had to be lined or lifted over in too many shallow places. I think the current was stronger now than it will be in summer. As a result I lined the kayak in two places when going upstream, in sum it was may be about 1 km to splash through the cold water on slippery stones. Well enough that I have my beach-shoes with me and it was not so painful to step on the stones. In any case it was much better than on the portages, where both my hands were busy with the kayak and black flies and mosquitoes sting me cruelly.
And despite all this I had a wonderful time on Muskoka!

Launch site in Baysville at the small park on the West bank below the dam. Everything is ready to go.

Downstream the South Muskoka River

Fairy Falls about 2.5-3.0 km from the Starting Point in Baysville. Easy portage 155 m on the left bank.

Approaching the rapids before the Thompson's Folly. On my way back I was forced to line my kayak upstream here for about 1 km.

My kayak already below the Thompson's Folly. I simply pulled it over the rock on the left.

Cooks Falls - the last I reached this time and the only one could try to go through on the kayak. I didn't try because didn't like to portage kayak back through the infuriate clouds of black flies and mosquitoes already biting me thoroughly.

Nice open spit upstream of a rapid - the only place I could rest a bit without be biting by the insects.

Typical Muskoka view, though the chairs are not 100% Muskokan.

Back to the dam and Start Point in Baysville after 5 hours paddling.

"Me and cucamber" - a self-made picture at the parking lot in Baysville. Finally I can eat a little bit without insect intervention.

Two more hours on the highways 117, 11 and 400 and I was at home!

trip #3: Indian River from Warsaw to Warsaw Caves and Back - May 4, 2010

2010-05-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 4, 2010

From the beginning it was presumed to be a short leisure trip to relax a little bit and to test the new Advanced Elements Kayak Sail. This route was also chosen because of short and well known driving distance from Toronto (Richmond Hill): Bloomington Rd (hwy 47) and 7A to Port-Perry, 7A and 115 to Peterborough and then 7, 28 and 4 to Warsaw, ON (about 165 km = 2 hours).

Public Launch beside the church in Warsaw was empty and Indian River water surface quiet and friendly. As was mentioned in every description of this route I've read before the main problem was the depth - amount of water in the River. Though this winter was poor on snow the spring is the spring and water at least covered numerous old stumps seen under water.

Further up stream (nominally because one cannot notice any stream at all) the river became even deeper, though almost everywhere you could find dead trees under water. After less than 1.5 hours of unhurried paddling we crossed the scenic cliffs and marshes and came to rest upon what had to be the Park launch site. At the same time it was a natural end of a trip, because the river here divided into three or more shallow stony channels somehow disappearing among marshes and bushes.

After light lunch we install our new AE Rapid Up Sail and set out for return. We even were lucky to catch the fair-wind for some time and made a short video of us sailing. Unfortunately the wind changed soon to the opposite direction and the rest of the route we paddled hard against the wind.

It was still mid of the day when we reached our starting point in Warsaw, deflated kayak and headed back home. I'm not sure I'll come there once more. Somebody mentioned this route as a good one for the family with children, but I we didn't see any attractive campsites there.May be in summer when water level will be much lower there will be some but the navigation in the shallow water will be minus.

First sea trial of the new Advanced Element Rapid Up Kayak Sail.

Trip #2: The Bottle (Lake) uncorked! - April 24, 2010

2010-04-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Three weeks after first trip the weather became favorable again and I decided to fulfill uncompleted route to the Bottle and Sucker Lakes. This time all the maps were in my pocket, GPS was tuned to the shortest way from home to the bridge at Catchacoma Lake, the car was loaded from the night and it seems nothing could prevent me to have a great journey.

At 8:10 AM I left my home heading to 404, 48, 12 and...surprise-surprise: When I turned right from 12 to Regional Road 15 I saw a big sign "ROAD CLOSED". As a doubting Thomas I drove 2-3 km on the empty road until came to rest against real road closure with the fence closed and bridge fully destroyed. No way.
I consulted my road map and GPS and decided to make a detour to the North. I followed 12 to 48 on East (near Talbot river, where a year ago we tested our kayak for the first time), then 48 to 46 South and then back to Regional 15 (aka hwy 8) which brought me to the Fenelon Falls and further to hwy 36, 507 North and finally to Beaver Lake Road East where in 4 km the public launch site was near the bridge. It was 11:00 AM. In 30 min I was into my Inflatable Advanced Frame Convertible Solo Version and ready to go.

This time I follow strictly right bank of the South East Inlet of the Catchacoma Lake to come to the Bottle Creek Inlet by the shortest way.

And indeed it took me 35 min to come to the dam on the Bottle Creek. It was the first short portage (about 40 m on the rolled rocks along the East side of the Creek ). It was the place where from we turned back last time. Now I spent less than half an hour to move kayak and gear on the other side of the dam (about 1-2 m up the stream). Ahead of me was almost straight water lane 20-50 m wide and about 3 km long - Bottle Creak - leading me Eastward to the Bottle Lake.

Campsite on the left (North) bank of the Bottle Creek near it's mouth at the Bottle Lake

On the Bottle Lake at the portage to the Sucker Lake (160 m).

View on the portage from the kayak above.

View on the portage from the Sucker Lake.

Day campsite on the right (South) bank of the Bottle Creek at it's mouth on the Bottle lake

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Cottage under construction on the way back when approaching the bridge on the Beaver lake road

trip # 1 The 2010 season is open! The Ice Cork in the Bottle (Lake) - April 3, 2010

2010-04-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello to everybody and happy beginning of the kayak/canoe season!

It was due to unbelievably warm weather this spring that we could "to put to sea" on April 3. Believe it or not it was 25°C in the air and 0°C into water (ice was still present in many places on the water surface).

Our goal was the Bottle Lake in Kawartha Highland Park. Besides the intriguing name and our desire to visit new place the permission to fish for lake trout in Sucker Lake which is within a short portage (~ 160 m) from the Bottle Lake was the main attraction for us.

As a starting point we choose the bridge on the Beaver Lake Road at the South end of the Catchecoma Lake. Our GPS gave us 165 km long route from our house in Richmond Hill (Oak Ridges to be more precise) to this bridge. But not to drive the unknown roads in the morning we followed our usual route to the Crab Lake (near Apsley, North of Bourleigh Falls). The only difference was that just after Bourleigh Falls we turned west onto hwy 36, then North onto hwy 507 and East onto the Beaver Lake road to the bridge. It takes us about 2.5 hours to drive there.

Parking space near the water on the South-West side of the road/bridge was empty. We were surprised by its small size and how full will it be in the summer time. But now we were alone and it takes us no more than 15 minutes to inflate our kayak and set out. We headed directly under the bridge when heard a voice from above: There're no water there, guys! A man on the bridge smiled to us and pointed with his hand somewhere on the other side of the bridge. Of course we decided that he's joking and came under the bridge and further into the one of the bays of the Cathecoma Lake. Only half an hour later, when we came to rest against huge field of black ice almost invisible from afar did we understand what the man on the bridge had in mind. Now we noticed this: part of the water mirror was exactly as mirror has to be - flat and black - as if no wind waved to disturb the surface. At the same time there was a wind and in many places we can see "normal" alive water wrinkled by the wind. Yes, there was still an ice covering part of the lake and we were not a icebreaker, but poor inflatable kayak and we had to be as twice careful to avoid direct contact with the sharp block of ice. It was in part due to this unexpected obstacle that we lost orientation and made a big loop around the lake before to come back to the West shore where the Bottle Creek had to spring from the lake to the West.

Sep 20-21, 2009 - Crab Lake (solo overnight)

2009-09-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Big Bass Island again. Basses and perches

Fall begins

Sep 8-13, 2009 - French River with Irina and Ivan

2009-09-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Wolseley Lodge on the Wolseley river and Wolseley Bay of French river. 2 pikes

Day by day Adventure (in Russian)

Aug 31, 2009 - Six Mile Lake (solo trip)

2009-09-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

Six Mile Lake, Lost Channel, rapids on the Pretty Channel

Ready to go solo

Lost Channel

Fishing above the rapids on the Pretty Channel

Everybody goes home

Back on the sunset

Aug 24(?), 2009 - Baxter Lake with Irina

2009-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Lazy trip in the vicinity of Six Mile Lake and Little Go Home Lake

Aug 12, 2009 - Crab Lake with Ivan overnight

2009-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Big Bass Island

July 25, 2009 - Crab Lake with Viktor

2009-09-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Real Big Basses!

July 19, 2009 - Trip to the Cinder Lake with Ivan

2009-09-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

We did it! We reached the Cinder Lake from the North side crossing the very rough road. Thus fulfilled what we were unable to do on previous time. Unfortunately as it turned out: "The game wasn’t worth the candle". (Russian version of this proverb is: "The lambskin is not worth the currying".)

July 12, 2009 - Wolf Lake with Ivan

2009-09-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Goal was the Crab Lake, but spent all the day fishing on the Wolf Lake

July 5, 2009 - 3d Trip to Crab Lake with Irina

2009-09-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Nice day in the South Bay, near Blueberry Mountain.

June 14, 2009 - Poker Lakes with Irina and Ivan

2009-09-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

Short but nice stay on the Bentshoe Lake - one of the Poker Lakes.

Ivan brought Irina from the landing point.

Our camp

Light supper on our way home at the lock #41 near Talbot River and hwy 12.

June 6, 2009 - 2nd Trip to Crab Lake with Irina

2009-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Successful this time
It was first (but not the last!) successful trip to the Crab Lake. This time we were with Irina again. It was much warmer and we enjoy the weather, the kayak and the Lake. It takes us only 35-40 minutes to cross Wolf Lake from the launch spot on it's North site to the short and easy 107 m portage on the South site.There are a few cottages on the West shore of the Wolf Lake. No cottages at all are on the Crab Lake. There are 8-10 camp sites on the Crab. Most of them were occupied, but we found one empty at the Southwest corner (not far from the path to the Rock.

May 31, 2009 - First Trip to Crab Lake with Irina

2009-09-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

Unsuccessful attempt

We drove all the way to the launch site on the Wolf Lake only to face snow storm and boyscout's team paddling through it from the lake after cold overnight camping on the Crab Lake. Looking at flying snow-clouds even me decided not to go to the water. Instead we made a sightseeing tour to the Anstruther Lake and Marina. Still it was snowing periodically and there was no sense to inflate our kayak. Till next time we decided and vent back home.

May 24, 2009 - Poker Lakes (Big East Lake) with Irina

2009-09-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Big East Lake

May 3, 2009 - Боевое крещение

2009-09-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

Первое плавание

Едва дождавшись более-менее сносной погоды мы с Ваней отправились в первое плавание. Для начала был выбран довольно простой маршрут сравнительно недалеко от дома - на реке Тальбот при впадении ее в оз.Симко. Первоначальный план был спуститься на воду прямо на реке, но не найдя хорошего подъезда, мы решили начать от небольшого пляжа на оз.Симко и потом вплыть в реку. Все бы ничего, но пока мы разгружались и надували каяк, на озере поднялся ветер, который гнал волны прямо на наш берег, так что садиться в каяк пришлось хоть и на пологом песчаном берегу пляжа, но под набегающими волнами и мы-

таки, еще и по неопытности, зачерпнули малость воды, так что

поплыли с мокрыми, скажем так, сиденьями. И сразу в приличную волну. А нам надо было обйти выступающий в озеро небольшой полуостров и затем уже войти в устье Тальбота. Слава Богу маневр завершился успешно, но немного мы оба поволновались, хотя веры в свой каяк не потеряли ни разу и он проявил себя лучшим образом, сразу же попав в

"боевую" обстановку.

Понятно, что пока шли по волнам было не до фото, зато когда вошли в тихий спокойный Тальбот, то наснимали вволю. Все-таки была еще ранняя весна снег совсем недавно сошел, воды в реке было много, ну и живности всякой хватало: плавали кругом гуси, на солнышке грелись черепахи, всякие птички славили своим чириканием весну.

More pictures.

Греблось в охотку и мы бы еще плыли и плыли, но случилось совершенно непредвиденное - у меня в руках треснуло весло - расщепилась фиберглассовая трубка в месте сочленения двух половинок составного весла. Вот тебе и фирма West Marine! Все произошло на

совершенно спокойной воде, просто я гребанул посильнее, чтобы повернуть согласно извилине реки и услышал хруст трескающегося фибергласа. Хорошо у меня была липкая лента на случай заклеивания пробоин в лодке. Я обмотал ею сломанное место и предоставив Ване грести в полную силу, сам только подгребал сначала осторожно, потом посмелее, почувствовав, что лента как-то держит. Но конечно, пришлось сразу же повернуть назад.

Чтобы не выходить больше в открытое озеро, где волны так и не стихали, мы высадились под автомобильным мостом через Тальбот. Пока Ваня выпускал воздух из лодки, я сбегал за автомобилем, мы быстро погрузились и поехали домой (еще успели сфотографировать злополучное весло, дабы задокументировать непорядок для дальнейшего предъявления претензий). Так или иначе каяк первое испытание с честью выдержал (как и мы с Ваней), а вот весло - не выдержало, но для того и проводятся испытания, чтобы выявить слабые места и недостатки. Хуже было бы, если бы это весло сломалось где-нибудь при прохождении порогов на бурной реке.

Забегая вперед, скажу, что в West Marine безропотно вернули нам деньги за оба весла (я сдал и несломнное, потому что доверия к фирме у меня уже не было) и еще вежливо извинились - мол, увы, бывает.

А хорошие весла известной фирмы Carlisle (Classic 230 and Classic Plus 230 fiberglass) я купил через несколько дней в большом туристическом магазине Pro Bass Outfitters с хорошей скидкой.

Так что мы снова были готовы в плавание!

April 18, 2009 - Ходовые испытания

2009-09-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Ходовые испытания

Хотя была еще ранняя весна и было довольно холодно, но все чесалось и хотелось на воду - испытать покупку в деле. Благо озерцо небольшое находится у нас под боком и даже пологий бетонированный спуск для лодок остался там с незапамятных времен.

Так что там на Бонд Лэйк и произошел первый спуск на воду нашего нового каяка. Я надувал его, а Ира бегала вокруг с камерой и снимала то фото, то видео под мое недовольное ворчание.

Ниже - результаты моих усилий и ее съемок:

Апрель 2009 - Покупка

2009-09-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Покупка

Аккурат после нашего возвращения из поездки по Латинской Америке я получил сообщение от West Marine, что лодка пришла и я могу за ней приезжать к ним в Даунтаун. Событие надвигалось настолько важное, что даже наши друзья проникшись особенностью момента захотели поехать вместе с нами, чтобы поприсутствовать "при историческом событии". Так, "при большом стечение народа" каяк был выкуплен, обмыт с друзьями в морском - "медитеранниен" ресторанчике и доставлен домой.

"Первая ночь"

Через несколько дней мы с Ваней наконец выбрали спокойное время, чтобы неспеша и обстоятельно разобраться с нашим приобретением. Расположились на деке. А далее все видно на фото.

Зима - весна 2009 - Решение принято!

2009-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Наконец, в начале этого, 2009 года решение было принято бесповоротно - обзаводимся собственной лодкой. Диапазон обсуждаемых конструкций колебался от моторного понтона до сборной байдарки. Но все, что надо тащить за машиной или водружать на крышу, было исключено на самой ранней стадии, поэтому довольно быстро вопрос свелся к компактным надувным (inflatable) лодкам, коих на интернете оказалось тоже довольно много и самых разных моделей. Что касается сборных или складных (foldable) конструкций, то они отпали из-за зашкаливающей цены - более $1,500 за привезенную из России Варзугу-2 или $2,000 и более - за американские.

Выбор лодки

Была проведена большая поисковая работа, причем дольшего всего формулировался ответ на самый "простой" вопрос: "А где я хочу плавать - по бурным рекам или по небольшим озерам и еще и рыбу ловить из лодки?" Конечно, хотелось бы иметь лодку (байдарку, каноэ), которая позволяла бы и то и другое, но все равно надо было сделать выбор между принципиально различными концепциями: или ты сидишь выше уровня воды ("sitting on the top") и вода может заливать лодку, но и свободно вытекать из нее через дренажные отверстия или ты сидишь в лодке, ниже уровня воды ("sitting into water") и вся вода, попавшая в твою лодку остается в ней. Опять-таки после долгих колебаний и "наступления на горло собственной песне" был все же выбран более умеренный второй вариант. Помогло еще и то, что на рынке появилась очень привлекательная модель этой конструкции, отвечавшая сразу многим моим пожеланиям. Это был надувной каяк (байдарка по-нашему) с элементами рамы (frame), с неким подобием киля, что придавало лодке устойчивости и снижало "рыскание" при гребле. Важным для нас достоинством была его универсальность: он мог использоваться как double (два гребца), так и solo или single (один гребец). Цена тоже не зашкаливала и можно было еще искать предложения с хорошей скидкой, что в конце-концов и удалось сделать.

Таким образом, в марте 2009 г я заказал в Торонтском магазине системы West Marine надувной каяк Advanced Frame Convertible производства Калифорнийской компании Advanced Elements

Вступление

2009-09-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Я долго мечтал о своем собственном плавсредстве. Корнями это желание уходило в мое детсво, когда каждое лето мы жили в деревне на озере: и гребли, и плавали, и рыбу ловили, и на всю жизнь сохранили любовь к этому делу.

"Добавил" я уже в более зрелые годы, когда несколько лет подряд каждое лето сплавлялся с друзьями-геологами по великолепным и суровым сибирским рекам, в основном в бассейне р.Лены. Там я почувствовал вкус к "white water" - к белой (от пены) воде порогов и перекатов. Оттуда сохранилась "боевая" формулировка: "по центру и на гребешки!", с которой шли мы на "мокрое" дело - т.е. вперед через бурлящие перекаты.

Ну а в Канаде только что совсем ленивый не гребет на каноэ или каяке. Недаром бытует изречение, что "канадец - это тот, кто и в каноэ может заниматься любовью". Типичная картина канадского (онтарийского) weekend'a -это несущиеся по шоссе автомобили с притороченными на крышах каноэ или каяками. Не имея своего плавсредства, я вынужден был ездить только в те места, где можно было взять каноэ напрокат и таким образом география наших путешествий и водных прогулок была резко ограничена.

Это не давало покоя моей душе...

Bilingualism

2009-09-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to do this blog bilingual (I'm Canadian - we like bilingualism) :-)

Итак, пробуем писать и по-русски и по-английски (настоящее канадское двуязычие - это английский и французский, но для нас - выходцев из России - это английский и русский)

Вроде получается. Просьба к тем, кто читает по-русски: если что-то не так - сообщите мне в комментарии.

It looks like it works in Russian too. Of course real Canadian bilingualism is English & French, but for people who came to Canada from Russia it's English & Russian. If you can read in Russian and find any problems, please write me via comments.

Beginning

2009-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today I created this blog. It's first one in my life. We'll see how it'll go.