Islands of Gold - Reading Week Canoe Trip
And there we were... Twelve Voyageurs about to embark on a journey out of Algonquin’s very own Smoke Lake access point. The wind howling a key of autumnal intensity beckoned only the most fearsome of paddlers to take on the park in the fall, and so we took the challenge, ready for frigid rivers and nighttime temperatures that plummeted to zero.
Friday afternoon was spent traversing down Smoke Lake itself, the wind pushing us forward with vigour and intensity, filling our lungs with the brisk wholeness of adventure. Our spirits high, we encountered the first portage, a measly 250 metre rocky passage that got us to Ragged Lake, the home of our first campsite. In record time, tents were set up and the fire was fuming, emitting a colour only paralleled to the scarlet red of the lingering leaves of the elusive red maple. As we seared sausages on the fire and shared riddles of old with humour and good will, a shared sense of jubilation was felt upon our daily triumph. With barrels hung and embers out, we went to sleep, excited for our journey ahead.
The next morning, as the sun rose upon the park’s ancient beauty, dark coffee boiled a brilliant ebony, and scents of bacon, eggs, and fried tofu could be smelt among the nimble pines. Upon packing up, we ventured forth through Smoke Lake, making our way east to the Kootchie Lake portage, a humbling 840 metres of golden platitude. Upon arriving at Kootchie Lake after a long day of paddling, we took our time bathing in the sun, absorbing the complex beauty of the surrounding cliffs and trees.
Upon arriving at our final campsite on Little Island Lake, we took turns partaking in polar plunges, and engulfing chilli burritos before calling it in for the night. Our morning departure from the island was accompanied by a quick breakfast of apple crisp and peanut butter bagels, and as we made our way back to the access point, a great sense of pride and accomplishment fell over all who partook in such a journey. Kudos to all, and a million thanks for an amazing trip!
