Barron Canyon Trip - August 20th to 23rd 1999

Participants: Dale Armstrong, Kersten Bechtold, Mary Cavanagh, Marilyn Clark, Jean Cornett, Susan Clarke, Diane Cornett, Jean Cornett, Ed Irwin, Heidi Northover, Peggi Peters, Ken Szijarto, and Kathy Simpson

Directions: The Barron Canyon is located on the east side of Algonquin Park. Take Hwys. # 60 & 62 to Renfrew County Road 26, then left on County Road 28 to the Sand Lake Gate. Our access point was the parking lot at the Squirrel Rapids Bridge (road sign says Barron Canyon).

Most people do this trip from Achray Campground and go downstream (7 portages later you reach the Barron Canyon). We chose to go upstream (1 portage of 420 m to reach the Canyon).

On Friday, eight of our group got up early, took the canoe trailer with canoes and gear, and leisurely made the 4 ½ hour drive from Barrie to Bonnechere Provincial Park. The remaining four "working" members of our group came up much later and arrived to find their tents set up and their sleeping bags waiting (thanks, guys!). After a fashion show featuring Sierra Design (did I mention they stopped in Foymont?), we retired to the sounds of light rain.

Saturday found us travelling to the Sand Lake Gate where we were informed that we might not find a site on the Lower Barron, as the "new and improved" centralized reservation system always over-booked. We could, however, use the two undesignated sites, if we promised not to have a fire. Being ever optimistic, we agreed to follow our original plan of hiking the Barron Canyon Trail before getting on the water. Don’t miss this 1½ km loop….the view from the top of the 100 m cliffs is stupendous ! (and no, you can’t get there from the bottom)

After travelling back to the bridge, we paddled a short distance to the first (and our only) 420m portage. A further 2 km upstream, we came to the bottom of the Canyon without seeing a single unoccupied site. One of the two undesignated sites was occupied (they too had been told to use the undesignated sites), so we crammed 12 people on one site and settled in for our two day stay. The "only three tents per site" rule was tossed of course. There were fire pits on both undesignated sites, but we did not make a fire on our site, as the pit seemed to be built on top of pine needles and tree roots.

The up-side of this cosy living was the great group dynamics. As the first night was rather sleepless for one pair (trying not to roll into the lake), they moved on Sunday night to the other (now deserted) undesignated site. A lovely evening campfire was built in their firepit, which was fortunately situated on rock. A sing-along (somebody should learn the words), refreshments and red licorice were enjoyed by all.

We experimented with group cooking for our evening meals. It was a mixed blessing – the people who bought the food ended up doing the cooking because they had planned the proportions and knew what they were doing – which wasn’t the intention. However, it did bring the group together to eat and socialize more than if everyone had been doing all their own meals, or cooking with paddling partners.

Sunday a couple of us (who shall remain nameless) got up extra early for a paddle and a skinny-dip. After a leisurely breakfast, everyone paddled into the Canyon, had a swim, and proceeded up to the next portage, where we left our canoes and walked up to Brigham Chute. It was hot and sunny -- a perfect day to play in the waterfalls, take pictures, and eat lunch. There were lots of people and poison ivy on the portage trail.

Sunday evening found us paddling the Canyon in the twilight under a full moon. You could hear voices echoing from the campsites downstream and it was easy to imagine we saw faces in the shadows on the craggy cliffs.

Monday brought early morning mist rising from the water and one last paddle down the Canyon. A group swim was enjoyed by all, as it was turning into another hot day. There was some discussion about how much food was left over and how long we might be able to stay, but reality intervened and we paddled back to our cars.

After a much needed stop at Kaminsky’s gas station for a cold drink , we headed home….some of us through Foymount for a 5 minute whirlwind shopping spree (it was closing time), and then a beautiful drive through the hills to Bancroft and points south.

It was agreed that a return trip to view fall colours in the Canyon would be a wonderful idea…..but that’s another story…..