MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018 ML BLUE 77 42 A multiday canoe trip on Algonquin Park’s Barron River provides a safe and mellow introduction to paddling on moving water and is suitable for those looking to upgrade basic canoe tripping skills. Liam Smedley canoes whitewater competitively for the Canadian Canoe Slalom team, but grew up tripping on the Barron Canyon. “The Canyon is the easiest three day, leisurely weekend trip,” he says. “It’s got high cliffs, gorgeous lakes and waterfall views along a route that beginners can comfortably paddle.” Located close to the east edge of Algonquin Park, the watertrail is comprised of a number of lakes (Grand Lake, Stratton Lake, Opalescent Lake, etc.), with the Barron River and its formidable canyon acting as the finale section of most weekend trips. Multiple routes through this section of Algonquin are possible, and the Barron Canyon trip generally takes 2-4 days making it an ideal weekend trip. One of the more popular routes starts at Grand Lake, then lake-hopping down with some portages (based on paddling ability, season and water levels), ending at Squirrel Rapids on Barron Canyon Road. In low water the Canyon can be run in both directions but in spring or fall it’s suggested to set up a shuttle (drop a car off at Squirrel Rapid and then put in at Achray Campground). The latter is a historic site in itself—thought to be the inspiration for Tom Thomson’s The Jack Pine as well as the place where the painter worked as a forest fire raged in 1916. The High Falls natural rock waterslide is a Barron Canyon trip highlight and a favourite for all ages. Accessible from both directions, the slide is midway between the pools near Statton Lake and features a number of swimming holes as well as the slide itself. “The water slide is about 8 feet wide by 20 feet long and lands in a fluffy hydraulic hole great for introducing people to the behaviour of whitewater,” say Smedley. With clearly marked campsites, limited portages, ample star-viewing venues on sloping Canadian Shield campsites, and beer-cooling spots in small creeks, the Barron is a weekend-warrior dream trip and a stepping stone to more technical whitewater tripping. —Carmen Kuntz DIY: algonquinpark.on.ca Canoe Algonquin Park’s Barron River Canyon The Barron River Canyon. OTMPC WEEKEND TRIPS