Pardee Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park - Fantastic!
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Pardee Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park
Pardee lake immediately caught my interest while pouring over Jeffs Map looking for a small lake with a south-facing campsite on a point. I was looking for remoteness, decent trout fishing and an unusual or notable feature and Pardee appeared to meet these criteria. Three portages and two lakes separate Pardee Lake from the nearest access point, Cache Lake, providing seclusion late in the paddling season and a waterfall at the north end provides a point of interest. It harbours Lake Trout and Im sure I can find them on such a small lake if I put some time and effort into it.
As soon as I see Pardee from the Lawrence Lake portage, I can see that the campsite I picked out on the map is going to be everything I hoped for. Its at the far end of the lake, past the first campsite on the right.
The lake is small and well protected from the strengthening south wind, and Im hoping the cloud cover stays thin enough to enjoy the full moon and the full lunar eclipse forecasted for tonight. Passing the campsite at the southeast corner of the lake near the portage, Im glad I have the lake to myself and therefore the choice of campsites this one is not great.
Reaching the peninsula campsite, Im immediately impressed. The site is large, open to the east, south and west with several good tent sites, a private thunderbox and a great fire pit. My favourite forest tree is Hemlock and this section of Algonquin Provincial Park is covered in them. The thunderbox is set amongst a mature stand of Hemlock.
Preparing my bed on the east side of the site so I can enjoy the early morning sun next to the water is one of the first things I do when setting up camp, immediately after starting a fire to boil some water. With my sleeping arrangements prepared, I can turn my attention to exploration and not have to worry about stumbling around in the dark looking for a flat place to lay my tired body.
Instead of fishing, Ive decided to relax around the campsite, cooking a hearty meal of lasagna over the open fire. As usual, I have to rearrange the rocks to create a proper cooking area with the grill low enough to cook by coals rather than just open flame.
Despite wishful thinking, none of my objectives for this trip are met today no moose sightings (a few bull grunts from the surrounding hills is all, a less than stellar sunset, no fish and the lunar eclipse I was anticipating is now concealed by thick cloud cover rolling in just as the eclipse is starting.
Day 3: Leaving Pardee Lake for home
Waking up early Monday morning, Im feeling contemplative and nostalgic. I slowly pack up, but before I push-off for the day, my last day, I film a short soliloquy, describing my time here on Pardee Lake and the unexpected urge to slow down and settle into the moment.
Heading north to the falls, which lead out of Pardee and not into it like I was thinking for some reason, not checking the elevations on the map in advance, I approach the portage landing and am pleased to see it well maintained and free of obstruction. The bridge across the falls is a gentle reminder that Im getting closer to civilization and I would not be surprised to see other canoeists on Harness Lake ahead, despite the time of year and the day of the week (Monday Date: 2020-11-30
Mindy This just so beautiful. The sky is amazing. Actually all of it is. I just about. ok I did tear up watching this. Know that my camping days are probably over as I am no longer married to my camping buddy. I just dont feel I can manage it on my own. I am very glad that you are sharing this especially those of us who are not getting out there. I thought I heard a loon.
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Algonquin I appreciate you posting these videos. I was thinking about doing this loop with my wife next year, definitely going to check that site out for a night. Our goal was to stay on harness, but that site may change our route plan. Thanks again! Great videos!
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Bay In Canada everything is super expensive huge landscape but very expensive to rent a camp spot, so as parking spots for cars people shouldnt go camping they must bring prices down. reply
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