>Canada>Ontario>Algonquin in Springtime 2016

[Bubba]

Every year is different, personally I'll prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Looking at the map, another location might be worth considering ...
Still on the west side, Access Point 4 - Rain Lake is easy access, no portages if we stay on Rain & short ones to a few nearby lakes, 9 campsites right at the put-in to accommodate any late arrivals or inclement weather & good exploring / fishing opportunities.
Unfortunately I've never been there to comment on the site selection but there's plenty to choose from.

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I think this is a really good suggestion. I haven't been there either but have heard the island site is quite nice. No portages for the trip in with the option of exploring nearby lakes once camped is appealing.

[OotN'Aboot]

This was the plan for my last algo trip but the sites were all booked so we ended up at access point 3 with 1 300m portage to our site. Access point 4 looks pretty fun


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[timplett]

We went to Rain last year, but did not stay on Rain, we portaged to Sawyer and that's where we camped, so I can't speak for the campsites on Rain. We went on the Canada Day long weekend, and it looked like many/most of the Rain Lake sites were taken, but there was only one other site taken on Sawyer. We checked out many of the site's on Sawyer and they all seemed pretty nice. The 300m portage wasn't bad, but most of the elevation change is right at the start and end of the portage, so a little steep. Just don't way overpack like we did and you should be OK lol.

The canoeing along Rain Lake was absolutely beautiful. The long narrow section at the sendoff is especially gorgeous in early morning if you get a mist rising off the water. It was also perfect as both my wife and I are beginner canoers, and weak swimmers, so the relative narrowness was comforting. Also, as even the main body of Rain Lake is relatively small and sheltered the surface stays calm even when it's windy, unlike some of the other large lakes I've been on that get fairly choppy (for a canoe) when the wind picks up.

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[Bubba]

How about we all agree on the May long weekend (May 21, 22, 23) and tentatively agree on Rain lake access point? This access point will keep us away from the Hwy 60 corridor long weekend traffic.

[Bluknu]

I'm up for both those plans Bubba and if necessary a little portage to the next lake wouldn't kill me lol.

[keg]

I'm fine with wherever but for the fisher types rain doesn't appear to have brook trout (according to Jeff's map). Most of the lakes around the next to access points north (magnetawan and Tim - access 3 and 2) do.

And yes it seems like the long weekend is the consensus.

[Bubba]

So far from what I've read, Rain has more bass with trout being in the deeper parts. Sawyer has some trout and is a short portage away.

[LuvmyBonnet]

If I'm able to make this is this one of those trips that should be done with a canoe? I have a 14'6" kayak but don't own a canoe.

[Bubba]

If I'm able to make this is this one of those trips that should be done with a canoe? I have a 14'6" kayak but don't own a canoe.

If we settle on Rain lake, and if you can fit all your gear in your kayak, no reason why you couldn't. Even if we settled on Sawyer lake, the portage would be doable. I for one am happy to stay on Rain and portage to other lakes as potential day trips. I just want to get out to the woods and relax and leave longer paddles and portages for another longer trip.

[76 highboy]

Having the spine of a jellyfish, a kayak friendly trip is very appealing.
The old back just cant put up with hours in a canoe seat. Plus a couple of small double carries wont kill me.
I agree with Bubba. Getting out is the goal.
Luvmybonnet: We'll help move your gear