Canada>Ontario->EGL->2019 Canoeing Season > French River Hang Aug 2019

**Hoolio** · 08-12-2019, 12:49

My suggestion after reading a bunch of blogs/trip reports
Night 1 - Check site 622 then work westward if occupied. Buggy and swampy the more west we get.
Night 2 - 718 Obstacle Island Looks like a nice big island to explore for if we cannot cross
BUSTARDS/FINGERS .... weather willing.
Last night or weekend rendezvous (are there any marshmallows?) Site 633 The Elephants.
We are planning 5 nights in the park and are flexible other than no rapids for us. Lame. lol.

**Chard** · 08-12-2019, 17:37

Personally, I'd like a couple of down days to explore, take pictures and enjoy.

I like your alternate route of the Main Channel through Pike L., Skow Bay and the Bustards with the option of skipping the fingers altogether. It's been suggested that we lay claim to one of the sheltered sites on Skow Bay as a group rendezvous (say 717 or 718) and use that as a base camp to explore the area.

That said, I'd still love to round the south end of the Bustards if weather permits.

**KeeWayKeno** · 08-13-2019, 07:43

Originally Posted by Chard

Personally, I'd like a couple of down days to explore, take pictures and enjoy.

I'm with you Chard. We have a week to do a 3 day loop, no rush. In terms of route / destinations the only items on my wish list were:
a) the Old Voyageur Channel &
b) don't swamp trying to cross open water on the Bay
... the first is optional, so I'm easy. Just looking forward to the vast expanses of open night skies to enjoy by a campfire.

Speaking of which, assuming no fire ban pops up in the interim, I'm bringing my reflector oven if anybody wants to try their hand at baking something ... though it will be hard to compete with Giblet's pizza.

Now, back to my dehydrator.

**LuvmyBonnet** · 08-13-2019, 22:48

I'm in! Just don't kill me.

**keg** · 08-16-2019, 13:21

I'll be going in on Monday afternoon and likely camp at 601, 612, or 613. If you see my blaze orange tarp set up near the water stop by and I'll paddle down to the site with you guys.

**Cruiser51** · 08-16-2019, 19:16

I figure 8 am at the Hartely Bay marina means I would leaving at 2 am in the morning, or going up the day before ... think I will get the sleep and play catchup. First night is at the sites in the "The Elbow" area ...is this correct?

Is anyone else planning on leaving later in the morning?

Brian

**Hoolio** · 08-16-2019, 19:23

Brian we will be. Heather has a playoff softball game Monday night in Toronto so we are leaving late than expected. Spending the night 1/3 of the way up there at my mom's then drive to Hartley hoping for around 10

**Cruiser51** · 08-16-2019, 19:47

I plan on leaving Bowmanville at 6:00, and that puts me at the park office sometime around 10:00, I figure 30 minutes there and that Hartely road is another 30 minutes, they are really good about getting the parking and stuff done. That gives me a realistic time of making the marina around 11:00 ... I may leave earlier if I can drag my butt out of bed.

Brian

I

**Jiblets** · 08-16-2019, 20:14

If there's space on the permit, I might be able to make it Tuesday, possibly Wed.

**KeeWayKeno** · 08-18-2019, 09:37

Looks like our launch times are going to be spread out over several hours in Tuesday, with Jiblets & Iguana possibly not til Wednesday. Let's firm this up so they know where to find us.

The last word is we're heading down the Main Channel to the Elbow. If site 622 is taken or unsuitable, we'll head west towards Dalles Rapids or a bit beyond for our first night.

Wednesday we need to let Jiblets & Iguana catch up. Do we stay put or move on to somewhere they can find us easily after a long day?

76 highboy, LuvmyBonnet & I are overnighting Monday at the Yurt. If we're as early as I expect, we'll probably paddle down to hook up with Keg. Then we'll either continue (& try to score a nice site for us) or chillax at Keg's site few hours waiting for stragglers.

Sound right?