Route planning Opeongo-Happy Isle-Big Trout-Burntroot-Petawawa-Hogan-Proulx-Opeongo

Hi there,

I am planning a 5 nights trip, taking watertaxi , single portaging for my brother and his partner who are very fit and experienced paddlers visiting from overseas. I was wondering if this route is doable somewhat comfortable in 5 nights/6 days with a rest day? I was thinking day 1: Opeongo-Big Trout, day 2: Big trout-Burntroot 2x nights, day4: Burntroot-Hogan, day 5: Hogan-Proulx, day 6: Proulx-Opeongo.

Burntroot seems to be a nice lake for a rest day.

Or: Add Lavieille and Dickson? Too much? They are up for a challenge but I also want to give them a bit of time to just enjoy camping and fishing.

Any advice on hese routes?

Thanks a lot!

in algonquinparkby Soka_path2020

75%

18d

sketchy_ppl

18d

I think the way you have it now is perfect. The route covers a fair bit of distance and has lots of big-water paddling and decently long and challenging portages. It will give them the full Algonquin experience while still having time to enjoy camp and fish like you mentioned. In my opinion, it's the perfect intensity level for a 5-night trip if the group is fit and wants a bit of a challenge, without it being overly ambitious.

And I think you made a great choice with Burntroot for the rest day. Lots of beautiful campsites to choose from and nearby stuff to explore on the rest day.

Soka_path2020

18d

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate you taking time to reply!!

specialized650b

18d

I was looking at doing the same route at the end of August this year. I've taken the water taxi up to the north arm before and stayed on Proulx and Big Crow before. There is an excellent campsite on the peninsula in the middle of Proulx. If you have time, it's worth the side trip up the Crow River to check out the ancient white pines - very impressive.

My plans for this route also involves four camping sites and I'm also looking at a day to explore the sites on Burntroot (like the alligator) and then to leave at first light to get camped on Hogan before winds pick up in the afternoon.

I've never portaged between Hogan and Big Crow and am wondering whether the cart track (or parts of it) might be better than the elevation changes the shorter portage offers.

mapsbyjeff

18d

Yes, in this case the cart trail is much flatter.

Here's a screenshot from my map: https://maps.unlostify.com/online/reddit/BigCrowHogan.png

One option is also to just do the middle part of the cart trail. That avoids one of the very steep hills, but with meaningfully less additional walking vs. if you do the whole cart trail.

That said, you'd avoid the very steep downhill, but would have to climb the other very steep hill at the Hogan end. At 16º for 225m, it's quite draining. So, perhaps that'd make more sense if you were going in the opposite direction.

specialized650b

18d

Thanks! I've been reviewing your maps and I think your above suggestion will be my plan. Your new maps make visualizing and planning trips almost as much fun as the actual adventure.

mapsbyjeff

18d

I'm so happy to hear that!! :D

VengefulCaptain

18d

Damn if you have to double carry the cart path that's a hiking trip all by itself.

Conscious-Appeal

17d

Those might be large “ancient” pines, but they were far from impressive IMO. We have larger pines on our family cottage property.

Take it with a grain of salt OP. If you’re tired you’re not missing anything special.