Christmas and Boxing Day fell on a Monday and a Tuesday which gave us an extra long weekend to spend the holidays up in Algonquin Provincial Park. We booked a yurt back in July at the Mew Lake campground which is along the main highway 60 corridor. On December 22nd we packed up the car with warm clothes, lots of food, Christmas cookies, and spent the night with family near Orillia.
Day #1: Mew Lake Campground Yurt #62
Weather: Cloudy. High: -6 C Low: -6C
We made our way east down highway 60 after having lunch in Huntsville, and entered Algonquin Park in the early afternoon. Our first stop was the Visitor Centre for a second coffee, and to check out their bird feeders. The birdfeeders here are popular with birders, and if you can’t make the trip up there is even a live webcam that you can check out through the Friends of Algonquin Park website. We learned that a Pine Marten also frequented the birdfeeders but it didn’t show up while we were there. While standing on the large observation deck from the back of the visitor centre we saw Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and a White-winged Crossbill.
It was too late in the day to start a trail so we decided to drive to the Mew Lake campground, pick up our permit for the yurt, and unpack. The yurts at the Mew Lake are comfortable for winter camping and are equipped with 2 bunkbeds, a table, 6 chairs, and an electric heater. After unpacking and organizing our stuff we played cards and read the park newspaper. Supper tonight was a ham sandwich, macaroni and tuna, pumpkin pie and some Christmas cookies.
It was early to bed as we have a big day of hiking trails tomorrow! Testing the snow it was clear that snowshoes were not needed so we left them in the car.
Wildlife Sightings: Red Squirrel, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-winged Crossbill, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, People.
Remember to: Bring slippers to wear in the yurt. Bring a wash basin for dishes.
Day # 2: Mew Lake Campground: Hardwood Lake Lookout Trail (0.8 km), Peck Lake Trail (2.3 km), Hemlock Bluff Trail (3.5 km)
Weather: A mix of sun and clouds with snow in the evening. High: -6 C Low: -13 C
We got up before 7 am and fried up some bacon and eggs, a side of potatoes, and a slice of pumpkin pie. Doing dishes without a wash basin was a pain in the butt but we managed.
We grabbed our day bag, hopped in the car, and drove to the Hardwood Lookout Trail. At 0.8 kilometres in length, it was a nice hike with a scenic lookout over Smoke Lake. Wildlife highlights included some Ruffed Grouse basking in the morning sun high up in tree. Aaron received a phone call from work so while he was in the car Marianne hiked the adjacent Red Spruce Side Trail. The Red Spruce is a rare species of tree in Algonquin, only located in small areas in the park’s west side and in the neighbouring Haliburton County in all of Ontario.
Our next trail was the easy 2.3 kilometre Peck Lake Trail which goes around the small lake. In the freshly fallen snow we could make out some small animal tracks.
After this hike we returned to the yurt for a quick lunch of macaroni salad and Chirstmas cookies. We also had to take off our winter clothes while having lunch as we were already sweating. Marianne placed some seed out on the picnic table ouside which attracted Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Red Squirrels, and a Wild Turkey.
The Hemlock Bluff Trail at 3.5 kilometres was our last trail for today which had both coniferous and deciduous trees. We observed a Black-backed Woodpecker along this trail and a tree that had the tell tale signs of a Pileated Woodpecker. As with many of Algonquin’s trails this one also had a scenic lookout. This scenic lookout was over Jack Lake.
We returned to the Mew Lake campground around 3pm and had a quick shower at the comfort station. Supper was soup and some chocolate cake. We also played the card game war and we both brought books to read. As we peered outside the door we could see that it was lightly snowing.
Wildlife Sightings: Wild Turkey, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Red Squirrel, White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Common Raven, Black-backed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Moose tracks, Rabbit tracks, Ruffed Grouse, People.
Remember to: Bring less food. We probably had enough for three more days AFTER we left.
Day # 3: Mew Lake Campground. Bat Lake Trail (5.6 km)
Weather: Cloudy for most of the day with light snow in the afternoon. High: -8 C Low: -11 C
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We woke up with a few inches of snow this morning. For Christmas breakfast we had some more pumpkin pie, made with pumpkins from our garden, along with a hot coffee and a cold glass of milk.
We looked over the park map. Which trail should we hike today? We couldn’t hike the Beaver Pond or Lookout Trail due to the fact that their parking lots were not plowed. In the end we decided to hike the Bat Lake Trail which was a great hike that included a frozen bog and a lookout. All the coniferous trees were covered with freshly fallen snow which made for a perfect winter wonderland on this Christmas morn! Quite a few White-winged Crossbills flew over, their call notes easily heard as the air was quite still. The trail took us about two and a half hours to complete and then it was back to the yurt for a lunch of macaroni salad, Christmas Cookies and tea.
After lunch we walked around the campground and saw families out enjoying Christmas day. The ice rink next to the comfort station was in use with kids playing hockey which was great to see as the last time we were here for Christmas it was closed due to the mild temperatures. We continued our stroll and saw people car camping, a few winter tents, and of course all 7 yurts were booked. We checked out the Old Railway Bike Trail but not for too long as Aaron’s legs were feeling a little tired, so we went back to the yurt to play cards.
It was time to make our Christmas dinner. Using the bacon grease we fried earlier Aaron cooked beans, ham, and potatoes all in the fry pan. An Australian Melbec was our wine of choice and it paired perfectly!
Wildlife Sightings: Red Squirrel, Wild Turkey, White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, People.
Day # 4: Mew Lake Campground
Weather: -20 C
It was a chilly morning of -20 C so we started the car, had a quick coffee with Chirstmas cookies, and packed up the car as we had an eight hour drive ahead of us before we go back to work tomorrow.
Christmas in Algonquin is always fun and we look forward to doing it again!
Click The Link for More Trip Reports: http://www.backcountrybalkwills.com
Backcountry Balkwills 