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Darren's Photo Album:Killarney 2003
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This is the 2003 version of our annual Thanksgiving weekend trip. Matt,
Mike and I went to Killarney Provincial Park. Read all about the trip here.
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Route Map
This is the route that we took. On Saturday, October 11, 2003 we put in at Bell Lake. We then paddled through Three Mile and Balsam into David. Sunday we spent climbing Silver Peak. Then from David to Bell and out on Monday. Go to my route description/journal page for more information.
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Killarney Sign
The sign that greets you at the Bell Lake Access Point. Yes, we're in Killarney!
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Portage Sign
The way to Bell Lake is marked by this portage sign. Notice the fall colours. We hit the colours at their peak, as you will see in the images to come.
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Load 'em up!
Matt (right) and I (left) loading up to go. Mike (taking the picture) was the third member of this trip. You'll see some of him later on.
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Darren
After lots of anticipation, we're finally on the water! I started off in the solo boat.
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Matt and Mike
Here's Matt (stern) and Mike (bow) shortly after getting on the water. The beautiful Bell Lake is the setting for this picture
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Fall Colours
...and this is why I called it the beautiful Bell Lake. Can't beat this! Amazing fall colours and water as smooth as glass.
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No comment :)
I have absolutely no comment on this. It did not involve me in any way :)
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Pre-"portage"
The section of Three Mile Lake just before the "portage" into Balsam Lake.
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Trolley "Portage"
Here's a unique idea... a trolley portage. The track goes down into the water, and you can simply paddle on and pull across the portage.
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Paddling up a portage??
I think the is the first time I've ever paddled up a portage ...
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Crossing the portage
... across the portage ...
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Fun!
... and with a little push from Matt and Mike--out the other end!
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Fall Colours
Fall colours on David Lake
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Deep swamp!
Here, Mike demonstrates just how deep that Beaver Scat swamp is. Conclusion: it's at least a paddle length deep!
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Mountains!
Part of the legendary La Cloche Mountain Range. Hey, for Ontario, they're not bad!
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Matt
Matt chill'axin in the stern. T-Shirt weather in October! How great is that?!?
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Look ma! No Hands!
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Solo Boat
Here's me again in the solo boat.
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Big Pine
This is a large white pine that we found on the island where we set up camp. It's between the two marked campsites on the island. It was almost perfectly straight, and pretty darn tall!
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Trees
This is a pretty neat looking picture of some trees
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Matt and I
Matt and I sitting on a rock at our campsite.
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Swimming!
Yes, we were aware that it was October, but what's a canoe trip without a swim? Mike opted to take the pictures, from shore, instead of coming in for a swim. Oh well! At least this way we have proof!
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Cold? Nah!
Good timing on this one Mike! Matt just went under, and I just came up from my dunking. Notice the look on my face.. does that mean it's cold?
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The obligatory group shot
Here's the one and only group shot that we got. Too bad the lighting wasn't great. Matt, Darren, Mike (L-R).
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Water anyone?
Man.. I think we keep Nalgene in business. And these are only a small collection of our bottles (we can only carry so many!!) Also, note the trusy MSR Miniworks on the far left in the mesh bag - supplier of much clean, delicious water.
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Fire Pic
Mike sitting by the fire on Saturday night
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Portage Sign
Fast forward to Sunday now. This is the new style of portage sign that is used in Killarney. The campsite signs are also the same size. The idea is to make the signs less obtrusive, to preserve more of the wilderness feel of the park. I like this idea, although it does mean you occasionally have to hunt for the trail or campsite (especially in the fall when all the leaves are the same size and colour as the signs). This particular sign was on the David Lake side of the 565m portage to Boundary Lake, which also joins up with the trail to Silver Peak
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Trail to Silver Peak
Here we are on the trail up to Silver Peak. Mike volunteered to carry the pack when it was full of food and water. Who are we to complain?
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Looking back to David Lake
Here we are on top of the first "peak" along the trail, looking back at David Lake. From here, the trail descends before continuing its ascent of Silver Peak
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Inukshuk
This inukshuk was made just the day before we were there. How do we know? The creators signed their names and the date on the back side.
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Looking Down
Well, we're not all that high yet, but still high enough to get a pretty good view!
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Grouse
Here you can almost make out the grouse that we saw beside the trail. It stayed around for a while before walking back into the woods.
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Nice Waterfall
One of the waterfalls that we saw on the way up the trail
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Matt and Darren
Matt and I at one of the larger waterfalls that is close to the trail
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Another Waterfall
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Summit!
Matt and I standing on the summit of Silver Peak. I wonder why they call it Silver Peak? :)
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View from the top 1
You can see our campsite island from here!
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View from the top 2
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View from the top 3
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View from the top 4
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Windy!
This picture gives an idea of how windy it was at the top. For those of you who are interested, we did see pigs fly--our lunch-time ham took off on more than one occasion!
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View from the top 5
Looking South. Notice Georgian Bay shimmering in the background
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View from the top 6
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View from the top 7
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Sudbury Nickel Plant
Here you can see the smokestacks from one of the nickel plants near Sudbury. You really can see a long way from up here!
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Canoes at the trail
We met quite a few people heading up the trail to Silver Peak when we were on our way down. This is the end of the trail, showing the canoes that were there. We counted nine, although you can't see them all in this picture. I can't imagine how busy this trail would be on a busy day! wow...
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What the ?!?
Ok, this is the first time I've ever seen this... I guess this is for.. people who have never done this before, and need a sign to guide them on their way.
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The facilities
Here it is, for those of you who haven't seen one before... "the box" [aka Thunder Box or Shidder (yes.. with "D"s)] I think Mike took this picture to show Sandra :)
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David Lake
A nice shot of David Lake, looking from our campsite
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Matt's Self Portrait
Matt took this picture of himself by accident while playing around with his camera. I'd say it turned out not too bad for an accident (the picture I mean...)
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Filtering Water
Here's an artsy-type picture of Mike filtering some water. I like the effect of the light showing through the bottle. Pretty cool
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Stump Silhouette
Ok, I'll take credit for this one. I grabbed the camera from Matt to get this shot, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
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Sunset on David Lake 1
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Darren
Matt took this one of me upside down and backwards. It actually looks not bad when flipped over.
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Sunset on David Lake 2
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Sunset on David Lake 3
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Sunset on David Lake 4
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Sunset on David Lake 5
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Sunset on David Lake 6
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Campfire
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Darren and Mike
Here's me (left) and Mike (right) sitting by the fire on Sunday night
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Darren and Matt
Here's me (left) and Matt (right) sitting by the fire on Sunday night
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