Algonquin Fall Colours 2023
- Details
- Created: Sunday, 22 October 2023 22:23
Algonquin Fall Colours
October 1 to 4, 2023
The 4-day trip was tentatively set to go around early to middle October, with exact trip dates to be determined, depending on the peak of the fall colours and the weather.
When we saw the peak of maple fall colours in Algonquin Park would likely occur around Oct. 1 and the weather would be very nice for several days in that period, we decided to go for Oct. 1 to 4.
On Oct. 1, when we reached Algonquin Park East Gate, we saw a sign indicating all day use permits for that day were sold out, which was probably due to the peak of fall colours.
Highway 60, which went through the south of the park, was a provincial public highway and people did not need a permit to drive through. Though people would need to have a permit in order to use park facilities, such as parking lots at various trail heads along the highway.
Then at Rock Lake access point where we did our registration, we heard a park attendant talked to a few people that the whole Algonquin Park was full, and no permits would be available that day. I believe she referred to car camping and day use permits since as I knew backcountry canoe camping was not full, e.g. there were still many parking spots available in the parking lot at the boat launch at Rock Lake. However many city dwellers who wanted to enjoyed fall colours might have little experience paddling a canoe, and so it would not be an option.
From Rock Lake access point, we paddled to a nice campsite on Whitefish Lake in less than an hour. The weather was excellent. It was warm and with little wind and waves, which made the paddling easy.
Second morning at the campsite
Second morning at the campsite with nice fall colours. The water was like a mirror.
Second morning at the campsite with nice fall colours. The water was like a mirror.
One main activity of the trip was to hike the Centennial Ridge Trail, a 10km loop with several nice lookouts. On the second day, we got up early and arrived at the trailhead around 10:30am. The parking lot was already full, and people started to park on the access road. Fortunately we did not need to compete for parking as we paddled to shore from our campsite and then walked to the trailhead.
The views on the lookouts of Centennial Ridge Trail were excellent since the fall colours were at or near the peak.
Views on the first lookout.
Views on a following lookout. The lake in the picture should be Lake of Two Rivers.
Views on a following lookout. The lake in the picture should be Lake of Two Rivers.
Views on a following lookout. The lake in the picture should be Lake of Two Rivers.
The views on the last lookout on the trail. Our campsite was on the island in the picture.
A nice sunset at the campsite.
On the 2nd full day of the trip, we paddled to Lake of Two Rivers, which also had excellent fall colours.
Nice views on the shore of Lake of Two Rivers.
Overall, this was an excellent trip. We got lucky with the weather. It was October, but the temperature was almost like summer. We brought a tarp, but did not need to set it up. The fall colours were excellent. Gatineau Park may have similar colours, but Algonquin Park fall colours were of a much grander scale. It was also not bad for swimming as the air was warm.