Algonquin Outfitters

Algonquin Ice Out March 2018

Counting Down the Days until Ice Out in Algonquin

See our April 18th 2018 ice out report here.

You may have heard that we still have lots of snow and ice in Algonquin Park.  This is pretty typical for early spring in Algonquin Park.  Every year we get excited to see open water slowly appear in Algonquin Park, it’s a sure sign that summer’s just around the corner.  Behind the scenes we’ve already started planning and organizing for our park stores opening at the end of April and beginning of May.  (See our Event Calendar for opening dates and other spring events)

Officially Algonquin Park “ice out” is declared when the ice is off Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park, “when at boat can safely navigate from the Lake Opeongo Access Point (our Lake Opeongo Store) to the Happy Isle Portage in the North Arm of Lake Opeongo“.  We’ll start trying with our Lake Opeongo Water Taxi once they are in the water. (Opeongo Map)

Enter the Algonquin Outfitters 2018 Ice Out Contest now…

You may be asking yourself, “so when is the ice out on Lake Opeongo going to happen”.  No one knows quite yet but there’s lots of historical data that provides us with the average, earliest and latest dates.  Back in 2012 we experienced the earliest ice out on record (March 29th), I don’t think we’re in for such an early ice out this year.  The latest Algonquin Park ice out since 1964 happened way back on May 15th in 1972! The average Lake Opeongo ice out date is April 27th. 

 


Thursday March 22nd 2018

Our first official ice out report took place on Thursday March 22nd.  A sunny early spring day.  As is normal with our first ice out report, all lakes in Algonquin Park are still covered with solid ice.  Rivers are starting to open up a little more and we’re starting to see some open water at the months of rivers where they flow into and out of lakes in Algonquin.  It’s still going to be a good month until we expect to see the official ice out in Algonquin Park for 2018.

We were live  on Facebook during our Road Trip

 

Muskoka River, downtown Huntsville

Our road trip started at the board walk behind our downtown Huntsville store at 86 Main Street East.  The Muskoka River was mostly free of ice.

Lions Look out, Huntsville.  Open water extending into Fairy Lake on the right side of this image.

Ice out 2018

Algonquin Park Smoke Lake, solid ice and snow coverage. 

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Smoke Lake looking North back toward Highway #60, no shore line ice creep yet.  Still quite a ways go to before ice out on Smoke Lake, Algonquin Park.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Lots of animal tracks leading to the first sign of open water on Smoke Lake near the hanger.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Cache Lake parking lot in Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Island on Cache Lake in Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Mew Lake, still covered in ice.

Lots of footprints leading to the little bit of open water on Mew Lake

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Our Lake of Two Rivers Cafe & Grill, still sleeping under a little blanket of snow, waiting for summer to arrive.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

New Larger Moose signs – remember to keep an eye out for moose while traveling in Algonquin Park, specially in spring when they tend to come to the road side in search of salt and at dusk when they are specially difficult to see in the low light.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Sunday Creek

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Spruce Bog boardwalk trail bridge crossing.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Spring Animal Tracks

Lots of animal footprints in the snow, great time of year to see them.

The Algonquin Park Visitor Centre

Always welcoming, no visit to Algonquin Park wouldn’t be complete with out a visit to the Algonquin Park Visitor Center to say hi to The Friends of Algonquin Park and Ontario Park’s staff.

Opened in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Algonquin Provincial Park and the entire Ontario provincial park system, the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre has world class exhibits on the Park’s natural and human history, a relaxing restaurant and an excellent bookstore. A theatre presentation sums up the Park story and then takes you out to the viewing deck from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama of wild Algonquin landscape. – http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

You can see a live video over looking the viewing deck at the Algonquin Park Visitor Center at the following link www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/index.php

You’ll also find one of several boards in Algonquin Park where you can record your wildlife sightings.  Other boards exist at our Oxtongue Lake, Lake of Two Rivers and Lake Opeongo locations.  (see our store locations)
www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/wildlife-watching-in-algonquin-park.php

Be sure to follow The Friends of Algonquin Park for regular ice out updates and other events.
www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/ice-out.php

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park’s Visitor Centre viewing deck

Lake of Two Rivers, Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Canoe Lake

Like most of the other lakes in Algonquin Park Canoe Lake is still covered by a thick layer of ice and snow.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

 

Tea Lake Rock Cut

Still lots of solid ice on the rock cut across the road from the Tea Lake Campground.

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park West Gate

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Outfitters, Oxtongue Lake Store

If you plan a spring trip to Algonquin Park this year, be sure to drop in to our Oxtongue Lake store and say “Hi”.  We’re one of the few outfitters/stores open near Algonquin Park this time of year.  Even though it’s not canoeing season yet, we’re on hand to answer your questions and help you plan for a great year to come.  If you can’t drop in, feel free to call our information and reservations line at 1.800.469.4948

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018

Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018


Monday March 19th 2018 – Swift Solo 16.8 Cruiser

We had the great pleasure, on a sunny Monday in March, to be able to test paddle the Swift the Cruiser 16.8 Solo.  What a great way to start the paddling season!  Remember if you consider paddling early season, the water is just above freezing and can be dangerous for those without cold water paddling training and experience.  Jerry Schmanda and Bill Swift take the the water to test paddle this new performance tripping solo by Swift Canoe.  More info: www.swiftcanoe.com/cruiser-16-8

“A masterful extension of Swift’s signature designs, the Cruiser 16.8 is an adventurer’s dream. At 16’8” with ample waterline, significant tumblehome, and hybridized features of both marathon racing and expedition canoes, the Cruiser does exactly what its name implies. Whether you’re an expedition tripper or a casual racer, you can expect impressive tracking, bountiful speed, and remarkable seaworthiness. For middle to larger sized paddlers who seek efficiency and versatility to suit an adventurous lifestyle, the Cruiser 16’8” represents a new era of highly stylized design for the wilderness adventurer. “

 


Thursday March 5th 2018

Although the Friends of Algonquin Park haven’t yet started their ice out observations, maybe a sign that winter still has a good hold in the park, we’ve started out first observations with some photos from Lake Opeongo. Back on March 5th there was still a good amount of snow on the ground, covering even much of the sunny areas. All lakes are covered with solid ice and some rivers are starting to open up.


Other Useful Ice Out Links


Winter Clearance Sale at AO

Remember if you are dropping by our store in the early spring, we have some great end of season sales like 40% off all remaining fall and winter clothing, 20% off all toques, mittens and gloves, plus 20% of more off many of our winter gear like, snowboards, alpine skis, helmets, goggles and more.  For the best selection drop by our downtown Huntsville, Bracebridge or Haliburton Stores.  See our store locations.

40% off winter clearnace at Algoqnuin Outfitters

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