The Algonquin Forestry Authority has released its initial 2017-2018 Schedule of Operations Map (with seasonal distinctions).

As in past years, the map states, "Subject to Revision - Scheduling of operations may vary". Accordingly, it would be prudent to periodically revist the AFA website's "Annual Work Schedule" to verify details of the 2016-2017 Schedule of Operations Map when planning 2016 Algonquin Park trips, so as to minimize exposure to noises associated with logging.

Chris, of the Algonquin Voyageur website, has posted the trip-log of his 5-day canoe trip with his dad .. by way of Smoke, Ragged, Big Porc, and Little Coon Lakes .. then looping through McGarvey, Loader, Lower Loader, Dividing and back to Little Coon .. and returning back to Smoke Lake .. 2016 Smoke - Big Porcupine - Dividing - Smoke.

"It definitely was a site and I found the tree where the sign use to be but there was no sign of it anywhere. Within five minutes of us landing an interior Warden and Canoe Ranger came onto the site having just come off the Bonnechère portage. We chatted for a bit and then they went about cleaning up the site, putting up a new sign and digging a new latrine while we unpacked and set up camp."

Bob & Diana McElroy have added to their Bush Log and Notes website, an in-depth documentation of The High Falls Lake Fire, August 2016 .. a forest fire on the northwestern shore of High Falls Lake. It's a timely reminder to be careful with fire in Algonquin Park.

"On or about August 08, 2016 a fire broke out on the northwestern shore of High Falls Lake in eastern Algonquin Park. A travel ban in the area was quickly imposed. As the forest was extremely dry, the fire spread very quickly, reaching a size of about 48 hectares several days later. Through the actions of water bombers and helicopters, six fire crews on the ground and finally rain, the fire was essentially under control about a week after it started, but it was not declared officially out until September 01."

The website's submissions incentive awards, for the past year, have been announced.

The five incentive awards have been made to Chris Taylor, Craig White, Wanda Spruyt, Martin Garster and Cody S.

For links to all the participants' submissions, check out the Submissions Awards Incentive 2016 page.

The Reel Paddling Film Festival is hosted locally by Paddling Adventures Radio .. on Tuesday, March 21st 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM .. at the Tap & Tankard, 224 Brock Street South, Whitby, Ontario L1N 4K4. The complete tour schedule is here.

"Since 2006, the Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour has been showcasing the very best paddling films. The World Tour screens in more than 120 cities around the world. Join Paddling Adventures Radio and special guests on Tuesday March 21 as we enjoy some of the films the Festival has on offer this year. An evening where you will be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle and appreciate the wild places."

This half-hour Ontario Travel video "The Canoe | Canadian Canoe Culture" is a testimony to the power of the canoe and paddling. Its third story "Explorers - Garry & Joanie McGuffin" focuses on Algonquin Park. Check out the McGuffins' own website at www.themcguffins.ca.

"Discover the different ways Ontarians have connected to our natural environment, each other and themselves through paddling. This film captures the human connection and bond created by Canada’s well-known craft & symbol, the canoe. Through the stories of five paddlers across the province of Ontario, Canada - a majestic background both in it’s landscape & history - the film underscores the strength of the human spirit and how the canoe can be a vessel for creating deep and meaningful connections."

Tracy McKim has submitted a trip-log of 3-day solo backpacking trip he took on the Highland Backpacking Trail in October of last year ... 2016-10 Provoking Lake Backpacking Trip .

"I stood there for a few moments, soaking in the moment. Just as I was about to turn and enter the tent in the last of the failing light, I heard a sound in front of me. It sounded exactly like a bicycle whizzing past, the same sound as rubber tires moving along the road. It came from ahead of me from my left and moved toward the right. I could not discern if it was on the ground or in the air. Just about when it seemed it would have been directly in front of me, the sound stopped. I could see nothing."

Cody S. has submitted fourteen campsite descriptions to the website's Portage Campsite Inventory (PCI)...

Harness Lake CS #5,   Lake Louisa CS#1,   Lake Louisa CS#2,   Lake Louisa CS#12,   Linda Lake CS #1,
Linda Lake CS #3,   Owl Lake CS #1,   Owl Lake CS #2,   Raven Lake CS #1,   Raven Lake CS #2,
Bruce Lake CS #1,   Otterslide Lake CS #9,   Little Otterslide Lake CS #4,   Head Lake CS #4

MartinG has submitted a trip-log of an eight-day solo trip he took this past spring .. looping out of Lake Opeongo .. via Proulx, Big Crow, Lavieille, Dickson, McKaskill, Shirley, Booth and up the Opeongo River back to Lake Opeongo .. How to Avoid the Dickson Bonfield Portage .

"With my heart pounding in my ears and bear spray in hand I hurried across the last 2 or 3 hundred metres of the portage to my boat and paddled out into the safety of the lake. Once on the water, I circled back to where the creek empties into the lake. Sure enough the bear was right there studying the mouth of the creek. Again he wasn't really aware of me. He eventually caught wind of me and started staring my way. I cleared my throat. That was enough for him to turn tail and disappear into the bush."

Andrew (aka "ATVenture" on the forum) has posted his account of a 3-day canoe trip that he and his friend took at the end of this past October. They started out from the Brigham Parking Lot (A38), through ‘The Cascades’, on through Ooze and Opalescent lakes, and then back up the Barron River ... A Late Fall Canoe Trip To Remember

"We continued down the river so we could paddle through the impressive Barron Canyon. I have canoed this river a few times now, but it was a first for Tyler, who I think was pretty impressed with the size of the cliffs at the waters edge. Once we paddled to the far end of the canyon we had to backtrack down the river to reach the car. It was 3 portages totaling just over 800m but it didn’t take us long for since we were single carrying at this point."