Here's the trip report
View Barron Canyon APP in a larger map
After a short drive we were at the park gates.The shack is now abandoned for the season and works on the honour system if you pay or not.The area to deposit money is now directly on the front of the building.Not where the sign says it is.there is a small envelope box below to put it in.I had a bit of a chuckle when I noticed three envelopes still sticking out of the box.I pulled them out...just to see if I could.Deposited the others back in properly and threw 13 bucks in myself.I thought of it after......it could have been a way for people to go into the park with a "valid" ticket then pick up their money when they leave.Either way I'm wayyyyyyy too honest.Coulda made money going to APP if I wasn't though I guess.
Anyway got to our launch site of squirrel rapids.Loaded up my short fat rec kayak (12 foot riot sprint) with all my gear and headed off.
The water was very flat calm.I had almost decided not to go again today as I was waiting for sun.God how I miss the sun.Anyway off I paddle,and notice I am still freaked out by the sound of the rudder in the water.So use to the skeg on my Whiskey 16!
Soon enough I reached squirrel rapids, about 2km up.Beautiful little spot with the portage running along side the rapids pretty well most of the way.This portion of the river had the same feel and look as the lower barron canyon to me.
The portage is marked.Just in case someone forgets to look at a map before they go,has no common sense,of direction.I would love to say these are not needed...but hey we've all been to Ontario haven't we?The center for stupid rules that effect every Canadian.Anyway back on topic before my head explodes.
The portage is very rocky but very clear.No bush bashing and excellent beaten trail.HOWEVER.Portaging a 12ft kayak full of kit was a bit of a pain.However once I got it positioned on my shoulder I was good to go.Placing a bathtub size kayak on your head and being 5 foot 7 doesn't work.Trust me.
The portage was done quickly and I was getting excited to paddle under the huge cliffs in the upper barron.I have not been up this way due to this 420M portage.I broke my leg and messed up tendons BAD,and doing something like this even 2 months ago was out of the question.
Good news!It's finally healing up after 2 years!
Finally at the other side I noticed a change in scenery.Ton's of leftover log's from a era gone by still stuck there,as well it became marshy and low lying land.Seen many ducks,loon's and a golden eagle along this stretch.I was expecting to see a moose due to the type of area,but no luck today.
The camp site's along this area are pretty nice,however the noise of CFB petawawa is very loud.Artillery firing today reverberated up the valley.I mentioned this in my lower barron canyon TR,and really first chute is only a couple KM downstream.I also had a fly over from a military helicopter along this stretch.
Camping here in the summer may be a bit much with the bug's as well.However if your into bird watching or some masochistic who enjoys bug bite's...well it might be heaven.
>
Here's the best camp on the right.Be nice at sunset for sure.Again the noise from the base and having to pay for the site sways me away from ever camping here.However this spot here is the best camping along this stretch.If you require a grid drop me a line.
I was immediately impressed with the rise of the canyon walls.Honestly there was many time's I just stopped and floated looking around.It was surreal.Not a person to be seen,not a ripple on the water.Here are some shot's from inside the canyon.
Here's a pic of the ledge above everyone stands on to get the hero shot done on the walking trail.
Which way is up?Kinda cool I thought.I have never seen water this glassy before.Not a ripple.
I intentionally made the ripple in the pic above.Cool reflection of a birch above me on the cliff.
Thought it looked odd.
Little island in the canyon.Nice spot to stop and boil the tea kettle.
After reaching the end of the canyon walls I realized I was gonna be late to meet up with my wife,so off I headed.I didn't make it up to Brigham chute,which will have to be a later project.
On the way home I saw something really weird.it was blueish and kept changing shape.I have not seen anything like it.It's almost as if the sky had somehow turned blue in one little area.However we all know the sky is gray.....creepy.
Few geese flying around.
This is the landing prior to the portage.Again it's clearly marked on this side as well.All the rocks slightly submerged are also labeled with about 3000 dollars worth of gelcoat.There are many rocks here and submerged log's,so seriously keep a eye out.The second portage back over the same ground went smooth.The air is so fresh here with all the tree's and the running water from the small chute and rapids.A smell I can only describe as fresh,and new.
Wife was waiting....realized my watch was 1 hour behind... Iwas not 10 minutes early I was in fact 50 minutes late.Thank you again wife!
On our way out we saw the tame fox at the gate of the park.The wife slowed down and of course like a dog he began to run up to the door of the truck.I have seen trucks feeding him every time I come in.I have even seen a guy and his wife hand feeding this fox.
Not cool.The poor thing is gonna get ran over,or bite someone and get shot.Don't domesticate wild animals!Kill them ,eat them,wear them just don't be a cruel ass and feed the poor things.
Overall the trip was a 3/5 Excellent scenery,no people this time of year.the only reason this isnt a 4.5 is the noise from live firing at the base.It was very loud.If maybe it was a day without the noise I would have rated higher for sure.Still a nice afternoon trip.I left at 13h30 and was picked up at 1830.A very relaxed pace and stopping every 100m or so.
Give it a go!
AND DON'T FEED THE WILDLIFE!
