This week we took a four-day weekend in order to explore Cold Lake in Kawartha Highlands provincial Park. Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park (officially called Kawartha Highlands Signature Site) is a 375-square-kilometre (145 sq mi) area of preserved wilderness and recreational areas in south-central Ontario, Canada (open year round, for those fools that like to winter camp). It is located to the north and east of the main belt of the Kawartha lakes primarily in the township of North Kawartha. It is the largest single area of preserved land in the southern part of the province (excluding Algonquin Park, parts of which are in northern and southern Ontario). This will be our fourth trip to this park, but the first using the Cold Lake access.

As of May 2011 the park officially became operational, which unless I’m mistaken makes it the youngest of the Ontario Provincial parks (A really valuable prize for the first person to disprove this nugget)

About two-thirds of the trip was paddling through cottage country (some of the cottages you pass are spectacular) once you pass into the park boundary it becomes much more serene. Some of the lakes in the park allow only canoes or kayaks, these are much nicer to camp on. While Cold lake does not prohibit power boats, the channel entering the lake is shallow with numerous obstacles, so very few power boats dare enter.

While for the most part the humble canoe has few known predators in the wild, there are times when its most common enemy is ever-present. For about four Km we had to paddle in the natural habitat of the “Dammned cottager” with their speed boats. Most are courteous, however some can create wake strong enough to capsize a loaded canoe….Unfortunately Karen has repeatedly forbidden me from installing the two torpedo launchers I picked up at a garage sale recently.

We were able to breathe a little easier once we crossed the Provincial park boundary. (Our return trip was on a rainy Monday, so we came across none of the enemy)

Our campsite was site 511, an island site (I prefer finding island sites, as Marcus can freely roam) To get this site I had to book five months earlier. It was a spectacular site, with great views, unfortunately the poor weather after the first day prevented us from exploring further.

There is room at this site to easily put up at least another two large tents.

We do not skimp when it comes to eating when we canoe camp, all that paddling can build up an appetite. On this trip we had planned home-made spaghetti Bolognese (Home made from my Mums recipe) Jambalaya with spicy sausage, and Pasta Primavera with chicken. The Primavera will have to wait until next weekend.

We have picked up a fair amount of gear over the years, however other than perhaps our trusty canoe (a Swift Kipawa 16.5 ft of expedition Kevlar) the next most used and at this time of the year, the most appreciated has to be the Eureka Nobugzone, it has kept us sane on many canoe camping trips. I just wish they made one 1/4 sized to set up over the toilet.

The joys of back country camping….Ok there are some things that are not as pleasant as camping in the trailer, this time of the year is particularly bad. No amount of bug spray can help you when,  your first cup of coffee in the morning forces you to visit this wooden throne in the woods (or as the Provincial park calls them “Thunder box”) trying to wipe your ass as the mosquitoes feed on your exposed nether regions, it’s enough to make you question your decisions to camp….I am on a search for a solution to this dilemma.

On our first day and night on the island, the weather was spectacular, unfortunately when we woke up the next morning the temp had dropped to about ten degrees, and it rained all day and the next night. Since it is prohibited to bring glass bottles into the park, we had no option but to bring in a four litre box of a very good red wine. when you are tent bound because of heavy rain, four litres of wine go a long way in making it easier to cope. We decided that because the weather was going to continue to get colder (Forecasted 6 deg the following day, with more rain) we packed up and headed home one day earlier than planned.

Fortunately we were able to strike camp during a pause in the rain, and other than some very strong head winds (It always seems that the wind is in your face when canoeing, and cycling) the return trip was uneventful. It was a great trip despite the turn in weather, there were many places left unexplored, so we will return here again soon.

Next time we camp here we will do so in August. The sand bars in the above photo were about two foot under water while we were there, apparently by end of summer they are exposed and really worth the visit…..that will be an adventure for another time.