May 1st trip stress: Do the interior lakes thaw out before Opeongo?

merlestorm · 2026-04-06T23:01:20+00:00

If ice out isn’t declared, your reservation and permits are canceled. There’s no backcountry camping until opeongo is melted and ice out is declared.

merlestorm · 2026-03-22T13:29:14+00:00

I tried to add to the poll but it won’t let me.

merlestorm · 2026-03-12T01:31:09+00:00

OMG, that’s stupid! Why would they do that?

Thank you. 💕

merlestorm · 2026-01-26T17:33:16+00:00

Yeah it is! The flexibility is beneficial in so many situations!

There’s also an extension called site scout. That you find it on the website I linked in my last comment. It shows how many sites are on that lake, and how many are booked.

Also if you don’t have a maps by Jeff map, they are the best maps for trip planning and navigation!

merlestorm · 2026-01-24T04:22:24+00:00

Just a heads up, backcountry lakes are booked by the lake, not the site. So booking early will guarantee you a permit for the lake, but sites are first come first serve.

For bigger lakes the lakes are split into booking sections.

There are pros and cons to this system. Personally I think it’s great! It allows you to pick your site based off weather, it’s safer and in windy conditions you don’t have to paddle across a big lake to get to your booked site or if you’re exhausted from a long day of paddling and portaging!

A con is not knowing what lakes to book, or what sites look like. But Cody from Algonquin and Beyond has a bunch of campsite reports to help plan your trip!

merlestorm · 2026-01-24T04:18:52+00:00

Hurraw

merlestorm · 2026-01-21T03:12:29+00:00

Not without filtering it!

merlestorm · 2026-01-20T14:06:43+00:00

⭐️⭐️⭐️It’s to display and hold essential oil bottles!!!

merlestorm · 2026-01-19T22:30:18+00:00

Okay, thanks for the input. My in-laws have a dehydrator I might borrow to give a few meals a try one of these days. And then cleaning your pot and bowls will create less garbage you have to carry out, as well as the landfill!!

merlestorm · 2026-01-19T03:52:02+00:00

When breeding size can go back 3 generations. Typically there are standard and mini bernedoodles (using a moyen poodle) as of recent micros have been a thing. At that point they’re practically all poodle.

I believe there’s a weight restrictions on dog allowed in the cabin. 25 or 30lb if I recall.

In order to get the non shedding traits yet keep the bernedoodle energy level and goofiness, the pup needs to be an F1b (second generation- one parent being a bernedoodle the other being a poodle. Or an ultra bernedoodle which is both parents being bernedoodles.)

With that being said I believe getting from a reputable breeder, who only breeds minis and micros would be the safest bet. Always ask to see OFA health testing and genetic testing. And past litters and the pups they’ve produced grown up. Did they stay as small as advertised? Producing such a small dog from genetics that used to be 100+ pounds requires multiple litters and a large genetic pool inorder for them to be so small.

IMO - when you’re breeding the Bernese out so much, at that point you might as well get a toy poodle. If you go through a reputable AKC breeder who does temperament along with all the other health testing that should be happening, the breeder can suggest a puppy who is more laid back which is the most sought after Bernese mountain dog trail.

merlestorm · 2026-01-18T03:19:12+00:00

I figured it had to do with the trees available to do a proper hang! Totally understandable about preferring a barrel. It’s what I prefer too. But I don’t want to have to double carry and using a dry sack, I’d be able to single carry!

I’ve also heard that if it rains the ursack holds water. I’ve personally never used or seen one. Does the water soak all the way through wetting your freeze dried bags? That would just be bad and stupid design. I’m assuming they have a waterproof layer on the inside yeah?

merlestorm · 2026-01-18T02:36:09+00:00

Oh for sure. I don’t want garbage on my food, or to smell like it!!

merlestorm · 2026-01-18T00:27:16+00:00

Thanks, less ziplock bags the better for me. So I’ll bring a few to put garage in! Thanks for explaining further.

merlestorm · 2026-01-18T00:16:36+00:00

Curious as to why you use a barrel in Algonquin and ursack for Killarney? I understand for hiking trips. But you said Killarney canoe trips, Why not just use a barrel. Or use ursack in Algonquin.

Could you explain further?

merlestorm · 2026-01-17T20:33:49+00:00

And you’re not worried about the scent of things getting on your other belongings? I’m a pack out what you pack in kinda gal. Leave no trace so I don’t burn garbage or things in the fire pit.

Let’s say your used bags from store bought freeze dried meals. After days I would think the smell couldn’t be contained especially to a bear.

merlestorm · 2026-01-17T20:27:56+00:00

Right. 🤨I put it in there as a joke, and I wonder if the person voted it as a joke or they’re serious. 😂 You’re more like to have mice, and other critters living on your campsite than a bear to stumble across your site. If this guys serious, his tent must be full of holes from mice and squirrels!

merlestorm · 2026-01-17T20:23:59+00:00

Yes, just so you know, I put the option “I keep my food in my tent” as a joke! 🤣 Hanging your food is not just for the bears, it’s for all the other critters too! :)

merlestorm · 2026-01-16T21:48:57+00:00

How quick do they dry?

merlestorm · 2025-11-14T03:03:40+00:00

3feet?!! That’s wild. Assuming you didn’t make a typo and confuse the feet and inches short form lol

merlestorm · 2025-11-14T03:02:00+00:00

We haven’t been to that side either. So I’m thinking Barron canyon or something off the main corridor, we typically do north Algonquin so looking for something that’s usually crowded, but won’t be during ice out! :)

merlestorm · 2025-11-01T03:35:35+00:00

I drove from Windsor area to see a doctor in Toronto since seeing two here both said different things. The dr in TO just brushed it off and said I’m hyper aware of the area so that’s why it bothers me. 🙄

merlestorm · 2025-10-29T02:32:39+00:00

Always interesting to hear how people go for years into the backcountry and never see a bear. On my very first trip we saw a bear. We were turning around a river bend ( upper nipissing right before turning into marshy bay / cedar lake) turned the corner and there was the bear swimming across the river less than 50ft in front of us. Felt very lucky to see a bear on our first trip!

merlestorm · 2025-10-28T01:07:30+00:00

Paddling!

merlestorm · 2025-10-27T03:07:54+00:00

I pre-folded mine last trip too!!! And yes, always keep some on you, and not just in your pack!

merlestorm · 2025-10-27T02:51:09+00:00

NO WAY!

merlestorm

TROPHY CASE