Algonquin Provincial Park

After stopping by Ragged Falls, we spent the rest of the day at Algonquin Provincial Park. The park is enormous (2955 sq mi), just a little smaller than Yellowstone.


A group shot from the Hardwood Lookout Trail, looking out over Smoke Lake.

Next, we hiked the Beaver Pond trail. We got to cross several beaver meadows and see several beaver lodges and dams, and even one beaver.

The trail also had some nice topography. This is the same beaver meadow as the photo above, and looking in relatively the same direction, but from the ridge line. It is fun to imagine and look for all the wildlife that must use these areas.

While visiting the Nature Center, we heard about a resident Great Gray Owl that regularly hunts near Dizzy Lake on the Mizzy Lake Trail. I knew that if I could arrange it, I had to wait and see if I could see the owl.

After dropping me off at the trailhead, Andrew and Joy later joined me at the lake to wait with me. Very sadly, the owl never showed. Despite the deep disappointment, the consolation wasn't bad, getting to sit beside a bog/lake in solitude and watch night fall, plus the many other birds and plants that were there.

Joy and Andrew on the trail going back. It is hard to say how far the trail back in the dark was. I am sure it was less than a mile, but I am glad I had my headlamp in my back pack.