Anyone who camps in Northeastern Ontario during the shoulder seasons – spring and fall – is aware of the fact that a trip can pose some significant challenges to even the most seasoned outdoorswoman or man. Weather, can be, at best, unpredictable and at worst, a complete disaster! That said, I’m a staunch believer in the old Scandinavian saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothes.” So every year during the last week of September, my family and I take our chances and organize a canoe camping trip into the backcountry of Killarney Provincial Park. From the moment the leaves begin to change and the air turns nippy I look forward to this annual adventure, and let me tell you, my family and I have shared some adventures that would put the Griswolds to shame.
For our trip this year we spent three days camping on Harry Lake in the northeast section of Killarney Provincial Park. This area of the park can be considered the “woods-y” side – if that is even possible! The farther you travel up Bell Lake, the farther away from the white granite peaks of the Killarney Ridge you go and the deeper you punch into the thick hardwood forest that surrounds the La Cloche Mountains.
Our reason for selecting Harry Lake as our destination began on our very first camping trip many (many!) years ago. My first experience camping in the woods happened on Balsam Lake and it was during this trip that my family and I hiked the portage trail out to Harry Lake. The view at the end of the hike was so inviting it triggered a long-held desire to return with a canoe and paddle in hand so as to properly explore the entirety of the lake.
Of the four campsites on Harry Lake only one was occupied while we were there, leaving us with the entire lake virtually to ourselves. Being the popular destination that it is, Killarney Park and the lakes found within the park boundaries can become crowded at times, but Harry requires an extensive paddle and three portages to access, making it less well-known than some of the other more easily reached lakes. This also limits the day-trip traffic, so if you are seeking solitude Harry is a lake worth checking out.