With fall colors coming, we decided it was time to visit Algonquin Provincial Park again. I visited this park many times in my first year in Canada, hoping to see a moose. With several failed attempts, I came to terms with the fact that moose must have some sort of radar that tells them I am around, so that they stay out of sight! So, we went to see the beautiful fall colors that I haven't been up to see since October of 2012. We drove in slowly, enjoying the scenery, and decided to do two short hikes to get the dogs out and enjoy the beautiful weather. We started at my pick, the Bat Lake trail. It takes you through mostly pine forest to an acidic lake. Very tranquil hike overall, but the beginning gave us quite the heart attack! I was leading with Jesse, and Andrew followed me walking Reese. I looked up, and began to step off the trail to allow what my first glimpse determined was a hiker coming around the corner about 30 feet ahead of us. A double take proved me wrong. A young bull moose stood ahead of us on the trail. I backed up and took both of the dogs, for fear they would spook him and he would charge. Andrew, the fearless photographer, calmly got his camera out and started snapping shots. Luckily, the moose had seen a person or two in his day, and continued along the trail towards us, eventually going around us into the woods and back out to the road where we had entered from. Thirty seconds into the hike and we'd stumbled across a moose! I couldn't believe it. He proceeded to cut off a few bikers out on the road, where he casually crossed, and took a dip into Mew Lake. He swam straight across the lake, much faster than I imagined was possible, shook off, and crossed into the campground. Once we took a few deep breaths, we completed our hike. Next, we took a few photos of the fall colors, and then stopped by the Beaver Ponds trail. A short trail, it was full of people, and even a couple with remote control off-roading cars(...) but gave us some great photos and a little sunshine. On the drive out, we even saw a mama black bear and two cubs (I wasn't quick enough on the draw to get a photo of them, though). Overall, the best trip to Algonquin yet!
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foot notes.A guide to my hikes throughout North America Archives
June 2016
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