No Reservation summer finds: Mikisew and Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Parks

When we left Craigleith, we weren’t sure where we’d end up. Our original plan was to stay at a boondock near North Bay on Sunday. It was a little too far of a drive…we found a nice rest stop.

High Falls - Lunch stop parking
High Falls rest stop just north of Bracebridge.

It was a nice rest stop and the animals were comfortable.

Mikisew - Puck and Hector on the bed
Puck and Hector on the trailer bed while we had lunch.

There was quite a lot to do at High Falls rest stop.

High Falls - a nice walk
High Falls rest stop with Pierre and Hector on a walk to the river.
High Falls - Linda by the falls
Linda at the falls that are just downriver from the dam.
High Falls - Pierre and Hector admiring
Even Hector was admiring the falls.

We looked at maps and Linda found a campground near South River called Mikisew Provincial Park. The road directions were awkward but we managed to get there the long way. It was almost full so we took an unserviced site.

Mikisew - Eagle Lake from one of the trails
On the walk to the dog park we saw Eagle Lake.
Mikisew - Hector waiting
Hector seems to get comfortable everywhere we go.

Hector has been pretty good so far. There were a lot of dogs and kids on bicycles; he’s not quite used to all that and was vocal.

Mikisew - a pleasant trail
The trail to the dog park looked like a beautiful place to run…this time we did not. The showers would be too crowded.
Mikisew - Tree on a rock
Amazing how hard life tries. That tree is doing a fine job.
Mikisew - Snrise
Linda took Hector for walk at sunrise and took this shot of Eagle Lake before the crowds.

We left fairly early, and once again we weren’t sure of where we’d end up. The nice thing about a self sufficient trailer is that if can find a safe place to park then all is good for the night.

Powassan - parked to get nut and bolt
At the Home Hardware in Powassan Linda took Hector out for a walk while I went to buy the nuts and bolts.

On the way to Mikisew we’d hit a big bump and when we checked the trailer we found the entertainment system had dislodged. I found a solution but we had to stop at a hardware store to pick up some nuts and bolts.

Powassan - Train bridge
Linda found this railway bridge on her walk with Hector.

We stopped at Net Lake for lunch and Linda found a park near Englehart called Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park that did not take reservations…on a Friday we were able to find a choice of sites in this quiet park.

Kap-Kig-Iwan - the sign
One of the signs at the entrance of Kap-Kig-Iwan Park….eeek.

We found a good spot in the park though we were a little concerned about hiking there as there were so few people.

Kap-Kig-Iwan - The bridge over the falls
One of the falls at Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park. The bridge to the other side was impassable.

At one time this must have been a wonderful park. At the falls, there was a bridge that had been neglected and closed and had started to fall apart.

Kap-Kig-Iwan - group dining area that is no loger used
A big beautiful shelter that has seen better days.
Kap-Kig-Iwan - an old fire pit with multiple grills
There were even grills that a lot of visitors could use to make meals to have in the shelter.
Kap-Kig-Iwan - Sundial
A well made sundial was near the falls, but again neglected and left there for abuse.

Some of the work in the park was of good enough quality to have withstood years of neglect.

Kap-Kig-Iwan - Linda Pierre and Hector by the river
The three of us on the river…Hector was hot enough that he got his feet and belly wet…he’s still reluctant to jump in.

The hike down to the river was well worth the steep grade to give us cool views.

Kap-Kig-Iwan - High Falls overview
High Falls at Kap-Kig-Iwan.
Kap-Kig-Iwan - Pierre saying hi
Happily parked at a very cozy campsite.

We found a place beside a trillium fiberglass camper. It was quite secluded in this campground. All in all a nice enough place to stay a second night and explore a little more.

Still not sure where we’ll end up next….