Site Details
Closest Access Point: Kiosk (Access # 29)
Distance to Access Point: 18 KM (4 – 4.5 hours single carrying)
Difficulty of Travel From Access Point: Medium (a few portages, some creek paddling)
Maintenance Level: Regular
Date Visited: May 2023
This is a mediocre at best site, especially in comparison to its nearby neighbour, site 7. Working in this site’s favour is the fact that it’s an island site, and it’s pretty sheltered from the elements. Working against it is a kind of weird layout and a general sense of dankness that doesn’t scream “I want to stay here”.
Terrain: This site is kind of weird in that the site proper, the fire pit area and tent pads etc., is separated from the shoreline by a hill. The site is on one side of the rise, and the water is on the other. This means you’ve got a bit of climbing to do, both ways, if you’re going to the water for anything. Other than that, it’s a nice site to walk around.
Canoe Landing: The front of the site is slopes into the water a decent angle. Full disclosure, I didn’t try to land a canoe here, I just wandered over from Site 7. I actually don’t think I’d love loading/unloading here because of the slope of the rock. Would be harder to steady the boat and get the bags in without torquing your back I think.
Fire Pit: The fire pit is in the middle of the back area of the site. It’s a fine pit, not much more than a circle of rocks but why would you want more? It’s nicely sheltered, but it also has zero view out to the water.
Tent Sites: There’s room for a few tents on this site. The ground cover is relatively level and there’s a nice bed of pine needles everywhere to soften things up.
Swimmability: I think the swimming here would be decent. You can slip in from the rocks, and if you head to the eastern side of the site the grade gets a bit easier to manage.
Thunderbox: The box is old, but in good shape. It’s a decent distance back from the site and offers more privacy than the box on Site 7 does.
Views: From the water, you’ve got a nice view south to the nearby shore. From the interior of the site, your views are pretty much entirely obstructed.
Notes: So, I would probably never stay on this site. While it’s a decent enough site in a vacuum, it’s nowhere near as good as its neighbour, site 7. If Site 7 is open, I’d take it over this one every time. If site 7 is taken, well, I don’t want to be that close to my neighbours. Actually, hold that thought, for a late season trip, I’d maybe set up here and make use of site 7 as well if both were empty.
Related Trip Report: Birchcliffe, The Nip and Some Hills