7 Days in Algonquin Park, Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping in Algonquin Park Ontario, via canoe, August 22-28 2021. A full week in the wilderness of Ontario with our dog! This video features day 1 & 2 of the 7 day trip. Cedar Lake / Brent access point to Catfish Lake and then on to Hogan Lake. We took on a couple of long portages - Unicorn Hill, in a heat wave, arrived at camp and swam off the day. We then settled in for the evening to cook steaks over the fire for dinner and enjoyed the sunset. The next day we start out for another day of travel and arrive to a beautiful site on Hogan.

[@garymagill8553]

Just finished Pt 1 and loved it. A couple of 70+ y/o's who have camped in Algonquin for over 30 years. Mostly road side with several interior trips. Your video brings back many wonderful memories for me and my wife who now suffers Alzheimer’s. Even Emma brings back our 'golden' grand dog Razzy. Thank you for bringing us along.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Awe, we love hearing that Gary! It's a wonderful place isn't it? And golden's are just the sweetest goofs ❤️ Always a pleasure to have you and your lovely wife come along on the journey with us 😉 see you on the next one!

[@CyFoxDen]

Love the video! Thanks for sharing.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching!

[@terry3920]

Thank you loved the video

[@NatureBound]

Looks like a beautiful spot on Hogan with the cliff across the water. Thanks for bringing us along :)

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching! We loved that site. Will have to visit it again sometime. 👌

[@kristingrounds4163]

Looks like a great beginning to this trip...looking forward to the other episodes!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much for watching Kristin! Next one coming shortly 😀

[@nickv1601]

I absolutely love these videos! My favourite place in the world 😁 Thank your for sharing

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much Nick! Our fav place in the world too ♥️ 😄

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

You all really did do an awesome job on this video and trip....Thanks for sharing the journey!!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much Jim! We're so glad you enjoyed coming along with us! :D

[@FreakofNature1]

Oh my, Emma with her hat! 🐶😍 Excellent campsite on Hogan, the hard works paying off💪 Thanks for sharing! 🍻

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks guys! Was an epic site score for sure! Emma’s discovered she’s got the right face for hats 😂 💁‍♀️

[@angelacadieux1972]

I so want to do this! ❤

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

You can do it! Dont plan to go too far for your first time, be safe and have fun!

[@amandaallen9352]

Hey guys ! Just binged this whole 3 part series and was sad when it ended. Love your videos so much, and Emma looked so precious in her little hat. Your videos make me so excited for my next Algonquin trip 😌

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching Amanda! Emma’s a cutie for sure 💙 always fun watching camp videos close to spring and summer to get pumped for your trip! Where will you be heading in Algonquin? Hope you have an awesome trip.

[@Xokinha-]

Awesome video❣ love see Emma and her swimming love her hat she look so cute 😍

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching Aurelia! I think Emma is catching on that she looks cute in the hat because she’s getting better and better with keeping it on 😉

[@jimhanson7476]

Enjoyed every much, going to catch the next 2 video’s.. well done

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Jim! Hope you enjoy the other two as well 😀 was a great 7 days in the backcountry!

[@maxxonetwo3]

Watch all your videos. Calm and nice. Thank you for something good. Rick Lake George, NY

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching! We love brining a piece of that beauty and calm home with us and into the homes of others who also enjoy the outdoors and nature ☺️

[@treklinda1309]

It is so nice to see different places in the world. Oh this boat trip looked so so nice...and the fire :)

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much for watching! Isn’t You Tube wonderful for exploring 😄

[@jdmigs]

i love algonquin! Great video. ❤❤

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thank you so much! It’s a special place, isn’t it 😌

[@donsiesling8079]

Nothing like a Algonquin be sunrise and sunset!!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Having both is a winner always 😄

[@larrygorst8749]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Larry! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@stevefrompeterborough4007]

Great first video of your trip guys. Never been to this part of the park but you have definitely intrigued me. Looking forward to the next video.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Steve! We enjoyed this area of the park. Will for sure be back!

[@terryrensch2561]

Just started with my canoe here in the uk purchased an 16 foot Esquif prospector in green joined a club here in the UK Marlow Canoe Club had my first training a couple of weeks ago got my first dipping into the River Thames trying to get into the canoe 1st time splash twice anyway got in by sitting down sliding my feet over did not touch the gunnel which was my mistake first 2 times anyway had a great bunch of people learning different strokes etc throughly enjoyed every minute of it even though I am an old bloke wish I started this years ago. In August i am doing the great canoe trail in Scotland from fort william up to inverness along the Caledonian canal linking up with the 3 lochs loch lokky loch oich and loch ness should be good fun I have an experienced guy with me in Julian Harvey as I want to do the white water rapid river River Oich which will take us round to Fort Augustus Thank you for you video which i found really informative, although we dont have bears here its good to see how you portage set up camp and paddle. Dog is fantastic we have a 3 year old Doberman but my wife is insistent he stays at home with her oh well

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Canoeing is such a great hobby. We often ask ourselves why we love it so much, and while paddling/portaging is great exercise and a lot of fun, what we love most about canoeing is the places it can take you.

[@jonnyb5244]

Haha! I made it into your video for 1 sec! I was doing the brent run on a solo trip and picking up a supply drop from my father at brent when you pulled up. Awesome to see the video series. Good job.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Haha no way! Small world 😄 hope you had a great trip! Thanks for checking out the series Jonny.

[@alderwildernessexperiences9373]

That site on Hogan 😍 Enjoyed the video, I am itching to get out for a trip so bad.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Such a great site! We're itchy to get out there again too! Thanks for watching.

[@jaysway2346]

I hope to explore some of this area this year, I'm following along on my map.... Emma's hat was too funny😁.... Looking forward to the rest.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Jay! Out of the new heat gear we got for Emma on this one, I think the tent fan won over the hat 😂

[@RileyOutside]

I'm here for Emma

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Amazing review

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Really enjoyed this 👌

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching!!

[@flowerchildvee]

Yessss, love seeing a good bear hang!!🤙

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

James is very serious about his bear hangs 👌 he will be happy that you enjoy seeing it!!

[@WilliamLaroche1.618]

I've been to that access point. My labrador goes absolutely insane at the sigh of water, it's funny as hell. Love the video!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Lab's and Goldens, water crazy dogs! Love it!!

[@truenorthoffgrid367]

What a great video! I grew up hiking and canoeing in the park, love to see the scenery. Thanks for sharing! (I subscribed to your channel as well)

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for watching and subscribing :D Will have to check out your channel as well!

[@GraitOutdoors]

Nice job on Unicorn Hill! We were coming from the other direction and were very happy about it. That stretch of portages from Catfish to Hogan is tough as well! Love the video and Emma doing awesome! Glad you had lots of nice sites.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Just reading ‘unicorn hill’ in you comment makes me feel hot and tired again lol we just watched your series and loved it! While we were doing this loop, we talked about doing the loop the other way next time potentially 😅

[@GraitOutdoors]

@@TwoPacksandaPup it is tricky for sure haha! You did great.

[@BurtReynoldstash]

Love the dogs hat.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Isn’t it adorable? 🥹

[@CrookedRosePOD]

First video I stumbled upon and I subbed instantly, one day I will travel with my future dog and hike around america

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks for subscribing! Wishing you happy travels in your future! Travelling with a dog is so fun!

[@flowerchildvee]

Omggg the hat is too cute!!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Right?! Couldn’t help but give it a try, perfect for sunny days 😄

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Right?! Couldn’t help but give it a try, perfect for sunny days 😄

[@alexs3447]

Nice start to the trip . Tough fishing in a heat wave . But it is possible to get speckles lake fishing at 30 C with mono line .But you need to snoop in Algonquin.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Jamie always keeps a mono leader on his line. Unfortunately no luck this time. The water was incredibly warm on this trip. We did manage to fill our belly’s with some brook trout in September. 🎣 (video coming soon)

[@alexs3447]

@@TwoPacksandaPup I use the same rig i use in the spring for specks. In fact the same rig for bass , lakers or pickeral. But i will watch the Sept trip for sure .

[@ElementofKindness]

Love tracing your route on Jeff's Map. Almost feels like I'm a part of your adventure!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Yes, we love following others adventures on a map too!

[@virgillasher5656]

thats so funny sady my red nose pit would lay and roll in the mud when she was hot to dogs are so awsome you think they are being dumb but really they have more fun and enjoy everything so much

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

😂 yea there is a reason for most of what hey do that suits them. Still entertaining for us!

[@mrdave22]

brand new subscriber, love your vids, thumbs up

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Dave! 😄

[@jessicacrook8221]

It’s called Angel of Death I found one that one at Frontenac Provincial Park as well

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

🫣🫣😵‍💫

[@paulfroud3920]

You are correct; Death Cap or Destroying Angel (Mushroom). Just a tip I learned when tripping in hot weather; get a neckerchief and dip it in the water, put it around your neck, repeat as needed. It will help keep you cool. Interesting that I had that exact same campsite on Hogan facing the cliffs about 20 or so years ago. Have you posted the rest of the trip yet? Anxious to see it. Cheers.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Awesome thanks Paul! It’s a beautiful site isn’t it. Really enjoyed this one. Next video will be out shortly! Trying for the weekend 😄 cheers!

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

That canoe looks like it would be extremely light. I love the Canadian wilderness, it looks so beautiful. But this video has made me wonder how cold I might think your hot weather is haha. I am from sunny Queensland, Australia. Canoeing here in Australia in summer can be insanely hot. One day I hope to explore Canada. Great video.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Haha, yes, we were particularly whiny on this part of the trip. it is quite extreme for us to have 30+ degrees - paired with physical activity and you've got some melted Canadians. We also hope to explore Australia some day, but we will have to build up some heat tolerance. We love our Swift Kevlar canoe, very light, as canoes go. Thanks for watching!

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

@@TwoPacksandaPup no worries. When it gets bellow 10 Celsius here I start whining a little haha. But I would like to experience your -30 winters. If you head to Australia give us a shout I’ll point you in the right direction for some canoe adventures. Clarence river canoe trail is a good 8 day trip to keep in mind.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

@@Beyondthebackyard-au thank you so much! Most definitely will give you a shout! Oh my goodness.. do yourself a favour and come in the spring, summer or fall 😂

[@sydneyshufelt4543]

Love these videos so much😊! I’ve been sick in bed for a week, and these have been keeping me busy while also getting me excited for spring camping! 🏕️ 🛶

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Awe, bummer you’ve been sick but we’re so happy to hear that the videos provided some entertainment while stuck in bed! Looking forward to the camping / paddling season ahead is part of the fun 😆

[@brentkelly5445]

I did that route my first trip a long time ago. can't remember those waterfalls before the 2300 portage but i remember doing a monster uphill portage early. we didn't know what portaging was so we had the gear in the canoe and 2 of us carried it by the handles. A long drive from city, but nobody was there for that reason so that was awesome. An old tiny outfitter office then which was cool. Are dogs susceptible to Giardia and crypto? if so, how do they know not to drink it....or do they And you should have trashed talked that canoe that you beat in the race to best campsite on the lake. That's what portaging is all about.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Haha we did exchange words with the folks in the other canoe, but they were pretty tame 😂 thanks for watching Brent! First trips are special aren’t they.. they will always hold a priority spot in the memory bank. And, as long as you got the canoe through the portage, you did it right! Dogs can get sick from some waters, Emma always has filtered water at camp and during breaks en-route, to reduce lake water ingestion. We also try and avoid Emma swimming and drinking from any water that looks murky or stagnant. Sometimes it doesn’t work like in our Part 2 video.. she jumped into a still bog before we had a chance to stop her 😅 but so far she hasn’t gotten sick. She seems to have an iron stomach which can be a common retriever trait.

[@moegardner1]

I can't believe she let you put that hat on her, our labs would have it off in a second, a very patient and well behaved pup.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

I was surprised how well she took to it as well 😂 we did some try-ons to get used to it at home before the trip and I think it really helped! We love labs ♥️

[@joee1976]

Awesome content as always guys. What camera are you using to shoot the video? Looks great

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much! Most footage is iPhone 12 Pro, with some iPhone 10 when James is filming.

[@thehashmonkey]

I just realized you drove through Mattawa that’s my home town

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Awe beautiful ! We enjoyed passing through!

[@frankrogers806]

Awesome videos…was wondering what shoes you both wear for portaging? Noticed that you walk through the water with them. Thanks!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks Frank! We absolutely love our shoes! We wear amphibious / water shoes with wool socks. James wears Merrell Choprocks, and Jens are Merrell Hydrotrekker’s. We’ve found it’s much safer to just get your feet wet rather than trying to balance on rocks etc trying to keep them dry.

[@frankrogers806]

Thanks!

[@shawnpaquette6394]

Me and my wife have been watching all of your videos and really enjoy them, we also do a lot of canoeing and always looking on great idea, like the pulley for the food. I also love the mec bags, I'm looking to buy the same one but curious what size they are 70 or 115 L. Thanks for the great Videos and give Emma a treat for me.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much for watching Shawn! We’re so glad that you both enjoy the videos. We both have the 70L Bags and they are perfect 👍

[@shawnpaquette6394]

@Two Packs and a Pup Thank you for replying, now I just have to find.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

@@shawnpaquette6394 ah yes.. they sell out quickly. Have to keep checking for a re-stock. Perhaps this spring!

[@pepe.sanchez]

Really like the relaxed style of your vids. Just subscribed. Is that a 10L or 20L Sea to Summit camping sink?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Thanks so much! Its actually only a 5L and it works quite well for our needs. I've thought about adding a second sink so that washing and rinsing can happen all at once and then dumping into a cat hole all at once - but, one is just fine

[@mackenzieklazinga6507]

About to take on this route as an ice out trip! Question. Do you suggest going the way you did or heading to Burntroot first?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

It’s easier to go the other way 😅

[@marksoutside]

How were the ticks there? looking to go sometime in july for a 40km backpacking trip! Awesome video! :)

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

We haven’t seen a tick in Algonquin yet, but we do bring a tick remover just in case!

[@andrewyang1446]

Did you have any problem with blackflies and mosquitoes? Thanks for the video!

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Yep, we think of it as the tax you need to pay to enjoy such a pristine wilderness 🦟🦟🦟

[@tercet]

I noticed you guys had Emma on a lead during portages, are you afraid she will chase after animals if she saw one?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

She’s a big wuss and would hide behind us if saw a large animal. We try to respect others on portages that may not be comfortable with a big dog off leash, especially because she’s overly friendly and wants to go up to everyone and say hello. So especially when closer to an access point, we keep her on leash. When she’s off leash on portages we’ll call her to us when we see someone approaching and clip her up temporarily.

[@KellysCanoeing]

If I can get permits I hope to bring my dog to Algonquin for 8 days this August. Is there a route that Emma would recommend? Thanks

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

A trip from Magnetewan access to Hambone would be a great and fairly safe first trip into the interior. Consider avoiding larger lakes until you are confident about how your dog will behave in the canoe for extended periods of time. When we first started Canoe camping with Emma, we found that she did best without long stretches in the canoe. We didn’t actually record our first trip to the park with her, but we had to turn back and plan a different route because she kept jumping out, just for fun. Every dog is different, and can be unpredictable, so take it slow at first. On our first trip after turning back, we ended up taking a water taxi on Opeongo into Happy Isles. It was an amazing trip.

[@KellysCanoeing]

@@TwoPacksandaPup Cool, thank you, adding Daisy and Ralph Bice would make a great loop! Or going to Little Trout to Little Misty to Daisy looks like an adventure. My dog is old, mellow and hates to swim so she is really good in canoes. We booked something similar to your northern Algonquin trip, but rather than the 3k portage we going to spend a few days going through Bigger and North Tea before going back to Kioshkokwi. Thanks for your suggestion, that will on the list after the French River.

[@jessemcnair9239]

How old is the dog ? She's my fav part lol

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Haha thanks Jesse, she’s become our fav part since we got her too :) she turned 3 this past December. Thanks for watching!

[@patriciamoscato6586]

Where did u get your hoodies

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Hi Patricia, they are the Capilene Cool Daily hoodies from Patagonia.

[@jimdent351]

That looks like a Swift canoe. How do you like it?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

We love our Swift Canoe

[@jimdent351]

@@TwoPacksandaPup I'll probably be getting the 15 foot prospector. Which one do you have?

[@andrewiglinski148]

Dude here's the real question... I just adopted an Africanis puppy in may... how do I get her to not be a nutcase as soon as I let her off the leash and behave like your dog?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Watch our first You Tube trip video 😂 and that was when she was already better from the year before. We couldn’t even film our first trip with her at 7 months! It can be a challenge, but training and patience is key. Puppies have a wild amount of energy so start small, easy short trips, lots of breaks, don’t expect too much and try to tire them out when you first arrive. Our first time we arrived at the put in, there was no way we could get her into a canoe without tiring her out first.. but even after lots of running around, she just wanted to use the canoe as a diving board. She loves swimming.. so we let her swim a lot, knowing her swim skill level was very high (we did make the mistake of not having a life vest at first, so do get one for your pup) Pack treats for focus in the canoe! And enjoy the small wins.. they will get bigger and more frequent gradually.

[@Ghoststalker777]

LOL A true camper knows you can cook your steak right on top of the coals or on top of a thin flat rock ( if available ) that is placed on top of the coal's.

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

No reason to get the steak all grimy when there is a perfectly good grate on hand. Thanks for the hot tip though.

[@kenniegarner3848]

Name brand of those gloves?

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

MEC neoprene gloves

[@mrwes100]

Nice content. Is Emma related to Cali? 😂

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

Maybe! They both love the outdoors, that’s for sure 🐕🐕

[@bampotbampot]

Anyone else notice the pyramidal shape at 40:26 😮

[@TwoPacksandaPup]

👀