Smoke Lake - Bonnechere Lake - Cache Lake Loop: Algonquin Park Canoe Routes

Solo canoe trip on August 8, 2016. I travelled 27 miles (43 km), visited 17 lakes in 12 hours - a long day trip.

[@janetwithers7427]

Wow. That was a beautiful canoe trip. The big blue sky was perfect. The forests were green and sparkly with sunshine glinting off the leaves. Glad the waters were smooth. Lovely lovely video. 🐱💞

[@christaunnasch932]

Aussie What wonderful scenery. Lucky me to experience this all the way from Australia. Thanks Shawn!

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

Man you take me back many years when I was doing this. Beautiful. I love the scenery. Reminds me of my youth. How I love the call of the loon.

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Wheels, I'm glad my videos are bringing you with me.

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

Every time.

[@patriciabarnes6664]

Watching this video for the first time, though I had liked it, when I first discovered this channel. Absolute paradise-like views. So easy to transport one self there through the minds eyes. Absolutely fabulous.

[@JoeOutdoors]

Good work out for a day trip! As we get older we have to work harder to stay in shape. I am learning that at 58. Thank You for sharing and inspiring.

[@dansallsadventurersinlife4311]

no better feeling than completing a mission, great video

[@1mill2]

Wow, that is intense!! Great video, showing the map of where you are is great. Can't believe you did that!, you must be in amazing shape.

[@MySelfReliance]

Haha, thanks. Not so great as when I was younger, but I don't rest much so it keeps me in shape.

[@saltofthearth4892]

There are some old hemlocks in between cradle and plough and also by the mohawk lakes, hundreds of years old. I love the wild feeling on those portages. Awesome trip, Shawn.

[@rdsmith4982]

Why give any hint of a thumbs down....please, Awesome job sir Thank you so much!! Great travels!

[@banjowoodsman7675]

Truly awesome video. Some of your still shots are absolutely incredible. Man you really pushed yourself. Thanks for posting.

[@anitarussum4590]

So beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[@TheMrJoeMac]

Great trip Shawn. Really enjoy that you give info on some of the obstacles to look out for in the area, and that you offer advice on different route to take depending if one can handle inclined carry of not. Just over all taking the time to inform as you share your trip.

[@MySelfReliance]

Joe McCranie Tha Los Joe, I'm always happy to help

[@rebahimohamed2296]

I am following your videos a lot. I hope that one day I will visit Canada and enjoy its lakes

[@ieldepiel]

So peaceful to watch, fantastic

[@trishaharrison3692]

Awesome as usual.😍

[@bradjakubowski8987]

I’ll be doing this loop in July, thank you for doing it in one day, I’ll be splitting it up into a 3 day trip. Glad to know it’s doable in one day. Even though booking it becomes a hassle because it’s “not within a reasonable distance from your previous night stay”. Thanks again Mr James.

[@davixavier3261]

What a beautiful video, Shawn! Hopefully, one day I will reach you, sir! Thanks for sharing.

[@LifeofKev]

beautiful video as normal Shawn thanks for sharing these adventures, they really brighten up my day when i watch them, ATB my friend Kev

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks man

[@mikerennie2024]

Nice video man! Just spent 4 nights at that campsite at 2:34. One of my favourites I have ever been to. There was a skeleton of a cow moose only about 90 metres into the forest near the shore, very cool.

[@dougLinker]

Nicely done -quite a lofty loop for a day trip :)

[@kittymorse7402]

Enjoyed as always...wish I were there. Beautiful pictures. Liked the way you showed the portage signs so we could keep up with your progress.

[@paisleyfamily5972]

Planning this very loop in September so nice to come upon your video

[@yourtodiscover878]

Great story sir, I could see myself there!!

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Awesome! I love these trips. It did seem a bit rushed though... Loved it just the same!

[@wildernessheadphase8063]

Yeah Big Porcupine Lake is very beautiful and I camped on the site you filmed at 2:44!

[@RandomButtonPusher]

Wow, what an excellent day trip. Nearly 7K of portages is no joke, especially at that pace. Nicely done.

[@MySelfReliance]

Thank you

[@patkeeler6645]

+My Self Reliance. I miss a canoe trip

[@OutdoorsInspired]

Nice vid! I like when you do these longer videos.Looking forward to more..

[@MySelfReliance]

Thank you. Me too

[@aubieal0878]

Beautiful lakes! And the Loons?? are singing/calling beautiful as well 😊

[@rumblechick73]

Beautiful video, but I wouldn't be able to resist staying at some of those camp sites! I'm more of the lolly-gagging type. LOL We once managed to turn a 3 day paddle in to 10 days on the Peace River here in Florida.

[@MySelfReliance]

lol. There are 1900 campsites in Algonquin Park alone, and most of them are better than the average crown land campsite. I like to camp too, but there's just so darn much country to see out there. :)

[@brentkelly5445]

omg u did it in a day! I did the other loop (head lake) in 4 days.. although I was trying to escape outdoor work in a heatwave in the city.

[@highlandtrekker]

You must of eaten your wheaties for that day trip !! Well done 😀 and thanks for sharing

[@MySelfReliance]

Lol. Tim Horton's

[@highlandtrekker]

+My Self Reliance (Shawn James) of course !!! What was I thinking lol

[@RandomButtonPusher]

For coffee, donuts or both? ;)

[@MySelfReliance]

+Random Button Pusher Lol. Tea, 10 timbits, breakfast sandwich, hash brown in Orillia and an iced coffee in Huntsville. 1500 calories

[@patkeeler6645]

+My Self Reliance ive been on smoke lake 4x on 5 day trip.

[@freddielplankaprod1371]

just wow. that s the real life! Us n Elements!

[@simonhopkins3867]

cool video my friend.

[@giselecontassotdesayvre3965]

Wow j'adore. .merci

[@shieh.4743]

43km is impressive solo. We usually stick to 30km days + portages and we’re a couple. And we are fairly experienced out there, but we do take a lot more gear.

[@tweeterthemonkeyman383]

Your amazing!

[@trhuntfish4634]

Muito legal seus vídeos , sou brasileiro e não perco um vídeo sei

[@johnmccormick175]

great video

[@heatherwatson8273]

Wonderful thankyou.

[@giselecontassotdesayvre3965]

Superbe!!😁

[@daneshepherd5534]

4 yrs ago. Much more relaxed now.

[@peggysueaustinmcdaniel2590]

Howdy, I want to thank you and all the Videoers for your beautiful trips that you share. I sustained a head injury in Sept 2015 due to that I can not i can't do what y'all do, trust me I am thrilled to tag along on your trips. Does your Mrs ever go with you or is this basically a male deally? Keep on keepin on. Stay safe

[@ewing21139]

Shawn, I love your videos. Was wondering if you happened to know Cecil Skinner ,over east of you guys , I think he is over north east by the big waters.

[@cliffordwright1603]

Another great video great scenery and pictures you capture how is your goal of 100 lakes going?

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks Clifford. I've been distracted by other destinations, but I think I'm at 120-130 in Algonquin. I thought you were headed way up north right now?

[@juanligorria8606]

hi, i have a question: what material is that canoe made from? you seem to hold it and carry it without much problem. it seems really light. thanks. i really love your channel

[@Okikor1]

Nice canoe. How much does it weigh?

[@THENEWWRANGLER]

Great video, I just ordered a swift pack boat the 13.6 like Joe uses. I also ordered it with the removable carbon yoke, i noticed you are using the warner paddle with a water weenie on it as a way to support the boat on your shoulders while portaging . Did I waste some money by getting the removable yoke? how do you find that method of carry? how do you attach the paddle to the boat in order to set this method of carry up?

[@MySelfReliance]

I'm not a fan of the removable yoke. It's constantly slips and it's one more thing to manage. However, it works fine for Joe as long as he has some tape on the gunwales.

[@THENEWWRANGLER]

do you find that method you were using to be quick to set up each portage? what are you using to attach the paddles to the boat?

[@richardsiegler8456]

I’m not understanding the reason for your marathon trip. My own trips to Algonquin, BWCA or Quetico was to reconnect with nature, Spirit and Creator. Your trip reminds me of the man telling me of how sweet the honeysuckle smelled while driving his sports car at 70 mph. No matter how long a trip I took, it was never long enough, for as soon as it ended, I wished to return.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

How did you handle Devil's Razor? Did you portage around, lift over or what?

[@MySelfReliance]

James Ellsworth lift over

[@janycler9097]

very good

[@athollmcnicoll256]

Yes its a good thing to know your body can do it but next year , one down the line may not be so easy as I find when I go out scrambling on rocks . Cheers Shawn.

[@rialobran]

I bet that made bits ache you forgot you had, great journey though :)

[@MySelfReliance]

Thanks. No aches from this one for some reason. I did sleep well though!

[@jimkaspar8320]

Very peaceful. The map and description seems like the trip would take 12 hours in a car. Lol Hard to get the scale.

[@masterbaric]

Shawn you rock!!! What is the length and model of your canoe please? I see u picking it in one hand lol.

[@mtpromises0813]

I know it's a year old but just wanted to say thanks for the videos. You do a great job. What software are you using to outline the map and where can I find that map online?

[@MySelfReliance]

That’s Jeff’s Maps and I use Avenza to access it on my cell phone

[@mtpromises0813]

My Self Reliance I'll have to check out Avenza. How did you do the 'tracing your route' in the video? I'm taking my boys with me in May to do La Cloche Silhoutte in Killarney. I wanted to document our trip and I really like the way you mapped your route.

[@infosociety2112]

What type of Swift boat are you using?

[@RobertVincelli]

Great video, very peaceful. Where did you get the music? Pairs perfectly with the footage.

[@MySelfReliance]

Credits at the end - mostly KZbin audio library

[@jammer777]

Please how can I find out more about your video recording gear for these amazing videos?

[@aubieal0878]

Do you ever run across snakes on these trips or around your cabin in summer/fall?

[@dragansavic7066]

❤👍 Serbia

[@THENEWWRANGLER]

I am going late May and again in Late Aug.

[@patkeeler6645]

been on smoke L 4x there's a flag pole at one end

[@dansallsadventurersinlife4311]

you really pushed yourself on this one buddy

[@MySelfReliance]

Lol, the first of several that I've done recently. I think I like it!

[@dansallsadventurersinlife4311]

+My Self Reliance (Shawn James) no better feeling, do more live more!

[@Naughtz]

That's a beast of a loop. You definitely don't get to enjoy nature the way it should be travelling at that pace you are just covering ground not exploring.

[@MySelfReliance]

Not true at all. Think about it - at 5 km/hr, the shoreline, which is what I paddle along, is not exactly whizzing by. I stopped long enough at every interesting thing to take 5 hours of video and almost 1,000 photographs. If you consider that I don't stop for lunch or dinner, I would say that I saw more detail than the average paddler.

[@janycler9097]

BBC arr