After a long winter, as soon as the ice melts we’re always eager to get into the canoe and paddle the Algonquin backcountry.
This winter wasn’t notably harsh in the Algonquin Provincial Park area, but winter held on for a long time. By the end of April there was two feet of snow and the lakes were still frozen solid.
Hoping for a quick thaw, we decided to tie the red canoe to the car and head up north anyway – hoping to find some open water (and if not, snowshoe and hike cross country anyway)…
Living in southern Ontario, sometimes it’s hard to judge what conditions are really like in the Algonquin Provincial Park area. By the end of April it looked like everything was still frozen solid.
However, with a few very warm days in the forecast – and a spring thaw that was long overdue, we decided to try an early spring backcountry family canoe trip anyway.
Early spring right after ice out is an amazing time of year to go wilderness camping – those warm sunny spring days are amazing, and there are no bugs…or people.
We knew that the big lakes would still be frozen solid – but we were hoping that some of the smaller lakes that have a bit of a current might be navigable by canoe.
As it turned out, we did find some open water – enough for a short wilderness paddle and camping overnight in the backcountry – but not enough for an extended backcountry canoe trip.
This was the kids first time paddling a canoe in snow squalls, and sleeping in a tent below freezing is always cozy – but we were happy to have a beautiful sunny spring day to wake up to.
This series of photos was captured with a Nikon D800 and Nikon 20mm f/1.8 and Sigma ART 35mm f/1.4, along with a polarizing filter.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on an overcast day with light blowing snow.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on cold, bright sunny morning.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on cold, bright sunny morning.
Early spring family wilderness canoe trip to northern Ontario, Canada just after the winter ice has melted on cold, bright sunny morning.
All spring family canoe trip photos from this session are available for royalty free licensing at Stocksy United.
JP Danko is an active lifestyle photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
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