Shirley Lake Loop Day Trip

I explored some of the lakes around the Crotch Lake (Shall Lake) access point in Algonquin Park.
First off, I want to apologise for the crooked portaging scenes. I had my Gopro settings set to find horizon and it made the footage crooked.
From access point 17 on the Opeongo River I headed east under the bridge and down the Opeongo River into Crotch Lake. Once on Crotch Lake I headed south and into a small bay where I came to the 495 metre portage to Oram Lake. After exploring Oram Lake I paddled back to the portage to Crotch Lake.
I then paddled north up Crotch Lake and after a wester point and south of the cluster of islands I headed east to the 485 metre portage that brought me to Robin Lake. This portage was a steady but not steep climb to Robin Lake.
Once on Robin Lake I paddled north and attempted to find, without luck, the 830 metre portage to Kinglet Lake. After not locating the portage I headed south to the only campsite on the lake. This campsite is not available for camping anymore and it appeared it was not used in a very long time. After exploring the campsite I then paddled west back to the portage to Crotch Lake.
Once on Crotch Lake again I headed northwest and up the creek for a hundred metres or so to the 1050 metre portage to Shirley Lake. This portage is relatively easy with not many hills.
I paddled north up Shirley Lake following the western shoreline until I came to the 300 metre Fog Lake portage. This portage has lost its sign but you can see nails on a stump on the shore.
I knew this portage was very steep all the way to Fog Lake so I left the kayak behind and hiked up the portage to the Lake. This portage is not well worn and seems to be seldom used.
After hiking back down to my kayak I continued my paddle north along the shore of Shirley Lake and into a bay next to the big island. To the east of the marshy area I found the 1680 metre portage to Bridle Lake. This portage is relatively flat with a few muddy sections but overall it is not too hard of a portage.
Once on Bridle Lake I paddled south east to the other end of the lake to the 640 metre portage to the Opeongo River. This portage is similar to the previous one with a few muddy sections to go through.
After completing this portage I paddled over to the Kitty Lake cabin to check it out.
From the Kitty Lake cabin it is a short paddle down the Opeongo River to Farm Lake. After paddling the full length of Farm Lake I arrived back to the access point.

[@yvonlevasseur2720]

Love your videos awesome day trip. I am building a yoke for my kayak now thanks again for the great ideal!

[@AlgonquinParkAdventures]

Nice 👍🏻 Try adding the ropes too with carabiners at each end if you have not done so already. That way you can keep your arms down and hold the kayak balanced.

[@rbrf130]

Great video and epic day trip. From the maps I have at hand (Maps by Jeff and Algonquin Adventure Maps) the portage access point from Robin Lake to Kinglet Lake could/should have been to the left of the log jam as you were facing it? Not sure if it was just before the log jam or past it a bit. It is marked on the maps as posted but overgrown. I guess the sign could be on a downed tree or just missing like the one to Fog Lake.

[@taniaakm6137]

Awesome video!

[@AlgonquinParkAdventures]

Thanks!!

[@robertblack8334]

All round good job , nice footage. What access point is that.

[@AlgonquinParkAdventures]

That was at the Shall Lake access point north of Madawaska.

[@jeffgodward133]

Nice video. Very smokey! What kind of rod is that?