ALGONQUIN PARK WOLF HOWL
WOLF HOWL AT ALGONQUIN PARK
In August of this year we wrote an article about Algonquin Park. We have received a letter here at Travel Advice Pages from Verna S who spent a holiday in the Park this summer with her Grandson and his friend. It was so interesting we thought you would all like to read it.
Here is an extract from Verna’s letter:
“I took Jacob, our oldest grandchild, camping in Algonquin Park for 5 days. He also had a friend join him and 10 year old boys are busy. We hiked different trails each morning and then biked along an abandoned railway turned into a biking trail each afternoon - approx 15 km.”
“One amazing aspect of this camping trip was being part of a ‘Wolf Howl’. It is an event that only occurs on Thursdays in the month of August, and only if the naturalists are able to locate a wolf pack within road access. To participate, you check the bulletin board on the Thursday morning and then if there is a Wolf Howl, you are instructed to meet at an outdoor theatre, which is located along the main highway, halfway through the park. You are instructed to have a full tank of gas in your vehicle and to meet at 8 pm. The naturalists give an informative talk about the wolves in Algonquin Park and then everyone gets in their vehicles and are directed to the observation area to hopefully hear the wolves answer back to the naturalists who are calling to them. The Thursday we were part of this Howl, there were 1460 people present which meant there were approx 300 cars heading down the highway. That in itself was an amazing site to see all of these cars ahead and behind you. When we reached the area of the Howl, they directed people to park along both sides of the highway and stand beside their cars. At this point, the police have closed both directions of the main highway leading through the park and the line of parked cars on the side of the highway extended for at least one to one and a half miles. This process of leaving the outdoor theatre and reaching our destination took approximately 90 minutes. The organization and volunteer work was excellent and very efficient. The night was warm and very clear and as you stood beside your car with no lights except the stars and moon - that also was an amazing experience. Anyway when the naturalists starting howling to the wolves, there was complete silence - nobody coughed, sniffled, whispered, etc. It was just so silent and yes the wolves answered back. With all of the howling and yipping it sounded like the pack had a least 20 wolves. What an incredible experience for the two 10 year old boys and Nana.
“they only have the Wolf Howls in August - the baby wolves are now old enough to travel with the pack therefore the packs are on the move. The naturalists spend each Tuesday and Wednesday night trying to locate a wolf pack that will answer them. If they get a response from the same pack on both nights then they post the notice on the bulletin boards of each campground and at the many visitor’s centres throughout the park and I am certain it must be posted on the Algonquin Park website as well. If they are unable to locate wolf packs on the Tuesday and Wednesday nights, then no Wolf Howl takes place and campers spend a quiet evening by their campfires instead. The Wolf Howls have been occurring in Algonquin Park for the past forty years. Prior to this, wolves were hunted throughout the park. In the 1960’s, the Park asked a renowned naturalist to visit the park and study the wolf population and he replied yes but only if they stopped killing the wolves. Wise man! During this study period, it was decided to invite the campers to one of the Wolf Howls the naturalists were conducting. They thought perhaps 30 people may be interested but 600 attended the first Howl. It was deemed such a success that is has been part of the events offered at Algonquin Park ever since.”
What an amazing experience for all the family, really something not to be missed. A real Wow moment for the kids.
We hope you enjoyed Verna’s letter and her comments on her experiences at the Wolf Howl at Algonquin Park.
Remember you are welcome to send articles, opinions, photographs and videos of your holidays and travel experiences.
ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK
Algonquin Provincial Park is located about 210 K north of Toronto, Ontario. It can be accessed from both Highway 11 and Highway 17. It has 7,630 square kilometres of forests, lakes and rivers. It provides a true wilderness experience.
If you decide to visit in the spring you will be there in time for some of the best trout fishing imaginable. If fishing is not your thing just take an early morning drive to see the most wonderful moose viewing in Ontario and to see the forest at it’s spring best. It may not be as famous as the Autumn colours but in spring you will see pastel green Trembling Aspen leaves, pink Red Maples, white Cherry blossom and silvery Largetooth Aspen.
Summer in Algonquin is the most popular time for visitors. You can enjoy camping and canoeing, fishing and hiking, photography and nature walks, raspberry picking and toasting marshmallows on your camp fire. This is a fabulous time of year for the whole family from tots to Gran. There is something for everyone to do and plenty of activities and facilities to keep everyone happy on their summer vacation.
Although summer may be the best time to visit Algonquin, Fall, comes a very close second. The fall colours alone make a trip worthwhile, especially if you catch the maples at their peak in the last week of September or, in the first few days of October. The spectacle of hundreds of square miles of red and golden orange forest, blue lakes, and evergreen shores is one that no one should miss. As it is cooler you can enjoy camping and hiking with no biting insects!
Canisbay Lake, Mew Lake, Lake of Two Rivers, and Rock Lake campgrounds remain open until Thanksgiving (second Monday in October), as do the three lodges in the Parkway Corridor. After Thanksgiving, Mew Lake Campground (at km 30.6 along the Highway 60 Corridor) continues to remain open year-round offering a limited number of campsites (some with electricity) and a fully-winterized comfort station (flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities).
For anyone wishing to take part there is a group education program offered through the Friends of Algonquin Park. The topics range from plants to wolves and from early logging history to modern Park management.
Algonquin is equally fascinating in Winter. Ski through winter woods, over ridges and down the long hills. You will find tracks of deer, moose, otter, fox, wolves and martens. You are also quite likely to see the animals themselves. There is still plenty of bird life too. For the most hardy among you there are also a limited number of campsites available. The Mew Lake Campground also has seven Yurts available in winter for an unusual winter adventure holiday. There are more than 100 kilometres of cross country ski trails and unlimited snow shoeing possibilities. There is also dogsledding available at two locations in the park.
Whatever time of year you visit Algonquin you are sure to have a wonderful time especially if you follow a few of their simple guidlines:
Wear appropriate clothes and foot wear for the time of year, be prepared for cold weather emergencies, during the winter - time your hikes for daylight hours, avoid ice travel, winter camping requires special care and equipment, make sure someone knows where you are and when you are due back, choose a trail suitable for your abilities. Generally just use your common sense and remember you are in a wilderness area and go prepared.
Algonquin Provincial Park is a marvelous wilderness area. It has provided millions of visitors with wonderful holidays and wonderful memories and we are sure it will be doing so for many years to come.
