Bell-David Lakes, Killarney Provincial Park Trip Report
Aug 9-11, 2003

Participants: Sylvie, Sherri, Chris, Brent

Our trip started Friday afternoon when Brent and Sherri arrived at Bell Lake access in Killarney and paddled to a nearby campsite on Bell Lake. Brent and Sherri then paddled back to the parking lot to leave a note for Chris and Sylvie specifying the campsite number since they would be arriving late in the evening.

Chris and Sylvie's arrival in the dark evening was recognized by the bobbing up and down of a headlamp in the distance. Flashing a headlamp from shore guided them to the correct campsite. In the darkness they had run into land (a small island actually) only once. (As the newsletter editor, and the stern paddler in that particular canoe, I have to state in my own defence that my bow paddler, Sylvie, had the flashlight and we did not actually touch land but it was shockingly close.)

Saturday was a travel day, moving from Bell Lake into Three Mile Lake, over a 30 m marine railway into Balsam Lake (and yes, we could have portaged the whole 30 metres but it wouldn't have been as much fun), and, after a 665 m portage, into David Lake. Other canoeists on the portage recommended site # 94 because of a recent sighting of a moose and large turtle from this site. So, with the anticipation of a great photo op, off to site # 94 we went. As it turns out we didn't see any moose (or is that meese? mice? (no, that's been used already), mooses?).

The weather on Saturday was nice enough to go for an afternoon swim from our campsite. The water was surprisingly cool; so cool in fact that Sylvie never did make it in past her ankles. Our frolicking along the shallow waters came to an abrupt end with the arrival of a large snapping turtle obviously expecting food scraps and probably willing to accept a toe or two.

The weather on Sunday was even better than Saturday; a perfect day for hiking up Silver Peak; the highest point in Killarney at 539 meters above sea level. We weren't disappointed. Silver Peak was covered in ripe blueberries that we ate along side a hungry black bear (well not quite along side but close enough!). The view was great - the Inco smoke stacks were clearly visible in the northeast and the Georgian Bay shoreline visible in the west and southwest. Not only did we see a bear at the top of Silver Peak but we also saw one on the approach trail and then another swimming across David Lake. Sherri's bear necklace and its purported bear-attracting powers (also worn during a grizzly sighting earlier in the summer) became more and more valuable as the day wore on.

Chris and Sylvie left Sunday for an early trip home and Brent and Sherri stayed until Monday. The trip back to the put-in was via David Creek (200 and 645 meter portages). Sherri and Brent were lucky enough to spot some not-so-common Sandhill Cranes feeding in David Creek. Unfortunately Chris and Sylvie couldn't enjoy fresh fish at the famous fish and chip wagon in the town of Killarney before the long drive home because of cooking equipment problems and long waits. By Monday the cooking problems had been resolved and the crowds had gone home so Brent and Sherri were able to enjoy a fine fish and chip dinner before heading home.

Thanks to all for making this trip an enjoyable experience.
Brent