Fall Color Report for 2008

October 10, 2008.We still have quite a few leaves left on the trees but they are coming down fast due to high winds and plenty of rain before frosty evenings. The peak color has passed while hemlocks are just starting to show their brilliant yellow colors.

September 28, 2008.The leaves are just reaching their prime this week with lots of yellows showing in the birches, aspens and poplars. The maples, although in lesser numbers, are a deep red with some oranges also scattered through the foliage. Both the red and white pines are shedding last year's growth of needles and appear as an overall mottled green and rusty yellow. These colors arer expected to last for another one or two weeks before starting to fall off the trees. The Hemlocks, as pictured below, have barely started to show any color changes but should be reaching their brilliant yellow color in the next few weeks.

The lodge is located directly in front of Temagami's White Bear Old Growth Red and White Pine Forest. Originally destined by the MNR to be a clear-cut logging operation, the community rallied together in the early '90's and had it preserved as a Conservation Reserve.This classification permanently prohibits any resource extraction (logging and mining) while still allowing traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, trapping and farming (picking nuts, fruits and berries). An extensive trail system now interconnects this 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of unspoiled ancient wilderness which contains many red pines over 1 Meter (3 Feet) and white pines up to 1 1/2 Meters (5 Feet) in diameter and is the sixth largest stand of old growth pine remaining in the world. Several species of plants, including rare northern orchids and fungi which are native to an undisturbed eco-system can be found here (described in more detail on the Orchid Page and the Mushroom Page).

Guided or self-guided tours are available all year either by hiking boots, cross-country skis or snowshoes. During the summer, a water taxi is available for a drop-off at one location and pick-up at another to eliminate walking the same path twice for people preferring a self-guided tour. Departure and arrival times can be arranged for your convenience. Guided tour departure/arrival times are also easily arranged to suit any schedule. In the winter months, shuttles by snowmobile can be arranged to the beginning of the trail system at several locations for people looking for quick access. Others prefer the scenic 2 km. excursion by snowshoes (rentals available) or their own XC skis, directly from the lodge.

Guided tours by a semi-professional free-lance photographer can be arranged by the half or whole day. Come as an individual or as a group to see nature through your own still format (film or digital) camera or VCR. Camouflaged stands are available for wildlife viewing opportunities. A user-friendly portable tree stand is available for photographers, painters or anyone just wanting to catch a glimpse of the forest from an elevated position. We can supply everything except cameras.

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