bornapplet: Winter: Algonquin Park 2

After a night's hike, a chance for trying the sauna and polar dip and a night's rest, Algonquin Park awakes itself.

A true Canadian landscape, of vastness and wilderness, Algonquin Provincial Park inspires some, and transcend others.

To walk on foot through the several feet depth of snow, a waterproof boots with good pair of socks is essential. With a pair of snow shoes, it would probably make trekking through the snow easier, but it adds extra burden to the legs.

It may seem a primary equipment, but these snow shoes, in a modern country, cost CAD$120.

Through the walk in the forest, it can easily understood how painters, poets could derived their inspirations from.

Most of forest, other than the trees, is deprived of any wildlife in sight. The bears, beavers and moose are still in hibernation. A walk through the deep forest, during the winter, is thus a safer encounter.

Animals might not be sight, but the view is amazing, almost a fantasy.

With an additional wilderness experience, a campfire was being set up on top of snow, using dried branches to get some relieve from the cold during lunch.

After the much needed lunch, the long walk through the winter forest continues. And finally the lake.

Every sight a painting, every turn a natural wonder.

It is only in winter that travellers are able to access to this part of the forest. Due to presence of bugs, undergrowth and marsh during the warmer months, it is almost impossible to walk through to this lake. In winter, it is only the snow and cold that stops the footsteps of travellers from reaching this great view of the park.

And it is only in winter, that crossing the lake on foot is at all possible. It is late winter, going into early spring, which means an increased risk of falling into the lake. However, travelers should be alert by walking near the shore of the lake. And the ice do not just break instantly when weight is exerted on it, but an initial cracking sound will be heard, and travelers should fall towards the shore for an increase chance in survival.