Me, my bro and some of our cousins, Maple Lake, circa 1970
See the beautiful white birch trees in the background? A lot of them are gone now. I’m not sure if they came to the end of their life cycle naturally or if they were diseased. I’m doubting many of them got cut down whilst healthy. I can remember someone catching hell from our grandfather way back when, for peeling bark off the white birches. Shhh! It was not me. I only picked up stuff off the ground.
I’ll be the first to admit that once I arrive at Maple Lake Ontario, I don’t stray too far from it. I mean, why leave Paradise?
It turns out as I’m gradually discovering that although Maple Lake is and will aways be my most treasured destination in Ontario and more particularly in the Township of Algonquin Highlands, there are a number of outdoor pursuits that I plan to undertake in an effort to expand my horizons, so to speak.
So having pleaded blissful ignorance of Maple Lake’s surroundings, here’s the beginning of a list that before summer comes, will probably grow quite a bit.
Firstly, I want to walk the Log Chute Trail, ” a 0.5 km stroll to see Ontario’s one of kind historic log chute heritage site,” according to the Algonquin Highlands website.
I can’t believe I’ve never been there! It sounds awesome, perfect for spouse, son and me.
Next: The James Cooper Lookout Trail, a “1.5 km trail to a lookout over Maple, Beech, Boshkung and Twelve Mile Lakes.” That must be a fantastic view! I’m already getting excited at the prospect of seeing and enjoying it!
Must remember not only the camera but the binoculars!
And finally, ( for today) The Dorset Trail Tower “From 1922 until 1961 the former Department of Lands and Forests established the 82 ft. high Tower as a forest fire lookout providing a 310 square mile viewing radius.
Part of the lower portion of the trail system toward Dorset was created with the aide of the many resident deer who feed below during the winter months.” 
“Along the trail are posted numbered Guide Markers, that name many of the tree and plant species.
The Trail base starts across from the the Dorset school and again close to Hwy 35.”
