Autumn in Algonquin

I had never felt so rich. Surrounded by unlimited gold while walking on grounds of red rubies, sprinkled with fiery ambers. The colours of fall are a breathtaking sight.

(c) Krystal Seecharan
Algonquin Provincial Park- September 2020

One of the many things I love about Canada is that every season offers an exclusive landscape. On a spontaneous trip up north in September of 2020, my boyfriend and I watched the trees transition from lush green in Toronto to red, orange, and yellow the further north we drove. A delightful surprise.

Because of its high elevation, Autumn greets Algonquin Provincial Park earlier than in Toronto and the GTA. Heading there towards the end of September, a fresh paint of vibrant colours and a lush carpet of leaves welcomed our arrival.

Like many camping trips, the best way to enjoy it is to venture through the hiking trails. Time spent at our campsite was subordinated, if not entirely subsumed, by the vast open forest to explore.

Before setting up our camp, we embarked on a trail that led us to a beautiful waterfall. Here, we explored the cascade from the top of the falls and the rapids at the bottom. We then trekked through the surrounding terrain before setting up a tent as darkness started to settle in.

That night we had an early sleep to enable a prompt morning start. We wanted to ensure no daylight was wasted. We spent all day (literally 16 hours) hiking and wandering through the forests. We couldn’t withdraw ourselves from the beauty that surrounded us, wishing to absorb the woods completely.

We didn’t even realize how much we had been walking until we got back to camp just before sunset, with legs feeling like jelly.

The following day was the same, except this time we did several uphill climbs giving us beautiful panoramic views of the park and the spectacle of its colours.

Of course, a trip up north would not be complete without some encounters with friendly native creatures. We came across this little turtle on the beach shore of our camp spot.

After exhausting ourselves for the first few days, we decided to enjoy the rest of the trip with leisurely strolls and relaxing along the shores with a few drinks and games.

It is important to appreciate living on a planet that is constantly changing, giving us so much to explore and learn. I will never take Earth for granted.