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Mark McCarvill
9-Aug-2006, 11:07
Am planning my first hiking & photography (4x5 B&W) trip to the Muskoka area and would welcome any tips on interesting scenes / trails to check out. Advice on cheap places to stay (e.g. hostels, B&B’s) also appreciated.

I found some trail info here (http://www.muskokatrails.com)but am looking to make a shortlist for this first visit.

Thanks!

Robert Skeoch
9-Aug-2006, 16:09
What area's are you planning to be near?

There is a place called High Falls off the highway near Bracebridge if you go that far.

If you go to Midland, check out the Budd Watson gallery. He shot 5x7 colour landscape of the area for years. I haven't been to his gallery in a few years but I think his son still runs it following Budd's death a few years back.

Rob Skeoch
www.bigcameraworkshops.com

Mark McCarvill
9-Aug-2006, 16:52
Thanks, Rob.

Haven’t picked specific destinations yet because I'm still doing my research, but Bracebridge / High Falls are definitely within my range. Will look into that gallery you mentioned too.

Mark

snuck
9-Aug-2006, 18:32
There's so much to see in Muskoka... be sure to rent out a canoe, early in the morning... although LF by Canoe must take some work to get right... Can't get the damn thing still enough!

Donald Brewster
10-Aug-2006, 15:24
You might also try the Bala area. Seems like there are many inexpensive cabin motels in the general area. I love all the cap rock formations, courtesy of the Laurentian Shield. Lots to see, especially by boat (tough with a LF camera I know). Several waterfalls in the area, cranberry bogs, and other interesting sites. I could just take pictures of all the extraordinary wooden boats that people seem to use and collect in the Muskoka area. Amazing stuff (and I'm not really a boat guy). Have a great trip. Here is a few web links:

http://www.muskoka.com/falls/
http://www.township.muskokalakes.on.ca/trails.htm
http://www.butsonboats.com/
http://www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com/Members'_Studios/Photography/photography.htm
http://www.cranberry.ca/

Mark McCarvill
11-Aug-2006, 07:26
Thanks for the tips, folks. Keep them coming.

I would love to combine canoeing with LF but this will take some time and practice. Roman Loranc is one photographer who’s successfully done this in my view: http://www.kqed.org/arts/people/spark/profile.jsp?id=7081

Mark

hundalei
2-Sep-2006, 13:33
Hi, I'm a new member but saw your post & had to respond. I have a cottage in the Bala area and that is where I learned my passion for photography. If you are planning your trip I hope it is to catch the fall colours & I'm not too late! One place you & all others should check out is the Torrance Barrens. This is a conservation area 15 minutes out of Bala, that is absolutely beatuful with no end of wildlife & nature to shoot. Beautiful lakes & trasils & marshlands to shoot. The [U]Precambrian shield rock shows very well throughout the area. The Barrens is also North America's first Dark Sky Reserve. There is a virtual 360 degree veiw of the night sky, and no lights are allowed anywhere near the area. I have spent many nights camping here & capturing the night skys, thunderstorm's, etc. Here's a link for you. http://www.muskokaheritage.org/natural/torrancebarrens.asp
If you find a map you can follow the Golden circle of Muskoka. Hwy 169 through Gravenhurst & Bala, West (right) on Hwy 118 through Port Carling & Bracebridge & Hwy 11 south back to Gravenhurst. This route takes you through Lakes Muskoka, Joseph & Rosseau. If you jaunt off the highways here & there you will find many lovely scenes. Feel free to email me at hundalei@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Happy Shooting!

hundalei
2-Sep-2006, 13:40
One other quick note. Canoeing & cameras in Muskoka is risky business. Many rocks lie just beneath the surface of the water in many lakes. These are quite frequently marked by bouys in the summer by the privately run Lake associations, but are taken out as soon as the water is cold. Keep a close eye out.