The Jack Pine
Carcajou Bay, Algonquin Park
The Jack Pine, by Tom Thomson, is one of Canada's best known paintings and that particular tree is probably the best known tree in Canadian Art. Almost certainly, that tree no longer exists. Indeed, an urban (bush?) -myth has it that it was burned as firewood in the '70s.
But while the "original" jack pine is now gone, its relatives live on in the Achray area.
2004 August 31
Today I was paddling in Carcajou Bay and discovered this tree. To my eye, the resemblance of this tree to Tom Thomson's jack pine is uncanny.
It is interesting that the above linked National Gallery Page claims that the location of The Jack Pine was Little Cauchon Lake. While it is perhaps rash to challenge the National Gallery regarding icons of Canadian art, I believe that, in this case, the Gallery is mistaken. The site of The Jack Pine is near Achray on Grand Lake looking towards Carcajou Bay. Indeed, to my dismay, a plaque marking the site was recently erected and has vandalized what was once such a beautiful location. See: The Tom Thomson Jack Pine Site -- Desecration of a Beautiful Spot.
Related Pages
The Jack Pine
Photographs of a jack pine bearing an uncanny resemblance to that in the painting
Desecration of a Beautiful Spot
A rant, with photographs, about the desecration of the site of the Tom Thomson painting, The Jack Pine
An Early Fall Hike Around Berm Lake and Johnston Lake
An account, with photographs of an early fall hike around Berm Lake and Johnston Lake in eastern Algonquin Park
Where are "The Cascades"?
Some comments on the place names "The Cascades" and "High Falls" in eastern Algonquin Park
An Early Spring Day in Algonquin Park
An account, with photographs, of a day hike in Algonquin Park in the early Spring.
Early Spring Along the Road to Lake Travers
A description with photographs of an early spring drive along the Achray Road (aka Barron Canyon Road) to Lake Travers in Algonquin Park
Early Spring in the Barron Canyon
An account, with photographs of an early spring canoe trip in the Barron Canyon.
High Falls at High Water
The High Falls area of the Barron River, near Achray in Algonquin Park, provides striking scenery and a natural water slide. It is especially impressive in the early Spring
The Other Barron Canyon
An account of a canoe outing to First Chute on the Barron River and the other Barron Canyon
Eastern Wolf -- Canis lycaon
An account, with photographs of an encounter with an Eastern Wolf (Canis lycaon) in eastern Algonquin Park.
Turkey Vulture
Photos of a turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River near Point Alexander.
Booth's Rock Trail
An account, with photographs of a hike around Booth's Rock Trail in Algonquin Park
The Story of a Canoe
Our reliable old 15 ft lightweight Grumman Canoe was severely damaged this past winter. While repairable, we realize with regret that we will probably never paddle it again. Its story is related here.
Trip Log - Canoe Lake to Brent and Return
An account with photographs of a canoe trip in 1976 May, crossing Algonquin Park from Canoe Lake to Brent and return along the Nipissing River and Petawawa River.
Exploring the Pembroke Lumber Company Site
An account with photographs of a hike into the old mill site of the Pembroke Lumber Company on Lake Travers in Algonquin Park.
Do Black Bears Swim?
An account, with photographs of two black bears -- Ursus americanus -- swimming across Grand Lake in eastern Algonquin Park.
Trip Log - Brent to Carl Wilson Lake
An account, with photographs, of a three day, two night solo canoe trip in northern Algonquin Park, from Brent on Cedar Lake to Carl Wilson Lake and return.
The Hawk Trail
A gallery of photos from along the Hawk Trail in the Petawawa Research Forest
The Debris at the Bottom of the Pond
A beaver dam on Maunsell Creek in the Petawawa Research Forest has burst and washed out Bypass Road. The partially drained beaver pond reveals evidence of the previous presence of some sort of building or structure. This page presents a gallery of photos of the revealed evidence.
Ooze Lake
An account, with photographs, of a visit to Ooze Lake in Eastern Algonquin Park, describing its ecology and an encounter with a cow moose and calf.
To High Falls and the Water Slide
An account, with photographs, of visiting High Falls and the water slide on the Barron River in Algonquin Park the hard way -- by canoe from High Falls Lake.
A Walk to Ghost Lake in Algonquin Park
Some photos from a hike through the Rana Lake Red Oak Nature Reserve in Algonquin Park, starting from the Brent Road at Rana Lake, walking to Pan Lake and then following the portage to Ghost Lake,
passing the site of the old Brent fire tower en route
Little Bonnechere River
An account, with photographs, of an exploration of the Little Bonnechere River between Couchain Lake and Sligo in Algonquin Park by canoe.
Trip Log: Brent to Catfish Lake
An account with picture of a solo canoe trip from Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park to Catfish Lake and return.
Trip Log - Brent, Nipissing River, Catfish lake
Diary and Photos from a four day / three night solo caoe trip from Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park, up the Nipissing River, across through Luckless Lake to Catfish Lake and then back to Brent through Narrowbag Lake and the Petawawa River
