Norm’s Cabin
Welcome to Norm’s Cabin
A beautiful two-storey log cabin on the shore of Bone Lake
The cabin is situated at the eastern extension of the Stokely Creek Lodge ski trail system and provides a superb all-season access for backcountry silent-sport enthusiasts.
By welcoming and hosting visitors at Norm’s cabin to share the beauty of the surrounding hills and lakes, the Algoma Highlands Conservancy is continuing the traditions of the original owner, Norm Bourgeois. Norm was a local trapper who for decades welcomed thousands of cross-country skiers into his cabin for tea, cookies and tall tales. A visit to Norm quickly became an annual tradition for Stokely Creek Lodge guests and many local skiers. The Algoma Highlands Conservancy purchased the property in 1996 so that Norm could continue to entertain day skiers despite his advancing age. At 88, Norm made his last trip to the cabin and passed away six years later in 2010. The cabin was closed to visitors not long after due to unsafe conditions.
In 2013 the Algoma Highlands Conservancy undertook an ambitious project to rebuild Norm’s cabin. Under leadership of Board member Dean Thompson, $200,000 was secured from two levels of government with a private partner contribution from the owners of Stokely Creek Lodge, Gaylen and Susan Byker. The old cabin was demolished and a new structure was erected by master builder Richard Kargl and his crew over a span of two years. The new cabin represents a lasting tribute to Norm Bourgeois.
While continuing its traditional role of serving tea and cookies to day skiers, the new Norm’s also provides an ideal base for overnight stays on a pay-per-use basis. Using Norm’s as a home base, skiers, snow-shoers, hikers, mountain-bikers and paddlers can explore the beauty of the rolling hills, wetlands and lakes that are so characteristic of the Algoma Highlands. The remote cabin is fully outfitted with basic amenities to make your stay easy and comfortable.
Norm’s Cabin Print
by Naturally Illustrated
Get your own Norm's Cabin print to honour your memories made during your stay!
Amenities
The cabin provides the amenities you will need for a comfortable stay, including a propane heater, propane lights, woodstove, and fully equipped kitchen with a propane fridge and propane range. For sleeping, the cabin offers one single and two queen-size beds with vinyl-covered mattresses upstairs, foam mattresses for two additional persons who don’t mind sleeping on the floor, and a futon in front of the woodstove. All you have to bring is your own food and bedding (sleeping bag, pillow case).
The main floor of the cabin includes an open-concept kitchen, dining and lounge area with views of Bone Lake. A spacious lower deck provides an area for sitting out in the sun and drinking in the view of the lake and the surrounding rolling hills. Inside, the stairway, constructed of solid white pine timbers provides access to the second story, which is divided into a landing, a storage closet and two bedrooms with an upper deck overlooking the lake.
A propane wall-mounted heater and a wood stove provide heat for cooler months. Dry fuel wood and kindling is provided. The cabin does not have running water but the kitchen area has a sink, as well as a four-burner propane range, a propane refrigerator and a full array of standard kitchenware including pots, pans, coffee maker, tea kettle, utensils, plates, bowls, cups and even a corkscrew! During the summer months, drinking water is obtained by treating water from the lake. During the winter, drinking water is obtained by melting snow. An ice auger can be found in the shed to drill a hole in the ice of Bone Lake if you do not want to melt snow. The lake contains Giardia (beaver fever) and water needs to be treated to remove the risk of infection. Two outhouses are situated outside. Detailed instructions on safe and appropriate use of the woodstove and propane appliances can be found in the Norm’s Cabin Manual binder. Safety gear at the cabin includes a fire-extinguisher, smoke alarm, CO monitor and various battery-operated lanterns.
Norm’s cabin provides a very safe, comfortable and tranquil location where you can kick back, relax and enjoy the natural world. There is limited Internet reception (4G) and cell service depends on your service provider. Enjoy the rhythms of your natural environment!
Tribute to Norm Bourgeois
Norm Bourgeois (1916-2010) was a local legend known for welcoming cross-country skiers into his cabin for a cup of tea, a cookie and at least one entertaining tale. In the winter of 2000 he welcomed his 10,000th guest! The log walls and ceiling in his ramshackle cabin featured an astounding collection of unusual artifacts, each with a unique story. His stories, ranging from a description of a self-made diving helmet, his porcupine quill hat or his times as a cook in logging camps mesmerized guests of all ages. Norm's animated antics and words drew gales of laughter from the crowds that regularly assembled at his cabin on so many winter weekends.
After turning eighty, Norm found it increasingly challenging to keep up with the rigors of cabin living. Stokely Creek Lodge went to great lengths to facilitate Norm’s continued use of his cabin and in 1996 the Algoma Highlands Conservancy purchased the property as a means of ensuring that Norm could continue to visit and entertain in accordance with his longstanding tradition. Norm made his last trip to his cabin at the age of 88. Norm passed away on February 6, 2010 a couple weeks after his 94th birthday. It is with his spirit in mind that we have rebuilt the cabin, which will always carry his name and memories. We are confident Norm would be pleased we are continuing his traditions of welcoming and hosting outdoor enthusiasts to share the beauty of the Algoma Highlands.
Rebuilding of Norm’s
Imagine the challenge of building a two-storey cabin from locally milled square timbers. Now imagine trying to build in a remote environment 12 km from the nearest paved road and where even bush trails are impassable for significant portions of the year. Finally, imagine the added pressure of having only 9 months to get the structure closed-in before the onset of a notorious winter so typical of the Algoma Highlands area. These were just some of the thoughts of master craftsman Richard Kargl of Stokely Creek Lodge when he was contracted in 2013 to redevelop“Norm’s Cabin.
The new Norm’s cabin is made up of 120 timbers, weighing up to 400 lbs each. Each timber took between 3-4 days to prepare. Once arrived from the mill, they were laid out for length, labelled for positioning, notched, drilled, grooved, roughly sanded, sanded again, treated against mildew and carpenter ants, and painted with three coats of stain (each coat taking a solid 24 hours to dry). Each day, two timbers went through this vigorous prepping, requiring 8-10 hours of constant labour.
Once prepped, transporting them was the next step. Each trip began by loading up a trailer and pulling it down the 10-km bush trail to the boat launch. There the timbers were transferred to a pontoon boat and then slowly ferried across Bone Lake to the build site. Richard recalled that “the 24-feet structural timbers had to be floated out one at a time, and we had to be very careful in balancing and not overweighting the pontoon boat.” Up to four of the smaller timbers could be loaded at a time, but the 2-km trip to the cabin took an hour. The construction required handling of approximately 120 tonnes of material.
Of course any good building requires a good foundation. For this, Richard subcontracted long-time friend Enn Poldmaa. A few days and 250 concrete blocks later, the foundation was complete and Kargl and crew began to erect the walls. The process of building the cabin in this location resulted in every timber being handled five times. Once the walls were up, the windows and classic red metal roof were installed, completely closing-in the cabin just before snow fall. The crew recalls cutting it close, having to break through ice with the pontoon boat as the last materials required for close-in were transported and installed.
During the winter and into 2014 Kargl found himself working for both Stokely Creek Lodge and the Algoma Highlands Conservancy. He focused on installing the floorboards, dividing walls, gable siding, and other tasks. Iron piping, propane appliances, a chimney and a woodstove were installed. Excess pine flooring was used for construction of tables and kitchen counters, giving the cabin a warm homey feeling.
The new Norm’s cabin is made up of 120 timbers, weighing up to 400lbs each. Each timber took between 3-4 days to prepare. Once arrived from the mill, they were laid out for length, labelled for positioning, notched, drilled, grooved, roughly sanded, sanded again, treated against mildew and carpenter ants, and painted with three coats of stain (each coat taking a solid 24 hours to dry). Each day, two timbers went through this vigorous prepping, requiring 8-10 hours of constant labour.
It took two full years to complete the new Norm’s cabin, which stands as a testimony not only to the legendary Norm Bourgeois, but to the ingenuity, impeccable workmanship and dedication of master builder Richard Kargl.
The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is proud of this major achievement and is forever indebted to Richard and his team for their hard work, commitment and dedication. Kargl is the first to acknowledge the dedication of his crew, volunteers and numerous supporters were key to the ultimate success of the project. Summer students Tyler Morin, Mathew Fitton, and Pascal Tuarze assisted while Owen Blake acted as right-hand man. Cynthia Marcinkowski provided support in ordering materials and financial management. Gaylen Byker was a key advocate of the project, providing both financial support, loans of several pieces of critical equipment and the pontoon boat to transfer materials and equipment to the building site. A special thanks is also extended to the many individuals who volunteered personal time, and in some cases, much more to ensure that the final goal of this project was achieved, including Jennifer and Rob Cross, Laurie and Paul McBay, Nicolle and Dean Thompson, Mitch Comrie, Kees van Frankenhuyzen, and Derek Chartrand.
Thank You to All Who Were Involved!
