Backpacking in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands
I have been promising to put a backpacking trip up on the site to compete with the paddling-obsessed hordes. Here it is.
Let's go to Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. It is a little mentioned jewel of Southern Ontario. Why there, you ask? It is one of the few unmanaged parks (only?) in reasonable driving distance. For its lack of management, you get a much wilder experience with fewer crowds, more primitive conditions, and wilder wildlife.
The path we will be taking is the Ganaraska trail. As to distance to be covered, it depends on how many beaver dams we make it across during the day. That is to say we will be hiking until it is night.
Now for the scary stuff.
First off this is a trip for EXPERIENCED hikers who are self sufficient.
There are no clean water sources. You will have what you brought from home and what you treat on the trail.
There are no bathrooms, or privies, or thunder-boxes. Be prepared and knowledgeable about how to properly make a cat-hole.
That are no official established campsites. We will have to find a location to camp and assess it for safety.
The mosquitoes are likely going to be bad.
People who come on this trip must follow the Leave No Trace Ethics. Look up the following ISBN, 1560445815, for a good introduction guide. Lets leave this place as wild as we find it.
Still interested? Then read on.
The trail head we will head out on is the Victoria Bridge and from there we will head East. This can be a tough place to spot so here is a pin on Google Maps.
http://goo.gl/maps/gl6ZJ
Seriously, your GPS may not know the way so bring a printed map.
Also trail maps are a bit tricky too. The only ones I know of:
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Guidebook. You can find it in local stores sometime and order online here
http://www.ganaraska-hiking-trail.ca/membership.htm
Also this site recently popped up with a very nice map
http://www.explorethebackcountry.com/routelist/queenelizabethmap
Lets aim to be at the bridge by 10AM. I plan to leave the night before and stay somewhere in Barrie. Please budget some time for dirt roads.
There is no cost for this trip minus the gas and what you bring. I am asking everyone to put a $1 deposit to prevent people signing up and not showing up. I will refund your loonie after the trip if you come.
Carpooling details (and gear sharing) can be work out here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlPfqDgNXnDwdGZ0ZVExSTR0UV9tUERlOEFMY3JiSkE&usp=sharing