Kayaking, Franklin, Mink and McKoy Islands, Georgian Bay

If you dream at night of a kayak on the horizon waiting for you, this meetup is for you.

If you daydream in your cubicle of a life better spent fossil hunting, this meetup is for you.

If you're contemplating adding some wildness to your garden, this meetup is for you.

If you simply want to move to a suburb with larger yards, this meetup is for you.

OK, enough photos showed off, enough silliness said.

Face it this meetup was created solely for you.

Itinerary:

Friday, July 10, leave as soon as possible after work for Killbear Provincial Park. Car-camp for the night.

Saturday, pick up local rental kayaks if required. Congregate at Snug Harbor by 9:30 am. Pack kayaks and launch by 10:30. Those not in boats by cutoff time are on their own.

Saturday option 2 for those renting from Swift in Waubaushene and unable to pickup by closing Friday.

Saturday 5:00 am leave KW, be first in line when Swift opens 8:30. Meet the main group at Snug Harbor by 10:00. Launch at 10:30.

Saturday both options: Paddle to Big McCoy via westside Franklin Island. Setup base camp.

Sunday, Explore the Mink Islands. Possibly venture to the Limestone Islands, although, not allowed to beach this time of year.

Or, relax on McCoy.

Or, make it a two day weekend and return to the harbor. Don't expect an escort if so doing.

Monday, July 13, return to Snug Harbor by approximately 4:00 pm via stops on Franklin Island. Return rentals. There might be a communal meal in Parry Sound prior to heading the rest of the way home.

Cost:

3 day kayak rental + Friday campsite + gas + thunder box fund

Sample costs,

$108 (single kayak) + $8 (Friday campsite) + $35 (gas) + $7 parking + $5 thunder box fund = $163 before tax

$75 (1/2 of a tandem kayak) + $8 + $35 + $7 parking + $5 thunder box fund = $130 before tax

Don't shy from tandems. With the right partner they go fast.

Saturday to Monday we are on crown land where no camping fees apply. Parking, $7/day at the marina.

Kayak Rentals:

As always with rentals the issue is hours of operation. To name a few outfitters.

Adventure Guide, Waterloo. Great policies for weekend pickup and return. Poor gas mileage hauling boats long distance.

Sojourn, Barie (http://www.sojournoutdoors.com/about-us/rentals-services/rentals/). (705) 739-9694 Possible to make closing time Friday night, impossible to make closing time Monday night.

Swift, Waubaushene (http://swiftoutside.com/stores/rentals.php). 705-538-0881 Closes at 8 pm Friday. Opens at 8 am Saturday (contrary to their web site). Closes at 8 pm for Monday, although, they have after hours drop off options.

MEC.ca Toronto For weekend rentals they provide the option to pick up the day before and return the day after the weekend.

Hiker's Haven (Oakville) 905 849-8928 I believe Hiker's Haven also has the option to pickup and return the day before and after the weekend for weekend rentals.

Caution: If tempted to rent from White Squall in Nobel (the obvious choice) be forewarned one year they cancelled a dozen boats on us on short notice, a week before the event. Something about our group size being too large. Translation, you've never heard of KW-Backcountry despite the temptation to use their kayak delivery option, reasonably priced for groups.

Difficulty:

First time kayakers and/or backcountry campers welcome. Anticipate a full 16 km of paddling the first day. Note: One year we never made it past Franklin Island due to unsafe wave conditions further out, bummer. Weather could once again determine where we end up for the weekend.

Gear:

Please view 2011's commentary from a novice at http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/messages/boards/thread/13285141#49863861

Inspiration:

Photos from 2014 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/23570492/

Photos from 2013 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/16570352/

Photos from 2012 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/9526722/

Photos from 2011 http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/2682521/

Sunset from the Minks by Margarita.

The universe from Rapier Island (the Minks) by Saman.