Exploratory Snowshoe Trip To Mc Crae Lake

Hey everybody This trip is a Recon trip of sorts. To see winter conditions of this hopefully new KW Backcountry haunt. I have been on this trail once and I would like to Map it properly. Seeing as it is crown land and is an unofficial trail sort of. The official trail ends at Eagles Nest. However a fantastic and enthusiastic bunch of backpakers have bush whacked a trail all the way to Mc Crae lake and then some. This will be a small group Due to the fact there might be some back peddling. The trail has been marked but has some rocky barren segments. These parts have no blazes because of the lack of trees. The segments in question are few and far between but will be the obstacle I'd like to sort out. There will be two ways to camp one that B lines it and is around 8 km. the other is a round about way and you must cross a flowing stream. This route is about 12 km. If this stream is not frozen then we must travel 4 km back to the trail head. Then travel roughly 3 to 4 km. the stream is a bout 800 m from camp. So the options will be with the group at hand.

The Game Plan.

Saturday

Travel up to the Mc Crae Lake parking lot just off the 400 hwy. Take the Crooked Bay Rd Exit. take a right onto Crooked Bay Rd. take the first right to get back on the hwy. AKA 400 south. There will be a side road to your left. Take it or your going back towards home and we'll all have a little chuckle at the parking lot.

Important info about the parking lot. I am unsure if it is plowed so be prepared. the lot is less than 100 m down the side road. But just a heads up.

Get on the trail by 9:30 I will wait till 10:00 am If weather is a problem. We will take breaks accordingly for delamination, food and water.

Once at camp we'll set up our tents and then gather fire wood. If it is still light out We'll investigate the stream crossing. Then head back to camp and cook supper and talk about whatever. Then hit the hay or in our case the down.

Sunday

Wake up have a good breakfast. If the stream in question is frozen We could take the long way back to the parking lot. This option will be up for debate. It is not a must. Especially if the stream is still in a liquid state. After returning to the parking lot group photo it up and mission accomplished.

Costs:

This is crown land so no cost for camping.

Shared gas split the cost of fuel up fairly.

This is a Beginner to intermediate winter trip. Please insure you are properly prepared and are capable of traveling an over all distance of 16 to 24 km in snowshoes.

That being said lets go have fun looking for new places to enjoy.