Short notice backpacking trip in QEW

On this trip we will backpack on the Ganaraska Trail ‘Wilderness section’ in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands II Provincal Park (QEW). Participants MUST have several prior experiences backpacking (more than 5 nights).

I have been traveling a lot recently so I have done little planning. Additionally this is a section of trail I have no experience hiking so conditions are unknown and I may get lost. Due to these factors this trip is only open to confident and self sufficient backpackers.

Conditions

• Likely be rough as this is a less accessible section of the Ganaraska Trail.

• The trail may be overgrown in sections, I have hiked through 50M of raspberry before.

• Bugs can be very bad in QEW and with the abundant rain I have no reason to suspect they won’t also be an issue.

• Campsites are primitive and likely there will be no privies/thunder-boxes so cat-holing experience is important.

The itinerary

Day 1, Saturday:

We will start in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands leaving from the Victoria bridge trailhead at 10:30 AM. Below are driving directions from downtown Kitchener to the trailhead.

https://goo.gl/maps/6eeUWxWxjo62

We will hike the Ganraska Trail west and attempt to cover most of the ‘High Falls’ LoopTrail’ camping on one of the sites on the loop.

Day 2, Sunday:

The destination is variable based on how fast the group and trail are. The basic idea will be hike back through the ‘Graveyard’ section and the Montgomery Creek Loop Trail to Otter junction. If we get there early we may continue to campsite near ‘Deep Gully’. If we don’t find conditions easy/fast we will camp at the site near Otter Junction.

Day 3, Monday (Labour Day):

We will hike back to Victoria Bridge somewhat scratched up. We may be there early or late afternoon depending on where we camp Sunday night.

Other notes

Distances are not given because they are variable. We will aim to hike most of the day, until about 6:30.

You can find a map of QEW here.

http://www.explorethebackcountry.com/qewmap

The parking lot is small so minimizing the number of cars is important. Please use the message space on the trip page to arrange car pools and gear sharing.

As for expenses there are no fees at QEW but cars are expected to split the cost of fuel evenly between the passengers and driver.

Be prepared to sign a liability waiver at the trailhead.