Backpacking West Side of QEW, Trip #2

The Ganaraska Trail in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands QEW offers some of the most rugged and ‘primitive’ trail hiking experiences around. Over the Labor Day holiday I took a trip to explore the least visited reaches of the QEW hiking trails. I found solitude, lovely seldom used campsites, and pleasant walking.

I also found significant navigation challenges as there is lack of detailed data on good camping spots, the primary map of the area has many serious inaccuracies, and the trail blazing is hard to follow. As a result I am returning with the goals to

• get a clean trace on the actual location of the trail

• identify points of interest such as good campsites, landmarks, etc.

This will be a backing trip open to those with previous backpacking experience; multiple years of multiple trips. Participants should expect

• getting lost including stretches of bushwacking

• a complete lack of campsite facilities (no privies), established tenting areas, etc.

• fairly strenuous long hiking days

• some light trail clearing (bring a hand pruner and/or hand clippers)

• some areas of flooded trail

• possible early season snow

Area Map

http://www.explorethebackcountry.com/qewmap

Itinerary

The trailhead is at Victoria Bridge,. The link below will show how to get there.

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

We will meet the trailhead Saturday and start hiking at 10:30 AM and hike until 5:30-6PM

We will head west on the Ganaraska Trail via the Graveyard Section. When we reach Hiker’s Graveyard we will hike the southern side of the High Falls loop.

On Sunday we will return via the Ragged Rapids trail.

Total distance will be determined by how much progress we are able to make before dark. The hiking will be a steady pace. not fast but we will not be stopping much.

Money

QEW does not has any fees. You should expect to split the cost of gas with your driver and fellow passengers.

I am collecting $1 as a deposit, I will return it to all who attend the trip.

Logistics

It is encouraged that people carpool and share gear. Please use the comments section on this trip to coordinate those details, use private messages for specific addresses and phone numbers.