Backcountry Hike in Bon Echo Provincial Park
THE TRIP IS NOW FULL. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, HAVE YOUR NAME ON THE WAITING LIST BECAUSE IF SOMEONE BAILS, THAT’S WHERE I’LL LOOK FOR A REPLACEMENT
KWBT Summer of Love
Love of backcountry hiking, that is. Surely to God the Parks will be open come September, so we’re going on a hike, and Bon Echo it is! More specifically, the 17km Abes and Essens loop hike, and camping at Abes Lake Saturday night. I’ve done this KWBT hike before with Chev and it was great, so by popular demand we’re bringing it back. This is beautiful Canadian Shield territory.
The Park describes the hike as being of moderate-level difficulty, but it’s still an ideal trip for a backcountry hiking newbie in decent shape to be introduced to the backcountry - no big challenges here, just a weekend getaway with friends, no bugs, still swimmable water temps, no bugs, campfires, and no bugs. Yes, that’s what I said.
There’s plenty of lead-time for this event, and any newbies that sign on will be coached between now and then on successfully preparing for the hike. We have two campsites booked for each night, so the Park regulations say we can take a maximum of 12 hikers.
This is a weekend trip. We come up Friday, either during the day or after work, and car camp that night at Mazinaw Lake campground. I intend to arrive with my canoe early enough in the afternoon to explore some of Mazinaw Lake. Canoes can be rented at the Park.
Saturday morning we pack up and commence the hike. Approximately halfway through the 17km loop, we set up camp at the two sites on Abes Lake. Sunday morning we break camp and hike back to the campground, arriving at our vehicles by mid afternoon. I expect some of us will stick around to climb Mazinaw Rock, rising over 100m from Mazinaw Lake - our hike back from Abe's Lake is just a warm-up for this climb! Or, some could rent canoes and check out the cliffs from below.
Trip details and an organizing spreadsheet will be sent later by email, which is where we assist people in obtaining gear they might presently lack. No pets on this trip, thanks.
The total camping fee for the 2 nights is $25 each, plus $10 to park each vehicle. Your RSVP puts you on the waiting list. I will contact you to discuss experience levels and related info. Then, and after you e-transfer me $25, I change your RSVP to ‘going’. If something comes up and you can’t attend, I'll arrange for a replacement. This event is not ‘first come, first served’ - I wish to see a mix of experienced and inexperienced backcountry hikers.
Your RSVP indicates your agreement with the terms of the Co-Participant Understanding at https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/messages/boards/thread/52807358
There's always someone to lend a hand on KWBT Meetups, but you are responsible for your own transportation, food, gear, personal safety and COVID risk. You can DM me with any questions through this Meetup app or comment to the group in the comments section below.
Mike