Backpacking the Pukaskwa National Park Coastal Trail. Because it’s there.

KWBT Summer of Love

Love of backcountry hiking, that is. In expectation that Pukaskwa National Park will be open for business come August, we’re planning to hike the Coastal Trail! This is a bucketlist item - 60 km of wilderness hiking and camping. The trail follows the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior with stream crossings, cobble beach hiking, inland hiking, and some scrambling - the trail is variously described as being somewhere between moderate and difficult.

You’ll want to have some multi-day backpacking experience for this one. I’ve not done this hike before, but I’ve read posts that describe it as more beautiful than the La Cloche Silhouette Trail. I can’t even imagine that.

Some hikers do this trip in 5-7 days. Parks Canada recommends 9 days. Our schedule has us on the trail for 8 days, 7 nights. Much can be learned from the Park’s website, including the following tidbit: Black bears are found throughout Pukaskwa, and Grey wolves occupy 74% of the park’s coastal forests. Fine.

We drive up on Saturday the 8th, and return Sunday the 16th. We'll be hiring a six-passenger shuttle ferry, so six hikers is the maximum for this trip. Trip details and an organizing spreadsheet will be sent later by email. No pets on this trip, thanks.

Camping and shuttle ferry fees are $185 each. Your RSVP puts you on the Waitlist. I will contact you to discuss experience levels and related info. Then, and after you e-transfer me $185, 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’.

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