Canoe camping & hike, Killarney Provincial park

Killarney is known as the crown jewel of the Ontario parks system with quartzite ridge tops, turquoise lakes & pristine forest. This trip to OSA lake & back will be a great introduction to the wild landscape of that region. OSA (Ontario Society of Artists) lake is also of historical significance and the birthplace to the park, where in 1931 the Group of Seven painter, A. Y. Jackson, persuaded the Ontario government to stop the lumber industry along the shoreline, for our current day enjoyment.

Trip rating:
Beginner/Intermediate. there are 3 portages on this trip, fairly short & on flat terrain. flat water paddling experience

Itinerary:
Friday: We will depart KW at 12:00pm and arrive to the Park Gate on HWY 637 around 6:00pm. We will pick up permits and firewood and paddle off on George Lake to our camp site.

Saturday: After breakfast we will pack up and paddle cross George lake to Freeland lake through a short portage of 80m. After Freeland Lake, there is another portage of 455m, mostly flat, to Killarney Lake and have lunch. There are a number of connecting bays & islands to explore and short hikes. One more portage of 455m to reach OSA lake where we will pitch tent.

Sunday: We can explore the left side of OSA Lake and its islands, then pack up and head back to George Lake for lunch and paddle to our starting point
We may reach KW area late afternoon around 7:00pm

Carpools:
Carpooling is encouraged. Car pool groups will be arranged the weekend before the trip, after registration is closed. We will suggest carpools based on the proximity of drivers to passengers. Participants are welcome to discuss arrangements and modify them.

Expenses:
These are the common items that will need to divided among participants:
$59.50- camping fee for 2 nights
$15.00 – firewood
$12.25 - parking fee at park
Gas
so about $20/ person + gas + gear rental

Note: cans & bottles are not allowed in the park interior, and also collection of deadwood is not permitted since it will disturb critter habitat.