Spring Backpacking in Frontenac Provincial Park!

Temperate conditions, few people, and NO BUGS....Let's take advantage of the benefits of early spring and backpack at Frontenac. Frontenac Provincial Park is situated in Southern Ontario about 40 km (25 miles) north of Kingston. Frontenac Provincial Park is a relatively small Park but offers approximately 160 kms of trails! This is a great little park for canoeing and backpacking and offers only interior camping (i.e. no car camping). From the Ontario Parks website "this semi-wilderness park features granite outcrops, vast wetlands and mixed forests, plants and wildlife. Trails wind through rugged terrain to Moulton Gorge, the Arkon Lake Bog, the Black Lake homestead and the Crab Lake mines. From Otter Lake, hikers and canoeists head into the interior for glimpses of osprey and kingfisher, deer and black bear, coyote and fox, and abundant beaver." Sound good? Read on...

The Plan:
We arrive/meet at Frontenac at 11:30am to pick up permits. We start from the Park Office at noon on Saturday. We make our way to a campsite that can be accessed in 3-5 hours. Along the way, we will pass through meadows, walk on the Canadian Shield, and cross many streams. We will probably see beavers, deer and woodpeckers. After setting up camp, gathering wood for the evening fire and rejoicing at the fact that there is a "real" outhouse (TP included!!), picnic tables, and beautiful benches around the fire, we'll set out for a late afternoon stroll to explore the area free of our heavy packs. We return to camp only when we want to for supper and relaxation by the fire.
Sunday we will leave camp by 10:30am and hike out. Stop for lunch along the way. You should be home by dinner.

The Friends of Frontenac have put together a nice little site. Learn more about the Park here http://www.frontenacpark.ca/

A few pictures of the park from a recent trip:

Cost:
Camping is $11.75 per person
Est. carpooling cost per person $25
Lunch on the way home (approx. $12)

Difficulty:
Trails are interesting and mildly rugged. There are steep hills to get your heart pumping. This would be perfect for most intermediate backpackers. New backpackers or those new to backcountry camping are welcome. Pace is moderate at about 4 kms per hour. Total hiking distance is about 10 kms each day.
Hikers should be comfortable carrying everything they need to ensure they are self-sufficient: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, fuel, etc. Count on carrying 35 pounds.

Gear suggestions:
Not a comprehensive list, but this is recommended:
tent
sleeping bag suitable for cooler weather (maybe to -10)
sleeping pad
stove and fuel
hiking poles (optional, but I like them)
clothes, including rain gear
bug spray and/or net (just in case...)