Snowshoe camping, Bruce National Peninsula Park

(photo no longer available on Meetup)

Completing the classic hike from Cyprus Lake to High Dump campgrounds and back on a two day winter weekend is a challenge. Periodic rock outcrops along the Bruce Trail require time consuming changes to footwear, taking snowshoes on and off. The reward is having the entire backcountry portion of an entire national park to oneself.

How about a roaring campfire Friday night at Cyprus Lake to get primed for the challenge ahead. Lets get it done.

Itinerary:

Option 1: Friday, Jan. 25, 5:30 pm, or earlier if the last person is off work, meet at a central Tim Hortons, probably Weber and Northfield, Waterloo. Drive 3 hrs to Bruce Peninsula National Park, Cyprus Lake Campground, Tobermory. Setup camp and get a fire going.

Option 2: Join the rest of the group en route, or at Cyprus Lake 8:00 am, Saturday.

The Princess Hotel in Tobermory has reasonable off season rates, $65 including breakfast, especially when split between two. Consider as an option for Friday night.

Both options: Saturday, 8:00 am, start for High Dump campground. It will take the remaining 9 hours of daylight to get there, so no sleeping in.

Realistically, in the winter one simply camps 50 meters off-trail wherever you are when it gets dark. Its not like anyone's out there to object.

Sunday, return arriving at Cyprus Lake late afternoon. Head for home anticipating a 9:30 pm arrival in KW.

Cost:

$30 (shared gas) + $6 (shared tent site Friday $24 / 4 ) + $9.80 (backcountry Saturday night) + $8 (shared parking 2 x $11.75 / 3) = $53.80

Logistics:

Please specify whether you can drive and if so how many passengers, or if you need a ride. Also specify, which option, Friday or Saturday, you prefer. The optimal place for doing so is in the comment box in the RSVP process, its less likely to get lost in discussion.

By default, the event organizer will match remaining drivers with those needing a ride (from the KW area) two days prior to the event. That said feel free to organize ride sharing in the comments below if so inclined.

The event organizer also assumes responsibility for the group campsite Friday night. In this case its very easy, a self-serve kiosk at Cyprus Lake is the source of all permits upon arrival. For individual permits, one backcountry permit per person for Saturday night, and Sat-Sun car parking, please purchase at said kiosk.

Difficulty:

First time winter campers are welcome but you'll want to take preparation seriously, there is little latitude for error this time of year. Winter hiking is physically more demanding due to heavier backpacks so being in excellent shape is advisable. There are no monster hills along this stretch but a constant bobbing up and down.

Gear:

Snowshoes and traction devices for boots (for example Micro Spikes). Genuine winter boots. - 20 C sleeping bag. Well insulated camp matt. Tent. White gas stove (for example MSR Simmerlite) for melting snow to drink. Thermos/flask for keeping snow melted. The usual clothing layers for high output winter activity. A dry set of inner layers for the night is well worth the weight on an over-nighter. Apres hike booties are deluxe along with a serious down jacket for star gazing.

(photo no longer available on Meetup)

High Dump awaiting a blizard? Awesome! Snow day Monday.