Frontenac Fallback: 2-night 35k Backpacking Trip

Spend 3 days and 2 nights in beautiful Frontenac Provincial Park (http://www.frontenacpark.ca), a slightly civilized backcountry park near Sydenham! Feel the cool autumn air and bask in the brilliant hues of the forest adorning the varied terrain! Experience the wonder of this transition ecosystem straddling the complex divide between the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands!

OK. Enough exclamation points. This will be a fun trip; not easy, but not too difficult either. Sample itinerary:

• Day 1: hike 11-13 km on a direct route to 1st campsite (probably #11)

• Day 2: hike 15-17 km along the northern end of park and then down along the east side of Big Salmon Lake to 2nd campsite (probably #4)

• Day 3: hike 6-8 km on a direct route back to park office

Here's what that looks like - ViewRanger route for Frontenac Fallback (http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTUyMDc5NQ==).

Why the uncertainty in distances and campsites? That's because from November through April, there is no reservation system. So, yes, there is uncertainty, but the odds of getting exactly what we ask for are pretty good... and the chances of being turned away are very low. (Just to be sure, I'll contact the park office a couple times in the week leading up to the 3rd... and, I have two alternate routes ready to go if necessary: Alt1 (http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTU0Mjg0Ng==), Alt2 (http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTU0Mjg1MA==).)

To keep planning simple, everyone is responsible for their own gear and food as if this was a solo trip. However, feel free to arrange gear/food sharing with others as desired.

If you're curious about what the park looks like in November, here are some photos from my solo trip last year: Photo album, Nov 4-6 2016 (https://goo.gl/photos/hDyKc4HkN9eZce2C8).

Costs

The cost of this trip is $24.86 per person (bring $25 cash, please). That covers the Ontario Parks registration fees + HST. I'll collect your money at the park office and then nickel-and-dime you.

(All other costs are on you; arrange car-pooling and fuel-cost-sharing with other attendees as you wish.)

Features/Oddities of this Trip and Frontenac PP

• Daylight Saving Time ends during this trip, so the clocks will roll back on Sunday morning, i.e. sundown will be one hour earlier than on Saturday.

• Every campsite has a 14'x14' sand tent-pad. Tents must be pitched on the pad; bring your best Tetris skills. Hammocks can be hung anywhere.

• Every campsite has a metal fire ring/grill, a bench, and a picnic table.

• Every campsite has a food locker (i.e., no bearbags required).

• Campsites are situated in clusters, usually 4 (sometimes 3 or even 2).

• Every cluster has at least one sheltered vault toilet.

• There are emergency food/supply barrels stashed around the park.

• The trails are arranged in stacks of loops, i.e. alternate routes (shorter or longer) can be used as desired.

Gear Notes

• The air and ground will be cold at night; plan on freezing temperatures and be happy if it's warmer. Pack accordingly: this includes a sleeping pad with a decent R value (3+) or suitable insulation if hammocking (e.g., underquilt, pad).

• You'll need some form of water purification. Boiling counts, it just can't be done on the move. Remember that filters can freeze, so keep them warm. Chemicals (tabs or drops) take longer to work when it's cold, so read those instructions before you throw them out.

• For safety you may want to pack a complete change of clothes in a dry bag (at least a fresh base/insulating layer).

• NO COTTON IN YOUR BASE OR INSULATING LAYERS

General / RSVP Instructions

Read the entire meetup notice before RSVPing.

The RSVP limit is currently 6. If there's enough demand, we could look at increasing the limit.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (Bill). If you have complaints, send them to G. Haha.

By RSVPing, you agree that you are responsible for your own health & safety and that you will not do anything to endanger the health & safety of others!