The KW Backcountry Travel Meetup

The Minnesing trails network is a wonderful place for snowshoeing, and if conditions are good, we can also travel on Canisbay Lake to see even more. It has been a big winter; let's get one more trip in before it all melts (hopefully).
http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/minnesing-wilderness-ski-trail.php

There are 23 km of trails with several options to adjust the length depending on conditions. We will be hiking until around 5 PM, then find a pleasant place to camp. Be prepared for about 10 km a day, however, snow conditions and weather can change that down significantly. This trip will be challenging but not punishing. Where sensible, we will take advantage of ice travel to make swifter progress.

We will meet at the West Gate permit station at 10 AM. Spending Friday night in a Huntsville hotel makes for an easier start on Saturday.

By signing up, you are asserting you are in good condition. If you have never carried a full pack 5 km on snowshoes and spent the night out in the winter, you should consider yourself not to be in good condition. Winter often makes everything much harder.

You are expected to be self-sufficient (gear, food, and skills) unless you have made other arrangements.

The weather conditions are hard to predict. At this point, I advise preparing for a temperature range of -20 to +10°C. I also recommend being ready for a foot of fresh snow and/or freezing rain. When I send out the logistics email about a week before we leave, I should know much more about the conditions and we can all adjust as needed.

There are privies along the trail, but they are far apart and I have found them sometimes frozen shut or rotted away. If you look on the map, you will also notice mentions of cabins. Overnight camping is not permitted in them and they are subject to closure without notice (I saw this the last few years). I will not make any efforts to locate our camps near a cabin or privy; you must be prepared to camp without these.

Logistics: You must update the following spreadsheet with your details and keep it up to date. Failure to do so may result in removal from the trip and a loss of your spot without notice.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ltp7_Lt61GMo7Ogu1qSApOWgS2zTU3X7jKmTSKErm-s/edit?usp=sharing
Costs: Permits are $12.43 for Saturday night. PayPal charges $0.96, which means I require $13.39 for a reservation.

Cars should split the fuel costs evenly among all of the passengers and drivers. Additionally, there is a daily parking fee of $13 that should be split by each car. You may also want some cash for food along the drive.

Itinerary:
Friday[Optional]: Get a room in Huntsville for a relaxing start in town.

Saturday 10 AM: Meet at Algonquin West Gate permit station to register. 10:30 AM: Leave for Minnesing Trail. 10:45 AM: Start hike on trail. 5–6 PM: Make camp. 7:30 PM: Sunset.

Sunday Hike out and head home.

Please note: Winter conditions increase risk for all participants. Persons who are under-prepared not only risk harming themselves but also risk harming others through the extra demands they place on them. For that reason, based on my judgment, I may ask those who I am concerned are not adequately prepared not to come along at any time, even at the trailhead. If you are concerned about your level of preparation, please message me and we can discuss the fit. I also welcome questions—the earlier the better—and will do my best to help ensure you are adequately prepared. Let us all make this a challenging, fun, and most importantly, safe trip.