Skip to content

Details

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/d/6/a/event_101016202.jpeg

The Minnesing Wilderness Trail needs no further introduction to this group yet few have seen its gem, the mature pine forest at the northern end. Assuming sufficient snowfall this week (the trail is currently closed due to a lack thereof) we'll attempt the full 23 km loop with day packs Saturday. By necessity this weekend requires high aerobic output, its the only way to reach Minnesing's northern extent.

Itinerary:

Option 1: distance skiers

Thursday, Feb. 7. Close RSVP process for this option.

Friday, Feb. 8 , 3:30 pm order backcountry camping permits by phone. 5:30 pm or earlier if possible, leave from Tim Horton's, Weber and Northfield, Waterloo. Stop at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) in Barrie. Continue to the Minnesing Wilderness Trail parking lot, 23 km from the park's west gate, and set up tents nearby.

Saturday, Feb. 8. Pack up camp before daylight, leave overnight gear in vehicle(s). 7:30 am commence skiing counter-clockwise. Last year it took 8 hours to complete so by 3:00 pm, back at parking lot, decide whether to ski with full packs to the interior cabin or setup camp nearby.

Sunday, Feb. 9. Do some more skiing, perhaps trying one of Algonquin's groomed trails. If membes have rented skis from MEC Barrie, return in time to get them back.

Option 2: cabin dwellers

A repeat of the previous Minnesing meetup focusing on getting to the cabin Saturday and hanging out. See previous meetup for details https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/events/96742112/

Cost:

$11.75 (backcountry permit/person/night) + $40 (shared gas) = $52

Gear:

Recommended: -20 C sleeping bag. Well insulated sleeping pad. Liquid gas (white gas) stove to melt snow (for example an MSR Simmerlight). Thermos/flask to keep melted snow melted. Tent (any tent will do). Cross country skis. If renting please reserve ahead of time as early as possible. Day pack for option 1, normal backpack for both options.

Ride Sharing:

No attempt will be made to centrally co-ordinate ride sharing. Please use the space below to self-organize.

Links:

Ski and sleeping bag rentals (http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/rental/5.html) (Algonquin Outfitters, Oxetongue Lake) 1-800-469-4948

Ski rentals (MEC, Barrie) 705-792-4675

MEC Barrie rents genuine backcountry skis, a cut above the generic skis normally available but you have to ask specifically for them. MEC's rates are considerably lower then other outfitters, consequently, this meetup scheduled to stop at MEC Barrie on the way north and get back there in time Sunday.

Algonquin ski trail conditions (http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/current-ski-trail-conditions.php)

Difficulty:

Option 1 is designed for 'show no mercy' skiing. There simply aren't enough hours of daylight to wait for catching ones breath (you don't have to be a serious athlete but you get the point).

Option 2 is designed for relaxing.

Inspiration:

Photos from two weekends ago

https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/12710232/

Photos from three identical trips last winter

https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/5562182/

https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/6304112/

https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/6620842/ (note (https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/6620842/): high elevation shots are from a second hiking trail)

Notes:

  • Phoning for backcountry permits Friday enables an earlier start Saturday, no need to wait for the park office to open at 9 am. This requires closing RSVP's for option 1 on Thursday.

  • Algonquin Outfitters rents complete kits for a weekend like this. Last winter members rented top quality -40 C bags from them. Their store is close to the park so picking up and returning isn't an issue for option 2.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/3/2/event_100740562.jpeg

Pine forest at top end of trail

Related topics

Events in Whitney, ON

You may also like