Explore Franklin Island

Join us for a weekend exploring the coves and inlets of Franklin Island.

Franklin Island is a large island in Georgian Bay near Parry Sound. It offers a prime example of Georgian Bay seascape, and as it is Crown Land, camping is free. Just a few kilometers out of Snug Harbour, it offers the perfect location for a weekend getaway.

The plan is to meet 9:30 Saturday morning at Snug Harbour, pack up, and head across to Franklin Island. This time of year there's a good chance of getting free parking in the government lot, so we'll meet at the government dock at the very end of the road. However, be prepared to spend $7.50/day for parking if the free lot is full.

Once at Franklin Island, I will be exploring the west side of the island, finding the coves and beaches that dot the coast. Others may choose to make a quick jaunt out to the Minks or McCoys, a chain of islands a few kilometers west of Franklin Island.

Saturday night we will camp on one of the several campsites on the south side of the island. Sunday we'll play by ear, perhaps exploring the south east side of the island, or just having a relaxing morning at the campsite before heading home.

If people are interested, I will get a campsite at Killbear Park for the Friday night. This option would give people the option of coming up Friday night after work and having a more relaxed morning Saturday. Please indicate in the signup question if you would like to camp Friday night - answering yes is a commitment to share in the cost of camping.

Cost.

With a little luck, nothing more than gas and camping the night before, if you choose to do so. Be prepared to pay $7.50/day for parking if the government lot is full, plus a stop for dinner afterwards if you like. Also, kayak rentals if necessary.

After joining the meetup, please fill out the appropriate details in the Shared Document (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmZ5v6h3KMlodDZfTFVsQ2Q1M1V1VXZHb1k0Wll0UVE&usp=sharing)

If you need to rent a boat, refer to the details below, kindly provided by Marv:

Kayak Rentals:

As always with rentals the issue is hours of operation. To name a few outfitters.

Adventure Guide, Waterloo. Great policies for weekend pickup and return. Poor gas mileage hauling boats long distance.

Sojourn, Barie (http://www.sojournoutdoors.com/about-us/rentals-services/rentals/). (705) 739-9694 Possible to make closing time Friday night, impossible to make closing time Monday night.

Swift, Waubaushene (http://swiftoutside.com/stores/rentals.php). 705-538-0881 Closes at 8 pm Friday. Opens at 8 am Saturday (contrary to their web site). Closes at 8 pm for Monday, although, they have after hours drop off options.

MEC.ca Toronto For weekend rentals they provide the option to pick up the day before and return the day after the weekend.

Hiker's Haven (Oakville) 905 849-8928 I believe Hiker's Haven also has the option to pickup and return the day before and after the weekend for weekend rentals.

Caution, if tempted to rent from White Squall in Nobel be forewarned last year they cancelled a dozen boats on us on short notice, a week before the event. Something about our group size being too large.