Canada Day Long Weekend: Canoe Trip to Poker Lake

Want to get out for the Canada Day long weekend and not quite up for a 16 km slog hauling your gear? How about a nice canoe trip circuit at Poker lake in the Haliburton Highlands? Ranked novice, but with at least eight portages to keep it interesting this should be a relaxing way to get out.

The total loop is about 10 km, so not too long. We will paddle out on the first day to a beautiful group site (3 hours paddle time?) where we can set up camp for both nights. Saturday will be for exploring Cinder Lake and maybe checking out some of Sunday's route. You can read about it here: http://www.myccr.com/canoedb/routeDetails.php?routeid=29

Suitability: While the paddling may not be too strenous (unless the winds kick up), this trip involves multiple short portages. Particpants should be prepared for lifting and carrying weights such as their canoes and packs - the longest portage is about 300m.

Cost: $11.80 per night for the campspot so about $24 pp total. Participants are responsible for any other additional costs incurred such as transport or canoe rentals.

Due upon Registration: Participants must put down $12 each to register. This will be credited towards camping costs, the balance is due when we arrive.

Location: Poker Lakes is located in Halliburton Highlands, off of highway 118: http://tinyurl.com/3u943tg
Canoes: If you do not have a canoe you will have to either share a rental with someone else, or share a canoe someone else is bringing. There is no canoe rental onsite. Here are some options for renting - please reserve as early as possible.

http://www.paddleshack.ca/muskoka/rentals/ - $27 per day, plus $5 for foam blocks and lashing straps to transport the canoe on a car with no roof racks. Includes lifejackets & paddles for 2. Getting there:

The need to bring canoes to the site means that there will be only 2 people per vehicle. When signing up please indicate if you need a ride or are able to offer a ride. Transport costs should be shared per vehicle. Timeline:

Depart either Thursday June 30 evening and camp somewhere or early Friday July 1 morning. Meet up at 10:30am on Friday at the site - parking is on the side of the road Return late morning or mid-day on Sunday July 3. Disclaimer: Participants on this trip are reponsible for themselves, this includes food, personal safety, belongings and rented gear, and anything else you can think of. If you are interested in coordinating food or cooking, or are lacking gear please use the discussion board to arrange this among other participants.