Thanksgiving weekend in Algonquin Provincial Park
Details
Come out for a relaxing three day hike in Algonquin Provincial Park. The weather should be cool, mosquito's mostly gone, and, if we are lucky, this hike will take place right in the middle of the changing to the leaves. We will backpack on the Western Uplands Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park starting at the Rain Lake trail-head.
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/a/d/0/600_11323728.jpeg
The trail starts out and ends on 8KM of old rail bed which make both an easy hike and offers great views of lakes as we cross them on trestles. Between that we drop into the woods snaking our way by several lakes.
This trip is an intermediate level trip. Although there is nothing very difficult the following challenges do still exist;
During this trip it will be many hours from the nearest assistance and sometimes a full day.
The overall distance being covered is about 47KM.
This time of year the days are shorter.
Late season weather has a strong chance of dropping below freezing at night.
As a result of these all participants should be experienced backpackers who are self sufficient and in good physical condition. Saturday we have a long day, participants must be able to quickly ready themselves if everyone is to make it to camp before dark.
Carpools and gear sharing will be arranged on the following spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlPfqDgNXnDwdFFYWTk0SUpVOG9PWTVsUjFZQjRGdmc#gid=0
Please enter your driving information even if you are not carpooling so everyone knows you don't need a ride.
Itinerary:
Friday night 6PM: We will leave Kitchener and drive to to the Rain Lake entrance. From there we will hike after dark for about 1 hour to the first campsite on Rain Lake, about 3KM.
Saturday: We will will have a relaxing breakfast in camp and then have a fairly long day covering 17km to our camp at North Pincher.
Sunday: We will hike 12KM to Brown Lake
Monday Morning - Afternoon: We will hike a fairly easy 13 KM back to the cars.
Monday afternoon-evening: We will drive home greatly refreshed and possible a bit dirty. I expect we will arrive back in KW late evening Monday.
Money:
$12.43 X 2: Backcountry site fee for three nights
$1.11: Park internet reservation surcharge. To be split evenly between participants. This amount assumes 9 participants.
$1.46: Goes to PayPal fees
Total: $39.86
In addition you will need need cash for:
Food for the drive
Fuel for the drive (Gas split evenly between drivers and their passengers)
Driving Directions:
The following Google Map shows how to get to the trail head where we will set off Friday night.