Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands - 2026 Pulk Pull
Details
When ice conditions permit, pulling a pulk (a.k.a. sled) over canoe routes can be an efficient/awesome means of traveling. That is what this trip is about. Although there are pulks/sleds specifically designed for this, any sled with means of tying your gear down and a low center of gravity should work. There are also a lot of online resources that can help you develop an appropriate pulk; it is easy to do.
Itinerary:
Saturday: 10:00a.m.
We will meet at the Devils Lake Access Parking lot, strap on our snowshoes and pack up our sleds, and head out on Devils Lake. We will be following the canoe route over lakes and portages towards our ultimate goal is to camp just past Wolf Lake (10 KM) if conditions permit.
Sunday:
Return to parking lot by mid-afternoon and head home.
Cost:
There are no park fees for QEW. I will collect $10 to make a reservation which will be refunded if you attend the trip or drop before Jan 15th.
Don't forget to have some cash to split the cost of gas with your car.
Gear:
Pulks are highly recommended, and pacing will be appropriate for them.
You must have snowshoes.
You should have a sleeping bag that is rated to -20C or colder.
You must wear NO COTTON, this should go without saying. It puts you at much greater risk of getting too cold and wet.
Before renting gear, please consider asking others on the trip if they have any to share or loan. The best way to do this is to note your needs on the spreadsheet linked to below.
Given the heavier winter kits, sharing stoves and shovels is highly recommended.
Use the shared Sheet to make ride and tent sharing arrangements.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_qh3hm2LC0Kbs-1bCpkt9BqUON1ehWwk9oYLJPb7qwM/edit?usp=sharing
Difficulty:
This should not be your first backpacking experience. This trip will be considered moderately difficult and participants should be comfortable traveling over frozen lakes. Do research into travel on frozen lakes if you don't have prior experience.
Navigation:
If you have a GPS consider bringing it.
Here is a rough trace of the route.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7628831
If you have a smart-phone consider loading the “Avenza PDF Maps” app onto it. Within the app you can download the 'Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park Backcountry Map' map for free.
Here are the details on the map but it will need to de downloaded from your phone.
https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/75028/queen-elizabeth-ii-wildlands-provincial-park-backcountry-map-v09
Final details:
When you RSVP please remember to answer questions in the spreadsheet. A logistics email will be sent out after the RSVP closes. As with all KW Backcountry Travel meetups, you are responsible for your own transportation, food, gear and personal safety. Gas expenses should be shared evenly between the driver and their passengers.
