Epic #4 - Western Uplands Backpacking Trail

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Welcome to The Epics!

Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.

Background
The Western Uplands Backpacking Trail is widely considered the premier hiking challenge in Algonquin Provincial Park. While the area is now a recovering hardwood forest, these paths once served the industrial logging operations that preceded the park's establishment. Today, the trail is famous for its solitude and wildlife; you’re likely to meet grouse that aggressively defend their territory and see constant signs of the moose population that calls the area home.

What You Need to Know
We’re hiking the northern most loop of the trail, entering at the beautiful Rain Lake access point. We’ll have 45km of hiking ahead of us, a significant challenge when you’re carrying all of your gear on your back.

This access point feels like finding a secret back door to the park's most remote reaches, starting with a gentle stretch along an old logging railway bed. It starts as a flat, historic stroll that lets us find our rhythm before the real work begins as we climb into the rugged heart of Algonquin. We'll trade the flat path for a steady rhythm of roots and ridges, pushing into the lush hardwood forests that define the park's western highlands. The rewards come in the form of solitude, like the deep, clear waters of Islet Lake - the perfect mid hike swimming spot.

Day 2, we push on for a massive 18km day, making our way to Brown Lake. It's a world of total silence and dark skies where the only sounds are the wind in the hemlocks and our own footsteps on the trail. This is a tough, honest trek through a landscape carved by ancient glaciers, offering a sense of pure wilderness that few others ever get to see.

We can guarantee that this trail will test you. Because there is no bailout option mid-route, we move as a tight crew, supporting each other through every climb. For those willing to put in the work and find out what they are made of, the Western Uplands offers some of the most raw and rewarding backpacking in the province.

What's Included:

• 2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training
• All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
• All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)
• Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)
• All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip
• A preparatory information session
• Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following
• Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure
• A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure

Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.

To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.

Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:

• Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop
• Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure
• Canoe Foundations Clinic
• Hilton Falls Mega
• Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty

If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.

Highlights
An Epic Challenge - Our shortest epic packs a serious punch. Conquering this 45km loop with packs on our backs will be an incredibly rewarding challenge.
Moose Spotting - There are a huge number of moose in this part of the park and there’s a good chance we’ll come across them during our journey.
Uninterrupted Wilderness - Deep in the woods, with no roads or cell service, this adventure gives you the ultimate opportunity for nature immersion

Event cost: $635+HST. $50 optional transport also available. Please register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com