Algonquin Adventures Message Board: Fork Lake Trip Report

Fork Lake was a interesting experience for me. It was a first time for several things. First time that I have winter camped, winter camped in APP, camped overnight alone. So for me, it was a huge learning experience. But one that I hope to repeat over and over again.

I left N.B. at 6am Sat and arrived at the west gate around 8:10am, but not before spotting a huge doe on the north side of hwy 60, ten feet from the road, just before the gate. Not a bad start. Then Derek showed up, got settled and opened up for biz. I picked up my permit, chatted for a bit, then headed out for the Visitor Center.

9:30ish I unloaded my truck and made my way around to the spot where Markus had described in his email. I found the crews tracks and followed. Just before cresting Cardiac Arrest Hill, I spotted a roughed grouse on the ground but it quickly lit in a maple nearby. I snapped a photo, then slowly moved forward and was able to get another directly under the bird while it rested on the branch.

I moved on but the grouse stayed seemingly disinterested with my presence. Note: from Sept 15th to Dec 15th during open season for grouse, this never happensfor me anyway. I think they have their own calendars.

As I near the bottom of Cardiac Hill (very steep) I can make out the markings in the snow (very deep) of someone wiping out. I chuckle to myself and attempt to take another step, and of course, I do the inevitable face plant. As I understand it, the guys gave this spot/trap a nickname but it escapes me right now. I sure someone will chime in.

Upward and onward. From here on in it was easy. Easy because four other guys packed it down! And if it wasnt for them, Id still be theresomewheretrying to get to Fork Lake! The snow was deep, very deep. At this point I can only imagine what that was like for them. On the way back on Sunday however, I got a taste of it up close and personal. More on that later.

I followed the tracks until I came upon a point on Fork Lake and off in the distance I could see four guys out on the lake. I knew this was the crew. Right on, I made it. But I noticed there were no toboggan tracks leading out to where they were. But I did notice that the toboggan tracks veered to the right along the creek. So I decide to follow them and find the exact location of their camp rather than drag my toboggan out to them and then have to turn around and head back.

10:30ish I found their camp and scouted around for a location to setup. I find a great location up on a small hill, not far from Markuss tent, with all kinds of dead wood laying around. Perfect. Since Im cold camping, I will be using some of this wood for heat and cooking. And knowing that the guys will be back in the afternoon, I decide to take my time and setup and have lunch. About an hour later I spot someone at the bottom of the hill near the creek. Its Jeff. Another Jeff?? How many Jeffs are on this website??

Noonish. Its J Wolf! He traveled from Kitchener for a day hike! Thats committed! So he and I sat around the fire, had a snack and chatted for awhile until the others returned from their scouting trip.

The rest of the gang showed up and we went down to say hello and meet the rest of the gang, Markus, JeffP, MikeB, JeffM. A great group of guys! We chat for awhile and then I head back up to where I have set up to do few camp chores (gather and cut wood) so that I dont have to do that in the dark. A little while later the guys come up to check out my digs. Mike invited me for diner (venison/beef stew..yum!) which I did appreciate and wanted to accept, but I decline as I want the experience of having to go through all the motions on my own during this trip as it is my first winter overnight cold camp. So they head back down and I whip up, Chef A La Backpackers Pantry. Not nearly as good as Mikes stew Im sure, but it hit the spot. JWolf unfortunately had to head back at a certain time to bring back his snowshoes, so he said his goodbyes and headed out.

For me, the rest of Sat afternoon and evening was spent gathering and splitting wood and ensuring everything was setup properly for the night so I would be as comfortable as I could possibly be. I didnt make it back down to Markuss tent but JeffP did pop back that night for a bit and we chatted for awhile, then he headed back down.

9pm ish. I hit the sack for an early night. Too much fresh air. Naaw, no such thing. I just hope the guys didnt think I was being anti social, I just had a lot going on in my brain as far as checks and double checks, cross the ts and dot the Is so to speak. Quite frankly, I was concerned that I may forget to prepare something before going to bed. And it turns out I did! I get situated in my tent, all tucked in and bundled upand then realize I forgot to inflate my air mattress!! See. Thats what Im talking about. SooooI get up and inflate the darn thing and then its off to dream land. Well, actually it was a nightmare. I couldnt help thinking about what it was going to be like attempting to climb back up Cardiac Hill the following morning.uggh!

Slept like a baby. I had great sleep and I was very warm. In fact, I was too hot at one point. I slept until 9am! Got up and put the coffee on and had some hot cereal. Made a little fire to boil up some water to take with me for the morning trek. Then I headed down to see the guys and have coffee with the guys and meet Sean (of Ajax). I took a couple of photos of Seans toboggan as he has an interesting setup/linkage that I think I will implement on mine. I also noted that MikeB has a similar setup as mine, that we both discovered from a fellow winter campers website.

After coffee I headed back up to break camp and strap down my gear for the trip out. We traveled back the same way we had com in but headed west following the tree line. Earlier, Markus had talked about an alternate route to avoid Cardiac Hill, and that it would be easier. Yeah right! Instead of Cardiac Hill, he lead us through the Valley of Exploding Lungs!! The fresh powder was at least three feet deep! You had to be nine feet tall to walk comfortably through this stuff! And thats without pulling a sleigh! Oh sure it wasnt too badif you were at the end of the line! But if you were up front breaking trail, you risked breaking a lung too! We all took turns and had a shot at it and I think we would all concur that it was rough going no matter what kind of shape you were in.

But! Markus came up with an brilliant idea! One that, I imagine, is somewhere in the Winter Traversing Deep Snow Operational Manual. He suggested that one guy break trail in front without a sleigh. And the guy in the very back pull two sleighs, as this would be packed fairly solid by the time the last guy with two sleighs came upon the trail. So I offered to break trail and JeffM pulled my sleigh. This turned out to be very effective. We put a team effort into getting the job done and it worked out. It was tough going but we all had fun! Mother nature handed us a few lemons, and we collectively made lemonade! Gotta luv it!

We forged ahead and ended up at the pumping station where Sean (from Ajax) had parked his car that morning. Then Sean drove some of us up to the lot to get our vehicles. When we got back I was starving! And since I burned off breakfast about two miles ago, I suggested we all go for lunch before we head our separate ways. So we went to the visitor center for a round of cheeseburgers. After that we snapped some photos of where we just traversed. It was pretty cool looking out off the viewing platform at the back of the visitor center. You can see for a fair distance, and we could clearly see our trail down in death valley.

From here we headed out our separate ways promising to meet up again in March. I cant wait!

Thanks for the memories, the experience and a great time!. You guys all rock!

I had a pretty good day.

Cheers
Shawn

Hey JeffP, whos canoe does this belong to?

[IMG] [linked image]