I am going camping during the Feb. long weekend with a friend but have yet to decide on a location. I was interested in the various Fork Lake reports and am considering that location along with the West Highlands Backpack trail (heading towards Maggie Lake from hwy 60) and the Track and Trail. I am prepared for a 3-4 hour hike in (with sled). I had thought of accessing through Rain Lake but do not know if that is possible during the winter.

Thanks for your input.

Andrew.

We did a daytrip up to the Magnetawan / Tim area in the winter a few years ago...


--the snow plowing stopped short by at least 2 km's of the access point.

--nowhere to park your vehicle, because you can't leave it on the side of the road.

Just a couple of points to consider.

It looked promising at the beginning of the trip:



On the left is the road to Tim Lake:



a little closer view:





Barbara











Barbara

If you're hiking the backpacking trail from Hwy 60 to Maggie L.... wow. It's quite hilly. Furthermore, i expect the Limberlost entrance isn't plowed.



Jeff

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Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

How about Sproule Lake?
I've always considered that way an alternate place to camp besides Fork Lake.
You can park at the Spruce Bog Parking Lot and launch from there, crossing the bog(mind the creek!), till you get to the portage. I do not know what elevation changes there are...hopefully not too much, as you want to stay on flat terrain as much as possible with a sled (right Mike B?). You could probably even use part of the Spruce Bog trail to cross half the bog, then trek off of it to the portage.

If you go that way Andrew, we'd all love to hear(and see) your report.






Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

I was afraid that might be the case regarding the backpack trail, (BTY "Track and Trail" should read Track and Tower Trail). Do you think the backpack trail up to Maple Leaf would be too hilly?

I have also heard of people camping from the Mizzy Lake Trail.

Good idea Markus; I saw a solo winter camper head up the dog sled trail from the Big Pines Trail parking area, I don't know where he was going but I wonder if that might be a good route to Sproule Lake via the Sunday - Sproule Lake portage (1345 m of fresh trail to break would be hard work!).

Andrew - This may be a bit far for you but the road to Sand Lake Permit office is open and you can park alongside the road there to access either Sec Lake area (Access 20), McManus Lake (21) or even Grand Lake (22). The road is ploughed into the gate that is 1 km out from the Achray campground. Access beyond this point is by foot (e.g. ski/snowshoe). The road into Sec/Wet is not ploughed, you would have to park on the main road and snowshoe/ski in from there (3 km). I'm headed to Wet Lake February 22/23 with my kids for a one niter, towing them in sled when they get tired of snowshoeing - I'm with my backpack and skiing in.

There is no weekend road maintenance so you must keep this in mind when planning your trip (ie forecast for any heavy snowfalls/freezing rain) and if you are traveling on the road between Monday and Friday you are advised to have a CB in your vehicle as log trucks are actively hauling on the road.

I like that area as it's very close to Ottawa (1.5 hr drive) and, more importantly, I'd be very surprised if I see anyone that weekend. Good wildlife viewing too. Self-serve permits are still available at the Sand Lake Gate.

I'd say that Maple Leaf would be too hilly. Guskewau might be doable though.......



Jeff

--

Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

We had talked about going to that side of the park, the idea was to see the Barron Canyon in winter. However, as I'm in Toronto its a long haul for a long weekend (I did it this past July most recently). But it is still tempting...

Markus sir, yes it is true..."flat" in this case is better!

Any slight hill will be felt pulling a sled! Beleave me////I had to get Jeffery to give me a few pushes up hills...thanks dood! Heh,heh....

Unless you have a very light sled to pull or backpack, hills will be still difficult but do-able.


cheers AND have fun in the snow like we just did....I tasted the snow many times falling over....all fun.


Mike

Haha, no problem! I figured that if you didn't get to the site we wouldn't have food or a hot tent :p.



Jeff

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Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

Following Markus' suggestion we're set for Sproule Lake next weekend via either the Sunday Lake dog sled path or the portage depending upon conditions (we may try one way in and the other out).

Thanks for all the input, I'll let you know how things turn out.

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

We've snowshoed in to Maggie Lake in the winter for a daytrip before, there's little doubt that its nice place to camp. There are a number of hills to hike but I think its certainly doable, we did pass people that were camped on the Western Highland Trail. I guess it all depends on whether you travel light or bring loads of gear etc. We certainly enjoyed our hike in there because you don't get too many day hikers in there so it was nice and quiet. Should be able to get to Maggie Lake under 3 hours.

Harry