Hi everyone. I'm heading up to the park in a few weeks with a buddy and we're looking to do our first interior winter trip for 4 days. We're looking for a spot that's fairly easy to get to (ie 1-2 km's off the beaten path), and that has a decent spot to leave the truck. Can anyone make any suggestions?

I was thinking of parking at Mew Lake and heading into the old airfield somewhere, but I'm sure there are better spots.

Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciate!

Thanks!

Hey Steve,

Check out Andrew's recent TR on Sproule Lake. Looks like a relatively easy go. Trails appeared to be well used and the camp site was beautiful. I may do that trip myself very shortly.

Cheers
Shawn

Steve, there are a lot of options for you. My winter trips in Algonquin have been at:
- Little McCauley (one hellish portage in)
- Blackfox Lake (solo)
- Rock lake (tho this access pt is closed now for winter campers)
- Fork lake

Really, just find a place that has parking off 60 and you can go anywhere really. Some things to consider when selecting a site:
- be near a water source (open creek or lake) since it's easier and less energy intensive than melting snow
- existing trails are best
- open areas like bogs are great
- lake travel is ideal if you have a means to check (probe) ice conditions. the overall ice thickness in algonquin should be at least 2ft.
- be wary of creeks and rivers; stay away fr them

I assume your canvas tent conversion went well. Did you make a woodstove or purchase one? You should post some pics on how you set it up.

Thanks for the tips! Actually my hot tent conversion project has been put on hold (spent the last 3 months finishing my basement) so Ill be using my MEC winter tent this year. I still plan on playing with the old canvas one though...Might make a good summer project!

Another good spot is Pine Tree Lake, there is a good parking spot at the highway and you can head down the portage.

Roughly how far along the corridor is Pine Tree Lake?

Thanks

As you pass Brewer Lake(going east on #60), the highway starts to make a long ascent, on the second curve to the left, look for a bright and shiny portage sign(on your right), that is the entrance to the parking lot and launch point for Pinetree Lake.
One you are near the end of the portage, there is a fork in the trail, take the left fork to reach Pinetree Lake, the right fork just ends at a swamp.



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

Awesome thanks Mark. Sorry for all the questions, but do you know roughly how long the hike in would be from the parking lot?

Thanks again...

Steve, Pinetree is on the canoe map...portage in fr Hwy 60 is 1885m.

I assumed that you'd be hot tenting. Selecting an ideal site is even easier with cold tenting. You could follow existing hiking trail networks in the park. Just keep in mind the rules of the park when camping this season.

If you're up for more adventure, break your own trail. I recommend getting a good topo if you do this.

Hi Steve,

I should read the language my posts more closely;
"launch point for Pinetree Lake"
Should read" The launch point of the portage to Pinetree Lake".
As for timing in the snow, breaking trail? Snow depths? Who knows? Less than 2hrs I figure.
During spring to fall season, (If I remember correctly), probably about 35-40 minutes to reach the lake.
The trail is downhill, but very gentle decline at that...easy

Cheers



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