Fri, Apr 13 2007, Sat, Apr 14 2007, Sun, Apr 15 2007 - Backpack Frontenac Provincial Park - Cluster 6 (View Original Event Details)
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After meeting in Whitby at 1pm, Simba helpfully risked a speeding ticket for us most of the way out to Kingston. It was appreciated, as Big Salmon Lake road was still closed for the season. Our walk in was a little longer for that reason, and a bit of backtracking. But we arrived at cluster six comfortably before sundown, with an hour of daylight left to set up camp. Convincing Simba, and 'real' Simba the wonder dog, that we didn't need quite so much food took some effort, and for that she helped feed us well.
Saturday morning we awoke to clear skies and a bit of sunshine for our oatmeal breakfast, where Elliott's no wasted food attitude and large portion planning ensured Matt was as full as can be for the day. We walked from camp at Little Salmon Lake, North to cluster 12 and Lynch Lake, then South West to the head of Moulton Gorge, stopping at the Mica mines along the way.
At the 'grassy knoll' hilltop, overlooking cluster 8, some of us took a short nap, while 4 hawks circled silently overhead. We short-cut the loop using the portage between Birch Lake and Little Salmon Lake, and proceeded to the lookout there. Whether it makes sense to direct canoe access to a lookout spot was investigated, and it was determined that this may be the most awful portage in the park, requiring paddlers to carry their canoe either up or down a 100ft cliff. From there we followed the shoreline back to camp, ascending a series of 3 large hills topped with rocky outcroppings, and crossing a small river, using fallen logs.
We had seen fresh droppings everywhere we went, and the animal trails were quite obvious with the grass not having a chance to grow yet. It was here, on reaching the crest of the largest hill, that we disturbed three white-tails, and Elliott experienced '20 seconds of ecstasy' as they crossed through an open glade below us, ran to the top of the ridge and disappeared.
Having some time to spend looking for proper wood, we had a warm if small fire, and ate our fill. Elliott must have had enough walking, as he was knackered by 9:30, and wanting to sleep.
The weather could not have been better. We had not a drop of rain Saturday and walked unencumbered for a full 6 hours. Without any wind either, it was dead quiet under our tarp with calm evenings. For that, when it comes to mud, Frontenac never disappoints. Some sections of trail were under a full 2 or 3 inches of water.
Sunday morning we ate, packed up, and walked out in light snow, sleet, and rain. What took around 3 hours Friday, was 2 hours on Sunday once we were confident of our boots. And Simba the wonder dog walked almost all of it himself, needing to be carried over especially high spots, and some river crossings.
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.