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Backpacking the Abes and Essens Trail- an introduction to backcountry camping (10/16/2010)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Overnight
Event Location: Bon Echo Provincial Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 16 2010  7:30 AM  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Oct 12 2010 7:00:00 PM
Event Duration:2 days
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): Jessie
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 4 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
Bon Echo in the Fall is just beautiful and the Abes and Essens is a great trail to get introduced to backpacking. Of course, experienced backpackers are very welcome too ! The picture, taken two weeks ago on the same trail gives you an idea of how lovely it is with the colours changing.

We will drive down to Bon Echo on Saturday morning and set out on the Abes and Essens trail, camping on one of the backcountry lake-side camp sites on Saturday. We will hike back out on Sunday, after breakfast.If there is enough interest, we can rent canoes on Sunday to explore the still waters of the nature reserve on the east side of Mazinaw Lake on the Kishkebus lake loop or paddle up to Mazinaw Rock to see it from the water up close, before heading back to Toronto.

Something about Bon Echo and the Abes and Essens trail:

Bon Echo Bon Echo Provincial Park, 30 km north of Kaladar on Hwy 41 in eastern Ontario, is dominated by the outstanding geological feature, Mazinaw Rock. The spectacular 1.5 kilometer long sheer cliff rises 100 metres above Mazinaw Lake, one of Ontario’s deepest lakes, and is home to one of the largest visible collections of native pictographs in North America. 260 native pictographs are painted just above the waterline on Mazinaw Rock and are beautiful, haunting images that serve as a reminder of Canada’s rich cultural history. Bon Echo Provincial Park is a favourite artistic destination – all but one of the Group of Seven painted here. It is also home to ancient cedar trees that are upwards of 1,000 years old.

The Abes and Essens Lakes Trail System consists of three interconnected loops - a short 4 km loop, a 9 km loop, and a 17 km loop. The terrain is, in places, very rough and uneven, often with shield rock jutting up as on the Bruce Trail. The trail passes scenic lakes and has beautiful back-country lake-side camp sites. We will be backpacking 17-20 K over two days.

Participants should have or be able to borrow/rent basic backpacking gear - lightweight gear - such as a backpack and sleeping bag. Gear such as tents and stoves will be shared in common.

A mandatory pre-meeting is scheduled at 7pm on Tuesday, October 12 at Chalker's Pub ( 247 Marlee Avenue, Toronto) to discuss the trip, shared food and gear.


Required Items to Bring:

To be discussed at pre-meeting

  • * Hiking or Backpacking boots
  • * Technical wicking clothing and rain gear
  • * Lightweight but warm sleeping bag
  • * Stove and cooking gear (shared)
  • * First Aid Kit
  • * Back Pack
  • * Tent (shared)
  • * Food (shared breakfast, lunch, shared supper, snacks)
  • * Water Bottles
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

    To be discussed at pre-meeting

  • * Poles(optional)
  • * Camera(optional)

    • How to Get There:
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):560Km
    Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 AM
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $144.48 (calculated at total Km * $0.258, effective Tuesday, December 3, 2024). This is based on $0.08/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Your event coordinator will confirm exactly how much money is required from each person.

    Notes:

    - We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in TOC events.
    - Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
    - Questions about equipment or rentals? Send them to safety@torontooutdoorclub.com.
    - Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Stacy, at content@torontooutdoorclub.com.

     
    Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
    Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
    Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!