Eastern Great Lakes Hang - Winter 2012: Feb 18-20 - Snowshoes across Algonquin

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Originally Posted by Dead Eye

Guys - looking at your routes - they look great but I would strongly recommend staying OFF the ice - even if there is snow on the ice. It is far too dangerous this year. So any water crossings even if its looks like 15-20 yards across - its not safe. I really would love to hang with you in the Spring :-) so please stay off the ice... Source Lake - if I recall correctly that is a high ridge along the shoreline marker 2 to your camp marker so you may have to bush whack up ontop of the ridge and then down to your site.

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Thanks for the excellent advice. To paraphrase Tolkien, 'If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him, especially if the Ranger is Aragorn (or in our case Dead_eye)".

So just a quick point in terms of Swan.

As always, safety first.

Given what Dead_Eye just said instead of the route involving ice-crossing on the map by marker #2, we may want to either continue south along the west shore until we hit a good spot or we could divert off of the Swan road just below marker #1 and skirt around the base of the big hill to the east of the narrow bay. More trail breaking!!!

If we have time and conditions permit, I may still punch a hole in Tea Lake while we wait to check the thickness. I was speaking with an outfitter and he was saying that people are already out on the lakes fishing on the west side outside of the park, so given that Algonquin is a fair bit higher in elevation, I can only guess that the ice might be thicker. Nonetheless, we should take Dead_Eye's advice to heart and not risk it. Let's play it by ear and if we listen carefully, the Park will let us know where to camp. She always has in the past.

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Originally Posted by Dead Eye

Parking in Algonquin in the winter - check with the park office when you check in - even though they dont have any big snow coming - they do seriously manage the parking during the winter months and they will tow....

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You're dang right we'll check with the Park Rangers!! It would be a real drag to come over the last hill and see nothing but an empty parking spot and the tire tracks of a tow truck.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...intertrip2.jpg

I was just logging on to comment on the ice crossings and find that Dead Eye has mentioned it already. I was going to suggest avoiding the ice as well. I know its far north but given the overall winter we've had I think it's definitely good advice to stay on land and bushwhack where necessary.

We're in the home stretch. I just wanted to get a feel for who's still coming out and the permit status.

Confirmed for Swan
Chard
Bubba
[o]TTeR
dant8ro
Jayson and The Boss
Ryvr (right on!)

Unsure (haven't seen any posts recently)
DistortedAxis
Icecycle

Likely attending Wintertrekker outing?
BrianWillan?
Mongrel - Attending WT

Hi Chard,

It was a tough choice; I almost flipped a coin to decide. I'm going to go with the wintertrekkers this time. I've winter camped for years with a hot tent and stove, but always solo. This is the first opportunity to meet some of the other wintertrekkers. I met a bunch from the USA at the winter camping symposium in Minnesota, but this will be a chance to meet other Canadians. I wish I didn't have to choose between the two groups. I met some great people at the Valens hang and certainly learned lots from you all. I hope to learn more from this group in future. Have a great time out there and I look forward to the trip report. Stay safe.

Mongrel

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Originally Posted by Mongrel

Hi Chard,

It was a tough choice; I almost flipped a coin to decide. I'm going to go with the wintertrekkers this time. I've winter camped for years with a hot tent and stove, but always solo. This is the first opportunity to meet some of the other wintertrekkers. I met a bunch from the USA at the winter camping symposium in Minnesota, but this will be a chance to meet other Canadians. I wish I didn't have to choose between the two groups. I met some great people at the Valens hang and certainly learned lots from you all. I hope to learn more from this group in future. Have a great time out there and I look forward to the trip report. Stay safe.

Mongrel

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Have a safe and fun trip as well!

Hey all just wanted to ask what time we are going to meet and where?

Tea lake campground...West Gate... 930-10ish?

Hi Jayson,

I'd say we meet up at the West Gate at 9am. We'll all need permits and it just makes sense. Any stragglers will have been in touch by cellphone, so we wouldn't need to wait.

I'm not sure that Tea Lake will be plowed, but if it is, I'd say that'd be a great rallying point. If it's not we can continue on to the Canoe Lake parking lot and meet there.

Chard

:jj:

Happy for ya, but green with envy..... Ah well, maybe next time.

Have a blast and be safe. Remember, a warm, sweaty day of bushwacking can equal damp, cold frozen bear burritos at night.

Heading for bed now...long day.
Bubba is riding up with us. we are leaving around 4am which should put us at the gate 9--930.
Otter has my cell number.
see you all there.

Thanks for all of your great feedback. See the trip report here.

Cheers