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Backpacking the Highland Trail in Algonquin (41km) (10/8/2016)

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 will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the TOC.

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: Algonquin Provincial Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 8 2016, Sun, Oct 9 2016, Mon, Oct 10 2016  7:15 AM  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Sep 28 2016 6:00:00 PM
Event Duration:Saturday Morning - Monday Evening
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Event Coordinator(s): César
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:$100.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 18 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 7 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Fall is a great time of the year to camp in Algonquin Park, as weather is cooler and ideal for long hikes, and colour changing trees provide spectacular views. Last year we were lucky as tree colours peaked around our visit over the Thanksgiving weekend. Hopefully this year nature will cooperate and will grant another great show.

We will leave Toronto on Saturday morning, head to the park office in Mew Lake to get our permits, then we will hike approximately 7 km to our first campsite along Provoking Lake, where we will spend our first night. On Sunday morning, we will break camp and hike 18 km to our next campsite along Harness Lake, where we will spend Sunday night. On Monday we’ll hike out 16 km to the parking lot, and then drive back to Toronto. Expect to be back in Toronto late on Monday evening.

Please note that a this trip will require hiking long distances on a hilly terrain, carrying close to 20 kg (give or take) of gear, food and water on your back. Thus the event is open to those who already have experience camping in park interiors, who are comfortable hiking long distances in that type of terrain, and who already own the required gear listed below, or are willing to make arrangements to complete the list.

Please note that this event is classified as a D5 in the Toronto Outdoor Club (TOC) Difficulty Rating Scale. For more information about what this means, please click the corresponding link on the left (blue) column on this page for details. If you have not been in any backcountry camping events with the TOC rated at least as D4, but have equivalent experience, please provide details on the Notes Section on the registration page. Lack of relevant experience with this club and failure to provide requested details will lead to moving your name from confirmed participant to the waiting list without further notice.

A mandatory pre-meeting for this trip will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 7:00pm at Chalkers Pub at 247 Marlee Ave., North York to discuss car pooling arrangements, trip expectation and route, food planning and equipment. If you are unable to attend the pre- meeting, the event coordinator can remove you from the list of confirmed participants without further notification. This requirement could be waived for those who already have been in similar events with the event coordinator, but you will need to contact him in advance to discuss expectations of the trip.

Please note that if there is a shortage of confirmed drivers, those on the waiting list who are willing to drive and who meet the event requirements will receive priority as spaces become available.


Required Items to Bring:

You will carry what you bring for your personal use, so pack light! Also, keep in mind that everybody is expected to assist carrying items for common use: please ensure that there is some room in your backpack for them.

  • Backpack, 50-60L
  • Hiking boots, well broken in
  • Suitable clothing for weather (Absolutly NO COTTON!)
  • Whistle
  • Sleeping bag and pad
  • Toiletries + toilet paper
  • Headlamp + spare batteries
  • Nalgene wide-mouth water bottles or hydration bladder (total capacity should be or exceed 2L)
  • Personal cup, bowl, eating utensils
  • Food (To be discussed at pre-meeting)
  • Dry sac to hang your food/toiletries overnight
  • Personal first-aid kit / medications
  • Tent or shelter (due to park regulations regarding maximum number of pieces of shelter allowed per campsite, participants are expected to show flexibility in case there is need to share with other participants - to be discussed at pre- meeting).
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

    At pre-meeting we will discuss who will volunteer some of the common gear.

    Suggested personal items:

  • Knife
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Garbage bag(s)
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hiking poles

    Common items (To be discussed at pre- meeting):

  • Stove + lighter
  • Saw
  • Pots + cookware
  • Water filter or treatment
  • Rope for bear bags
  • Tarp


    • How to Get There:
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):590Km
    Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 AM
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $152.22 (calculated at total Km * $0.258, effective Friday, April 19, 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:
    Photo credit: © César Guerra
    - 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.

    Cost & Payment:
    Member Cost:$100.00/Person
    Cost Includes:Please note that this is a rough cost estimate to give you an idea of what to expect. This estimate includes the following:
    1) Backcountry permit per person for Saturday and Sunday night.
    2) One time, non-refundable campsite reservation fee.
    3) Estimated carpool cost per person (actual carpool cost will be determined at the end of the trip based on number of vehicles and number of participants).

    The cost estimate does NOT include any common meals, your voluntary donation, or any other supplementary cost. These other costs will be discussed at the pre-meeting.

    Group expenses such as carpool, common food are extra and will be calculated at the conclusion of the trip.

    Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the TOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.
     
    Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
    Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

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