Winter in Algonquin Provincial Park is a lot of fun! Many of the trails off the highway 60 corridor are still open, the Mew Lake campground is open for camping, and the whole park is under a blanket of snow, ice, and cold fresh air that rejuvenates the senses.
We always wanted to spend a Christmas in Algonquin, and luckily the holidays of Christmas day and Boxing day fell on the Thursday and Friday, giving us an extra long weekend. We drove up to spend Christmas Eve with Marianne’s sister and her husband in Barrie, and they sent us off with some leftovers. Adding to the Christmas cookies from Marianne’s Mom, we were all set in the food department.
DAY # 1: Barrie to Algonquin Provincial Park Mew Lake Campground – Two Rivers Trail (2.3 km)
Weather: Snow and wind during the day with mixed precipitation and wind during the evening. High: 0C Low: 0C
We arrived at the Mew Lake campground and our Yurt (#62) that was going to be our home for the next couple of nights. The yurt consisted of 2 bunkbeds, a heater, a table with 6 chairs, four “windows” and a shelf. Our initial plan was to spend some time snowshoeing a few of the park’s trails, however the mild temperatures created less than ideal slushy snow conditions so it looked like we would just be hiking instead of snowshoeing.
After unpacking and getting acquainted with the facilities at the Mew Lake Campground we wasted no time in hiking our first trail, the 2.3 kilometre Two Rivers Trail that takes you along a scenic pine clad cliff overlooking the North Madawaska River. Unfortunately, in our haste to get out within the last few hours of daylight, we forgot the camera. Looks like we have a “remember to” for tomorrow!
Once we returned to our yurt it was time for a Christmas dinner of turkey sandwiches, a can of beans, homemade pumpkin pie, and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cheers!
For the rest of the evening we stayed warm under the covers while listening to the wind that was just outside our canvas home.
Wildlife Sightings: Red Squirrel, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, People.
Remember to: Bring the camera on tomorrow’s hike
DAY # 2: Mew Lake campground – Track and Tower Trail (7.5km)
Weather: Cloudy. High: 0 C Low: -1C
Another mild morning here in Algonquin. Before breakfast Marianne placed out some bird seed on the picnic table just outside the yurt, though so far only the Red Squirrels have found it.
Breakfast was a feast of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, with a side of bacon, eggs, and potatoes. Coffee was also a must. We only save our morale tea for our backcountry trips.
A big breakfast called for a longer hike so we chose the 7.5 kilometre Track and Tower Trail. It was a bit slick and slushy on the snow as temperatures hovered around freezing. We crossed over the Madawaska River, and even saw a portage sign. Other features along the Track and Tower trail included a side trail taking you to a scenic lookout to view Cache Lake, remains from the now dismantled Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway that was built in 1895, and a modern dam. Though covered in snow we could also make out some old foundations, but not the old foundation of the Skymount fire tower. Not much in the way of wildlife though the freshly fallen snow covering tree branches was a beautiful sight! With the temperature of around 0 C we actually got a little to warm and shedded some layers.
Returning to the yurt for lunch we dined on tuna macaroni salad, some more bacon and pumpkin pie. We checked out the comfort station in the campground that was a short walk from our site and we saw others who were car camping with some in trailers while others were tenting it. We haven’t tried winter camping in a tent before, and we fear that with so much darkness we would be bored.
Though no canned food is allowed in the backcountry, the luxury of canned goods in the campgrounds is allowed so tonight was a gourmet dinner of Zoodles (pasta shapes in tomato sauce), along with some slices of ham, some hard cheese, and more of our Cabernet Sauvignon.
We had feathered visitors coming to the seed out on the picnic table now with a Blue Jay and Black-capped Chickadee.
Wildlife Sightings: Red Squirrel, Common Raven, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet
Remember to: Wear less clothing when hiking long trails
DAY # 3: Mew Lake Campground – Big Pines Trail (2.9 km), Spruce Bog Boardwalk (1.5 km), Algonquin Logging Museum (1.3 km)
Weather: Cloudy. High: 3 C Low: 1 C
After another breakfast of peanut butter and jam, eggs, potatoes, and coffee, we were on the highway 60 corridor by 8:30 am with the goal of completing 3 more hiking trails and checking out the Visitor Centre as well.
The first trail was the Big Pines Trail at 2.9 kilometres. Along this trail was some old growth pines including one that was 122 feet tall at 1.14 metres in diameter. We haven’t seen a tree this big since we were down in the Smokey Mountains a few years back. There was also what little remained of a sawlog camp from the late 1800s. We brought some GORP along for today’s hikes and it wasn’t long before we were sharing some with a pair of Grey Jays.
After a quick visit to the Visitor Centre to check out their displays and gift shop, it was across the highway to check out the Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Here we, or at least Marianne, had a single goal in mind…find a Spruce Grouse. This is probably the most accessible spot in the park that offers your best chance in seeing this Boreal specialty. Though we did have a nice walk, we dipped out on the grouse.
Before our next hike, we decided to try for another boreal specialty, the Black-backed Woodpecker, by driving down Opeongo Road. Unfortunately we dipped out on that one as well.
Our last stop was the Algonquin Logging Museum which is located near the park’s east gate. This is an informative easy walk with recreations of equipment and housing used during the logging era of Algonquin Park. The history of logging in Algonquin Provincial park began in the 1830s and even continues to this day. It was especially very interesting for us because we have seen old remnants of this era on our backcountry trips including the alligator and a log chute. Once again we were overdressed and sweaty as it was 3 Celsius out today.
Back at the Mew Lake campground we had a nice shower at the comfort station and dined on ham sandwiches, Christmas cookies, pumpkin pie, and the rest of our wine. The rest of the evening was for playing UNO before settling in for a long winter’s nap before driving home the next day.
Winter in Algonquin Park is a lot of fun! Spending that time in a heated yurt is even better and we will be back for sure!
Wildlife Sightings: Red Squirrel, Gray Jay, Blue Jay, People, Black-capped Chickadee, Ruffed Grouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Common Redpoll, Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Remember to: 100.1 FM is the weather band for Algonquin Provincial Park
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