Offline
Hoping to get in a hot tent trip this winter. We would likely get a late start and night hike in to camp. I have heard of late starters leaving notice on their cars for wardens that they would stop on way out to pay applicable permit fees. Is this common practice and what is the acceptable protocol? Also I have recently learned that there are 4 camps already set for hot tenting available through snow forest adventures. Contact them regarding locations and fees. Tent stove and hard wood supplied. Cool option for hot tent experience. Tents sleep up to 10. Camps are accessible from the Sunday Lake dog sled trail.
Offline
I'd call the park and make sure. I know there is a self serve station at Mew lake for car camping. Wouldn't want to see you get tagged or towed because of bad advise.
Offline
Good to know about self registration. That's a good option. Will call park to make sure. Pretty bad when you look to advice from others before just calling the source to find out for sure. Duh... Lol! Thanks.
Last edited by Shayne74 (11/10/2015 6:14 am)
Thread StarterOffline
Algonquin Park website:
Search: winter
Winter in Algonquin Park
Winter Visitor Guide pdf
If you are interested in a dog-sledding adventure, then Snow Forest Adventures is one option.
Multi-Day Expeditions
Its hands-on from here on in: you'll learn dog and dog sled handling, how to pack your sled, harness the dogs, and hook your team up to your sled. And of course, you'll learn the 'commands' that will set you off on your way along the beautifully groomed network of interconnecting trails in Algonquin Park . 'Mush!' will be your new favourite word as the frisky dogs bound through the snow.
2 Days / 1 night $450/person
3 Days / 2 nights $650/person
Prices Include the cost of park permits for the duration of the trip, all meals including lunch on the last day. Winter gear supplied includes; winter sleeping bag, ensolite pad, duffle bag, boots and a winter parka.
Last edited by Barbara (11/10/2015 6:39 am)
Offline
I called up and spoke to someone in the Park last week (staff) and they said you can call in to get a reservation number. You can then put that number on a piece of paper in your dash so that any Wardens can verify that you have paid for your trip. My understanding is that they want to know where you are and how long you are going to be not only for payment purposes but also in the event someone needs to find you, or you are late getting out (safety) etc.
Offline
Don't confuse Mew Lake (campground) procedures with backcountry camping procedures. For backcountry in the winter you buy a permit and leave it on your dash, though if your timing doesn't fit with the east/west gate's operating hours you can get a permit number by phone like Steve E explains and leave that on your dash. If these dog sled outfitters have hot tents set up and they're available for rent to people who are not their dog sledding clientele, that's between you and them to arrange, though you'd still be responsible for an interior camping permit (unless the dog sledders arrange that and include it in the fee).
Offline
Awesome news about obtaining permit/reservation numbers by phone. The outfitter did relay that the camper is responsible for interior/parking permits. When you book an actual trip through their company the permits are included as was the case when we did a dog sled tour last year. Just looking for clarification on how to obtain interior permits after hours. Seems like question answered. Thank everyone. BTW Snow Forest Adventures trips are awesome. Great guys and services are second to none IMO.Would recommend them to anyone looking for such an adventure. Thanks again.
Thread StarterOffline
RE: Late night winter camping start. I would strongly advise against this.
As you know, it gets dark very early, looking for wood will be a problem (both finding it, and harvesting it safely). Your hot-tent trip will likely be a cold-tent trip on the first night.
I would wait until the morning. Spend the night in a lodge around AP.
Cheers,
Marko
Offline
I'd be interested if you'd share what you learn as far as details about the SFA hot tent camps, such as how much do they charge for non-clients to use them, where are they located (is it within a day's walk of an access point, seeing as how that's a lot less than a day's sled drive?), and how often are they available for snowshoers (presumably not during dog sled tours?).
Offline
Marko. Hard wood is provided at camp so no harvesting needed. Stacked and waiting for you.May be wise to pack in some fire starter and kindling to ease the arrival. closest camp is 3 km in on Black Fox Creek. I belive the access lot is the trailer pump station on north side of 60 near km 35?The next closest I believe is on red fox lake. There is another on zenobia and Hiram as well. Some of them have multiple tents set up. The service is pricey at $200 /night but with the work of lugging and setting up tent and stove taken care of and the fact you could potentially sleep up to 10 people it could prove to be an affordable intro to the hot tent. Not sure what a decent tent and stove would cost to own. For a multi day trip you could venture from tent to tent if available. I we decide we can make it happen I will post a trip log of sorts to detail how it went. Hoping for Jan or Feb. We were in last January on our dogsled trip so I have seen two of the 4 camps and kind of know what to expect when we get there. 3 kms in the dark shouldn't be too much of an issue. Its really the only way we could swing a weekend trip do to drive time from Leamington.
Thread StarterOffline
Looks like I need to brush up on reading comprehension :D Totally missed that.
Kindling + fire starter is a great idea, also having a couple of candles can really warm up a tent as you get the fire going.
Atuk tents are about $700-800 (snow trekker are even more expensive), a wood stove is another $250 or so. Canadian Outdoor Equipment sells them these days.
Algonquin Basecamp rents hot tents, and seems to have a very reasonable winter camping section/options. Looking at it, they also have a wood/water delivery option...
Good luck with the trip, looking forward to hearing about it. I'll be up on Sunday Lake Dec 19-22 with my hot tent (Atuk; hopefully there will be reasonable snow coverage).
Cheers,
Marko
Last edited by Marko_Mrko (11/10/2015 6:57 pm)
Offline
Just thought some more about the night hike in the winter. Unless the outfitter recommends this, I would really try to not hike to camp at night (and if the outfitter says it's ok, even then I would really think about it). In the winter, the error margins are much thinner, it's a lot easier to die. Couple of things:
1) Unless it's a cloudless night, it will be really dark.
2) You will not be carrying your own shelter
3) It will likely be really cold. Electronics fail (GPS, headlamp) and people's brains may not work as well.
4) The trail is not lit nor marked.
I can think of several scenarios (injury, loss of direction) that would end really badly, especially as you won't be carrying your own shelter.
Cheers,
Marko
Offline
Will take all in to consideration. We would be carrying emergency shelter just in case. Also will be checking and double checking directions given by tour company. Not overly concerned about 3 kms but still have to be prepared for anything. I will keep all posted regarding details. Thanks again.
Thread StarterShayne just a note about obtaining your permit by phone. I believe the Office is only open until 4PM so the call would have to be made on your day of arrival before they close. Just have a pen, something to write on, your vehicle plate number and a credit card handy.
As for the trip in after dark. I believe you have done the RiverX and I figure following an established dog sled trail through the bush in the dark will be a little easier than finding your way across Mary Lake in the dark and fog. After that trip a 3 or 4K snowshoe hike probably won't even raise your heart rate.
Seriously though, you know your abilities and limits.
Offline
Lol! The only difference would be the temperature. Mary lake was allot easier this year than last. Will take head on waves over pea soup fog any day. We got lucky and nailed the mouth of the river nearly head on. Wouldn't think about it if wasn't confident in ability. Although part of that knowledge is knowing the dangers . We will be prepared.
Thread Starter
Online!
Offline
Very true. Good point . I would be certain to obtain from a more local source or have adequate alternative fire starters. Thanks for staying on top of things.
Thread Starter
1 of 1