Algonquin Park: Camping Trip Logs: 014 - Head Lake Winter Camping - Access Point #8

Day 0

February 16, 2012 - Travel to Wolf Den

I managed to get on the road just after 1 PM and raced up to Huntsville, trying to catch up with Mark and Mike who I knew were going to be stopping in at Algonquin Outfitters first. I stopped to grab some takeout for dinner and checked Mark’s Spot page on my iPhone, looked like I had just missed them as the last check-in had them on Highway 60 near Deerhurst. So I just kept driving, getting to the Wolf Den about 5 PM, maybe 30 minutes after them.

There was a good amount of snow on the ground and the temperature was pleasant, around -1 C. We sat at the table chatting and having some beverages for a few hours. But we all headed off to our rooms at a fairly early hour, we wanted to be at the West Gate when it opened.

The Wolf Den kitchen.

Day 1

February 17, 2012 - Cache Lake to Head Lake

We were awake on time, had a couple of cups of coffee and our breakfasts and then made the short drive to Algonquin Park’s West Gate to get our permits. There were a few other people looking to head in winter camping as well. I had read on a couple of different online forums that there was to be a gathering near Whitefish Lake, quite a large group seemed to be heading in to there. We spent a few minutes chatting with Kevin who was manning the desk and then we were back in our vehicles and off to Access Point #8 – Cache Lake.

There was only one other vehicle in the parking lot when we arrived, we could see ski tracks heading out on the lake. In short order we had the sleds loaded up and were ready to go. Mike actually loaded up two sleds, I don’t know how he manages to pull two loaded sleds. He’s a monster. After checking the snow depth on the lake we decided that snowshoes weren’t going to be necessary. Under a cloudy ski we started across Cache Lake just before 10 AM, next stop the Head Lake portage!

Loading up the sleds.

Cache Lake under a cloudy sky.

Mark and Mike start across Cache Lake.

Along the lake the wind picked up and we had some light snow. It made for a pretty scene, until we got to the portage start and saw the snow covered hill we had to climb.

Algonquin cabin in the snow.

Mark walking in the snow flurries.

Hill at the start of the Head Lake portage.

Mark and Mike contemplate the task ahead.

With some pushing and pulling we managed to get all the sleds up the hill to where it leveled out. A drink of water and a break before putting on the snowshoes and harnessing ourselves back in. The portage was deep with snow, at least two feet, and was undisturbed except for the set of recent ski tracks. I almost felt guilty for walking on the tracks and smashing them all up, I stopped worrying as the trail went on and I started losing my breath.

We took turns breaking trail and kept trudging along, it wasn’t really too difficult until we began hitting the boardwalks. Then we would have to go down and around them, the rougher ground making it tricky to pull the sled through without tipping. There was also one spot with a tree across the trail, we had to double up and lift each sled over it. Eventually we came to the end of the portage, with a nice hill to slide down to the surface of Head Lake.

Reorganizing at the top of the hill.

Mike snowshoeing with his two sleds.

Taking a breather along the snowshoe trail.

Downhill to Head Lake.

We looked out on Head Lake and decided to check out a bit of a bay on the west shore near a camp site. Pushing back into the trees we found a spot big enough to hold the tent with enough protection from the wind to make camp. We proceeded to stomp down a tent pad and while the snow sintered up I handed out pre-made sandwiches and cookies for lunch.

Surveying Head Lake for a winter site.

This is the spot, get the gear.

Then we setup the tent, installed the stove and made camp comfortable. By 1:30 PM we were pretty much done. Getting wood and water occupied the rest of the afternoon.

Setting up the hot tent.

Getting water.

Mark cuts up some firewood.

Winter camping hot tent.

A start to the wood pile.

With the heavy work out of the way we decided to hike to the nearby camp site to check it out and see if there was any wood to be found there. We also knew that a Spring Gathering was potentially to be held on that site and we wanted to see its suitability for tent sites. After a short visit we returned to the tent and Markus got the stove going, supper was to be Mike’s stew and it needed some time to defrost.

Going exploring to the nearby camp site.

Rabbit tracks on the camp site.

Mark lights the wood stove.

Large bag of dinner.

The snow and wind had continued throughout the day, fading in and out in strength, but it wasn’t too cold and looked like the weekend would be a fine one. After some cocktails, including Rum Toddy’s prepared by me, we checked the lake by cloud light and ended up crawling into our sleeping bags early. The tiring trek in sure helped us fall asleep quickly.

Hot tent setup with stove going.

Evening sky on Head Lake.

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