Algonquin Park: Camping Trip Logs: 022 - Pinetree Lake Winter Camping - Access Point #12

Map

Map - Pinetree Lake.

Day 1

February 15, 2013 - Highway 60 to Pinetree Lake

I was out the door on time right around 5:00 AM and on the road to Algonquin Park’s West Gate where I was to meet up with Markus, Jeffrey and Brandon. A few minutes after 9:00 AM I pulled in and found the guys were already inside chatting away with Kevin, who mans the West Gate. We spent a few minutes getting caught up with Kevin and in short order had our permits in hand. Then it was back into the vehicles for the drive to Access Point #12 – Pinetree Lake.

Crossing Algonquin Park on Highway 60.

A bit of getting organized and packing everything onto our sleds and we were able to start our trek. Since the heavy tent and wood stove have to be hauled in by one guy we always end up with extra gear requiring an extra sled. This year lucky Jeffrey got the honour of pulling two sleds, he needs the workout anyway!

Cold? No it's not cold.

Portage (1940m) into Pinetree Lake.

The Pinetree Lake portage is fairly easy going with a few hills to climb but over all I didn’t find it too bad. The temperature was about -3 Celsius and there was a very light snow falling with a stiff breeze knocking the snow off the trees. We were breaking trail and it looked like it had been awhile since anyone had made the trip this winter. I had forgot how quickly you started to warm up when pulling a toboggan full of gear. The hardest part of winter camping is regulating your body temperature, it’s a constant battle putting on and taking off layers to keep your temperature at a comfortable level.

Jeffrey and Markus protect themselves from a snow gust.

A very snowy portage trail.

After an hour and twenty minutes of snow-shoeing we arrived at the downhill slope to Pinetree Lake. We checked the depth of the ice on the lake and found it to be about 8-9 inches thick. Reassured that it was safe to travel across, we put our ice picks around our necks and set off crossing our fingers. There was still some light snow and we were travelling into the wind as we walked down the lake looking for a protected camping spot.

Jeffrey makes it to the bottom, barely.

Checking ice thickness before crossing the lake.

The lake is flat, but a lot colder than the portage.

We walked down the northern bay and out onto the more central part of Pinetree Lake and decided to start looking for a level spot that might be protected from the wind. It took some searching since Pinetree Lake is very cliffy but we eventually agreed on a location in a bay south of the camp site. When camping in the frigid winter you want to be able to get to a thunderbox, it just makes one thing a little easier.

It was now just after 2:00 PM and we began the tent and camp site setup. By 3:30 PM we had the tent setup and a good start to the firewood pile. We arranged the sleeping quarters, unrolled the (many) sleeping bags and had the stove lit and ready for making supper.

Markus adjusting a tent line.

Our hot tent ready to go for the cold weekend ahead.

Evening on Pinetree Lake, Algonquin Park.

When you are in Algonquin Park and night falls, especially in the winter, it gets dark. So by 7:00 PM we were hunkered down in the tent with the stove blazing away and digging into a meal of Shrimp Stir-fry with Chicken. A warm tent, bellies full and a beverage or two quickly put some people to sleep. When I realized I was the only one awake I crawled deeper into my sleeping bag and went to sleep too.

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