| Author |
Message |
jimdiane
Member
Post Number: 5
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 5:00 pm: | 
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I would like to plan a week long trek to Maple Mountain next Jan/Feb 2012. Has anyone done it? any comments?
Also, is the road in to Mowat's Landing plowed at this time of year
thanx
jim |
grncnu
Member
Post Number: 49
Registered: 08-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 10:40 pm: |
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having fallen through the ice once in -25 degree weather above a small dam on the credit river, i recommend caution at the mattawapika dam opposite mowat landing! as you probably know the portage is very close to the dam.
you don't mention whether you've done the m. mountain hike (in summer) before- i imagine you might need to really know what you're doing and have special equipment to get up some parts, depending on conditions.
other people would be better qualified to address your specific questions. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 965
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 7:33 am: |
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jimdiane:
Try doing a search here on ottertooth. Either last year or the year before there was a guy who attempted this trek, but was not successful and had to return.
The other problem is Lady Evelyn Lake. This water body is used as a peaking lake for OPG hydro generators on the Montreal River. As a result the water level changes significantly under the ice, making travel on it harzardous.
I would try to make contact with local snowmobilers to get their take on Lady Evelyn ice travel in the winter, before venturing out on the lake.
Others here may have experience with this lake and offer comments.
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erhard
Member
Post Number: 10
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 9:31 am: |
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Adding to ed's comment: to avoid Evelyn, you could start off Hwy 65 near Mountain Chutes
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=47.63046,-80.14389&z=13 &t=T
and proceed via Montreal River, Spray Creek, Mendelsson Lake, Skull Lake and Willow Creek - I've traveled some of it in summer and think it should be relatively safer and the snowmobilers would give you a firm track to travel on... |
jimdiane
Member
Post Number: 6
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 9:49 am: |
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thanx for all the info. My kids and I did the route a couple of years ago to the top(in summer), I know winter/ice would dictate a whole different story.
Ice conditions certainly will be a deciding factor, may take a different route.
I have about 10 years of winter camping experience/gear, but always learning something new!
I guess I will continue to plan.
regards
jim |
jimdiane
Member
Post Number: 7
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 10:08 am: |
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Forgot to ask: Do I need a permit of sorts?
Would my car be safe for a week at mowats in the winter?
jim |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 966
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 2:49 pm: |
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Go here to review rules:
http://www.ottertooth.com/Temagami/Canoeing/parks. htm
The Temagami area parks do not collect fees during the winter months.
Also, not sure if the road to Mowatts Landing is plowed out during the winter. |
curly
Member
Post Number: 253
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 - 9:15 am: |
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Mowat's is plowed in the winter. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 967
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 - 10:36 am: |
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That's good to know. Is that for people who may live on the lake over winter, or as a result of logging operations? |
curly
Member
Post Number: 254
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 - 8:49 pm: |
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It's for the residents. |
fireman
Member
Post Number: 148
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2011 - 5:22 pm: |
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A few things I can think of...Given that the hike up Maple Mountain takes two hours in good conditions, how long do you figure it will take in deep snow? Given the amount of daylight in January, I would go later than sooner in the winter. I assume you are camping up top as there would not be time to go up and come down in one day, unless you just touched the summit and returned.
Also, top of Maple Mountain on a February night. That is some cold weather, and probably windy. I have slept up there in July and September, several times. It is windy, windy, windy.
When you say you have done ten years of winter camping, are we talking hot camping or survival camping with nylon tents and such???
I think it will be pretty cold up there. There are no trees, just shrubs really. There is some shelter behind some large rocks.
And, finally, I do not know how one gets up the steeper sections with a tobogganfull of gear. If you are backpacking your gear, good luck.
It is a noble goal. I would imagine you would want a fair bit of rope to hoist gear up the steeper bits. We came across a hill in Algonquin last month which required four people pulling with ropes and even then it was tough...and it was only a few hundred metres.
Other than that...piece of cake. Good luck.
Craig MacDonald could tell you definitively if it can be done. |
alscool
Moderator
Post Number: 285
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - 10:35 am: |
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March is a good suggestion, the days are longer and the snow will set better. You could shoe up the mountain with out issue, just not sure why you would. I think it would be pretty bleak up there in the dead of winter. |
jimdiane
Member
Post Number: 8
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 7:15 pm: |
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I was thinking about hiking in with our gear ( all on sleds) and setting up a base camp on a nearby lake. The following day we would make an attempt to hike up. Of course a lot of factors would be dealt with: snow conditions, wind, ice. Whether we make it up or not, being there and having fun is the main thing!
I have no survival camping training, my ten years of camping covers cold and hot tenting and I have all the necessary gear for extreme cold camping.
thanx for all the suggestions!
jim |
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