An Epic Family Adventure
We recently returned from a pretty big weekend away! As the itch to travel and explore has been growing in myself and Giles, we were searching our brains for options that would work on our small budget. The desire was to see more of the world around us...and for both of us the more wild the world the better! It was determined that a hike-in camping trip would certainly meet the budget and the wild criteria and so we set about to plan. In a lot of ways, back country camping was so much simpler to pack for than the car camping we had previously been doing...do we need it? Pack it. Is it not essential? Then leave it behind. Usually our vehicle is loaded to the top when we go camping, so to have three small backpacks and two large ones with so much room to spare was sort of exhilarating!!
This was still no laughing matter and to take three kids and a puppy on a 7km hike on the first leg of Mantario trail should have probably been more daunting than it was, but we were pretty confident we could do it...and this family is stronger for it!! So we drove to the south trailhead and began our trek to Caribou Lake.
We begin!
Things started out smoothly! Its a very technical trail, with signs sometimes difficult to see, rocks to scale, marshes to bog through, and narrow, almost grass covered trail to go single file on, but it was a solid start. Until we missed a sign and ended up bush crashing for a section of the woods covered in pretty dense underbrush! This was a low point for all of us, particularly for Willow as the smallest and therefore the fallen trees and bushes posed the biggest obstacles for her!
But we got back on track when we found a bridge we were looking for (phew) and while attempting to take a picture and capture this moment of triumph, our puppy, Peanut, decided to keep the adventure going when he jumped into the stream to try to cross it to get to Giles (his favorite person). Not a strong swimmer, he quickly realized his mistake and turned around but had to work very hard against current to get back on shore. A short span of time, but enough to give the kids a scare and for Giles to drop his pack and prepare to jump in. Thankfully our little trooper made it and was the only one who had to get wet!
We continued on...
We met a couple other young men who were hiking towards us and found out they had made it to the train tracks we were aiming for but couldn't find the trail on the other side. They decided to try once more with us and our map and so we ended up on the tracks...for WAY longer than was necessary. With the sun glaring in our faces as it was setting we missed the tiny orange ribbon tied to a branch in a tree off the tracks a little ways. I should have got a picture of this, but it is comforting to know that we were not the only ones who missed it!
We met a couple other young men who were hiking towards us and found out they had made it to the train tracks we were aiming for but couldn't find the trail on the other side. They decided to try once more with us and our map and so we ended up on the tracks...for WAY longer than was necessary. With the sun glaring in our faces as it was setting we missed the tiny orange ribbon tied to a branch in a tree off the tracks a little ways. I should have got a picture of this, but it is comforting to know that we were not the only ones who missed it!
I cannot stress enough how proud Giles and I both were of our kids. They were sore and tired but still smiling (at least for the camera)!!
So, while the ribbon wasn't discovered we did eventually see the trail across a small opening and a ravine next to us, so it was back through the bush we went to get back on track. Giles, more experienced at these sorts of hikes, was starting to feel like getting water and finding a place to set up for the night was the next goal since these unexpected detours had slowed our time down. Willow was visibly displaying my disappointment at having to give up our goal of reaching the campsite and waking up there. But the wisdom of Giles prevailed and we filled up our bottles at the next creek and stopped to set up our tent amidst the mosquitoes at the next clearing. Everyone grabbed something to eat, I used our pristine drops to purify the water we had collected and we crawled in to rest.
We woke with renewed energy after a mediocre sleep. After we were packed up and had a quick snack we set off and were so so so delighted that it was only a short 45 minutes to the campsite. Such a sight for sore eyes and now we could make breakfast and have the whole day to spend in this beautiful, remote location. Us and one other couple who were good sports about all of a sudden sharing this area with a family of five....and Peanut of course.
We swam and explored! We snacked and relaxed! It was amazing. We found at our favorite eating spot on a rock by the waters edge that a turtle or three would often come visit us there and so we enjoyed that a lot as well.
Nothing like sharing a glass of wine in a big green camping cup with your love at sunset!!
And then waking up together to make coffee while watching the sunrise over a misty lake!
No trip into nature is complete if Willow hasn't found something to collect, and wildflowers are a particular favorite of hers!
All too soon it was time to pack up, leave our mark and say our good byes!
We hoisted those packs back on our shoulders and off we set singing our way down the trail! A fresh, full day to make it back with and knowing the trouble spots on the trail to look out for, the going was much smoother the second time around.
It wasn't without its exhausting moments!
And a break at the bridge to dip our heads in the water and wet our hats before pressing on was very refreshing!
Before we knew it we were back on the trail that everyone recognized as the one to take us to the parking lot! The energy of kids is astounding, this is the point the kids all got a burst of speed to finish the trip strong!
And then after a quick dip in West Hawk lake to cool ourselves and wash a layer of dirt off we hit up Famous Dave's for supper, a request of Avery's ever since we had been there a couple years ago with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dave! After eating trail mix and oatmeal this was more difficult to digest than we had anticipated, but it was a nice change of pace and a nice reward for effort hard won!
And so ends this adventure...with many more to come!
