Author Archives: lizclark851

For The Outdoorsy Urbanite: 5 Parks Worth the Drive

It takes 3.5 hours to drive from Paris to Brussels. 7 hours from Edinburgh to London. In Toronto, getting from one side of the GTA to the other can be a 2 – 3 hour drive, depending on traffic. Our perception of time and distance is a little skewed. That means that sometimes, staying ‘closeContinue reading “For The Outdoorsy Urbanite: 5 Parks Worth the Drive”

Provincial Park #8: Ferris

General Info: – 2 hours and 20 minutes Toronto – seasonal camping: May – October – 2 campgrounds: Valleyview Bedrock – some sites along the Trent River – pedestrian suspension bridge with views of Ranney Falls– 10km of hiking trails: Drumlin (3 interconnecting loops: 1.2km+2.5km+2.5km) Ranney Falls (1k)River Gorge (3.5km)– no swimming area at theContinue reading “Provincial Park #8: Ferris”

MSR Hubba Hubba: 5-Star Nylon

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it over-hyped? Probably. It is worth it? Absolutely. Whether you love it or hate it, the MSR Hubba Hubba has cemented itself as one of the most popular backpacking tents in the world. Equipping adventurers for more than 50 years, MSR has a reputation for engineering cutting-edge, high-quality gear andContinue reading “MSR Hubba Hubba: 5-Star Nylon”

Provincial Park #7: Presqu’ile

General Info:– 1 hour and 45 minutes from Toronto – seasonal camping: April-October – 8 campgrounds:High Bluffs PinesMaplesLakeside Trails End – sandy beaches – paved roads and bike lanes– 16km of hiking/walking trails:Pioneer and Newcastle (8.1 km)Marsh Trails (1.2 km)Owen Point (2 km) Jobes’ Woods (1 km)– second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario – migrationContinue reading “Provincial Park #7: Presqu’ile”

Provincial Park #6: Bon Echo

General Info: – 3 hours and 15 minutes from Toronto – 4 campgrounds:Hardwood Hills (drive-in/walk-in)Mazinaw (drive-in/yurts)Abes and Essens (backcountry sites)Joe Perry and Pearson (backcountry sites/portage)– cabins available for rent – Indigenous pictographs– 3 natural sandy beaches – 5 hiking trails:1. Cliff Top Trail (1.5 km) – only accessible by water2. Abes and Essens (3 loopsContinue reading “Provincial Park #6: Bon Echo”

Provincial Park #5: Arrowhead

General Info:– 2.5 hours north of Toronto – all-season campground: open January – Dec (winter camping available) – 3 campgrounds: 1. Roe2. East River3. Lumby – 15km of hiking trails Beaver Meadow (7 km)Homesteaders Trail (3 km)Mayflower (1 km)Stubb’s Falls (2 km)Big Bend Lookout (under 1 km)– boat rentals available – 3 sandy beaches –Continue reading “Provincial Park #5: Arrowhead”