Ontario Overland Project

[Waytec]

Yes there are tone of trails in the aria. Reminds me of my old stomping grounds around Tamworth and Tweed.

When crossing the farms the farmer probably owns the land but has a winter access agreement with the snowmobile club. On the family farm we bout back the old railway beds, then the snowmobilers came and we gave them access in the winter, until they tried to tell us how to run things ( but that is another camp fire talk)

A suggestion is get an official road map of Lennox and Addington now Stone Mills, not the travel book ones. You may have to go to the municipal office. On it is all the roads, maintained and unmaintained. the unmaintained ones are nice trails that lead into small lakes some have cottages/hunting camps on them, I use to travel From the east side of Tamworth though Erinsville to the North side of Tweed all on unmaintained roads buy quad.

This is making me a little home sick but I do love it in Alberta.

 

[Root Moose]

All I'll add to that is that if some guys in 4x4s drove their trucks through my property where the OFSC trails go I'd be mighty pissed.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Well, this weekend is open for me actually, maybe. Depends on the weather. I have to choose between:

A)I have to pick up a new canoe up in Algonquin Park at some point. It's ready and waiting for me for whenever. I had thought about going up there with my boy for an overnight canoe camping trip. But, would require nice weather.

B)There's an offroad motorcycle race on Sunday, I would also like to do. Can't do both.

C)Could hit some more trails. If the weather isn't nice, this could actually work.

In fact, I should point out, I'm maybe getting a group together to run Lingham Lake Hydro Line on Saturday May 1st. It's a not-too-long trail, level 2+ or 3 depending on water levels and stuff. It's mostly looking like a group of good JK Jeep guys and myself, but you could come along I'm sure. I've already tossed out the idea of getting to Madoc, the starting point, on these trails. But you'd have to get out east really early in the morning to give us time to cruise the trails before hitting the hydro line.

We could explore the E108 and E212 from Corbyville to Madoc, or take the Hasting Heritage trail from Glen Ross to Bannockburn which puts us really close to the start of the Lingham Lake trail. Time permitting, we could take try to actually get up to Lingham Lake itself. I haven't been myself yet, that trail can be a solid 3-4 due to mud and water. After Lingham Lake Hydro Line, could take the MP9 back southwest to Sulphide, where it intersects the Trans Canada Trail. From there, we'd have to see if we can take the TCT back futher SW, or just take the roads back at that point.

This would be a FULL day for sure. We'd have to be sure that nobody does anything stupid like they did last year on the Lingham Lake Hydro Line and drown their Jeep in the hopelessly deep water crossing, requiring us 3 hours to get them out...

If the route worked out, could be... I dunno, well over 100km of off-highway travel.

BTW, I just called the EOTA to find out if I could buy a permit to use a truck on the trails, and she said no, they won't sell it to me. Interesting. Have to find out where that leaves us, legally.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

All I'll add to that is that if some guys in 4x4s drove their trucks through my property where the OFSC trails go I'd be mighty pissed.

I agree, but it doesn't seem to be the case here. The trail was part of the EOTA trail system, which invites ATVers to ride the trails.

 

[Rev]

I've seen Revs truck and wheel with him. He doesn't have a winch or bumpers, but his passion to get exploring is very good. Our trucks is more prepeared, but as I always said good company sometime can mean more, plus he has some "connections" which should help us to achieve goals.

Who needs a winch when I've got you around to pull me out?


I'm busy Saturday/Sunday. But sounds like you guys will have a fun time.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Interesting article here from the Ministry of Natural Resources for snowmobile trails on public lands:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr_e005021.pdf

The lightest permanent bridge they are allowed to construct must be designed to support a 7500lb truck during summer months, and must be no more than 6 feet wide. If the bridge is lighter than that, it must be removable, and must be removed in the summer. It goes up from there. If the road is graveled in the summer, the bridge must be designed for 20,000lbs.

 

[Jim K in PA]

Thanks!

Great write up. Just wanted to say thanks from a southie. We live in northeastern Pennsylvania, and I have been researching overland/trail trips to take in the territories. Much beautiful land to explore up there.

BTW - as you probably already know, in the SW US public land and private ranch lands hopscotch each other all over. Ranchers gate/fance their land to control livestock, but cannot lock the gates by law. I have traveled hundreds of miles throughout northern Arizona by trail/gravel road only. When you reach a gated section, you do just as you showed. Open the gate, pass through, and close it behind you. If we ever saw people on the land, which was rare, they just waived (with their hands, not fingers or shotguns )

I'll explore Mexico and southward eventually, but our big neighbor to the north has much to offer, and is a lot closer to me!

 

[AlexJet]

Rob,
Keep me posted as I might join you...

 

[Rev]

I'll explore Mexico and southward eventually, but our big neighbor to the north has much to offer, and is a lot closer to me!

Come on up! We will show you around.

 

[Lost Canadian]

A)I have to pick up a new canoe up in Algonquin Park at some point.

Rob, if you go to Algonquin I know of a trail that I came across totally by chance last year, it's just south of the park entrance off the 60. I can't remember the name of the road but right before you hit the park you'll see a sign for a log dump on the right side if you're coming from the south. It's a dirt road, and there is a ministry sign that says "use at own risk." If you head down that road, about a kilometer in you'll see a trail that heads off into the woods. It's hard to miss, the trail head is right at the bend in the road. There is a hairy rock trail that goes on for some distance. I walked it for about an hour never reaching the end before I decided to turn around. I'm not sure what it was for, or where it goes. It's way too rocky to be an old logging road but it's wide enough to fit trucks down. The first part of the trail is made up of soccer ball sized rocks, and there was evidence rubber on the rock. Lots of bear scat also. I was by myself so I didn't want to take my truck down it alone, hence the reason I parked and walked some of it. The part I walked was really nice though, and I wouldn't mind exploring it more, maybe later this year. I'll see if I can find a map of the road I'm talking about.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Pretty sure it's Hay Creek Hydro Line you're talking of. It's in the right place, and it's the only trail that is legal to drive in the park. JSMoriss and I looked into this last year. Algonquin Park is legally sewn up pretty tight, even though they have 1000's of km of logging roads, we can't use them.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Pretty sure it's you're talking of. It's in the right place, and it's the only trail that is legal to drive in the park. JSMoriss and I looked into this last year. Algonquin Park is legally sewn up pretty tight, even though they have 1000's of km of logging roads, we can't use them.

It was outside the park about 5 km south of the west gate and it came off the 60. There were no power lines around. I think the trail you're talking about is further south closer to the Haliburton area. I'm still searching for some info.

Edit: See the dirt road off the 60, the trail started at the first bend of that road. The west gate entering the park is just outside of the frame.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Great project you have going. I look forward to seeing the next section of trail you explore.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

It was outside the park about 5 km south of the west gate and it came off the 60. There were no power lines around. I think the trail you're talking about is further south closer to the Haliburton area. I'm still searching for some info.

Edit: See the dirt road off the 60, the trail started at the first bend of that road. The west gate entering the park is just outside of the frame.

Ok, you have to be careful there though. The official rule is that any road that does not appear on the Algonquin Park Map, is not legal to drive on, and there are MANY of them. You will get a ticket (theoretically, don't know the reality, JSMoriss drove on some last year.)

 

[timbercruiser]

Nice writeup. I've wheeled near the Soo and it looks very simlar to your pics. Overlanding in Onatrio would be awesome!