Loading up our sleds and ready to leave for a long 6.5km haul to Wilkins Lake at about 8:15am Thursday. We parked about 1.3km from the Park gate on a access road. This was as far as we could go with the road plowed and a parking area cleared. This road goes along Aylen Lake.

After about 500 meters we had to put our snowshoes on. We were walking on a old snowmobile track that made easy walking to this point. The snow was about 15inches thick but had a crust a few inches down from the previous warm weekend. This was still outside Park boundaries.

You can see the Algonquin Park boundary sign behind Markus. The road bridge was taking out. We liked this to keep vehicles out.

Jeffrey making sure not to get wet!

Jeffrey enjoying the snow? A snow squall hit us 2 hours into our trip. It was hard to see. Only lasted about 15 minutes. At this area large moose tracks can be seen in the snow and were following the road for a good distance.

Can you spot Markus to the left? This is on the P970 portage to Wilkins Lake from Aylen River. We turn onto it from the road leaving about 700 meters to Wilkins. How hard can it be from here? In this area is nice scenic cliffs to view. The portage climbs at 2 areas along the way. A canoe rest is at the last hill crest for good reason. I was having a hard time trying to pull my sled weighing over 100lbs up these hills. My snow shoes did not have large cleats to dig in the snow. Markus came back and helped me by pushing while I pulled. My sled was also tipping sideways because of the weight. I was getting tired and frustrated at this point.

Yep, that's me enjoying the view?

Markus pooped out after helping me push my sled up the last hill. Can you believe that it took us over an hour to cover 700 meters? I can!

I heard a big Woohoo! from Markus as he was the first to view Wilkins around 12:17pm. The campsite is at the point to the left. We camped past the site up a hill about 200 meters away. When we crossed the lake to the site, we could hear ice cracking under us. We got a little worried about ice thickness. We stopped and check the thickness with my ice spud.. The ice from the top had 2~4" snow, 1 inch of soft ice, 2~4 inches of slush and water and then 12 inches. Plenty safe. We were just breaking into the slush. It was warm the previous week which created the slush layer.

By 4:00pm our tent was up and much needed firewood ready to warm our souls. It took us about 4 hours to get to our camp area. Markus found a nice flat area with enough room to erect his tent and well protected from wind. Temperature was falling fast at -20c. My feet were getting cold now. When I did take my boots off, I tried to pull out my felt inside soles. They were frozen to the bottoms!

Our water hole on Wilkins Lake.

Markus taking it easy.

Thawing out my Chilli dinner on the stove at 6:30pm. After dinner and a few drinks we all crashed by 9:00pm. With only 3 hours sleep the night before, 5-6 hour drive from Toronto and out trek in......we were bushed.

Up at 8:30am, late in my world. It was sunny and beautiful but cold. It was going to be the coldest day. During the night, Mark got up around 11:00pm to re-start the fire and I got up at 5:00am to do the same. I thought I was ready to get up but with the new warmth from the stove, I passed out again. The body needed a few more hours of rest.

Our trail looking down to the lake.

Wilkins Lake with some old moose tracks along the shore. Wolf tracks were also spotted all over along with deer tracks.

Straight across the lake is the portage to Breezy Lake between the hills.

After a much filling breakfast we decided to stay on the lake and go for a hike. The wind was picking up and with the cold, almost unbearable on exposed skin.

This is the campsite on the western shore that had a wooden couch made. Not here now.

See, their are beautiful things to see in the winter!.

Markus punching a hole in the ice for curiosity. Still 12" thick with not as much slush. Freezing up with the colder temps.

View from the island at the far end looking towards our south-western campsite. We found a fire pit camping area but no thunder box. No official campsign either.

Lunch time at a campsite on the eastern side of the lake around a bend from the Island, out of the wind, well mostly anyways. We made a fire to heat up some sausage and mainly us!

Heading back to camp

The wind chill was brutal. I had to cover up the face. I do have a smile on under the mask. I love this stuff!

Back at camp after getting more firewood we had a beer slushy. The temperature dropped to -29c by Saturday morning.

Saturday morning sunrise over Wilkins. Come'on sun!

Trying to keep warm, I made a snow angel and a happy stick-man. Markus added the "Woohoo" A fly over by plane would bring a chuckle to the pilot.

After breakfast we head across to Breezy portage. The ice was constantly cracking the entire weekend with the cold. Even the trees were cracking with the cold.

Portage sign to Breezy Lake . It was a very up and down trail to say the least, crossing an old logging road. The portage is 1475m long.

Markus found a blue screw type lid barrel at the campsite beside the P1475 to Breezy. A bear tried to get inside unsuccessfully. I used a rock to knock the ice of the lid and was successful. Old camping junk left behind for some reason. It would not be so nice to open in the summer full of bee and mice nests.

Shot of Breezy Lake. I was urged by Markus that we should push on to Robitaille. "Where's that map, oh, a P695 eh?.......errrrrrrr....okay, lets do it!" I just can't say no.

On Robitaille Lake. We walked along the shore around the corner to the nearest campsite for lunch.

Markus and Jeffrey waiting for our lunch to warm up. This campsite was primitive. Could not find a grill on site but I brought one just incase. I just had to rig it up over the fire. Many trees are knocked down all over around this site.

I had a hard time finding the thunder box. Close call with this tree almost landed right on top!

Nice rock near the campsite on the way back on Robitaille Lake.

Snow build up on a downed tree shows the amount of snow on the portage back.

Last night on Wilkins inside our tent waiting for Mark's chilli to heat up and trying to thaw out the beer! BTW...The night before we had Beef Stew made by Jeffrey. It rocked! Very good stew sir!

Jeffrey trying to stay warm in the tent. The temps would vary. As high as 20c at times. Markus and I were fast asleep by 7:00pm, leaving night-owl Jeffrey tending the stove. I think I woke up briefly and yelled at him saying it was a sauna in here! Sorry! hahaha.

I got up at 5:00am and lit the stove to get the boys moving. I wanted to be on the way by 9:00am if possible. By the time we had breakfast, packed up the tent, loaded the sleds, it was 9:30am. Not to bad.

Much easier going down hill thru the gorge area from Wilkins. A packed snow trail made it even better.

"Y" At the cart trail

Algonquin Park border sign. Someone used it for target practice with a shot gun..

It took about 2 1/2 hours to get back. Very fast compared to going in. Many variables can make a trip or break it, in the winter. We could have had blizzard conditions for days and get snowed in. We had extra food just in case. In the winter, extra care is required!

This was a great rewarding trip! Thank you Markus and Jeffrey for the winter-fun-filled trip in Algonquin.

I'd like to make note: When I called in our permit at the West Gate, I was told that in the 18 years the West Gate employee has never issued a winter permit for Wilkins Lake. Are we the only ones that have done this trip in the winter? I doubt it, but it would be nice to know if anyone else has. If you have let us know.

Cheers ..
Mike Burns