GLSKA TRIPS

A listing of GLSKA Trips for the 2012 paddling season
(Updated April 25, 2012)
Trips added since the Spring issue of the newsletter are marked

[April]  [May]  [June]  [July]  [August]  [September]  [October]

If you prefer a calendar style of trip listing, check the GLSKA Trip Calendar

If you are a GLSKA member and would like to organize a trip, please contact the Trip Coordinator, Ralph Gardave, at gardave@sympatico.ca  with all the appropriate information and we will post it right away.

APRIL

APRIL 6: GRAND RIVER – CAYUGA - LAKE ERIE

Organizer: Dave Morningstar  dave.amstar@hotmail.com
Type: Day
Class: B – 2
We'll push off from the Lion's Park in Cayuga at 9:00am.  The day park is located down river from the bridge on the east side.  This day paddle is about 25 kilometres long with a lift-over at Byng Island Park (approx. 50 m) ending at my cottage up-river (approx. 2 kilometres) from Lake Erie.  The paddle is a one-way trip and I will leave a vehicle at the takeout for shuttle back to Cayuga.  Bring a lunch and let's all enjoy the spring wildlife as we float down the Grand.  For more information about the Grand read the book "Canoeing The Grand River".

MAY

MAY 11-13: PICKEREL RIVER

Organizer: Sam Wyss  sonsamw@gmail.com
Type: Wilderness
Class: B – 2
Group Size: Max. 8 participants
Plan to meet on Friday at 11a.m. at the Lost Channel Inn and Marina just off Hwy 522.  After put in, we will paddle for about 2 hours to find a suitable campsite in the area of Cincinnati Island on Kawigamok Lake.  We will set up camp for two nights and spend the weekend exploring the area including Dollars Lake to the north.  There is no portaging required.  This is early in the season wet or dry suits and clothing for colder and potentially inclement weather are a must for this trip.

MAY 18-20: FRANKLIN ISLAND – GEORGIAN BAY

Organizer: Ralph Gardave  gardave@sympatico.ca
Type: Wilderness – Exploratory
Class: B – 2
Group Size: Max. 8 participants
We’ll meet up at Snug Harbour on the morning of the 18th and paddle over to a campsite. Over the course of the weekend, and weather permitting, we’ll have the option of paddling around Franklin Island, over to Snake Island or exploring the islands off of Red Rock Lighthouse. More details and directions will go out to those who sign up.

MAY 25-27: FLOWERPOT ISLAND ORCHID SEARCH – BRUCE PENINSULA

Organizer: Rob Muylwyk  rob.muylwyk@gmail.com
Type: Wilderness
Class: C – 2
Group Size: Max. 8 participants
We will set up a base camp on Flowerpot Island (4 kilometres off Tobermory), where we will look for the beautiful tiny Calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa) and other spring wildflowers. We are expecting an early spring, so this should be a good weekend for it. From here we can paddle to the other Fathom Five islands and/or to the cliffs on the mainland. Distances over 25-kilometres per day, including 14-kilometre crossings. The waters are still very cold at this time, so a wet or dry suit is a must. (An alternative destination may be selected if the weather conditions would raise the classification.)  (See Bruce Peninsula Paddling Destinations – Fathom Five National Park for a description of the route.)

JUNE

JUNE 9-10: LYAL ISLAND – LAKE HURON

Organizer: John Dewancker  calypso5@rogers.com
Type: Day
Class: A – 2
This is a pleasant spring paddle starting at Sandy Beach on Myles Bay. Enjoy a variety of attractions including the limestone rock formation of Lyal Island. (See the Bruce Peninsula Paddling Destinations – Lyal Island for a description of the route.) On Sunday, an additional paddle on Georgian Bay can be organized if there is interest. Weekend camping or stay at a Barrow Bay cottage is available.

JUNE 9-10: MASSASAUGA PROVINCIAL PARK – GEORGIAN BAY                            

THE GLSKA VIRGINS TRIP

Organizer: Keith Rodgers  keithrodgers@bell.net
Type: Wilderness
Class: B – 1
A “GLSKA Virgin” is any member of our club who has not yet, for whatever reason, been on a posted GLSKA trip. These trips, which have been running for 6 years now, have attracted a wonderful collection of paddlers of all ages and skill-sets. In spite of this (or is it because of this?) the trip offers a very enjoyable experience for all and for new members especially, a great introduction to the club.
Once again we will be paddling in the Massasauga Park, on Georgian Bay just south of Parry Sound. Saturday morning we will put in at Pete’s Place and enjoy a sheltered paddle to Sharpe Island, stopping en route for lunch. We usually have the island to ourselves. After setting up our tents we will paddle on to explore the trails on Wreck Island (or not, depending on your energy level) then back to Sharpe for dinner and socializing. The paddle from the put-in to Sharpe Island is a leisurely 10 kilometres. If you join in the afternoon’s outing to Wreck Island then you will enjoy a slightly more vigorous 12 kilometres (there and back) for a day’s total of 22 to 25 kilometres (depending on whether I get lost or not). On Sunday we return to Pete’s Place and usually we are off the water by mid-afternoon.
There is no limit to the size of the group – all who apply are welcome and we add additional group organizers and campsites as needed. You must have (or rent) a sea kayak, camping gear and food. I will supply gear check-lists and tip sheets and lots of other help is available. So, is this the year you get tripping?
(See Trip Reports pages in the Archives for articles about past trips.)

JUNE 16: FISHING ISLANDS – LAKE HURON

Organizer: Sandy Richardson  sanrich2010@yahoo.ca
Type: Day
Class: B – 2
The Fishing Islands are an archipelago of over 70 dolomite islands off the western shore of the Bruce Peninsula. They are rich in history, with a number of shipwrecks and remains, interesting geology and nesting areas for gulls. cormorants, herons and bald eagles. We will put in at the beach in Howdenvale and explore the northern islands, returning to Howdenvale.  The length of the trip will depend upon the weather and people’s interests, but will probably be about 15-20 kilometres. (See Bruce Peninsula Paddling Destinations – Fishing Islands for a description of the route.) 

JUNE 22-24: RENDEZVOUS 2012 – PARRY ISLAND – GEORGIAN BAY

Contact: Laura Matthews  laura.matthews047@gmail.com
Our main annual get together, a weekend of paddling, workshops, talks and fun, is open to all club members, their families and friends. (See Rendezvous 2012 for details.)