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Frontenac Provincial Park
P.O. Box 11, Sydenham, Ontario K0H 2T0 |
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Situated along the southernmost intrusion of
the Canadian shield, Frontenac Provincial Park is
in a transition zone that provides a variety of
landscapes and habitats. The granite outcroppings
of the shield are contrasted with mixed forests
and a wide variety of wetlands. This is an
excellent park for the nature lover to explore
and with only backcountry camping, the park
remains a quiet wilderness without cars or motors
of any sort. |
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The beautiful blue waters of
Frontenac's lakes can be appreciated by
both hikers and canoeists. |
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Size
in Hectares: 5,130 Hectares Location:
Frontenac is located just a
short distance from Kingston and is just about
half way between Montreal and Toronto. From the
401 (either Montreal or Toronto) take highway 9
north to Sydenham, then take Country Road 19
north and turn off at Big Salmon Road.
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Setting out on the Big
Salmon Lake Trail |
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Driving Distances: Two hours
from Ottawa / Three and half hours from Montreal
or Toronto / Half hour north of Kingston. Reservations:
Season: All year-round
Weather: The
Weather Network
Associations:
Friends of Frontenac
Park The
Address for Friends
of Frontenac Park is now P.O. Box 2237, Kingston
Ontario K7L 5J9. (613-376-3489) / Rideau Trail Association
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Articles: On The Shoulders of Frontenac Hiking: 170 km
of trails. To get a real understanding of each
portages difficulty, trail orientation as well as
detailed information on the park contact the
Friends of Frontenac Provincial Park and order
their map. The small cost of the map helps
support the essential work they do.
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From the boardwalk at the
visitors center you can get a feeling for
the park |
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Arab Lake Gorge |
1.5km |
40 min |
Novice |
Starts at trail center |
Doe Lake Loop |
3.0km |
1-2hrs |
Intermediate |
Starts at trail center |
Cedar Lake Loop |
15km |
4-6hrs |
Inter./Expert |
Starts 1.6km from trail center |
Slide Lake Loop |
21km |
6-8hrs |
Expert |
Starts 4.3km from trail center |
Big Salmon Lake Loop |
19km |
5-7hrs |
Inter./Expert |
Starts 4.5km from trail center |
Arkon Lake Loop |
13km |
3-5hrs |
Intermediate |
Starts 1.8km from trail center |
Little Clear Lake Loop |
9km |
3-5hrs |
Novice/Inter. |
Starts 6.5km from trail center |
Little Salmon Lake Loop |
15km |
3-5hrs |
Novice/Inter. |
Starts 3.0km from trail center |
Tetsmine Loop |
12km |
5-6hrs |
Intermediate |
Starts 9.6km from trail center |
Gibson Lake Loop |
11km |
5-6hrs |
Intermediate |
Starts 11km from trail center |
Hemlock Lake Loop |
5km |
3hrs |
Novice/Inter. |
Starts 8.5km from trail center |
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Front Country Camping: There
is no front country camping in the park Backcountry
Camping: 48
backcountry campsites
Backpacking: Frontenac is
unique in that it's one of the few backcountry
areas with almost complete access by paddle and
by foot.
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The park provides fire pits
and camping pads for each site. |
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The extensive system of hiking trails, in
conjunction with the portage
trails will get you to almost every campsite
in the park. While the park is better know for
it's paddling hikers and backpackers should give
this area careful consideration. The trail system
has so many interconnections that you can
customize your excursion to fit almost any
itinerary. From loop hikes of an hour to several
nights out to get a good feel for the park. Canoeing:
Sometimes overshadowed by it's bigger
brother, Algonquin, Frontenac is often
overlooked. Don't be fooled. The canoe routes in
the park are excellent, with many variations to
choose from. There are dozens of lakes and
campsites available on on many of them.
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Backpacking is an excellent
way to see Frontenac's backcountry |
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Hiking and portage
trails criss cross the park offering great
flexibility for planning your routes. Big Salmon
Lake is parks launch point and for you new to
canoe tripping you have the option of staying on
one of the lakes three campsites and avoiding a
portage. If your not sure of what route might fit
your needs the park staff can assist you in
making your choice. |
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The
Launch point at Big Salmon Lake. |
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Winter Adventures: The
winter is excellent time to visit Frontenac if your a
cross country skier or snowshoer. You might want to stay
close to the parks entrance or with just a little effort
you'll be in the parks interior where you'll find that
peaceful quiet only the wilderness can provide. The park
even has winter camping if your so inclined but be sure
your prepared and have the requisite skills. Cross Country Skiing:
150 km of backcountry trails.Cross Country Skiing
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The
beavers busy at work. |
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Literature:
Park Pamphlet
Park Newspaper
Park Canoe and Trail MapBooks:
I
Hate Winter - A Guide to Winter
Outings in Ontario Includes Frontenac
Provincial Park
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Outfitters:
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Flora and Fauna: The varied
habitats of the parks three zones, northern,
transitional and southern, provide a home to a
wide variety of plants and animals. Mature
forests of ferns give way to the young mixed
forests of birch, maple and oak then transition
to the parks wetlands. Birders can enjoy a wide
variation of song birds, raptors, water fowl
along with those interlopers from the south, the
turkey vultures. White tailed deer are plentiful
as are Raccoons, Porcupines and Otters. |
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You
can often see turtles sunning themselves
as you quietly canoe through the parks
waters. |
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If your lucky you might get a glance at
some of the parks wolves, coyotes or even black bears.
The park is home to eight species of snake including
Ontario's largest (but harmless), the Black Rat Snake. |
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Wood
peckers incredible determination.
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Note: Inquire about
the parks wilderness skills program,
which can provide an introduction for a
novice or help to hone the skills of a
more experienced outdoors person. Some of
the skills taught include low impact
camping, compass and map, wilderness
survival, equipment selection and
maintenance. Frontenac is the perfect
place to combine learning with the
pleasure of the outdoors. Pet
Laws: Pets are allowed in the
park, but must be on a leash for the
safety of your pet and of the wild
animals they might encounter.
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Portage
Trials in Frontenac Provincial Park:
- Arab Lake parking lot to Arab Lake 174m
Arab Lake to Arab Lake Parking lot
- Big Salmon Lake to Little Salmon Lake 974m
Little Salmon Lake to Big Salmon Lake
- Big Salmon Lake to Little Clear Lake Moderate
Rolling 923m
Little Clear Lake to Big Salmon Lake Moderate
Rolling
- Big Salmon Lake to Camel Lake Moderate Small
Uphill 453m
Camel Lake to Big Salmon Lake Moderate Small
Downhill
- Big Salmon Lake to Labelle Lake 491m
Labelle Lake to Big Salmon Lake
- Labelle Lake to Big Clear Lake 190m
Big Clear Lake to Labelle Lake
- Little Clear Lake to Black Lake 503m
Black Lake to Little Clear Lake
- Little Salmon Lake to Little Clear Lake 856m
Little Clear Lake to Little Salmon Lake
- Little Salmon Lake to Birch Lake 1138m This is a
difficult portage in both directions.
Birch Lake to Little Salmon Lake
- Big Clear Lake to Black Lake 666m
Black Lake to Big Clear Lake
- Devil Lake to Bear Lake 572m
Bear Lake to Devil Lake
- Black Lake to Bear Lake 977m
Bear Lake to Black Lake
- Devil Lake to Moulton Lake 653m
Moulton Lake to Devil Lake
- Devil Lake to Kingsford Lake 761m
Kingsford Lake to Devil Lake
- Big Clear Lake to Devil Lake 860m
Devil Lake to Big Clear Lake
- Birch Lake to Clear Lake 1003m
Clear Lake to Birch Lake
- Birch Lake to Arkon Lake 393m
Arkon Lake to Birch Lake
- South Otter Lake to Doe Lake 341m
Doe Lake to Otter Lake
- North Buck Lake to Slide Lake 81m
Slide Lake to North Buck Lake
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