Backcountry Skiing Toronto

Moon Island Backcountry Canoe Camping

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/moon-island-canoe-camping)** **The Massasauga is one of the only provincial parks in Ontario you can only reach by water. That changes the feel of everything.** The Massasauga sits nestled into the eastern shores of Georgian Bay. Upon arrival at the park, we paddle 9km through beautiful lakes and bays to reach Moon Island, a water-access-only backcountry camp that will be our home for the weekend. Friday starts with a canoe orientation on flat water, then the crossing. By evening you'll know how to set up a tent, hang a bear hang, and cook over a camp stove. Saturday morning brings the Moon Island Trail, a loop through varied terrain with lookouts over the bay. The afternoon is yours: swim from the island's rocky shoreline, take a canoe out to explore the surrounding channels, or sit and watch the water. Sunday we pack up and paddle home. This trip is built for people who want the real backcountry experience. We bring the boats, the gear, the food, and the guides. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents * Canoes Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. This trip is slightly more challenging than our introduction to backcountry adventures. You should have a decent fitness level and a sense of adventure! **Highlights** **The 9km crossing:** Nine kilometres of open Georgian Bay water is a real paddle. Finishing it with a backcountry campsite on the other side is a genuinely good feeling. **Moon Island Trail:** A loop through mixed forest and exposed Canadian Shield granite, with lookouts over the bay, a heron rookery, and a beaver pond. Moose, deer, bear, and grouse all share the island. **True backcountry:** Water-access only means no roads, no car campers, no neighbours unless they paddled in too. **Event cost: $455+HST for explorer members. Optional transport available. Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/moon-island-canoe-camping)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Restoule Reset Summer Camping

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/restoule-reset)** **Some weekends are for slowing all the way down. This is one of those weekends.** Restoule is one of Ontario's best-kept secrets. It's every bit as beautiful as the big-name provincial parks, clear water, big pines, granite shoreline, but it sees a tiny fraction of the visitors. No fighting for a campsite, no crowded trails, just space to breathe. It's also the rare park that gives you both worlds. Camp comes with hot showers, running water, a fire pit and a picnic table, the comforts that make this an easy first camping trip. But push a canoe off the beach and you're into quiet, wild water within minutes. Frontcountry comfort, backcountry soul. We drive up Friday afternoon and settle into camp before dinner. The site is yours to inhabit, not just sleep in. If you're new to camping, our guides will walk you through the essentials, pitching a tent, working a camp stove, building a fire, so you'll leave with skills you can use on every trip after this one. Then bring a book, bring a card game, or just sit and watch the lake. Saturday is yours. The standout option is getting out on the water: canoe rentals are available right at camp as an optional add-on, and within minutes of pushing off you're on quiet, wild water with the shoreline to yourself. Prefer dry land? Lace up for the Fire Tower Trail, a loop through mixed forest that climbs to an old fire lookout with a sweeping view over the park and lake below. It's a real payoff for a reasonable effort. Or stay at the beach and do absolutely nothing. All correct choices. Sunday is breakfast, a slow pack-up, and an optional stop at Barton's Bistro in Restoule on the way out (lunch there is your own, not included), before the drive home feeling genuinely reset. This is a great first camping trip, and a great escape if you've been needing to slow things down. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. Before the trip we'll be sharing a detailed packing list telling you absolutely everything you need to think about and pack so you can turn up feeling totally prepared, ready to have an amazing time with the WU crew. Canoe rentals are an optional extra if this is something you want to do on Saturday morning. **Highlights** **Beauty Without the Crowds:** One of Ontario's best-kept secrets. As scenic as the big-name parks with a fraction of the people, and room to actually hear yourself think. **Canoe From Camp:** An optional rental right at the beach. Push off and you're on quiet, wild water within minutes, the easiest way into the backcountry. **Fire Tower Lookout:** An optional hike up to an old fire lookout with open views over the forest and the lake below. Manageable climb, genuine payoff. **Event cost: $350+HST for explorer members. Optional transport available. Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/restoule-reset)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Holiday Time!

**I'm away on vacation! See you soon and check the schedule for our ongoing Sunday hikes!**

The Flats & Crothers Woods — INTERMEDIATE Evening Hike (9 km)

Feedback | An Open Mic Comedy Show @ Backroom Comedy Club

Ticket Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1974279855193](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1974279855193)** Welcome to **Feedback \| An Open Mic Comedy Show** at the **Backroom Comedy Club**! Get ready for a night filled with laughter, jokes, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned comedian or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy some live comedy. Come join us on **Sundays** at **10:00 PM** for a hilarious evening that you won't forget. Talented and non-talented lineups of comedians will be taking the stage to entertain you and keep you laughing all night long, and if they fail, owners Ariel Kagan & Brandon Sobel will offer feedback on sets at the request So grab your friends, grab a drink, and get ready to have a great time at the **Backroom Comedy Club**. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience some of the best or worst comedy in town!

Roaming Centennial Ridges

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/centennial-ridges-26)** **See Algonquin Park from a new perspective as we hike along this beautiful ridgeline trail.** Centennial Ridges is a moderately challenging hike in Algonquin Park, and one of the most rewarding. The 10 km loop climbs through old-growth forest to two open ridgelines above Lake Opeongo. Here, the treeline drops away and the Canadian Shield stretches out in every direction. Our group will cover the full loop in a single day, with rest stops on the ridges and time to take in the kind of landscape most people only see from a plane. We handle the logistics so you can just show up. Embrace the summer with this unforgettable hike through classic Ontario nature. **Highlights** **Twin ridge views:** Two open summits with clear sightlines over the lake and the boreal forest beyond. **Old-growth forest throughout:** Mature white pine and mixed hardwoods that feel genuinely different from anything close to the city. Worth slowing down for. **Away from the crowds:** Far fewer people than most Algonquin day hikes. By the time you're on the ridge, the crowds are long gone. **Event cost: $70+HST (for explorer members) - $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/centennial-ridges-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

The Killarney Klassic: An Unforgettable Camping Adventure

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-klassic)** **Killarney Provincial Park is one of the most gorgeous locations in Ontario! And it’s been on your list long enough. Join us this weekend to experience what it has to offer.** Killarney is one of those parks where you arrive and understand immediately why people come back every year. This weekend, we're setting up at George Lake Campground for three days of hiking, swimming, and good company. On the drive up Friday, we stop at Herbert Fisheries in Killarney town that offers fresh Georgian Bay whitefish, hand-cut fries, and a seat on the dock. It's been a fixture here since 1981 and a good way to arrive. Then we head to camp to set up and settle in for the evening. Saturday morning, we hike to Lumsden Lake along a section of the La Cloche Silhouette Trail, winding through mixed forest and over wooden boardwalks before arriving at a clear lake framed by white quartzite ridges. After the hike, the afternoon belongs to the beach. George Lake's shore is right at camp. Sunday is the shorter Cranberry Bog loop, leaving directly from the campground. The trail passes through wetlands and opens to views of the La Cloche hills before looping back. After that, we pack up and drive home. This is a front country trip, which means car camping with your full kit and no portaging. It's the perfect entry point if you haven't camped with WU before, and an unforgettable long weekend either way. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time in a tent, this adventure has something for everyone. **Highlights** **Lake swimming:** George Lake's shore is steps from camp.Jump in whenever you feel like it. **Nights at the campfire:** No agenda, just the group, the dark, and the tree line. This is where the trip actually starts. **La Cloche Views:** Halfway through Sunday's trail, the trees open up and the white hills come into frame. There's nowhere else in Ontario that looks like this. **Event cost: $350+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-klassic)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

WOODLANDS LAKE, FRI. JULY 17-SUN JUL 19 CANOE TRIP 3/26

This was one of our most popular trips of last year. The dates are flexible on this trip. If you want you can come in Saturday or leave Sunday or Monday, and make it a two to five day trip. This is an easy trip to a great location. We usually stay at a large shaded campsite on Brothersons Lake; but we have discovered a great new campsite on Woodlands Lake that we will try. There is great swimming and great fishing. Hidden in the midst of the million dollar cottages in Muskoka, are a group of "finger" lakes that remain wilderness because they can only be accessed by canoe. They lie on crown land, there are no roads in, and no cottages are allowed. Woodlands Lake and Brotherson's Lake are in the headwaters of the Gibson River, and in the Severn River Conservation Reserve, a 9927 hectare area of Crown land, located within the District Municipality of Muskoka. We will be able to find a campsite in this area, and there are no restrictions; we don't have to make reservations or pay fees. This is wild country, with only a few campsites. We may get a firepit, but don't expect a thunder box. Bring your axe, we may have to cut a clearing in the bush. The lakes are long, narrow, and deep, with high rocky shores. Several small waterfalls stream down the cliffs on the north shore of Brotherson's Lake. **LOCATION:** **9 Mile Lake Marina** **9 mile lake, Bala, ON P0C 1A0** **44.940719979001265, -79.54977542446953** There is a free municipal parking lot at the Nine Mile Lake Marina. If it is full, we have to pay the Marina to park in their lot. To Brotherson's Lake: Paddle distance: 8 km. Portages: 650 m. + 200 m. To Woodlands Lake: Paddle distance an additional: 2 km. Portages: 100 m. Driving Distance: from Hwy. 7 & Hwy 400: 172 km. 2 hours. To join us: 1. Find a paddling partner, one of you has to be good paddling stern. 2. Own, rent, or borrow a canoe. Swift Canoe, Muskoka, Hwy. 11, Gravenhurst, is close, and on our route. 3. Get a car and tie down straps to transport the canoe. 4. Please use the Spread Sheet to list your name and contact information, so other paddlers can find you to arrange for canoes and cars. [WOODLANDS LAKE CANOE 3/26 - Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WNqQ1YoKoDPOCalLStdV7pXJ-A3vkeNlrdDBdBbAPxU/edit?gid=0#gid=0) 1.

Wilder Series: Epic Day Paddle

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-paddle)** **Seven portages. Four lakes. One very full day.** St. Nora Lake sits at the edge of the Frost Centre Crown lands, a stretch of Algonquin Highlands backcountry that stays quiet even when the rest of cottage country is packed. We spend the day working a loop through four connected lakes, portaging between each one and finishing where we started. Fourteen kilometres of paddling. Seven portages. Three kilometres of carries. **Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.** This trip has a specific purpose. It is the strongest single-day preparation we offer for members who are working toward WU's multi-day canoe epics. The portage load is real, the distances are meaningful, and by the time you reach Orlay and turn around, you will have a clear-eyed sense of your paddling fitness and your portaging form. That information is genuinely useful. The Epics ask a lot more of you over multiple days, and knowing where you stand before day one of a multi-day trip is better than finding out on the water. These are not casual lakes. The Canadian Shield terrain means the portages have character: rooted trails, rocky footing, the occasional steep pull. Come with footwear that can handle both wet landings and uneven ground. We will be on the water most of the day, and you should pack for it. **Included:** This trip includes canoe rentals, PFDs, paddles and safety kits. **Who It’s For**: Intermediate and advanced paddlers who want to further develop their skills and endurance. **Highlights** **3km of Portages.** Rooted trails and rocky footing make this one of the most physically demanding day paddles in WU's lineup. **Quiet lakes.** St. Nora, Sherbourne, Little Avery, and Orlay sit within Algonquin Highlands Crown land, quiet in a way that cottage-country lakes simply don't manage. **Epics Preparation.** Fourteen kilometers of paddling plus a full portage load will tell you exactly where you stand before you commit to a multi-day expedition. **Event cost: $110+HST for explorer members. Optional transport available. Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-paddle)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Secret Lake Hike and Swim

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/secret-lake-hike-and-swim-26)** **There's a lake about two hours north of Toronto that most people have never heard of. That’s where we’ll be going.** The hike in is a 10km exploration through real Canadian Shield wilderness: granite underfoot, old-growth forest overhead, and one solid climb that makes the refreshing swim feel earned. The trail winds through a stretch of protected wildlands that sees a fraction of the traffic of better-known Ontario parks. You'll pass through dense boreal forest, cross sections of exposed rock, and pick your way across beaver dam crossings that make this feel less like a trail day and more like actual backcountry. Keep your eyes open as: this area has moose, beaver, and more bird life than you'd expect. The one major incline on the route is manageable for any reasonably fit hiker, and the rest is well-graded and straightforward. If you've done a few day hikes before, you'll find this comfortable. If this is closer to your first time out, it's a great one to start with. At the turnaround, there's a lake waiting. We'll take a proper break and a swim before heading back. **Secret Location** This is one of Wilderness Union's secret hikes. We visit spots that are undiscovered by the wider world, keep them pristine, and share them only among members. The location is revealed to registered members in the days before the trip. We ask that you do the same. **Highlights** **Summer Swimming:** There's something about a lake you had to work to reach. Bring a swimsuit, take your time, and don't rush the trip back. **Canadian Shield Wilderness:** Old-growth forest, exposed granite, and one solid climb that opens things up before you drop back down to the lake. **A Lake Worth the Hike:** Five kilometres in, the trail ends at a lake. You'll have time to swim, dry off, and bask in the sun before heading back. **Event cost: $60+HST - $50 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/secret-lake-hike-and-swim-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

🦫⚽ THE GREAT BEAVER QUEST! ⚽🦫

# 🦫⚽ THE GREAT BEAVER QUEST! ⚽🦫 ### Hunt for 52 Giant Beavers Across Downtown Toronto! The FIFA World Cup is coming to Toronto, and the city is celebrating in a uniquely Canadian way... with **52 giant beaver sculptures** hidden throughout the downtown core! Join us for **The Great Beaver Quest**, a fun and social walking adventure as we try to find as many of these public art installations as possible. We'll explore parts of downtown Toronto, take photos, compare discoveries, and see how many beavers we can track down together. Whether you're a huge soccer fan, a casual fan, or someone who couldn't tell a corner kick from a corner store, this is a fun way to be part of the World Cup excitement while exploring the city and meeting new people. This is not a race and there are no prizes (other than bragging rights 🦫), but we'll do our best to find as many beavers as possible during our adventure. After the walk, we'll head over to **St. Lawrence Market** for lunch where we can relax, chat, and compare our favourite beaver sightings. 📲 **Join Our WhatsApp Group:** [Click here to join](http:/#) *** ## Meetup Details 📍 **Meetup Location:** Outside the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres 🫎 **Look for the Moose Hat!** ⏰ **Meetup Time:** 11:00am ⏰ **I will only wait 5 minutes.** 🚶 **Please be prepared to walk.** This is not a difficult walk, but we will be covering a fair amount of distance over approximately 2 hours as we search for the beavers. 💰 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash in person or E-transfer 📧 mathewmaclean@hotmail.com 🏁 **Ending Spot:** St. Lawrence Market 📱 **Beaver Quest App:** [Click Here!](https://oldtowntoronto.ca/beaverquest/) *** ## What To Expect 🦫 Hunt for as many of the 52 giant beavers as we can find 📸 Lots of photo opportunities 🚶 A fun downtown walking adventure 🤝 Meet new people and socialize ⚽ A unique way to experience Toronto's World Cup celebrations 🍴 Lunch afterward at St. Lawrence Market for anyone who would like to join us *** ## What To Bring 💧 Water 👟 Good walking shoes 📱 A fully charged phone for photos and the app 🧢 Weather-appropriate clothing *** REMEMBER YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP OR SIGN UP ON THE DAY IF YOU ARE NOT SURE YOU CAN MAKE IT. THIS GROUP IS OPEN TO THOSE THAT WANT TO BE SOCIAL, MAKE FRIENDS, WHETHER YOU ARE SINGLE OR NOT. WE ALSO HAVE LOTS OF OTHER EVENTS INCLUDING MOVIES, WALKS, HIKES, ARTS & CULTURE, AND RESTAURANTS. NOTE: Sometimes things happen and I might have to cancel, so please keep an eye on the event page for updates. Mathew is the organizer for this meetup. If you need to contact him, please post a message on the wall or email him at torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com. 🦫⚽ Fifty-two beavers. One city. Countless photo opportunities. Let's see how many we can find! ⚽🦫

Saturday Morning Hike + Evergreen BrickWorks Farmers Market- 7.5KM BEGINNER Hike