Saskatoon Hiking and Skiing Meetup

This is a favorite of mine. The weather will be cool at night, so be prepared.

Everyone will go on the waitlist until the $42 registration has been recieved.

If committed to going, the $42/person registration fees can be emailed to me at pinkertonretreats@outlook.com.

We will spend 3 days and 2 nights on the trail.

We can plan to meet at PANP visitors center in Waskesiu townsite at 9:00 Saturday morning to aquire our permits. Then drive to the trailhead at Kingsmere Lake. We should be on the trail by 10:30. We will hike approximately 16kms to North End campsite, set up our tents and spend the night there. Sunday morning we will leave the tents setup and pack a day pack to hike approximately 7kms to and from the cabin. Then spend another night at North End.
Monday morning we will pack everything up and hike the 16 kms back to our vehicles.
If time permits we could stop for a group meal together in the Waskesiu townsite or in Prince Albert.
There are water sources at least every 5kms, but it must be filtered, boiled or treated. I've seen some that have not and have gotten quite ill.
We can arrange carpooling plans once we know who is all coming.
There are multiple sites at North End, so the more the merrier.
What to pack:

Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag or quilt, water treating system of your choice, water bottle, cooking gear and stove, food for 3 days on the trail. Good footwear for the trail and I suggest comfy shoes for around the camp, first aid kit, bug spray, bear spray,
If you are short any of the items needed, reach out to me, we can share water filters and cook systems.
I have hiked this trail many times over the years, in different seasons. Weather is always a concern, so bring gear for hot and sunny, as well as cool and rainy. It can change very quickly. Gotta love Saskatchewan weather.

There will be a 16.00/ night camping fee per person as well as a 10/night per campsite fee. So budget $42 for total fees for the weekend.

10 annual fee: if you haven't yet, please pay 10 annual fee. You can pay by cash or preferably, e-transfer eneudorf@hotmail.com

LIMITATIONS AND LIABILITY The organizer of your event is not acting as a professional guide and is not responsible for any injuries or losses resulting from your participation in the Group's events. Participation is entirely voluntary and you assume all the risks of the event, whatever circumstances may occur. In all instances, you are responsible for providing the proper equipment, and for your own safety. Neither the Group nor the organizer is liable in any respect for losses, injuries, damages or deaths resulting directly or indirectly from your participation in the Group's events.

Please read details of event before signing up.

Nicolle Flats and Buffalo Pound have been favourites for our group since day 1. So below's the low-down for this go-round:

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park offers a balanced blend of nature and recreational opportunities. Once used by First Nations to corral bison, the park maintains a captive herd in a paddock that's situated among the area's scenic rolling hills. There are also lots of migrant waterfowl for viewing in the Nicolle Flats Interpretive Area and Marsh Boardwalk.

We're going to start by hiking the Terminator, challenging trails on the west side of Buffalo Pound Lake. These trails have good tree coverage, but there are lots of ups and downs, (similar to those at Saskatchewan Landing) so the level of difficulty will be high. We'll aim to do 6-7 kms.

After we finish the terminator we'll stop for lunch, before heading out again in the afternoon to do Nicolle Flats: an easy 8km loop around the southern most portion of Buffalo Pound Lake. Most of the terrain here is flat with little tree cover, so lots of sun. We'll make one stop for snacks along the way, at the Nicolle Homestead.

Including the drive, this will be a full day, so be prepared: bring 1-2 litres of water to keep you hydrated, plus a snack and a bag lunch.

Dress appropriately, based on the weather for that day: cool in the morning and warm during the day. Wool or synthetics are always better than cotton as cotton soaks up sweat and makes you feel cold. Bring a rain jacket in case of rain. Running shoes will do but hiking shoes/boots will help keeping you sturdy on uneven ground. Walking poles are recommended but by no means essential. Did I mention water yet - bring water to keep hydrated!

You should also bring mosquito repellent, a hat, sunglasses, lipbalm, etc..., to protect you from the elements.

Cost: $10 annual fee if this is your first hike for 2026. $12 per car for park access fee, + fuel for transportation (passengers pay).

After the hike, we will check out the new Trailhead Cafe inside the park for some food.

I'm hoping the leaves will have turned colour at Anglin Lake by the end of September. We'll start at the Anglin Lake bridge in Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, go up to the Tower to enjoy the spectacular view looking over the mostly aspen forest to the south, then follow the Spruce River Highlands Trail to a viewing platform, and return along the creek to rejoin the trails in Great Blue Heron. Total distance will be about 15 kms on intermediate trails with lots of hills.

It will take about 2 1/2 hours to get to the parking site at the dam, so the day will be long. Bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, as well as whatever clothing you need for the weather. If you have a provincial park pass, please bring it. Day passes can be purchased online for $11/vehicle. You will also need to pay your driver.

On the way home, we can stop for dinner at Knotty Pine Bistro in Little Red River Park. They have burgers, sandwiches, salads as well as a dinner menu that includes pickerel! When you sign up, please indicate whether you want to go for dinner.

If this is your first hike with the meetup group this year, please e-transfer the $10 annual fee to eneudorf@hotmail.com

We will meet at the Tim Hortons at Lawson Heights Mall at 8 a.m. sharp to organize carpooling.