McCrae lake is an absolutely gorgeous conservation reserve at the Southern end of the Canadian Shield. Just a couple of hours away from Toronto, it's very quiet this time of year. We'll follow a trail through the forest that ultimately ends up at an epic scenic lookout where we'll stop for lunch.
After the lookout we will head back to the van as beyond that point the route becomes increasingly hard to traverse in this season
As always, we’ll hike together and nobody will be left behind at any point.
Hike Length: 8km
Terrain: There's relatively little elevation gain on this trail making it an easy hike but there are a couple of steeper hills. We're hoping for a fairly thin layer of snow that should be well packed by this point. This could make it slippery, necessitating the use of ice spikes.
Estimated time to complete: 4 hours with breaks and exploration time.
08:20 - Meet at PetroCanada next to Keele Subway Station. There's free parking on Keele Street north of the station. Make sure you've had breakfast and used the washroom before meeting us!
08:30 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and can't wait for latecomers so please, please be on time!
10:15 - Meet self drivers at the McCrae Lake Car Park. We can't wait for self drivers so please be on time.
N.B. This parking lot sometimes gets full and they'll tow cars parked illegally so make sure you read the parking restrictions. If the road is icy, we may park the van at the overflow car parking here.
10:30 - Begin hike, eating lunch en route
15:00 - Anticipated return to cars
17:00 - Rough arrival time back at Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you. The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
Winter Hiking packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike. A hot drink is also a good idea.
Ice spikes and snowshoes are available to book when you register.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Ice - The ice is extremely thin this early in the year so keep off any bodies of water.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
McCrae Lake and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, Anishnabek and Mississauga Nations
