Wow, awesome but tough looking hike. You 2 are hardcore! Those 20+ kms that first day had me tired & sore just from watching! Beautiful overlooks and the trail through old forests never disappoints. I bet your sudden chance encounter with your wild friend was startling for sure. The smiles at the end though are what it's all for. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍
Thanks so much! Yes, the chance encounter with our bear friend was invigorating to say the least 😅 We couldn't believe the views and our fortune with the weather (until the very last hours lol). Thanks for watching!🙏
It's so beautiful! And it's also surprisingly large - many people associate the LaCloche range with Killarney, but it extends quite far west. Thanks for watching! 🙏
Horseshoe lake does look like a gem. What a veiw from that lookout too! Man that hike has it all, great views, cool forests, quartzite hills, way to soak it in. Fun to see a bear too. Looks like the perfect 3 to 4 dayer, way to rock it guys!
Indeed a perfect 3 or 4 day hike - 2 was a bit ambitious! Thanks for checking it out - not sure if your kiddos would be into the whole trail, but there are some really rewarding day hikes in either direction (from Willisville, or Fort LaCloche) that offer stunning views, without the punishing distances lol
@@beautyofthebackcountry thanks for the heads up on the Willisville area! And this trail. Kids have done some tough mountain hikes, they can do it, problem is I have to carry most of their gear..HA!!! So the day hike sounds goo. Maybe next time we head into Killarney for a canoe trip via Espanola this would be a nice side trip. We have to go two canoes now, so we are looking into Quetico, haven't been there since university. Have you done any fun routes that way?
@@21Swayzee Yeah your gang has been squeezing into that one poor boat, which was impressive! Time to get the canoe over their heads and portage 😉 We haven't been out camping past Steel River, to be honest, but we've looked at a bunch of routes around Quetico and beyond up near Dryden. Such gorgeous boreal out that way...less traffic even than here!
@@beautyofthebackcountry yeah, we are looking at a wabakimi train drop off too. I went to school in T Bay, so lots of amazing, less travelled routes that way.
@21Swayzee Wabakimi is on our list as well! We've been in touch with a lot of folks regarding that - people who helped create the park as well as folks who travel it often. Magical place!
Wow!! Well done. You two put out such great videos, with the focus on the sights around you, thanks. It's funny, I spent time this summer looking intently at that mountain range from my vantage point on Philip Edward Island, and thinking there must be some great hiking and exploring to do there. I didn't know of this particular trail, but this video definitely peaks my interest. Walking out in decreasing elevation on rock and in the rain must have been quite a challenge.
Thanks so much! Yes, the final hour of portaging down the soaking quartzite was a bit touch-and-go, but we took it slowly and were certain of our footing and made it out without a fall. Highly recommend the area - there are many shorter day hikes from either Willisville or Fort LaCloche (south of Massey - quite close to you!) that are very rewarding and not so...arduous lol Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching 🙏
What a hike! Those mountains streams, the towering cliffs, the breathtaking island views at Ararat, and the Heaven’s Gate payoff at @24:18 … Wow. What an incredible hiking trail. And nothing like a surprise bear to keep things interesting along the way :p. Especially glad to see that there were no mishaps - especially on slippery day 3. Well done guys! I hope the legs and the feet all made full recoveries.
It's a highly challenging, but equally rewarding hike that we'd recommend to folks who have at least 3 or 4 days to complete! The Heaven's Gate view actually brough tears to both of our eyes and was a very special moment for sure. Surprise bears can be exhilarating, but we'd prefer to have more distance between us and our ursine neighbours when possible 😅 We were a bit apprehensive that final hour of hiking out, being atop that one final rocky peak, but that was navigated safely enough and we managed to get out with just aches and pains for a couple of days. Fully recovered now and magically looking forward to more hikes!
Thanks, Jeff! This one is basically in your backyard, if you're ever considering it. Worth the slog for the views, as long as you give it enough time to not have to rush...or be late for work lol
This part of LaCloche is magical and typically much less travelled than the Killarney area - something to keep on the list! Bear spray is something we haven't added to our kit just yet, nor are bear bangers. We typically stick to camping in areas where there are no habituated bears and are remote enough that they run from humans as fast as possible. We are definitely considering adding one of them to our kit these days, now that we're closer to civilisation. Thanks for watching!
Gorgeous scenery in there! And I've often had to use vitamin I as in Ibuprofen on some of my trips too. And yes, calling in to work is nice when you can but years ago before TH-cam days, in my much younger youthful days, I was once stranded after a snowstorm in the northern Ontario bush. A group of us were in a remote cabin and we made it out to the vehicles but the logging road was definitely not passable. Snow over the hood of my truck, no cell range, no Inreach. We made the executive decision to go back 3 kilometers up the trail to the cabin and wait another day for a plow to hopefully come. Work was not happy they didn't here from me but understood when I explained where I was and that the plow trucks couldn't even get to us and they needed to use a bulldozer to clear the road. The joys of living in Northern Ontario and playing in the backcountry. Often Mother nature wins.
Such gorgeous scenery, yes! That must have been a harrowing couple of days getting stuck in winter...at least you had a cabin to go to. It sounds like your squad made the right decision. For us, we didn't even bring our sat-com device on this trip, which was an oversight (it usually stays attached to Jay's PFD), so we needed to reach cell service before 9am so as not to panic our work colleagues 😆 Thanks for watching!
@beautyofthebackcountry yes. We had snowmachines at least but with the deep snow it was even difficult on those. And it was almost an hour drive on the logging road on a good day to get back to the nearest town with cell service so we simply said it's too dangerous, let's go back to camp. Family in town knew we were experienced with winter travel in the north so when we didn't come out, they simply said; after that storm they probably decided to wait an extra day. I used to joke with them; if you don't hear from me, just wait longer. I'll be fine. Wasn't my first rodeo doing that and my boss learned quick if it was Monday and I said on Friday I was going camping and I wasn't there..... then yup, I didn't quite make it out on time. But then again, there was a couple of times I could have if I pushed it but, meh, sometimes work wasn't a priority at the moment. LOL! Just don't tell my old boss that. Now with an Inreach I don't have an excuse not to contact them.
@@darrendavidsonoutdoors haha we won't mention to your old boss when we see them 😆But it sounds to us like you had your priorities straight back then too 👌
Hahaha "this day is brought to you by ibuprofen" 😂, try some Salonpas patches on the hot spots at night, I usually put one or two on my knees to help give em a rest. You two covered a lot of distance over 2 days 😱 Really nice scenery out there! Next time don't bring the chairs and fry pan😅, share the katadyn filter between the two of you instead of bringing the additional Platy. That"ll save you 6 pounds!! Also must be nice to get to sleep in the Durston tent with a mesh inner this time 😂
We'll look into the Salonpas for sure - the aches were real after that first day! The scenery was unbelievable - we'd seen the LaCloche range before, but from the tops of the peaks overlooking Huron, she's a sight to behold 😍 We're not hikers by trade, so the extra weight of the frying pan and chairs are things we don't even think about haha. The Durston is definitely nicer with the interior...who knew? 🤣
Thanks, Lana! We highly recommend this trail if you and your partner are ever able to take the time. It's challenging for sure, but if you can budget 3-4 days it would be a delightful hike. Thanks so much for watching and commenting 🙏
Great hike! Love the fall. No bugs and the colours!! 🍁🍂 I use a Madison River Outback hat. Works like an umbrella. Great for spring, fall and all winter.
Fall is absolutely the best time to hike! You can stay cool with temps under 10C at the warmest times, and the lookouts over deciduous forests are unmatched 😍 Jay uses a very similar hat to that one during summer to keep the sun off his face and neck. A key part of our kit!
Well, this anxiously awaited video did not disappoint. I'm impressed you guys went as far as Wright's Lake in one day considering the terrain and the weight you guys had on your backs. I think you probably turned on the trail that leads to Camp Manitou when you got that Alltrails notification; it's a very well-worn trail used to get to the lookout where you were earlier. Glad the weather cooperated for you, more or less. I love that trail and that wilderness, so glad you documented your trip. Well done.
We think you're right about where the trail split - there were trail signs clear on the trail down toward Camp Manitou, but none directing you westward toward the rest of the trail, so we had to look pretty hard for the correct trail. We were inspired by some of your videos showing the area of the Heaven's Gate trail and we're grateful for your insights and experience. Thanks so much for checking it out 🙏
Wow! What a great backpacking trip! Looks like my kind of trail, I love it! Do you remember the total elevation gain and loss for the entire trail? Thanks for sharing!✌️
You would absolutely love this trail, Jerry! It was quite challenging and so scenic at every turn. We don't have the exact elevation stats from our hike, because we only had the AllTrails app on periodically (to save battery life on our phones!). That said, the Alltrails website shows it as being 1285m of elevation gain, which is no joke lol see it here - www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/heavens-gate-trail Thanks for watching!
Just love your videos. Thank you for entertaining us. We needed a nap after all that uphill🥰
Thanks, Karen! We needed a nap after this one too 😅
Mad core strength on you two! Bravo!
haha thank you! This is how we build our strength, though we sure didn't feel all that strong immediately after this one 😪
Wow, awesome but tough looking hike. You 2 are hardcore! Those 20+ kms that first day had me tired & sore just from watching! Beautiful overlooks and the trail through old forests never disappoints. I bet your sudden chance encounter with your wild friend was startling for sure. The smiles at the end though are what it's all for.
Thanks for sharing.
👍👍
Thanks so much! Yes, the chance encounter with our bear friend was invigorating to say the least 😅 We couldn't believe the views and our fortune with the weather (until the very last hours lol). Thanks for watching!🙏
Have hiked portions of La Cloche…super beautiful area! TY!
It's so beautiful! And it's also surprisingly large - many people associate the LaCloche range with Killarney, but it extends quite far west. Thanks for watching! 🙏
What a fantastic episode my friend! You nailed it here! Flawless presentation
Aww thanks, friend! Sometimes you just can't get bad footage of such a lovely area 🙏
Horseshoe lake does look like a gem. What a veiw from that lookout too! Man that hike has it all, great views, cool forests, quartzite hills, way to soak it in. Fun to see a bear too. Looks like the perfect 3 to 4 dayer, way to rock it guys!
Indeed a perfect 3 or 4 day hike - 2 was a bit ambitious! Thanks for checking it out - not sure if your kiddos would be into the whole trail, but there are some really rewarding day hikes in either direction (from Willisville, or Fort LaCloche) that offer stunning views, without the punishing distances lol
@@beautyofthebackcountry thanks for the heads up on the Willisville area! And this trail. Kids have done some tough mountain hikes, they can do it, problem is I have to carry most of their gear..HA!!! So the day hike sounds goo. Maybe next time we head into Killarney for a canoe trip via Espanola this would be a nice side trip. We have to go two canoes now, so we are looking into Quetico, haven't been there since university. Have you done any fun routes that way?
@@21Swayzee Yeah your gang has been squeezing into that one poor boat, which was impressive! Time to get the canoe over their heads and portage 😉 We haven't been out camping past Steel River, to be honest, but we've looked at a bunch of routes around Quetico and beyond up near Dryden. Such gorgeous boreal out that way...less traffic even than here!
@@beautyofthebackcountry yeah, we are looking at a wabakimi train drop off too. I went to school in T Bay, so lots of amazing, less travelled routes that way.
@21Swayzee Wabakimi is on our list as well! We've been in touch with a lot of folks regarding that - people who helped create the park as well as folks who travel it often. Magical place!
That was a fantastic video you guys ! The difficulties you face are 40:37 unbelievably treacherous sometimes but you slog on and make it back safely !
Thanks mom 🥰 We made it out, thankfully! Sometimes the journey is tougher than we anticipate, but we always make it out ❤
Wow!! Well done. You two put out such great videos, with the focus on the sights around you, thanks. It's funny, I spent time this summer looking intently at that mountain range from my vantage point on Philip Edward Island, and thinking there must be some great hiking and exploring to do there. I didn't know of this particular trail, but this video definitely peaks my interest. Walking out in decreasing elevation on rock and in the rain must have been quite a challenge.
Thanks so much! Yes, the final hour of portaging down the soaking quartzite was a bit touch-and-go, but we took it slowly and were certain of our footing and made it out without a fall. Highly recommend the area - there are many shorter day hikes from either Willisville or Fort LaCloche (south of Massey - quite close to you!) that are very rewarding and not so...arduous lol Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching 🙏
What a hike! Those mountains streams, the towering cliffs, the breathtaking island views at Ararat, and the Heaven’s Gate payoff at @24:18 … Wow. What an incredible hiking trail. And nothing like a surprise bear to keep things interesting along the way :p. Especially glad to see that there were no mishaps - especially on slippery day 3. Well done guys! I hope the legs and the feet all made full recoveries.
It's a highly challenging, but equally rewarding hike that we'd recommend to folks who have at least 3 or 4 days to complete! The Heaven's Gate view actually brough tears to both of our eyes and was a very special moment for sure. Surprise bears can be exhilarating, but we'd prefer to have more distance between us and our ursine neighbours when possible 😅 We were a bit apprehensive that final hour of hiking out, being atop that one final rocky peak, but that was navigated safely enough and we managed to get out with just aches and pains for a couple of days. Fully recovered now and magically looking forward to more hikes!
That was a endurance test for sure. Great content. Spectacular scenery from some good people!!
Thanks, Jeff! This one is basically in your backyard, if you're ever considering it. Worth the slog for the views, as long as you give it enough time to not have to rush...or be late for work lol
Beautiful hike. What a slog! Love the old growth hemlocks and quartzite ridges. The naanzarotti looked awesome! Glad I could inspire a meal!
Thanks for the inspiration, Tyler! Naanzarottis were delish and hit the spot after a long day 🙏
Added comment - don’t forget the bear repellent. Thanks for the introduction to the area. I had no idea the La Cloche range extended that far west.
This part of LaCloche is magical and typically much less travelled than the Killarney area - something to keep on the list! Bear spray is something we haven't added to our kit just yet, nor are bear bangers. We typically stick to camping in areas where there are no habituated bears and are remote enough that they run from humans as fast as possible. We are definitely considering adding one of them to our kit these days, now that we're closer to civilisation. Thanks for watching!
First to comment, woohoooo!!!🎉
Everyone !!! LIKE AND SHARE THIS VIDEOOOOO!!
Aww haha thanks, Derek!! 🙏
Gorgeous scenery in there! And I've often had to use vitamin I as in Ibuprofen on some of my trips too. And yes, calling in to work is nice when you can but years ago before TH-cam days, in my much younger youthful days, I was once stranded after a snowstorm in the northern Ontario bush. A group of us were in a remote cabin and we made it out to the vehicles but the logging road was definitely not passable. Snow over the hood of my truck, no cell range, no Inreach. We made the executive decision to go back 3 kilometers up the trail to the cabin and wait another day for a plow to hopefully come. Work was not happy they didn't here from me but understood when I explained where I was and that the plow trucks couldn't even get to us and they needed to use a bulldozer to clear the road. The joys of living in Northern Ontario and playing in the backcountry. Often Mother nature wins.
Such gorgeous scenery, yes! That must have been a harrowing couple of days getting stuck in winter...at least you had a cabin to go to. It sounds like your squad made the right decision. For us, we didn't even bring our sat-com device on this trip, which was an oversight (it usually stays attached to Jay's PFD), so we needed to reach cell service before 9am so as not to panic our work colleagues 😆 Thanks for watching!
@beautyofthebackcountry yes. We had snowmachines at least but with the deep snow it was even difficult on those. And it was almost an hour drive on the logging road on a good day to get back to the nearest town with cell service so we simply said it's too dangerous, let's go back to camp. Family in town knew we were experienced with winter travel in the north so when we didn't come out, they simply said; after that storm they probably decided to wait an extra day. I used to joke with them; if you don't hear from me, just wait longer. I'll be fine. Wasn't my first rodeo doing that and my boss learned quick if it was Monday and I said on Friday I was going camping and I wasn't there..... then yup, I didn't quite make it out on time. But then again, there was a couple of times I could have if I pushed it but, meh, sometimes work wasn't a priority at the moment. LOL! Just don't tell my old boss that. Now with an Inreach I don't have an excuse not to contact them.
@@darrendavidsonoutdoors haha we won't mention to your old boss when we see them 😆But it sounds to us like you had your priorities straight back then too 👌
Hahaha "this day is brought to you by ibuprofen" 😂, try some Salonpas patches on the hot spots at night, I usually put one or two on my knees to help give em a rest. You two covered a lot of distance over 2 days 😱
Really nice scenery out there! Next time don't bring the chairs and fry pan😅, share the katadyn filter between the two of you instead of bringing the additional Platy. That"ll save you 6 pounds!!
Also must be nice to get to sleep in the Durston tent with a mesh inner this time 😂
We'll look into the Salonpas for sure - the aches were real after that first day! The scenery was unbelievable - we'd seen the LaCloche range before, but from the tops of the peaks overlooking Huron, she's a sight to behold 😍 We're not hikers by trade, so the extra weight of the frying pan and chairs are things we don't even think about haha. The Durston is definitely nicer with the interior...who knew? 🤣
Hello hello! What a hike! Guys you are an inspiration indeed 🤩 Loooove the views, thanks for sharing! 🫶
Thanks, Lana! We highly recommend this trail if you and your partner are ever able to take the time. It's challenging for sure, but if you can budget 3-4 days it would be a delightful hike. Thanks so much for watching and commenting 🙏
Great hike! Love the fall. No bugs and the colours!! 🍁🍂
I use a Madison River Outback hat. Works like an umbrella. Great for spring, fall and all winter.
Fall is absolutely the best time to hike! You can stay cool with temps under 10C at the warmest times, and the lookouts over deciduous forests are unmatched 😍 Jay uses a very similar hat to that one during summer to keep the sun off his face and neck. A key part of our kit!
Well, this anxiously awaited video did not disappoint. I'm impressed you guys went as far as Wright's Lake in one day considering the terrain and the weight you guys had on your backs. I think you probably turned on the trail that leads to Camp Manitou when you got that Alltrails notification; it's a very well-worn trail used to get to the lookout where you were earlier. Glad the weather cooperated for you, more or less. I love that trail and that wilderness, so glad you documented your trip. Well done.
We think you're right about where the trail split - there were trail signs clear on the trail down toward Camp Manitou, but none directing you westward toward the rest of the trail, so we had to look pretty hard for the correct trail. We were inspired by some of your videos showing the area of the Heaven's Gate trail and we're grateful for your insights and experience. Thanks so much for checking it out 🙏
Gorgeous yet challenging hike! Love it guys. Thanks for sharing ❤✌️🇨🇦
Very challenging indeed! But so worth the effort 🥰
Advil for the win! 😁💪
@@lorettaandjasonoffgrid 😂You got that right! 200mg of ibuprofen got us to the finish line lol
I love the title of your video
Thanks a lot for this nice sharing!😀👍Like 65
Greetings from new subscriber and friend 😀
Welcome to the channel, new friend! Thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting :)
Wow! What a great backpacking trip! Looks like my kind of trail, I love it! Do you remember the total elevation gain and loss for the entire trail? Thanks for sharing!✌️
You would absolutely love this trail, Jerry! It was quite challenging and so scenic at every turn. We don't have the exact elevation stats from our hike, because we only had the AllTrails app on periodically (to save battery life on our phones!). That said, the Alltrails website shows it as being 1285m of elevation gain, which is no joke lol see it here - www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/heavens-gate-trail Thanks for watching!