Go cross-country
Take a day to ski Ridge Road Trail
BY MICHAEL MCGOLDRICK
wHen I waS young, I thought cross-
country skiing meant crossing the country
on skis. later I had this mental picture of a
bygone era when people strapped on skis
and spent all day going from one alpine
valley to the next as a means of getting to a take a small detour to get to the Champlain its name suggests, it was used to spot forest
neighbouring town. lookout for an impressive view of the ottawa fires in the early part of the last century.
This image has stayed with me. while Valley. Continuing past the lookout will bring Today it supports various antennas.
I enjoy skiing a few hours on a weekend you back to the ridge road Trail. Don’t linger too long at the fire tower as
afternoon, I sometimes feel the need to once back on the trail you will soon come you still have 20 km to ski back. It may be
fill up my packsack with a day’s worth of across the turnoff to the western Cabin, and a good idea to schedule an extended mid-
supplies and press myself to cover some real a few kilometres later, the junction with Trail day rest stop at the mcKinstry Cabin on your
distance. when this urge hits, I often head # 24, which leads to meech lake and P12. way back. give yourself enough time to eat
over to the gatineau Park’s ridge road Trail From here onwards, the ridge road Trail is a leisurely lunch, relax a while and re-apply
(Trail # 1 on the park’s cross-country ski a little more challenging and is rated as blue any wax that may be needed on your skis.
maps). I usually start from P7 (Kingsmere) (difficult). However, with the exception of Skiing all the way to the fire tower and back
and take an entire day to ski to the fire tower one or two big hills, it shouldn’t be too much is a long distance that is not for everyone.
and back. of a problem for anyone who has mastered Fortunately, the ridge road Trail offers many
This is a long run, close to 40 kilometres, the green trails. It is also worth noting that possibilities for planning shorter trips. For
but if you’re up to it, this route allows you the final section of this trail is somewhat example, you could save five km by simply
to experience the best of what the park has isolated from the cross-country ski network using the mcKinstry Cabin as a turn-around
to offer. There are many points of interest, because it dead-ends at the fire tower. point. Departing from P10 or P12 will also
numerous rest stops, including three cabins, your next destination is the mcKinstry decrease the time spent on the trail. another
as well as several lookouts that provide Cabin, but along the way you will cross the option would be to leave from P7 and ski to
spectacular views. as an added bonus, this wolf Snowshoe Trail at the top of a hill. the western Cabin and back. This means
entire route can accommodate both classic There is a bench here that is a perfect spot covering a total distance of close to 20 km,
and skate skiers. to eat and drink a bit. If the weather is co- and this should give you a good idea of what
when departing from P7, you’ll have operating, soak up a little sun. If you follow your abilities.
to contend with one big hill, but aside the snowshoe trail about 300 metres past Heading out for a day-long ski also requires
from this, the first part of the ridge road the bench, you’ll find another great view of a little extra preparation. you will probably
Trail isn’t too difficult. It’s rated as a green the surrounding landscape. want to plan for an early morning departure
(easy), and many people are familiar with although the mcKinstry Cabin is one of the so you can get back by late afternoon. a small
it because it forms the backbone of the nicest in the park, many people aren’t very day pack is a necessity for bringing some
cross-country trail network in this section familiar with it because it is off the beaten basic supplies including at least two bottles
of the gatineau Park. In a few kilometres, path. you could well be the first visitor of the of water, a hardy mid-day meal and several
you’ll pass by the Keogan Cabin, then soon day if you’re out a weekday morning. If this high-carbohydrate snacks to maintain your
afterwards the Huron Cabin. These are is the case, go inside and start a fire in the energy levels. If you are classic skiing, be sure
good places to stop for a snack. you should wood stove so the place will be toasty warm to carry all the waxes you’ll need, especially
eat something regularly to keep up your for a stop on your return trip. now you’ll be for any expected changes in the temperature
energy levels. ready for the final 2.5 km to the fire tower, of the snow. of course, an extra layer of
It is a short hop to the Parkway from behind which is literally at the end of the ridge road clothes will come in handy towards the end
the Huron Cabin, and this will allow you to Trail. The old tower is still standing and, as of the day when the temperature falls and
you start to get tired and are no longer able
to generate all the body heat that would
normally be the case.
Michael McGoldrick maintains a
website about cross-country skiing in the
Ottawa-Gatineau region at: www.mcgoldrick.
ca/xc-skiing.
38 OTTAWA >> WINTER 2008/2009 www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
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