We are no strangers to Frontenac Provincial Park. We have been here many times canoe camping, hiking, and I have taken my outdoor classes here for their big canoe trip each year. This visit we decided to hike a new trail section. We needed a trail that was shorter in length, as we knew we would be here for only a couple of hours in the morning. With that in mind, we headed to the park to hike the Doe Lake Loop.
Upon arrival at the park office (which was open), we did a quick stop for that final bathroom break, and to let the park staff know that we were here hiking. This is a really important detail as the park staff will then have an idea of how many people are hiking, and if there are vehicles in the parking lot at the end of the day, they will hopefully remember our faces, and the number in our party.
We headed around the back of the park office to the trail head. There are two trails that are easily accessible from the park office. There is the Arab Lake Gorge Trail and Doe Lake. Doe Lake is a 3km hike which takes about an hour. This was the perfect length today for our exploring needs.
We were actually surprised to see snow here because we left our house with nothing on the ground. The trail starts off heading over a marshy area and some boardwalk. On the other side of the boardwalk, the trail splits to the Doe Lake Loop and the Arab Lake Gorge trail.
There were other people along the Arab Lake Gorge trail since we could hear people and also see their footprints on the bridge. However, when we got to the split in the trail and followed the blue hiking guy, there were no foot prints to be seen…. at least no human prints.
The trail goes around the very cool rock features that Frontenac has to offer. There are sections of granite outcrops which gives this trail some unique places to walk around.
There are definite signs of animals all around the park, and this hiking sign tacked to the tree has been enjoyed by the local beaver. Many of the trees in this area were partially chewed.
We were checking out all the cool animal prints along the trail, and then we turned the corner and saw this! It looked like an animal traffic jam! There were so many prints, going in so many directions. We were able to identify squirrel or chipmunk, deer and coyote. I wonder what smells are in the woods to attract the animals to this one area…
There is a small trail that branches off the main loop where you can visit old abandoned mines. This was is called the Kemp mine. There isn’t much between you and the mine hole, so please watch your step.
The trail follows many of the lakes in the park, and you know that Hayden just had to stop and test out the ice. It was very thin along the shore, but we were not going to wander onto the ice to see if it would hold. Not today at least.
One of the best things from today was the coyote tracks. We actually followed these tracks the ENTIRE loop. They were at the beginning, and continued in the same direction we walked until the very end of the trail. I had to laugh when my son asked if they were dog tracks. Nope.. no dogs on this trail right now. It was so impressive that I actually have quite a number of pictures of these tracks. I wanted to make sure I had at least one that was very clear.
Within this park, not only are there old mines, but also homesteads from prior to the park being established. Here are some remnants of and old homestead on a very small lake. I bet in the summer, this place is just beautiful.
With this being such a beautiful day, I did take the time to hug this tree. Gotta be one with nature right?
As I walked along the trail, I love being able to reference my location on a map. This lookout of Doe Lake looks towards the number 2 cluster of campsites. More and more I’m itching to get out canoeing!
As we near the end of the trail, I see a great tree hanging over the trail. I thought to myself that it would be funny to try and dangle from it. I managed to get up and hold myself for a few seconds. Dan said I should give him my phone and do that again for a picture… Hayden decided to give it a try and was very successful in hanging in there. Me??? Not so much the second time. I lost my grip and down I fell. Does make for some funny pictures though. (He didn’t get the one of me actually in the tree though!) It’s ok, I’m not hurt, I’m actually laughing my head off thinking I was going to be able to duplicate that a second time.
Once we completed the hike, the park office had hot chocolate and marshmallows for visitors. Hayden was thinking of this the entire trail and bee-lined it to the hot chocolate when we returned. Guess that’s a nice little treat for him today. We will be back here for sure when the weather warms up to complete more of these trails. It’s getting easier to hike the longer distances now that we know Hayden is capable of doing some major hikes.
Thanks for reading! If you are in this area, check out the trails at Frontenac.