Length of stay: 2 days
Visited: April 2022
Spring is always an exciting time of the year as new growth starts to appear and the days get longer. We’ve had to wait a bit longer than usual this year for our flowers to bloom and trees to bud. But once that happens, it’s only a matter of time until the bugs come out with a vengeance. So, with nice weather on the forecast for the weekend, we decided to visit the cabin before the bugs take over for the next few months.
Day 1: Hiking in Frontenac Provincial Park
We left home bright and early Saturday morning and stopped at Frontenac Provincial Park to go for a hike. We arrived just before noon and the main parking lot was mostly full. The nice thing about Frontenac though is that there are over 100km of hiking trails, which helps spread out the crowds.
Last fall we hiked along the Dedication Trail South Loop, so this time we figured we’d hike the Dedication Trail North Loop (8.6km round trip) to complete the larger Cedar Lake Loop. We drove down Big Salmon Lake Road, which recently reopened for the season, to the parking lot for the trailhead for the Arkon Lake and Cedar Lake Trails. From the trailhead, we first hiked along part of the Corridor Trail and followed the signs for the Dedication Trail.
The trail is well signed with blue markers with a hiker symbol. There are also signs at each junction to signal when the path branches off as there are a series of backcountry campsites along the way and other connecting trails. We hiked counterclockwise around the loop, covering a small portion that we had previously hiked as part of the South Loop.
After the first kilometre or so, there’s a sign to indicate that the trail was established in recognition of all the volunteers who have helped make Frontenac a special place for all to enjoy. How thoughtful and certainly much appreciated.
The path was in good shape considering it was early in the spring. There were a few flooded areas and muddy patches, but these were manageable and easy to bypass. The trail meanders through the forest, along rocky ridges and passes by a bunch of lakes, ponds and wetlands.
The sun was shining and there were no bugs. There really wasn’t much for us to complain about. Towards the end of the trail, the path hugs the shore of Big Salmon Lake before connecting back to the trailhead and parking lot.
By the time we arrived at the cabin, or rather the road leading into the cabin, it was around 4:30p.m. We made two trips back and forth from the car to the cabin to carry in all our supplies for the weekend. It was then time for some rest and relaxation.
We made a fire in the wood stove and spent the remainder of the afternoon lounging around, reading and playing some games.
Day 2: Exploring by Canoe and on Foot
We woke up to another beautiful day of blue skies and sun. After having a cup of coffee (for K) and tea (for me), we went for a canoe ride around the lake as the water is usually at its calmest in the morning. We paddled around the bay and scoped out part of the river that feeds into the lake, except we didn’t make it far as a couple of trees had fallen in and blocked the path. And so we returned back to solid ground to make a proper breakfast.
After breakfast, we headed back out to explore the grounds by foot. The area around the cabin was once used for mining over a hundred years ago. While the mines have long since closed, some of the foundations from the old mining buildings can still be found near the property. We explore these ruins often when we visit the cabin and it’s neat to see how much nature has tried to reclaim this space.
We headed back to eat some lunch and to pack up. We likely won’t return anytime soon as the spring and early summer are for the bugs. And I swear, they are adapting to the bug spray.
L
Wow what a beautiful place. Thank you so much for taking me around this lovely location. As i’m in Surrey, England, UK it’s great to travel with you guys! Thanks again. 💪🏼 😀
Thanks for your kind words and for commenting. We visited the cabin a lot during the pandemic, but haven’t been in a few months, so it was nice to sneak in a visit after our trip out to the west coast. There’s no electricity or cell reception, so it’s the perfect place to just unplug and appreciate nature.
Such a lovely spot for a weekend get away.
For sure. Prior to the pandemic I used to always plan a trip during my birthday. We had just come back from the west coast, so we settled on the cabin. I couldn’t have picked a better spot to celebrate.
So nice to be able to hike in nature without bugs. We are sticking to bike riding the past two weeks due to heat and bugs. Looks like great weather for your visit. Thanks for sharing Linda. Allan
You bet. It was nice to squeeze in a visit to the cabin before the bugs got out of control, especially since the weather was pleasant. Good call on sticking to the bike, it seems like it would be easier to keep moving (away from the bugs) than hiking. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your week. Linda
Nice place to hike and be disconnected with technology and be with nature. Will the park look green as time passes? Nice place to canoe, looks very scenic.
There is no electricity or cell reception at the cabin so it really is the perfect place to just unplug from the world around us. We had a cooler than usual winter, which meant that the landscape still looked brown and barren at the end of April. The area is typically very lush and green in the summer though. The fall colours are also typically outstanding here.
Such a great place to get away, and to have beaten the bugs! I detest mosquitos…
They are the worst. It was finally nice to get a win over those pesky mosquitoes and visit the cabin before the bug festival. We haven’t been back since then, but are hoping to return in the fall.
Ah, I’m always happy to read a post when you’re going to your lovely cabin! And a trip on the river with a canoe – such a wonderful idea early in the morning! Oh, damn those bugs – they are such an annoyance on a hike … just as long they don’t take over your cabin!
We haven’t been to the cabin as often since we moved out of the city, so it was nice to return for some rest and relaxation. There’s just something about being by the water that I find so peaceful and soothing. Thankfully the bugs weren’t too bad yet as they tend to have the opposite effect of making me annoyed and anxious.
The bugs sound awful! Don’t say that they are adapting to the bug spray! Please! I got a good one and I don’t want to let it go any time soon!
They are vicious. It doesn’t help that the cabin is located near a swampy area which is pretty much the perfect breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. We’ve tried to visit the cabin later in the spring and never had much luck, even with heaps of bug spray. Thankfully it wasn’t too bad when we visited at the end of April and we were able to enjoy being outside.
Oh man. That sucks your cabin is so close to a swamp, but it seems like you timed your visit well!
Oh I know. And the mosquitoes just love me. I’ve learned some hard lessons about visiting the cabin during the spring and early summer. It’s so not worth the risk anymore.
It looks like you had the most gorgeous early spring weather, and yes, that bugless period is so precious! I don’t know why, but the Okanagan doesn’t have a lot of bugs. There are some of course, but nothing like other parts of this country. Cheers.
It’s always good to take advantage of the nice weather and no bugs and spend some time on the trails and at the cabin. It’s crazy how quickly the bug situation can get of control later in the spring. The Okanagan just keeps sounding more and more appealing. And hey, even if there are bugs, I’m sure after a glass or two of wine, you stop noticing them (until the next morning).
Ahh, Spring seems like a long time ago. I too love the slowly warming weather and lengthening days.
A trip to your cabin always seems wonderful, disconnected and relaxing. Those ruins seem like so much fun.
Have you ever tried forest cooking? I follow a guy named Almazan Kitchen and his videos are all about cooking in the forest. Such a soothing and mouth watering activity (if you don’t burn down the forest that is)!
Oh I know. I can already tell that the days are getting shorter. I don’t like it. It’s hard to believe that it’s going to be August next week.
We sometimes try to cook our meals on the wood stove or by the campfire. It always tastes good, but I find it takes so much longer. We haven’t tried anything fancy, typically just roasted veggies, burgers and toasted bread. I’ll have to check out Almazan Kitchen. Maybe I should give one of those recipes a whirl for the next time we’re at the cabin!
What gorgeous weather you enjoyed for your weekend away. I liked the sound of everything from the hiking trails to the cabin and canoe. Since trying kayaking, I’m keen to expand out on my paddling!
It was nice to get away for the weekend and just unplug from the world. The weather was fantastic and the bugs weren’t out yet, which is always a huge bonus. I’ve only been kayaking once, but it was a lot of fun. It’s similar to canoeing in some ways, but I think you have a bit more control and speed when kayaking.
Interesting that you think canoeing is a little easier, than kayaking Linda, I’ll definitely have to give it a go sometime then! I’m unsure if the Biteaway device is available in Canada but I find it’s the best thing for taking the sting out of the many mosquito bites I seem to attract.
I think it’s because you have someone with you in the canoe to help with the paddling! We have something similar here in Canada that’s called After Bite, which is pretty good. I have some in my first aid kit, which I always travel with, but somehow always seem to forget about. Thankfully I haven’t gotten too many mosquito bites this summer (and hopefully it stays that way)!
Oh, I absolutely love your cabin posts, they are a treat. It is a lovely spot with a nice view of the lake. Abandoned old buildings being reclaimed by nature – I don’t know why I love such scenes so much. I can never resist them. A morning canoe ride sounds absolutely blissful. Shame about the summer bug invasion, would be a lovely spot to chill.
Thanks for your lovely comment. The cabin has become our second home, especially since the start of the pandemic. We haven’t been in a few months, so it was nice to return, especially before the peak of bug season. We’ll try to go again in the fall when the leaves are changing colour. Hopefully it’ll still be warm enough to go for a canoe ride. There’s just something so comforting about being near the water.
I feel as if I know the cottage and the area around it quite well now 😊
We’ve certainly spent a lot of time at the cabin since the start of the pandemic! It’s our home away from home. It has everything we love about camping, but is much more convenient and comfortable. And we never have to worry about having noisy neighbours.
Very nice place and wonderful pictures and presentation ! Diana
Thanks for your kind words. We’ve spent a lot of time at the cabin during the pandemic and have enjoyed being able to disconnect. I find being out in nature helps put everything into perspective. I’m glad we had such fabulous weather to go for some hikes and a canoe ride. Take care. Linda
The cabin, it gives rhythm to the year, to see the seasons change. Yes, in France I have forgotten the bugs, I spend the summer with the windows open, unless it is too hot, but so few bugs.
It certainly does. It’s amazing how different the landscape looks through the different seasons. The fall is exceptionally beautiful at the cabin with all the leaves changing colour. I’m envious that you don’t have to worry about the bugs in France. No wonder you moved there!
For fall, Canada is still the best, I was quite disappointed with the fall in Europe, the colours are not as dense. Tthere is no fear either of winter coming with the snow. It’s just a new spring in waiting.
For sure. New England also has a nice display of fall colours.
You had beautiful weather for your hike and time at the cabin. The gorgeous photos made me want to come along for a canoe ride.
It’s nice to visit the cabin regardless of the weather, but it’s always better when the sun is shining. We spend a lot of time hiking so it’s good to shake things up every once in awhile. Going for a paddle in the canoe was a great way to start the morning.
Wow! Wonderful view! Sorry about bugs. Thank you for share, Linda.
Cabin looks cozy, and romantic. Have a lovely time!
Take care.
Elvira
Thanks! We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The bugs are typically terrible in the spring and early summer, so I’m glad we were able to visit before the worst of it. Enjoy the rest of your day. Linda
The cabin seems like the perfect spot to relax and connect with nature. That is pretty sweet that there are so many hiking trails around it. It is also pretty cool that you can see some of the old mine ruins and connect with the history of the area.
For sure. We spent a lot of time at the cabin during the pandemic to get a change of scenery and just unplug from the world. It’s a bit of a drive to get to, but it’s in such a lovely area. The old mining buildings are pretty cool and it’s neat to see how the forest changes around them throughout the years.
Beautiful place for hiking to spend weekend. Excellent photos.! Thanks 🙏🏻
For sure. We had wonderful weather for being out on the trail. It’s always nice to get a change of scenery and just enjoy nature. Thanks for reading a leaving a comment.
It’s so great to have a little haven to call your own and really experience the sense of escape. And yes Spring is always a time of joy and optimism.
For sure. We visited the cabin a lot during the pandemic when we were in lockdown. It was nice being able to escape from the city and disconnect. It’s amazing how spending time in nature makes me feel refreshed and relaxed.
I know that lovely feeling!
All the more reason to create more parks and greenspaces! And to make sure we’re taking time for ourselves to just decompress.
I love hiking in the spring with all the fresh bright green. You can almost feel a renewed sense of life coming back inside of you. What a lovely place to feel that renewed season 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how much the landscape transforms during the spring? I couldn’t agree more about feeling that renewed sense of life when everything starts to grow and blossom. I’m glad we managed to squeeze in a visit to the cabin before the bug festival.
Hi Linda, I’m just seeing these pictures now. It looks like it was a great trip/hike. It’s too bad the bugs can be a problem. I like how the area was dedicated to the volunteers – so nice. I think those foundations from the old mining buildings are interesting because of the way all the stones had to be fitted together – that’s a time-consuming job.
It was a very relaxing weekend getaway and I’m glad we were able to visit the cabin before the bugs became unbearable. The ruins from the old mining buildings are fun to explore. Agreed, laying stones like that seems like it would be hard work. Some of the furniture at the cabin actually came from the old mining buildings before they were demolished.
Oh that’s so cool!
I know. It’s too bad they don’t make furniture like that anymore. Some of it could use some refinishing, but perhaps that can be a project for another time.
I’m kind of able to imagine how this trail would feel like with the bugs. Good to know you went here before that happened! Everything looks so peaceful and serene in your photos. And the sunny weather! I think I’m a kind of person who gets his energy from the sun.
The mosquitoes are relentless later in the spring. It’s not so bad when you’re hiking because you’re moving around, but once you stop to take a break or tie your shoelaces, that’s when they swarm. I’m glad we were able to visit the cabin before the bugs became active for the season. It was very calm and peaceful. I couldn’t agree more about the weather and the sun. It’s funny how it can make such a huge difference on our mood.
Good for you to get off the grid now and then. You have the perfect spot for it. Glad the bugs weren’t too terrible this time.
We haven’t been to the cabin in a few months, so it was nice to visit to get some rest and to recharge. Thankfully we had fabulous weather for being outdoors and didn’t have to deal with any pesky bugs!