Kingston Hiking Trip
Friday May 15 – Sunday May 17, 2020
Leaders: Jim and Patti Blair
Get ready for a fun filled excursion to kick off the hiking season.
This three-day hiking trip will take us to the Kingston area where we will explore Frontenac Provincial Park, local Conservation Areas, the Kingston Waterfront Trail and/or parts of The Rideau Trail. The trip highlights a Thousand Island Sunset Dinner Cruise on Friday night!
Itinerary: Our 33-passenger bus departs Burlington at 8:30 a.m. to arrive at our first hiking destination for a picnic lunch, followed by a hike on the lovely trails of the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. From there, it will be a short drive to Queen’s University where we have accommodations at Watt’s Hall Residences. Our Sunset Dinner Cruise takes place Friday night from the Kingston waterfront.
On Saturday we travel by bus to the rugged and beautiful Frontenac Provincial Park for a full day of hiking. The short hike on this day may have an option to hike the morning and return to Kingston for an afternoon of walking and sightseeing. Dinner on Saturday night will be on your own at one of the many fantastic restaurants in Kingston.
On Sunday we plan to hike the Kingston Waterfront or nearby sections of the Rideau Trail. We will head back towards Burlington in the afternoon, arriving home at about 6:00 p.m.
The Hikes: Due to the size of our bus, our trip will have a maximum of 30 people which will lend itself nicely to smaller hiking groups. Our goal will be to offer three levels of guided hikes whenever possible (long, medium, short) in order that you can choose a hike to match your ability and energy level. The long hikes will be at a moderate to fast speed of 4 kms per hour, ranging in distance from 10 – 17 kms, depending on our location on a given day. Medium hikes will be 7 – 10 kms at a pace of approximately 3 kms per hour. Short hikes will be slower paced and cover less than 7-8 kms per day. Longer hikes will generally involve more elevation change. Once we have completed scouting, we will provide more detailed hike descriptions.
We recommend you bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots and hiking poles. Your backpack should be large enough to carry a lunch, plenty of water, raingear (jacket and pants), an extra layer or two, as well as sunscreen and bug spray. A set of eager hiking legs will be helpful!
The Dinner Cruise: Our special event on Friday will be the Sunset Dinner Cruise on the ‘Island Star’ which departs the Kingston Waterfront at 6:30p.m. We will enjoy a sit-down four-course meal with a choice of five main course options. There is entertainment on board as well as a commentary on the 1000 Islands scenery. The cruise ends at 9:30 p.m.
Our Accommodation: We will be staying at Watt Hall Residence on campus at Queen’s University. The building is located one block from Lake Ontario and less than 2 kms from downtown Kingston. We will be staying in 2-bedroom units. Each bedroom in the unit has a double bed and a shared bathroom. Whether you are rooming with a spouse or rooming with a friend, two people will share the 2-bedroom unit (each with their own bedroom and sharing the bathroom). No singles accommodation is required. Rooms do not have a TV or fridge but there is a fridge in the common area available for keeping lunch food cold. Wifi is available in the common area.
Your accommodation includes breakfasts which will be served in the building next to our residence.
The Cost: The cost of the trip is $425.00
The Trip Package Includes:
Not included in the trip package:
Registration: This trip is limited to a maximum of 30 people, on a first come first serve basis. The full cost of the trip is payable when you register on-line.
Cancellation Policy: If you cancel prior to April 15, you will receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee. After April 15th, you will be responsible for any costs that the club has incurred on your behalf. This could include costs for meals, accommodation, transportation, driver tip, etc. If you cancel after April 15th and there is a wait list, we will do our best to find a replacement, in which case, you may not be charged, other than the $25 processing fee.
Please contact Jim and Patti Blair if you require further information: pblair24@cogeco.ca
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