Sun bleached upended tree root is frozen in Muskoka backcountry wetland
This past weekend was family day weekend in Ontario and I took advantage of the gorgeous winter temperatures and sunshine by snowshoeing for hours in a nearby forest that is largely inaccessible in the summer. When the leaves fall from the trees in the autumn and the winter temperatures freeze the swamps solid thousands of acres of wetland become perfect snowshoe territory.
As a B&B host and an avid outdoor enthusiast I will gladly take our Muskoka bed and breakfast guests for a winter walk. The only equipment required is snowshoes and they don’t have to be fancy.
This beaver chewed tree near Gravenhurst, Muskoka still stands, complete with fungus and lichen.
There is an area of forest and swamps about a 5 minute drive from Tuktawayin. It is a safe place for exploration as it is bordered by three lakes. It is easy to wander for hours exploring the special spot on the outskirts of Gravenhurst. While there is a trail that runs through the area it is not highly used. One might hear the occasional snowmobile or see a person in the distance skiing on the trail or a lake but it is just as likely that you won’t see anyone.
These sunny winter days are the perfect opportunities to slip away from the more commercial areas to get a taste of the Muskoka backcountry. Take a lunch or a snack and thermos of something warm to drink. At some point in your wandering find a sunny spot to relax and just sit and take in the silence and the beauty. Since a lot of the backcountry is dotted with connecting lowlands that aren’t accessible in the other three seasons winter is the perfect time to go exploring.
Don’t forget your camera. This is a nature photographer’s paradise!
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