We're visiting Orono Crown Lands this Saturday. Crown land is a category of land that's officially owned by the monarch, managed by the goverment and you're often allowed to do more or less anything on it - hunting, camping, ATVing etc. It has somewhat mythical status and generally you need to go hours North of Toronto to find a whiff of it.
While Orono doesn't allow you to do all of those things, it is technically crown land and it's also a gorgeous hike that is practically unknown in the city. That's why this is one of our mystery hikes and we're asking you to please not share the location publicly. This allows WU to keep some special places to our members.
This hike sees us following a beautiful creek, meandering through stands of red pine and over an abandoned railway line. It's an easy walk with enough scenery to keep along the way to keep things interesting.
Please check what you've registered for here and let Isaac know asap via discord if anything is incorrect.
Hike Length: 10.8km
Terrain: Mostly flat over compressed soil and roots. There’s been some snow there this week so it’s likely to be pretty mushy and we're expecting a snow storm on the day which will make conditions interesting! There are a few turnaround points if the conditions become challenging. We'll be going at a leisurely pace.
Estimated time to complete: 5 hours with breaks and exploration time.
09:35: Those going from Keele meet up at the Petro Canada gas station next to Keele Subway.
09:45 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and don't wait for latecomers so please be on time!
10:00 - Second pick up from Union Station. We pull in at the taxi areas at the Front Street entrance, opposite the Fairmont hotel. Find other members under the clock pictured. You're looking for our maroon coloured van, Grasshopper!
We don't stop en route so make sure you've got any food or drink you want and have used the washroom in advance.
11:10 - Arrive at car park and trail head, meeting anybody who’s making their own way. (Navigate to Orono Crown Lands, Taunton Road - ensure you're NOT going to Ochonski Road!). Self drivers - please ensure you're on time as we can't wait for latecomers.
11:15: Begin hike. We’ll eat lunch en route.
16:00: Wrap up hike and arrive back at trail head. Wait for transport pickup if needed.
17:00: Drop off back at Keele Subway Station (note there is no drop off back at Union Station)
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
We promised you a winter hike and that's what you're getting! While not excessively cold, the wind will make it feel cooler and you should expect snow. If you read our winter clothing advice you'll be well equipped. There's unlikely to be deep snow but ice spikes are strongly recommended.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Because clothing becomes a safety issue in winter, it's particularly important that you're dress appropriately and follow these guidelines. If you turn up in clothes that could put you at risk we may have to turn you away. As always, ask us in advance if you'd like any advice, we'll be delighted to help!
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you. The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
We're bringing ice spikes for anybody who requested them.
Winter Hiking packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike. A hot drink is also a good idea.
We'll have ice spikes with us for anyone who needs them.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone. If you do find your lost, stay where you are until you've been located. There should be cell phone reception where we're going.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
The Orono Crown Lands are located in the historic Homeward District of Northumberland County, Ontario. The area has been inhabited by Indigenous people for thousands of years. The Huron-Wendat Nation, Mississauga of Rice Lake, and Hiawatha First Nation are the three main First Nations that have a historical connection to the area.
Orono is home to a variety of cultural and spiritual sites, including sacred burial grounds, ancient trails, and ceremonial grounds. These sites are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act and are managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
We're visiting Orono Crown Lands this Saturday. Crown land is a category of land that's officially owned by the monarch, managed by the goverment and you're often allowed to do more or less anything on it - hunting, camping, ATVing etc. It has somewhat mythical status and generally you need to go hours North of Toronto to find a whiff of it.
While Orono doesn't allow you to do all of those things, it is technically crown land and it's also a gorgeous hike that is practically unknown in the city. That's why this is one of our mystery hikes and we're asking you to please not share the location publicly. This allows WU to keep some special places to our members.
This hike sees us following a beautiful creek, meandering through stands of red pine and over an abandoned railway line. It's an easy walk with enough scenery to keep along the way to keep things interesting.
Please check what you've registered for here and let Isaac know asap via discord if anything is incorrect.
Hike Length: 10.8km
Terrain: Mostly flat over compressed soil and roots. There’s been some snow there this week so it’s likely to be pretty mushy and we're expecting a snow storm on the day which will make conditions interesting! There are a few turnaround points if the conditions become challenging. We'll be going at a leisurely pace.
Estimated time to complete: 5 hours with breaks and exploration time.
09:35: Those going from Keele meet up at the Petro Canada gas station next to Keele Subway.
09:45 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and don't wait for latecomers so please be on time!
10:00 - Second pick up from Union Station. We pull in at the taxi areas at the Front Street entrance, opposite the Fairmont hotel. Find other members under the clock pictured. You're looking for our maroon coloured van, Grasshopper!
We don't stop en route so make sure you've got any food or drink you want and have used the washroom in advance.
11:10 - Arrive at car park and trail head, meeting anybody who’s making their own way. (Navigate to Orono Crown Lands, Taunton Road - ensure you're NOT going to Ochonski Road!). Self drivers - please ensure you're on time as we can't wait for latecomers.
11:15: Begin hike. We’ll eat lunch en route.
16:00: Wrap up hike and arrive back at trail head. Wait for transport pickup if needed.
17:00: Drop off back at Keele Subway Station (note there is no drop off back at Union Station)
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
We promised you a winter hike and that's what you're getting! While not excessively cold, the wind will make it feel cooler and you should expect snow. If you read our winter clothing advice you'll be well equipped. There's unlikely to be deep snow but ice spikes are strongly recommended.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Because clothing becomes a safety issue in winter, it's particularly important that you're dress appropriately and follow these guidelines. If you turn up in clothes that could put you at risk we may have to turn you away. As always, ask us in advance if you'd like any advice, we'll be delighted to help!
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you. The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
We're bringing ice spikes for anybody who requested them.
Winter Hiking packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike. A hot drink is also a good idea.
We'll have ice spikes with us for anyone who needs them.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone. If you do find your lost, stay where you are until you've been located. There should be cell phone reception where we're going.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
The Orono Crown Lands are located in the historic Homeward District of Northumberland County, Ontario. The area has been inhabited by Indigenous people for thousands of years. The Huron-Wendat Nation, Mississauga of Rice Lake, and Hiawatha First Nation are the three main First Nations that have a historical connection to the area.
Orono is home to a variety of cultural and spiritual sites, including sacred burial grounds, ancient trails, and ceremonial grounds. These sites are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act and are managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
