Trip to Killarney (Philip Edward Island)

By popular request, here is a trip summary of my recent adventure to Northwestern Ontario with cousin Ben. I hope this post is also a useful resource for those wishing to plan a similar trip. (Scroll down to just view the photos, if you want).

The Trip: A 4 day circumnavigation of Philip Edward Island, a granite paradise south of Killarney Provincial Park. 50km of Georgian Bay paddling in an ideal world; in reality, prepare for upwards of 65 if Open Water Excitement is something you desire.

The Route (our route): Start at Chikanishing creek, paddle southeast across the Bay to the Western tip of PEI, paddle east for 2-5 hours on open water to reach the Foxes group of Islands, camp for the night. Next day, paddle east 3-7 hours to the Deer Island group of Islands, camp on the northern tip of Brassey Island. Next day, paddle east, then north, then west 5-7 hours to the interior of Philip Edward Island and camp near Muskie Island. Next day, paddle a slogging 4-7 hours west back to Chikanishing Creek. Finish with legendary fish and chips at Herbert’s in the town of Killarney.

The Vessel: A 17-foot kevlar canoe rented from Killarney Outfitters. Around $200.00 for 4 days, with PFDs, paddles, etc. included in the rental. Killarney Outfitters gives you a key to unlock your canoe (or Kayak) at the Chikanishing Creek Boat Launch. Racks of canoes are already there; all you need to do is unlock the boat, remove it from the rack, and start your trip.

The Logistics: Obtain a parking permit for Chikanishing Creek either at the Killarney P.P. store or online via the Provincial Parks website (you need to book for “George Lake Campground” to get the parking spot at Chikanishing Creek). You might need to do this months ahead, as this is a very popular trip and spot.

The Gear: Typical canoe camping essentials, highlights listed below:

• Large backpack, preferably a Canoe-camping 100+L dry-bag backpack. Otherwise, a regular (65-70L+) backpacking pack would be a good choice, provided it has a quality rain-cover.
• At least 5 dry-bags (I prefer MEC Brooks Bags) of varying size. We used a 5L bag to hold our electronics and valuables; two 10L bags to hold our food; two 20L bags to hold our clothes. (Note: I personally do not recommend bringing a bear barrel on this trip, as there are no bears on the tiny islands off of PEI.)
• Sunscreen. We were absolutely demolished by the sun even after applying thick layers of sunscreen. The Georgian Bay sun is no joke, particularly due reflection on the water. I got a sunburn on my lips, a very unfortunate place.
• A satellite messenger (e.g. a Garmin InReach Mini or Explorer) or personal locater beacon. The Georgian Bay weather can turn very ugly very quickly and rescues have been needed in the past. Having a communication device that doesn’t rely on often spotty cell signal is a major help for safety. (Cell service on the southern face of PEI is actually very good; however, once in Collin’s Inlet service disappears completely).
• A JetBoil stove or any stove with a strong windshield. The Georgian Bay wind is no joke and can make cooking highly inefficient. Investing in a windshield (or JetBoil-type stove) helps reduce heat loss due to wind. Also, bring more fuel than you think you need. We burned through a small isobutane/propane canister in 2 days due to the wind.
• Bug jackets and bug spray. The mosquitoes can be vicious even on the exterior island like the Foxes. Be prepared!

The Food: This is a real backcountry trip — don’t bring fresh food other than what you can eat on the first day. We try to avoid freeze-dried camping meals because they tend to have insane quantities of salt and they are very expensive. Here are some meal ideas based on what we ate. Don’t worry, we didn’t get zinc poisoning from all the tuna.

• Couscous, dehydrated vegetables, olive oil, stock cubes, tuna in pouches (avoid metal cans if possible while in the backcountry, they take up too much space when packing away garbage).
• Knorr Sidekicks pasta things, cured meats, hard cheeses, tuna
• Instant mashed potatoes, more tuna
• Tuna with olive oil and MSG
• Naan bread, and tuna
• Tuna with sesame oil and ginger
• Peanut butter and oatmeal
• Tuna

The Pictures: Here is a pictorial summary of the trip, from start to finish. All photos were taken on our iPhones.

And that’s it! If you have any questions about the trip (more detailed logistics, safety, etc.) just email me at isaacg@live.ca and I’d be happy to chat!