A graphic guide to identifying the tracks of common wildlife creatures.

A quick guide identifying risk of frostbite at various temperatures combined with wind speed.

Winter hiking, skiing and snowshoe adventures leave a smaller margin for safety than three season hiking. Be prepared to avoid or spot frostbite with these 8 tips.

Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature, wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay, and more. A quick guide to help one determine safe ice surface conditions.

As Canadians, we like to make the most out of the winter. There are many winter activities that help make the snow and cold fun, but it's important to enjoy them safely. Here are some quick tips to play safe in the winter.

Code developed by the Canadian Ski Patrol Association and Canada's regional snow resorts associations.

Cross-country ski code developed by the Canada West Ski Areas Association outlining rules-of-the-road to follow on groomed and backcountry cross-country ski trails.

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A set of maps indicating permitted trail-by-trail activity use by season has been prepared. The designated trail use activity is designed to conform with the land-use guidelines set out by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The permitted activity use is identified by symbols next to each individual trail.

The "Spring to Fall Use" and "Winter Use" trail maps are accessed on the Trails and Maps pages of this website.

Added: Why Do Leaves Change Colour In The Autumn? ~ Autumn is a time for leaves to turn dramatic bright colours. A briefing note (PDF) has been prepared on the science behind the chemical reactions that cause various species of leaves to change to a spectrum hues of colour. The briefing note also includes a graphic depicting timeline for leaf colour change in Algonquin Park and Upper Madawaska Basin.

Updated map to reflect recent minor amendments to a number of trail routings and viewpoint locations. Added photos from 2017 & 2018.

Added: Black-flies – All You Wanted to Know...and More ~ Black-fly season (May – mid-June) is the bane of many who participate in activities outdoors, especially outside of urban centres. A briefing note (PDF) has been prepared that outlines the life-cycle of the black fly, it's activites during adult stage and how to fend off the biting insect.

Added: Climate Normals – Madawaska Region ~ Are you curious as to the climate trends for the Madawaska Region, Ontario? What has been the monthly preciptration and daily average temperature norms over thirty year period 1961-2010? For the trivia buffs, what is record maximum precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) by month, maximum snow depth by month, and maximum and low temperature by month? The answers are compiled in easy to read graphic format.

Added quick guide on Calendar of Natural Events – Algonquin Region.

Added briefing note on the historic Wilno Tavern & Restaurant.

Added page featuring testimonials and comments from users of the 50 km SLBM Trails network.

Updated with answers to additional questions.

Added charts on Canadian climate normals for Madawaska region — precipitation and temperature norms — derived from data for period 1981 to 2010.

Added briefing note on proposed international A2A Trail being coordinated through the Algonquin to Adirondack Collaborative organization.

Updated with photos from autumn 2016.

Updated with extensive collection of autumn 2016 photos.

Notes on the abandoned Spectacle Lake and Plexman mines posted under Gems.

Wondering what awaits you on the 50 kilometre trail network centered around Spectacle Lakes / Bear & Burnetts Mountains?

Take a self-directed virtual hike on the trails from the comfort your armchair!

The Virtual Hike complements the quick Virtual Tour slideshow.

The Virtual Hike is a useful tool to plan your next hike on the SLBM Trails.