Date:         Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:03:45 -0300
Reply-To:     Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA>
Subject:      Re: Looking for travel advice in Quebec and southeast Ontario
Comments: To: James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BLU177-W1B5BE3B80A4AFFC81A756E0D20@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I'll second James' nomination of Parc national Yamaska ... I use to live in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and went there all the time.  My son and I stopped there this past Sunday on our way back home.

While Forillon is a must visit park for the costal vistas, if you like a good hike, I would recommend le parc national de la Gaspésie.  There are lots of amazing short hikes (1 - 20K) through the Chic-Chocs and McGerrigle mountains, but if you have the time and inclination, la pièce de résistance is the section of the International Appalachian Trail between Mont Logan and Mont Jacque-Cartier.  At ~100K, it is a solid 3-4 day hike for the experienced - though it can be fast-packed or trail run in 1-2 days.

If you are up for a short traverse, then parc national d'anacosti should not be missed.  La chute Vauréal is simply breathtaking!

There is lots to see in eastern Québec.

Roy

On 19-Aug-2014, at 23:32, James wrote:

> Hi Harold, 
> 
> A few campsites to recommend in eastern Ontario and Quebec:   
> 
> Ontario provincial parks:
> Charleston Lake, Ontario - good hikes
> Lake St. Peter, Ontario - wonderful lake
> Fitzroy, Ontario (get a site on the river if possible) - a couple of good hikes
> 
> Lac Philippe (Gatineau Park), Quebec - many, many good hikes
> Parc national Yamaska, Granby, Quebec - possibly the finest provincial park for 300 km.  Great hikes, many great, private campsites.  Near a lot of attractions, from a major zoo to wineries to mountain hiking.  Not near a city!
> 
> James
> Ottawa, ON
> 
>> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:10:21 -0400
>> From: teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM
>> Subject: Looking for travel advice in Quebec and southeast Ontario
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> 
>> My wife and I have traveled in our van from Virginia to Alberta, BC, Yukon,
>> Northwest Territories, and the Atlantic Provinces (except Labrador) several
>> times each, but have never traveled in Ontario or Quebec.  We hope to
>> remedy that starting later next week with a 3 to 4 week trip.
>> 
>> While we normally shun big cities and spend all of our van time in remote
>> places we will spend some of our time in Ottawa, Montreal and the city of
>> Quebec.
>> 
>> When traveling in the van, we tend to spend one night at a campsite and
>> then move on to the next one down the road in order to see new small towns
>> or scenic areas.  The exception is that we sometime will spend several days
>> if there are several nice day hikes in an area.  Our bodies are
>> "experienced" but we are in good shape and still love hiking, the outdoors,
>> and camping in parks (we avoid commercial campgrounds if possible).
>> 
>> I would love to receive some advice on roads to travel, parks to visit,
>> camping areas and hiking areas or suggested trails.  We have been told we
>> have to visit Forilon National Park, but other than that we are wide open
>> to suggestions as to roads, towns, camping areas in provincial parks and
>> county/city/regional parks.  Both ones to try and ones to avoid.
>> 
>> I believe we have missed all the van events in that area this year, but if
>> I am wrong, please let me know.
>> 
>> Either public or private responses will be welcomed.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Harold
>> 
>> Harold Teer
>> 1991 Westy -- VANGAUX
>> Harrisonburg, VA