MacGregor Point PP - Where is Everyone?

Where are all the campers?  Aside from a bus load of school children, only 2 or 3 other yurts appear to have been filled.    Less than half a dozen Winter Warriors in the park but the warmer weather appears to have attracted a few "tenters".

Last evening around supper time a pack of coyotes were howling not too far from Birch Boulevard campground.  Good reason for people to keep their dogs on a leash.

The Park staff have placed fresh gravel on the pad where the skating / skiing change house will be situated.  The change house is waiting in the parking lot and by our next arrival will likely be in its winter spot.

Just a reminder that the pot luck dinner for Winter Warriors is now scheduled for December 1 at the visitor centre.

Tents on our loop

Another Winter Warrior arrival this past week

Scene from path through Ash Woods

Change house waiting to be placed on its winter location

Ready for Winter at MacGregor Point

On Friday, November 2 we arrived at MacGregor Point Provincial Park for the 2012-2013 on-site winter camping program.  We were able to erect the usual wooden supports on the roof of our RV and install the protective tarp. This weekend we added a few more ropes to secure the tarp, strung power cords through the trees, and winterized the plumbing system.

On Saturday morning we heard what appeared to be a fire truck coming into the park and it seemed to go into the Ash Woods campground.  Later in the day we learned that a Class C motorhome had burned on site 26 while the occupants were hiking.  Apparently a father and son had arrived late morning in the borrowed motorhome, made themselves some lunch and then left for a hike.  Other campers first noticed smoke coming from the unit and then flames.  Fortunately nobody was injured but while the unit burned there was some concern as to whether anybody was inside. 

Birch Boulevard campground appeared to be full this weekend with "overflow" campers being directed to the Ash Woods campground.  With lots of activity in the park, deer sightings seemed to be fewer than usual. However, we did see a flying squirrel both evenings at our campsite, as well as a grouse this afternoon.

We understand that of the 26 designated on-site winter program campsites, 24 have now been filled.  On Saturday, November 24 the "winter warriors" (i.e., participants in the on-site winter program) are having a potluck dinner at the Visitors' Centre. 

Class C Motorhome remains at site 26 in Ash Woods

Front view of burned out motorhome "shell"



Grouse and Blue Jay sharing a meal

Winter Preparations at MacGregor Point

On Friday afternoon we arrived at MacGregor Point Provincial Park for the beginning of the 2012-2013 on-site winter camping program which runs from November 1, 2012 to April 15, 2013.  Although the weather was a bit cool and sometimes damp, we were able to assemble our protective covering for the RV and to string some bird feeders.

Many of last year's "Winter Warriors" have returned and there are quite a number of newcomers as well.  Earlier in the week we were told that 23 sites had already been booked for this year's program and I believe that at least one more site was booked on the weekend.  We are fortunate to once again be on site 61 which we have occupied for each of the past three winters.  The Birch Boulevard campground appeared to be fully occupied, including the many Yurts.

Now all we need is a "real winter", unlike the one we had last year.

Stringing the bird feeders

It didn't take long for the birds to arrive

Ready for the tarp to be placed

Trailer with "mud room"

They come in all sizes

Baseball game in progress near our site.
Note the 2 x 4 instead of a bat.