Gatineau Park Trail Running (Marathon Plus Distance) - Meech Lake P8 / Champlain Lookout / Lusksville Firetower / Return

UPDATED 2018-06-04:



On Nov 15, 2011, I did a marathon distance (42.2 km) hike/run in the Gatineau Park in Quebec. Here is a description of the route:

From Chelsea parking lot P8, up Gatineau Parkway for abt 1.5 km, right onto Trail #1 (Ridge Road), pass Keogan cabin, cross Fortune Parkway, continue on Trail #1, pass Shilly Shally Shack, pass Huron cabin, turn right at Champlain Lookout intersection (optional side-trip by turning left to the Lookout), continue on Trail #1 going west, pass Trail #9/Western cabin (optional side-trip to Western), continue till McKinstry cabin, then finally the Lusksville Firetower; Return. The route distance as described without the side-trips is abt 42.2 km. But if you take the side trips to Champlain Lookout & Western Cabin, the total distance will be longer than a marathon.

Below are the satellite route map + photos I took along the way.

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Original text sent by BlackBerry:

Earlier this week, I took advantage of the warmer-than-usual weather and did a 42.2 km run/walk in the Gatineau Park.

I started from the Chelsea parking lot P8, walked up the Gatineau Parkway, and turned right onto Trail #1. From then on, I ran/walked my way up to Champlain Lookout and continued on to the Lusksville Firetower.
The mostly uphill route from Meech Lake P8 to Lusksville is abt 21.1 km one-way. The return trip is close to 42.2 km.
I will post some of the photos l took along the way when I have a chance.

Sent from BlackBerry

 (Update 20180604: The total distance is closer to 42.2 km as opposed to the 44 km originally reported)