Adventurion

Introduction

We are on a quest to conquer as many mountains as we can reach. Fortunately, there are many located not too far away, just waiting for us to come. So, scrolling through maps has become one of my usual activities. One day, I stumbled upon a not-very-informative picture with a very interesting name – Mont Caribou. Luckily, there was a website that gave me a bit more information. Most importantly, they offer not only hiking trails but also accommodation – a yurt. I saved this place right away for our next adventure.

We had already stayed in yurts before and loved them very much. One yurt even had a composting toilet, which is quite unique for such accommodations. The yurt on Mont Caribou cannot be accessed by car; you need to hike up the mountain to reach it. This was an interesting challenge that we had to try.

Preparation and Anticipation

It’s finally time to embark on our adventure. We chose the best season here in Quebec – fall. It’s not yet the golden part of the season, but it’s still warm and not too hot. We’re going on the Labour Day long weekend.

We always use the same car trip checklist for such journeys. It’s pretty simple since it doesn’t require any special equipment like a tent or canoe. (We might even share this checklist with others who are interested.)

Of course, we need to be careful with the amount of stuff we take with us. Don’t forget, we have to carry everything up the hill. We need to follow the trail to Mont Caribou which passes near the yurt. I’m sure it will be worth it.

The Journey to the Trailhead

We arrived at the trailhead and immediately encountered our first challenge—where should we check in?

After about 15 minutes of checking every house in the area, we finally found a map.

According to the map, the visitor center was located on the opposite side of the park.

With no more time to waste, we jumped back into the car.

At the visitor center, the staff clarified everything for us.

We filled our canister with water (since there was no running water near the yurt) and returned to the parking lot.

The Hike to the Yurt

We decided to carry all our stuff in two attempts. The first was to take our bags, and the second was to carry the water canister alone.

The hike to the yurt started as an easy walk through the forest. Along the way, we passed campsites and informative panels with information about the area. Then the terrain became steeper and rougher.

I was wondering whether I could manage to pull the folding hand truck I had brought to help me carry the water canister.

Eventually, we reached the yurt, left Maxim with our bags inside, and returned to the parking lot for the canister.

The easy part of the trail was more or less fine to navigate with the truck. But when we reached the steep and rough terrain, I quickly realized that it wouldn’t work.

The only option left was to carry the canister with six gallons of water myself. And so I continued climbing up.

The better option would have been to spill half of the canister to make it lighter. But if you’re stubborn, you pay for it. 😉

Tired but happy that the challenge was over, we could take a closer look at the yurt, inside and out.

First Impressions of the Yurt on Mont Caribou

The yurt is impressive, both inside and out. Inside, it has pretty much everything you need: a two-level bed, a couch, a table, a wood-burning fireplace, and a kitchenette. The kitchenette comes with all the necessary utensils. There’s also a propane stove, which we didn’t use since we always bring our own.

And of course, no yurt would be complete without a ceiling window. This is my favorite feature, especially when the skies are clear at night.

The yurt has two doors, with the front door leading to a small porch where you can enjoy a coffee while taking in the beautiful views. Outside, there’s a fireplace and a table, which are common but welcome features in such places.

Settling In

The first evening was very relaxing. After dinner, we spent hours by the fireplace.

There are two things I enjoy most during our outdoor adventures: listening to the sounds of flowing water and watching the campfire. It’s like meditation for my soul.

The yurt’s location offered us a perfect view of the sunset, which we, of course, took full advantage of.

The night was quiet and peaceful. Tomorrow, we have an entire day to explore Mont Caribou.

Exploring Mont Caribou

After the first few meters of the hike, we realized that we might have something interesting for dinner. There were many mushrooms around, and some of them we could easily identify. But we decided to pick them up on the way back.

The distance from the yurt to the summit of Mont Caribou is relatively short. The summit is not very distinctive, but it is rocky and open.

There are nice views, so it’s definitely worth spending half an hour or so there.

Instead of turning back, we decided to continue the loop, which passes by Lake Johnston.

Apart from the summit and the lake, the loop is a hike in the forest with many streams crossing our path.

The humidity was very high that day, so we were quite tired by the end of the hike.

It didn’t stop us from picking the mushrooms, though. So we had a delicious hedgehog mushroom pasta for dinner that evening.

Reflections on the Experience

For us, such trips are always a good excuse to escape from our busy lives. They are also a great opportunity to get closer to nature, reminding us of how beautiful the world around us is. It’s especially important to remember that you don’t need to travel around the world to experience it.

Conclusion

It was a very fulfilling experience with many interesting moments and no issues. If you’re interested in upgrading from your usual car camping but aren’t quite ready for a full backpacking trip, then this adventure is for you.

Practical Tips for Future Travellers

• Check the exact location of the visitor center and go directly there.
• You can fill your water canister at the visitor center.
• You will need to carry the water with you, so don’t take too much. Your back will thank you 😉
• Most importantly: Enjoy and appreciate every moment!

Video

Don’t forget to watch our trip video to experience it for yourself!