Adventure Weekend
Held annually on the Labour Day long weekend, CNTC's premier event is the ideal way to close out the summer. Located in the beautiful and rugged terrain of the Haliburton Highlands region surrounding Minden, Ontario, Canada, with base camp established at the 'Bowl' at South Lake Tent & Trailer Park. Adventure Weekend brings together a wide diversity of individuals and their families to take part in fun, off-roading, games and all around good times.
Map to South Lake Tent & Trailer Park.The event has been a favourite amongst Nissan wheelers since its inception by the Southern Ontario Xterra Club (SOXC), the precursor to NTC and later CNTC and hosts participants from as far away as Alberta, Canada and Western New York State. The friendships that are formed at this event is what brings people back year after year. Sharing time with friends and family both on and off the trails is what makes this event so special. People leave with more friends than they came with and memories to last a lifetime.
The Drivers
Drivers are split into groups to ensure an even distribution amongst the different trails and based on driver experience and vehicle capabilities. The trail runs are led by experienced trail leaders who guide their group on the trails. They lend their knowledge of the trails and foster good, responsible 4-wheeling to make the day's trail runs safe and enjoyable.
The Trucks
Although the name says Canadian NISSAN Truck Club, that does not mean the fun is restricted to Nissan trucks only. Our members drive a wide variety of vehicles including Land Rovers, Toyotas, Jeeps and we've even been known to allow the occasional Zuk or two! All we ask is that your vehicle be in good mechanical order, include recovery points on the front and optionally on the rear, and that you have a good spare tire. Also, to decrease the chance of damage to your truck we recommend that you remove any low hanging accessories like, hard plastic mud guards, original equipment step rails and trailer wiring harnesses to name a few. A CB radio is also highly recommended. It's essential that the trucks on the trail maintain communication and we've found that a CB radio is the best tool for the job. CB radios, both handheld and vehicle mounted, can be purchased at a low cost and many of the club members would be more than happy to help you install yours if you are not sure how.
The Trails
All the trails present a varied terrain featuring both shallow and optional steep rock climbs, shallow to moderately deep water crossings and the occasional mud hole or two. One trail is especially suited to drivers wanting to experience off-roading for the first time and is stock truck friendly. We do insist that you remove those hard plastic splash guards and factory step rails to prevent damage to your truck though. The other trails are more advanced and we recommend that your truck be equipped with skid plates and rock sliders to lessen the possibility of damage to the under-side of your vehicle. Again, all trucks are required to have a recovery point on the front of the vehicle, one on the rear is also highly recommended, as well as a properly inflated spare tire. You will not be allowed on the trail runs without those two minimum requirements. And don't forget a CB!
Blindfold Run
Introduced in 2007 and modelled on a similar challenge held at the Calgary Nissan Jamboree, the Blindfold Run has become a highly anticipated part of the Adventure Weekend. Held one evening after the day's trail runs are over, the Blindfold Run involves driving through an obstacle course blind-folded and aided only by your co-pilot. Now THAT you got to see. It's worth the drive to Minden!
Adventure Weekend For Kids!
Our kids are a special part of the Adventure Weekend. From Toddlers to Teens, the kids develop special friendships that last a lifetime. They enjoy off-roading as well as playing together at camp. Organized activities include Scavenger Hunts, Hide 'n' Seek, 3-Legged Race, Musical Chairs, Clothes Pin Tag, Simon Says (no, not that Simon), Tug-o-War, Red-Light Green-Light, just to name a few. And of course, these games are for kids of ALL ages!
The Cost, FREE!
That's right, Free! CNTC does not charge a fee to attend Adventure Weekend. The only costs to you are the expenses associated with accommodation, food, and fuel. Oh, and we ask that all attendees also bring a couple of bags of firewood for the evening's bonfire.
Giving Back To The Community
Another thing that's becoming a tradition is the Adventure Weekend Food Drive. With this, we remember those less fortunate than us or those who have fallen on hard times and try to make a difference in their lives. So, with that in mind we ask that attendees bring some non-perishable food items that we'll donate to a local Food Bank.
Where To Stay
Accommodation for most attendees is a tent pitched at the 'Bowl' at South Lake Tent & Trailer Park. For those who prefer a real bed there are a number of area motels and B&Bs to stay at. A list can be found here. Just make sure to book your alternate accommodation in advance as the Labour Day weekend tends to be popular amongst those looking for one last summer getaway.
More Than Just Off-Roading
If the off-roading aspects of Adventure Weekend don't appeal to you, come for the camping, camp fire, to visit old friends or make new ones. There's also plenty more to do while you're there. Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Geocaching, Kayaking, just to name a few.
Hiking & Biking
Hiking & Biking trails abound in the region, they include the north end of the Kawartha Section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail, the Drag River and Head Lake Trails, the Central Ontario Loop Trail, the Haliburton County Rail Trail just to name a few. A full listing can be found at the Ontario Trails Council website.
Horseback Riding
Enjoy the day exploring the wilderness of Algonquin Park on Horseback courtesy of South Algonquin Trails. Situated at the very southern tip of the park, the certified trail guides take you on a tour exploring a wild natural environment. Observe rock outcroppings, ponds, beaver dams, streams, rivers, rugged hills, huge pine trees, and bear claw marks on the beech trees. A horseback riding experience that you just can’t get anywhere else!
Geocaching
Explore the region enjoying one of the fastest growing outdoor activities, Geocaching. The area is a geocacher's dream with over 30 known caches just a short drive and hike away. Like a scavenger hunt, geocaching involves searching for hidden treasures, in this case, caches filled with objects left by the person who planted the cache or people who have found it. You do this with a portable, handheld GPS receiver and the co-ordinates and hints found at the Geocaching website provided by the person who originally hid the cache. It is traditional to sign the log book if one is provided and to exchange an object of your own with one from the cache. Most caches are located in easily accessible areas so you and your family can have a safe and fun trek while you're out on the hunt. Use this link to download a list of area Geocaches in GPX format, ready to be imported into your GPS unit. For descriptions and hints about individual caches, search for the cache name at the Geocaching website.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Twisting and tumbling down the Gull River at the Wild Water Preserve can add a real adrenalin rush to your Adventure Weekend. This 800 Meter long, Class 11 to 1V world class slalom course makes an ideal venue for paddlers wanting to learn, practice, or hone their skills. The Minden Wild Water Preserve is privately owned and operated by Whitewater Ontario. The 100 acre preserve includes: picnic tables and fire pits, indoor and outdoor washroom facilities, hot and cold running water and a clothes dryer. If white water isn't quite your thing or you prefer a quite paddle on a flat water lake or river you've come to the right place. This area is at the heart of many hectares and kilometres of lakes and rivers. Just drop your boat into any of the areas waterways and be prepared to take in some of the most spectacular scenery Ontario has to offer.
And More!
If that's not enough, activities abound, just check out the Haliburton County Tourism website. But don't forget to come back to base camp! The evening bonfire is one you'll soon not forget.
And remember, please Tread Lightly!
Join The Fun
If you'd like to join the fun, you'll find additional information and a link to a sign-up sheet in the Adventure Weekend event section of the forums.