Hey BlackMagic,
I am seriously investigating the Mantario Trail for a possible hike in September. Right now, it would be a solo trip and because there is no shuttle, I think I would do a hike and back. In all, I would be looking at 132 km or 82 miles. Not a problem if I can get a week off from work.

Anyway, since you have done it many times before, I was wondering if there is anything I should know that is not on this website: http://www.pemmican.org/wiki/Mantario_Hiking_Trail

Any tips about the trail, sights, places to eat in Winnipeg, or anything you can think of would be helpful. Thanks much.

Absolutely! Anything I can find for you or help you with would be great for me; gets me in the mood too.
I would recommend starting with getting the Mantario Hiking Trail Guide Map from Canada Maps as per the pemmican site. I'll scrounge up some info for you and get it your way. I can email info to you if you like. One thing I would recommend is to take a GPS along if you can. Not everyone uses them but using that beside the map has definitely been the way to keep me from getting lost pretty much every single trip (the beaver action can really move things around, and the blow-down has affected the trail too). I'm not so familiar with other trails, but when they say that a trail is not very well marked, man, this is the one. Some people get very frustrated, but I kind of like that. But if you don't get at least a bit lost, then I'd be very surprised. No kidding, I have not done the trail yet without getting lost, not seriously, but enough sometimes to get a bit nervous. But it's the GPS that keeps me at least very close to the trail. It's a great experience! I'll get some info to you quick as I can. I'm pumped that you are considering this!
This photo is from Olive Lake; my favourite little spot. Still waiting to get the perfect shot of it. It's almost half way up the trail.

Hey, that is great. I don't have a GPS yet, but I am looking at getting the Garmin eTrex Venture HC. Which one do you use? And what you do think of the weather in early September?

Sorry, just got back from a business trip. I have a Garmin 60CSx; very happy with it, I'm pretty sold on Garmin. Early September is usually great. Now that I'm back at home I'll go through the hiking map south to north and give you as many tips as I can scrounge up. A buddy of mine has done it also and his memory is sharper than mine for some reason. So I'll get together with him and go over the map. I should get something for you soon. And as for the shuttle problem, an out and back would be great, but if you prefer a one way, I would gladly help you out with that so long as I'm around when you do the hike. We can deal with that later if it interests you.

Wow! Thanks much for the offer of a shuttle. Don't know if I could get a whole week off for an out and back or not yet, and was a bit worried if I could pack a whole out and back into a couple days. Right now, I am planning on making this a motorcycle trip up there as well. And whatever you and your buddy have as tips that is great.

Here is a picture from Isle Royale just to throw in a hiking mood kinda picture. It is the path from North Lake Desor campsite.