Days 1, 2, and 3 - Wednesday September 6, Thursday September 7, Friday September 8, 2017
Wednesday September 6 2017
Day 1 - Hiking Day 1 - Peninsula Section K 166.4 Northern Terminus Cairn at Tobermory to K 145.9 and Horse Lake Trail to Parking lot at south end of Cyprus Lake
Distance 24.57 k
Time 9:00
Thursday September 7 2017
Day 2 – Hiking Day 2 – Peninsula Section K 145.9 and Horse Lake Trail from Parking lot at south end of Cyprus Lake to Peninsula Section K 127.4 Crane Lake Road Park
Distance – 20.35 k
Time - 8:10Day 3 – Hiking Day 3 – Peninsula Section K 127.4 Crane Lake Road Park to K105.4 Cape Chin North Road
Distance – 22.19 k
Time - 7:35
We have now completed 3 days on
the Bruce Trail. The most significant thing is the beautiful scenery: from the
forests, to the boulder beaches, to the boulder trails and climbs and descents,
and of course Georgian Bay and its many moods and geological formations like
sink holes, overhangs, and generally scary cliff walks! Robin has a couple of
blisters but we met a very interesting Australian couple on Friday evening who
"doctored" her up. The hikes they have done are amazing. We met
another couple on the first day who were just completing the trail. They did it
in 28 days. The couple we met on Friday, seasoned hikers, are doing it in about
the same number of days we are - manageable so we can still enjoy the hike, and
have some fun after. Wednesday we met about 10 people, Thursday about 7, and Friday we met no-one on the trail except 2 artists; apart from the "hot
spots" along the way such as the Grotto not too many people. We haven’t
seen much wildlife: first the sweetest little squirrel, then a brilliant green
tiny snake about 2 feet long, heard some birds, saw two blue herons, and
a sad moment when we witnessed the last breaths of a frog lyng on its back on the road,
obviously squished by a car. We thought we heard a bear
....there was one in the area.(camping sites have the bear storage
pulleys)...but we never saw anything; there are foxes we would love to see, and
thankfully no rattle snakes yet!!! The section we covered on our second day is said to be the "hardest" part of the trail. There certainly was a lot of up and down, but the hardest part is picking your footsteps over the rock.
The trail doesn't have the
altitude of the Squamish trails but it is a consistent up and down over
Georgian Bay limestone pebbles, rocks and boulders, very treacherous. You have
to think about every step you place as the rocks are like ice with moisture and
moss. If you break your concentration for one minute, you are on the ground. We
are doing well so far. But we have heard of numerous tumbles, and it
hurts....solid rock!!! For example: today there was a road stretch. We
did 10 minute ks; then we came to the rocky bit (not nearly as hard as
yesterday) and it took us 20 minute ks. I'd say so far it has been a mix of the
Summit Trail (including ropes), Pettgill Lake trail, Wonderland, and unique
Bruce Trail!! Weather has been great. Sunny, cool in the mornings, warming up
so we can hike in t-shirts. Yesterday afternoon it rained, but that was fun
too. Discussions between the two of us have gone deep and all across the
planet! The peacefulness of the trail is addictive.
The routine is all involving.
Up at 6:30 am, out of here around 8.30 am, on the trail after 9:00. Back around
6 pm, head out for dinner before the restaurants in the small town of Lions
Head close, then back, to do whatever we have to do. Get lunch ready, repack the packs, wash clothes, dry out clothes, talk briefly to the people immediately
around us, then roll into bed!!! Oh....and fight with internet access. Also, my
Bell plan doesn't seem to cover this area. Both apps are a mess - AllTrails,
and the Bruce Trail. Garbage on my phone. Robin's Rogers cell is working just
perfectly. So frustrating and terribly disappointing that a company like Bell
can't provide a decent service. I am hopeful that the service will improve as
we get further south.
Our bodies are holding up fairly well. A bit stiff and sore
across the top of the thigh, and the arms, back and shoulders all feel as if
they have worked. But we have a cure for
that…a glass of wine!!
We have completed about 60 km and are still smiling!!
Gail here from old mariner in Tobermory. this is so cool to follow you, both in your written descriptions as well as photo's. And what endurance! My niece told me how treacherous some of those rocky areas were but you two just keep on keeping on ! Bravo. Can't wait for your next installment!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see you making rapid progress - almost done the Peninsula section in 6 days. The weather is being kind to you and you are sticking to your plan. Carry on and have lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteTony Paine