Hike # 48 & 49: On the trail again

May 14, 2022 Hike #48: km 21.0 to 31.6 Peninsula Section (Ed. 28)

May 15, 2022 Hike #49: km 31.6 to 42.6 Peninsula Section (Ed. 28)

After what felt like an endless Winter  - with snow still falling in late April - Spring decided to make an appearance, and we were more than ready to hit the trails again!  With all the Covid restrictions over the past two years, we were long overdue to get back on the trail. We are in the last section making our way toward the end point in Tobermory.  The Peninsula section holds the promise of some of the most spectacular scenery yet.  

Having driven up from home the night before to stay close by in Wiarton, we were able to get an early start.  The day was sunny and warm, without a whisper of a breeze and by mid-day the temperature had soared to 30 °C with a humidex of 38 °C.  Luckily enough the bugs found it too hot to make an appearance, even though we were well prepared with bug spray and bug nets.

The trilliums (millions and millions of them) were in full glorious bloom, carpeting the forest, along with many varieties of ferns.  The light canopy of newly emerging leaves offered little in the way of shade on such a warm day.  The views of the water were so tempting even though we knew how icy the it would be.  When we reached the end of our first day of hiking near Cape Croker Neyaashiinigmiing I was happy to soak my feet in the (numbing) water.  Our second day ended in picturesque Hope Bay and once again we were happy to wade in and cool our feet off at the beach there.

Along our route we encountered some very challenging sections to climb and descend, one of which  required us to climb down steep a very steep ladder set into the face of the escarpment.   Looking down that ladder gave me pause as I considered whether or not I had another option for a route down (no).  I "let" Karen and Valerie go first 😆. 

One of the most joyful things about hiking is our never ending wonder at the sheer beauty that surrounds us at every turn.  We marvel over the wildflowers, the mushrooms, the birdsong and the breeze (when there is one), the shimmering light that dances on the water far below our vantage point where the turkey vultures soar at the same height where we stand.  For those hours we "forget" the difficulties of the past two years and the atrocities happening in the world. The forest is a gift for which we are very grateful.

A blanket of trilliums

Above the tree tops