Hikes 56 & 57 Cape Chin North to Crane Lake

October 22, 2022 Hike #56: km 108.5 to km  117.9 Peninsula Section (Ed. 28)

October 23, 2022 Hike #57: km 117.9 to km 126.6  Peninsula Section (Ed. 28)

It was yet another brilliant, sunny, blue-sky weekend for hiking.  It felt like summer on both days - reaching over 20 C on Sunday.  The weather Gods have certainly been kind to us this season.    

We started our hiking at Cape Chin North and hiked past several lovely spots that looked out over Dyers Bay.  The water was crystal clear and turquoise along the shoreline, looking much like the waters of the Caribbean.  That is where the similarity ends as the water is freezing and the shoreline rocky.  Happily, the autumn leaves were still hanging on and showing off glorious hues of gold, orange and red which provided us with breathtaking scenery (when we were not looking down at the trail).  We ventured off the main trail (something we don't often do) to see the Devil's Monument , and then went further down the steep trail the rocky shore. After ascending again, we stopped and had our lunch high up on a rocky ledge with the expanse of the bay looking very much like the ocean. 

While Saturday's hike was not overly long, and the weather dry, the footing was tricky with slippery rocks and roots littering the trail, so we had to watch every step.  Even with the extra care, there were a couple of slips and falls (or F***ity F*** F***s  as I like to call them 😉 ).  No severe injuries thank goodness!  We finished early afternoon and had time to relax and enjoy the lovely Airbnb we had rented.

Sunday's hike took us inland along another rocky trail for a couple of kilometres and then brought us out to the road or several kilometres heading toward to Crane Lake.  Part of Crane Lake Road was flooded over by the adjacent marsh area, and we had to don plastic bags on our feet in an attempt to keep them mostly dry (it worked!).  Luckily the day was warm so having damp feet for a little bit was not an issue.  

Our hiking for this year is at an end with only approximately 36 km to go to reach the terminus in Tobermory. When we resume in the spring, from what we have read and heard, we will be hiking the most challenging section of the trail. There will be many steep ascents and descents, rocks to climb, as well as a possibility of encountering one of the many black bears and rattlesnakes that call the Bruce Peninsula National Park their home. We can hardly wait to get back out there, finish our hiking and pop the bubbly to celebrate!

We met a another group of hikers at the start and one of them kindly took a photo
 - much better than group selfies!

Heading out (photographer ahead of us)

Orange tree amongst the pines

Looking out on Dyer's Bay

A woodpecker had been feasting here

Golden trees

Gorgeous view

A waterfall at Devil's Monument side trail

The Devil's Monument (flower pot)

Rocky Beach at the bottom of the Devil's Monument side trail

Nancy taking in the view from the ledge
(looking precariously close to the edge)

Turquoise and blue 

Crystal clear water

Valerie ascending the trail with the help of a rubber hose rope

Allison and Nancy climbing up

At the start of Sunday's hike

Nancy blending in with the leaves

The road is much easier than the trail

Valerie and Karen

Karen saying hello to the horses

Not much to do but take the risk and go through it

Valerie in her fashionable plastic bag footwear

Valerie makes her way through the flooded section of the road

Nancy and Allison put the bags on the inside their boots. 
(both methods worked fairly well)

We made it to Bruce Peninsula National Park!