Sydenham Km 160.6 to Peninsula Km 5.8 - 15 Sept, 2015

Sydenham 12 - Km 160.6 Bruce Caves Conservation Area to Peninsula 1 - Km 5.8 Colpoy’s Bay Road Side Parking (13.6 km)

Weather; sunny and warm, beautiful hiking weather (no bugs)

Actual distance hiked 14 km

Hikers; Case, Steve, Andy,Karen Leader, Christine, Liz Guest hiker, Ann, Helgy
and Richard leader.

The cars were positioned after we met in Shelburne and took a last pit stop in Wiarton. Had lots of fun paying our Conservation area parking fees with Steve's mobile phone, thank goodness we have a nerd or two in the group!

We left Bruces Caves parking lot (Note to Conservation area: please spend our parking fees on grading your access road, Karen's Acura may never recover!) and climbed the side trail to the main trail.

"Did you bring the map?"

After a short stroll through the Conservation area we were following Bruce Rd 1 along the south side of Colpoy's Bay. Passing the hamlet of Oxenden the trail then moves off the road to skirt the Wiarton Airport an old WWII air training station.

Steve chooses his sarcophagus, military surplus?

At the edge of Wiarton the trail descends a steep cliff via two ladders, which was exactly where Case dropped his camera. After clattering some 40 ft down a scree slope Karen rescued it for him and by some miracle it still worked. Case must have been a Saint in some former incarnation!

The stroll into Wiarton along the towns streets was a pleasant change from the cow tracks around the airport and the water's edge park (Bluewater Beach) made a pleasant lunch stop.

Wiarton Willie and us!

We followed Bayview St out of Wiarton past the Marina and the water treatment plant walking along the lake edge until we reached the magnificent spiral staircase leading up to the Corran ruins.

We emerged from a cattle pasture to cross Bruce Rd 9 just above the village of Colpoy's Bay. The trail takes the back-roads and fields behind the village and we joined Bruce rd 9 again at the end of the village at Kribbs Mill. It came complete with a wooded stream, little water fall and some comfortable benches, so after getting their shoes from the car at the cemetery that was where the car-less waited for the their shuttle.

Kribb's Mill stream

Back to Wiarton Willies Inn and our host Raymond.

However tonight we relied on Social Director Steve to find Wiarton's hidden gem The Irish Parlour pub. we had a great meal and good beer.

All were resolved to return the next night only to discover they are closed on Wednesdays!!!

Oh well, definitely a first world problem. Quey sera.