Peninsula - Cyprus Lake (127.9 km) to The Northern Cairn (147.9 km) - June 9, 2022.

Our final day of hiking in the Peninsula Section of the Bruce Trail has arrived and it's going to be a classic...We will walk from our same starting location as yesterday at Cyprus Lake northward to Tobermory and the northern cairn at the terminus of the trail, one of two "holy grail" spots on this historic pathway.

Looking westward at the route gives a great perspective of the trail that has captured the imagination of so many hikers before us (including a few in our group), I am privileged to now be able to count myself as one who has experienced the entirety of this section, having gained an even greater respect for what the Bruce Trail has to offer. I am not done with the entirety of the 900 plus kilometers, but having this section on my resume makes me feel like I belong there, and only piqued my desire to complete the trail one day soon...

...and, as an added bonus on this day, I will get to walk alongside a man who will culminate his own journey on the Bruce Trail. Today, June 9th, 2022, will be the day that Brian will experience a moment of personal and shared joy as he will reach the northern cairn and join the exclusive "End to End" club of Bruce Trail hikers!

Here is Brian in what I believe is his very first hike on the Bruce Trail on January 10th, 2019 at the southern cairn at Queenston Heights...he only had 900 km or so to go at this point...

And here he is 2 1/2 years later with his friends, some old, some new, ready to finish off his quest...I can guarantee he is a better man today for what he has seen and done on the trail.

We are soon underway getting to the main trail from our parking lot...and it isn't long before Brian's naturally inquisitive nature takes him into...nature. Here he is exploring the shores of Marr Lake...

We eventually make our way to the main trail and turn left (instead of yesterday's right)...once again, we have been blessed with just about the best hiking weather you could ask for...sunshine with a bit of cloud, temperatures in the mid teens, and surprisingly, few if any bugs...just about heaven...

Back on Boulder Beach...the distinctive "clank, clink, clank" sound from our footsteps echo around us...

We soon reach "Overhanging Point" and, for a moment, I have it all to "myshelf"...

After a short rest, we get into some serious hiking action...the trail here is really quite good...lots of roots, but not the nasty, gnarly rock of the previous two days...

I can think of no better way to spend your day with friends...

I know it's Brian's day, but I want to take a moment to express my (and I'm sure it's shared) total admiration for this amazing hiker who was able to join us after a month off to move north, and despite numerous physical challenges, kept plowing through like only Arpi can...her fitness level and perseverance belie her age, and her caustic wit and no nonsense personality are a gift to us on the trail...

Meanwhile, I point the way to ice cream for Doug's benefit...it's what motivates him...

Spot the loon...and then spot the "looney" in this photo...

Another one of Brian's favourite trail quirks is to find odd, but natural, resting spots...here he adopts an angled cedar tree with just the right slope...

The trail skirts along Loon Lake in a particularly beautiful section...we are away from the rocky shoreline for a bit...

"Death by blaze" strikes again...a new variant?

We reach Driftwood Cove and here's Brian doing what Brian does best...adapting to his environment...

We couldn't decide if this sign meant we weren't allowed to drink water for the next 8 km, or that there was no water available until then...hmmmmm...

Sometimes a hiker can be a mere shadow of his present self...

It was nice to spend some meadow time after so much hiking in the forest...spring flowers helped improve the mood even more...

A few of us took a quick peek at this large sinkhole which is now quite overgrown but still impressive...

Meanwhile, Brian updates us on the direction towards ice cream...

A view of Little Cove...in the aptly named Little Cove Provincial Nature Reserve...

Brian surrounded by his hiking friends...what are his thoughts as he nears his goal...probably "where can I find a cool spot to relax in the forest?"..

Well that thought was soon extinguished when a large rock suddenly jumped onto the trail and scraped Brian's arm (at least that's how it was told to me)...fortunately he has a friend who is a former nurse and he quickly received expert attention...a little souvenir of his big day...other than his cool, new hat...

We are making good progress but it's time for a break...the sunshine dapples the forest floor as we regain some energy in anticipation of the big finale...

Brian also has the reputation of being there to help others in some of the more precarious spots...handling poles or just giving good direction as to where to step...

Our own personal "flowerpot" for the day...

We're back on the beach at Dunk's Bay...

After a regroup and a drink, it's uphill for a bit...

The trail becomes a little more forgiving as we enter Fathom Five National Marine Park and look forward to the final few kilometers...

A rope aided descent takes us down to another spectacular rock formation...

Brian gives us one final update on the direction we need to take for ice cream...

We then meet up with a bunch of high school students who have danced through the forest ahead of us...experience over youthful exuberance?..you decide...

It's getting closer and closer to that magic moment for the man of the hour...

But first, why not climb the 122 steps of the observation tower to survey the horizon?..it's what we do...

The Welcome Center is a welcomed sight...although the info board needs a little updating distance wise...

Brian completes the Bruce Trail!

Congratulations!

It's all over but the celebrations...Brian takes his turn through the honour guard, and then the rest of us who have completed the Peninsula Section are likewise feted...

We also must pay homage to this man, our leader Steve, who has dedicated so much of his time and led us to so many places, that have given us so much joy (mixed with a little bit of pain)...thanks for all you do!..

...and we now have swag to go with our swagger!..

Thanks for spending time with us on the trail...see you soon!

The End