Sydenham km 145.7 to 160.6 - 17 September 2015

 Sydenham 11 - Km 145.7 Graham’s Hill Road Km 160.6 Bruce Caves Conservation Area (15.1 km)

Weather; another wonderful sunny and warm day.

An early start, car positioning was arranged so that Karen's muscle car didn't have to negotiate the potholes of Bruces Caves Rd again! 

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

We were quickly underway despite Karen's need to check every apple tree for sweet fruit. A little road walking down Big Bay rd took us down off the escarpment. We were soon on an old road allowance on a less frequented part of the trail. The meadow grasses were wet and heavy with dew and we were soaked below the knees!

The going continued easy as we then followed Cole's SR and  Colpoy's Range Rd for much of this portion skirting the Slough of Despond. Colpoy's Range Rd got us back up on the escarpment edge where the trail followed the edge of the escarpment along Skinner's Bluff.

"I'm pretty sure we should be over there."

"Richard! I din't mean it. You're an excellent leader. Come back up."

You go first Steve.  No No Richard, after you .....

The views of the Georgian Bay Islands, Colpoy's Bay and the cliffs to the north were magnificent and we watched Turkey Vultures and Blue Jays from our vantage points.

Eventually we found the Bruces Caves Side Trail which we took past our car to explore the Caves. Well worth it! According to the guide these were formed by wave action of an Ice age Lake Alkonguin on the dolostone cliffs. As usual with features on the trail it is tough to get a photo that truly reflects the majesty of these huge caverns, but these pictures give you some sense of the scale.

A quick shuttle back to the start cars was delayed briefly by some huge maintenance trucks but not as Helgy had hoped by a stop at the homemade ice cream store in Big Bay (Closed due to family emergency).
Some made a brief detour back to the butcher in Wiarton while others just made a bee line for the smoke!

Peninsula Km 5.8 to Peninsula Km 20.6 - 16 Sept, 2015

Peninsula 2 - Km 5.8 Colpoy’s Bay Road Side Parking – Km 20.6 Roadside parking Coveney’s Rd (14.8 km)

Weather; sSunny, cool at first to 26C later (no bugs again)

Actual distance hiked: 15.6 km

Hikers; Leader Richard, Ann, Karen co-leader, Liz guest hiker, Helgy, Steve, Christine, Andy and Case

Cars were positioned and we started at the Colpoy’s Bay Cemetery. After skirting a hay field and going through an old orchard we were in the trees skirting the edge of the escarpment along Colpoy’s Bay Bluff. 

Wiarton Willie is glad to see the last of us ....

We passed the Whicher ST and near the Mallory Beach ST we came across Sharon’s Bench, a memorial bench for an good friend of Case’s which he had been part of constructing.

The view from Sharon's Bench

The trail continued along the bluff edge with occasional spectacular lookouts over Colpoy’s Bay. The surprising lack of elevation change, shade from the trees and firm if occasionally rocky footing, made the hike very pleasant and we were able to maintain a good pace.

 This continued all the way to Malcom Bluff where we had great views of the islands at the mouth of Colpoy’s bay, Hay, Griffiths and White Cloud.

After Malcom’s Bluff the trail dropped down to follow the escarpment edge northwards. We remained in mature forest and came across some large blocks of dolostone tilting off the edge of the escarpment, apparently in danger of falling at any time. With the occasional view of Kings Point Bluff and Jones Bluff ahead we quickly found Coveney’s ST and headed out to the car.  

A quick shuttle, stops for beer, ice cream and coffee and then it was supper at Dockside Willies with Wiarton Willie himself right next door!