Bruce Peninsula Hiking Photos

Bruce Trail - Peninsula Section

The following photos and notes are a result of our June 2001 hiking trip on the Bruce Trail. We walked from Tobermory to Wiarton. Although not planned beforehand, I decided to create a website using selected photos. These will give you some idea of the scenic beauty we encountered on the Bruce Peninsula in June.


Tobermory Cairn Dave	Maidenhair Spleenwort Fern	Yellow Lady's Slipper	Tobermory Cairn Marj

It was spitting rain when we arrived at the Cairn to begin our trek. Anxious to get started, we didn't take these pictures until our return to Tobermory. We were very fortunate because the rain didn't amount to anything. In fact, we had only one day of rain during the 12 days we were on the Peninsula.


Dunk's Bay		Little Cove		below Little Cove

Somewhere not far below Little Cove Rd., Dave was surprised by a baby rattler sitting on the trail. It blended right in with the gray/brown scarp rock but was noticeable because it moved slightly - likely in response to our footsteps. Same location where he nearly stepped on a full-size one about 10 years ago. The Massasauga rattler is not at all aggressive but we wouldn't want to step on one! (After that we were also very mindful of checking our handholds when climbing on rock.)


Meadows near Driftwood Cove		Driftwood Cove area		Watch your step!

The Georgian Bay shoreline from Bruce Peninsula National Park

						Dave is trying to protect his neck from sunburn
View of Georgian Bay		The Grotto		Halfway Rock Point		Above Halfway Dump


Tiger Swallowtails		Flowers on rocky shore		Careful Descent		Towards Halfway Dump

We plan to hike the 7 km. stretch from Halfway Dump to High Dump in the fall. This was an unplanned omission due to many factors. We were trying to get by without a detailed road map of the area. (The Bruce Trail Guide is excellent but shows only the area immediately adjacent to the trail.) Also, we often used our bikes for shuttling purposes and I had not bothered to calculate the biking distances (which in fact varied greatly). On the day we had planned to resume from Halfway Dump, we had a delayed start when we discovered that Crane Lake Rd. did NOT connect directly to Hwy. 6. We had to use roads further south than expected and this meant an increased biking distance. Also, on the previous day's return from Halfway Dump, we saw the long Emmett Lake Rd. being freshly graded. With an afternoon forecast of rain, we decided against the long bike ride and opted for walking in to High Dump from a parking area further south. Then we walked back out.

In the afternoon (it didn't rain) we went to Larkwhistle on the bikes (actually further than this only to find a recent reroute) and walked back to the car. This turned out to be a good idea because it allowed us to do the next part of the trail earlier than planned. Here the trail goes through a marshy area with water sitting on both sides of a one-lane road with HUGE waterholes at one point. The following day brought lots of rain which likely made this road impassable. (Rather than hike in pouring rain, we spent the next day scouting out the remaining access points by car.)


Wood Lilies		High Dump Sign		High Dump		Ferns

Roadside Flowers


On Crane Lake Rd.	Poppies at end of Dyer's Bay Rd.	Daisies


Shuttle Service	Glacial Pothole Lillie Side Trail	Scarp Edge below Cape Chin	White Bluff Whippoorwill Bay

	Lion's Head area
	An early morning walk along the Isle-Hanel Side Trail had some excitement for us. For a few moments it looked like Dave was going to be attacked by a brown furry animal that was racing across the forest floor. To our relief, it turned out to be a mother grouse. We took a break at Moore Street before hiking the Main Trail - a loop hike - no bikes!


Moore St.	Cliffs	McKays Harbour

Hope Bay area


	Hope Bay (looking back)		Hope Bay (looking ahead)


Lots of scarp rock!		?		View from Harbour

		We set out from the Barrow Bay area fairly early and reached the car at the end of Brock Street in Hope Bay by mid-afternoon. We continued on to the upper end of the Hart's Tongue Side Trail - another 1.2 km. (then retraced our steps back to the car). We were surprised to see a wooden ladder but grateful we didn't have to scale the steep rock face without it.
Awesome Overhang				Vertical Climb

Cape Croker area

We left our car at Cape Croker Indian Park. We were soon on the 900-metre boardwalk that makes for pleasant hiking through a wet area. Then we began to climb the steep escarpment - the rightmost photo below indicates the size of the rocks in this section! (This photo was taken on our way out - Dave is still smiling in spite of the heat that day.) As we approached the top, I marvelled at the 24-step steel staircase (first photo). By using the Hart's Tongue Side Trail, we enjoyed a loop hike on Sydney Bay Bluff. The top of the bluff is said to be over 100 metres above Sydney Bay - the views are pretty spectacular.


Climbing in Style	View from Sydney Bay Bluff	View of Park and Jones Bluff	Huge rocks!

While travelling through land owned by the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, we experienced several surprises. One of these occurred up on Sydney Bay Bluff as we were approaching a point where we left the Main Trail to reach a Lookout which provides a terrific view of the Bay. Suddenly there was a commotion and a rustling noise. A snake? I didn't actually see it but Dave swears that a chipmunk climbed up part of his pant leg. Bet it was the same friendly fellow that came mooching for a bite while we were resting at the Lookout!


Maple Leaves		Showy Lady's Slipper		View of Sydney Bay from Jones Bluff		Cape Croker area


	Single Spike		Meadow		Blue Flowers

Heading towards Colpoy's Bay

Coveneys Reroute

Circle G Lane

Rock Crevasses

Colpoy's Bay


	Hay Island		My favourite stile

Spirit Rock Conservation Area
The Corran	Spiral Staircase	Approaching Wiarton Harbour

"Wiarton Willie" on a hot, humid day in June

The end of our June 2001 adventures on the Peninsula Section of the Bruce Trail

We returned in September 2001 and hiked from Halfway Dump to High Dump. Jim Davis, our hiking friend from Michigan, joined us.


Dave, Marj & Jim at Halfway Dump	below Halfway Dump	above High Dump


	Jim		Dave & Jim near High Dump

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