Kayaking/Hiking, Bruce Peninsula National Park

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Have you ever hiked the Bruce Trail through Bruce Peninsula National Park, stood at a scenic outlook on the Niagara Escarpment, gazed out at Georgian Bay, and wondered, what is actually down there? Now is your chance to find out, to see the escarpment from the best perspective, a fish eye view.

If you'd rather keep both feet on the ground and hike instead, it is up to you.

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Out of the last five attempts at this, only twice were we able to paddle. The other times high wind and waves proved too much. In the end everybody hiked instead which explains this combined kayaking and hiking meetup.

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That said, the photo below suggests why kayaking is your best first option. You too could make the cover of 'Paddler's World' magazine!

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Itinerary:

Friday, September 18, leave after work for Bruce Peninsula National Park a three hour drive from Kitchener-Waterloo. Car camp at Cyprus Lake.

Saturday,

kayakers: Drop by outfitter in Tobermory to pick up kayaks if required. Proceed to Little Cove and load boats. 10:30 am commence paddling east 18 km past the Overhang, Grotto, Cave Point, Storm Haven and ending at High Dump the furthest backcountry campground for the night.

hikers: Hike 13 km along the Bruce Trail from Cyprus Lake to High Dump. Don't let the short distance fool you. With an overnight pack this is a challenging full day's hike.

Sunday,

kayakers: Early risers may elect to paddle on eastward (out and back) to the Cabot Head Nature Reserve. 11:00 all kayakers start return trip from High Dump to Little Cove. Return kayaks to Tobermory if required.

hikers: Hike back to Cyprus Lake

Cost:

kayaking

$30 shared gas + $9 shared Friday camping + $55 two day kayak rental (see Suntrail below) + $12 Saturday camping permit + $5 shared parking = $111

hiking

$30 shared gas + $9 shared Friday camping + $12 Saturday camping permit + $5 shared parking = $56

These are guesstimates. Kayak rentals/costs are the responsibility of individuals. Shared gas is payable to your driver based on his/her fuel costs. Regarding camping and parking fees, how about we lump them all together and divide by the number of participants?

Please have cash money, full names, and license plate numbers Friday night. That way one person addresses the park office Saturday while others continue to pack.

Difficulty:

Kayaking difficulty is hard to judge as it varies with wind speed and direction. This coastline is inhospitable, no, merciless under heavy waves. There are no outer islands to shelter from the surf making for tricky landings and launches. On the wrong day this is not your best introduction to sea kayaking. Be warned. The distance itself, 18 km, is manageable for the average backcountry fitness level.

To reiterate, hikers can expect a challenging day over rough terrain. There are intermediate starting points to shorten the hike if desired.

Kayak Rental:

Thorncrest Outfitters, Tobermory, 519-596-8908 , http://www.thorncrestoutfitters.com/paddling/rentals.htm 'Single sea kayak', $70/two days, is the most likely boat. Their kayak delivery cost, albeit not unreasonable, suggests you may want to strap it to your car roof for the short distances.

Suntrail, Hepworth, (519)935-2478 , http://www.suntrail.net/content/summer-rentals 'Touring kayak' $55/two days, is the most likely boat. Price includes all gear for safety and transport. Returns must be back by 5:00 pm Sunday, although, last year renters arranged for a later return time.

I'd recommend Suntrail if you can pick up by 9:00 PM Friday. Their prices and willingness to accomodate are exemplary. Note: They are too far away to consider as a Saturday morning pickup.

Inspiration:

Photos from 2014 https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/22431022/

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Photos from 2013's excellent adventure https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/15411882/

Photos from a 2012 scouting mission http://www.flickr.com/photos/65337815@N02/sets/72157631249973384/show/

Camping:

High Dump campsites use tent pads. Equip your shelter accordingly. Campfires are absolutely banned at Bruce Park's backcountry campsites (Saturday night). This will be enforced.

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Links:

Shared document (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtI1mHVqaf-jdDAzWkFJejZfZlUwT25STkJZLXpsT3c&usp=drive_web#gid=0) for ridesharing.

Tobermory weather (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/canada/ontario/tobermory)

Reservations https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/BrucePeninsula/BackcountryCampsites?Map