Backpacking on the Bruce near Lion's Head

Simple three day backpacking trip along a northern portion of the Bruce Trail near Lion's Head. I have heard about this section of trail many time but I have yet to hike it. We will spend most of the time hiking along the shore through provincial nature reserves.

Participants should be self sufficient and experienced hiking a distance of 20KM with a fully loaded overnight pack.

Lacking experience on this section of trail I cannot speak on it's condition nor that of the camping. We will spend most of the time hiking along the shore. Likely there will be a large amount of rock, a characteristic of hiking along the Niagara Escarpment. There is also a potential for a fair bit of exposure to wind and rain during large sections. There will be some sections of road hiking including a 7KM section.

This trip will follow one of two routes depending on how many cars we have to form a shuttle. If we have enough we can go for a longer through hike and spend less time on roads and in town. If we do have the ability to for a shuttle them we will have shorter days, a more backtracking, and more road walking. See the bottom of the page for the two itineraries. The final decision on the route will be made on Thursday night after the RSVP deadline.

There are no reservation fees for this event. Passengers an drivers are expected to share the cost of gas for their vehicles.

Itinerary with shuttle

Saturday
Leave KW area at 7AM
Drive to parking lot on Highway 9 near Barrow Bay and drop return vehicle off.
Continue on to Cape Chin North Parking lot.
Hike along the Bruce Trail to Reed's Dump campsite, 17.8 KM.

Sunday
Continue along the Bruce Trail and hike to McKay's Harbour campsite, 15.1KM. Note this section of trail passes through the town of Lion's head and includes about 7KM of hiking along shoreline roads.

Monday
Hike to Barrow Bay were our shuttle car is, 8.3 KM.
Complete car shuttle and head home.

Itinerary without shuttle

Saturday
Leave KW area at 7AM
Drive to Lion's head park in town.
Hike on the Bruce "south" bound until we reach the junction of Warder Side Trail, about 1 KM later.
Take the Warder Side Trail to the Ilse Hanel Side Trail.
Take the Ilse Hanel Side Trail to it's send where it joins back up witht he shore and Bruce Trail.
Follow the Bruce Trail "north" to the McKay Harbour campsite.
Total distance for the day is about 12.4KM

Sunday
Hike along the Bruce Trail back through Lion's Head and continue until we reach Reed's Dump campsite, 15.1KM.
Note this section of trail passes through the town of Lion's head and includes about 7KM of hiking along shoreline roads.

Monday
Turn around and hike back to Lion's Head where we left the car, 9.4KM.
Note this section of trail passes follows shoreline roads for about 6KM.