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http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/b/8/0/event_152555712.jpeg

Kayakers, 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.

Hikers, have you ever kayaked Bruce Peninsula National and wondered what it looked like from above. Now is your chance to find out, to see Georgian Bay from the best perspective, a birds eye view.

Itinerary:

This is an obvious repeat of a previous meetup September 8-9. Last time the weather didn't co-operate preventing us from paddling the distance. This time we will watch the weather closely calling off paddling as late as the day before if forecasted winds exceed 20 km/hr. The weather will also determine whether this is a through paddle, Little Cove Bay to Dyer's Bay, or a return trip from Little Cove Bay to High Dump.

The hiking option will run regardless of weather. The default hike is Cyprus Lake to High Dump return, 13 km one way. Hikers are free to shorten this route, for instance, changing the pickup point Sunday. Paddlers can always opt to hike instead if the weather prevents kayaking.

Option 1: Friday, Sep. 21, leave after work for Bruce Peninsula National Park, Cyprus Lake car camping, a three hour drive from KW.

Option 2: Saturday, Sep. 22, 6:00 am, leave for Tobermory, stopping at the park office for permits. Kayaking: By 10:00 am, park start point vehicle at Little Cove Bay, and commence paddling east past the Overhang, Grotto, Cave Point, Storm Haven.... to High Dump, the furthest backcountry campground. Hiking: commence hiking by 10:00 am.

Both options: Potentially detour via Dyer's Bay at some point, Friday or Saturday, to leave an end point vehicle in public parking.

Sunday, Sep. 23, assuming through paddling, continue paddling east (out of respect for predominant westerly winds) past Cabot Head Nature Reserve, stop at the lighthouse for a look-see, and on to Dyer's Bay boat ramp. We may elect to hide a mountain bike(s) along Cabot Head Rd. on the way up to expedite retrieval of end point vehicle and reduce paddling distance, or make it more fun! Return kayaks to Tobermory if required. Retrieve start point vehicle by necessity. 4:00 pm, commence three hour drive to Kitchener-Waterloo.

Please specify whether hiking or kayaking in your RSVP comments. At some point add whether leaving Friday or Saturday.

Inspiration:

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

Photos from the previous meetup https://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/photos/10638122/

Cost:

Option 2 without kayak rental, no Friday camping:

$30 shared gas + $12 camping permit + $5 shared parking = $47

Option 1 with kayak rental (assuming 4 persons Friday camping):

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

Difficulty:

It is hard to judge since difficulty varies by wind speed and direction. The coastline, as per photo above, is inhospitable under heavy waves. There are no outer islands to shelter from the surf making for tricky landings and launches. Probably not your best introduction to sea kayaking. The distance, despite the Dyer's Bay endpoint (pun intended), is manageable for an average backcountry fitness level.

Pedometer view of kayaking route with distances in km http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5631668 By happenstance High Dump is at the mid point translating to 18 km per day.

Kayak Rental:

Note, both of the following outfitters require picking up kayaks before closing time Friday. Neither opens in time Saturday to make our 10 am start time.

Thorncrest Outfitters, Tobermory, 519-596-8908, http://www.thorncrestoutfitters.com/paddling/rentals.htm 'Single sea kayak', $70/two days, is the most likely boat.

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. Open until 5:30 pm Friday. Returns must be back by 5:00 pm Sunday.

Camping:

High Dump campsites use tent pads. Equip your shelter accordingly.http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/4/a/event_152564362.jpeg

Fine print:

There is no particular reason this needs to be a through paddle. The point of the exercise is to capitalize on the predominant westerly winds, and visit the seldom seen eastern extent of the park. Given contrary winds Sunday, we could return to Little Cove.

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