Winter in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario

February 14, 2016

Bruce Peninsula National Park is situated just a few hours north of Toronto between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The park is comprised of shoreline cliffs, crystal clear turquoise waters, sea caves and many kilometres of hiking trails making this an ideal and picturesque outdoor destination. While the park is very popular during the summer months, the winter brings few tourists. In fact, Tobermory, the main town which lies within the park completely closes down with only one or two restaurants and hotels staying open throughout the season.

Here are some pictures I took while snowshoeing in the Cyprus Lake area. The Cyprus Lake area is the most stunning part of the park as it features the Grotto which is a sea cave and Indian Head Cove.

We did a loop hike beginning first at the Cyprus Lake Trailhead continuing on the Marr Lake Trail to Boulder Beach. We then continued along the ridge to the Grotto and Indian Head Cove and returned via the Horse Lake Trail.

 

 

Boulder Beach, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Boulder Beach, Bruce Peninsula National Park

On the trail heading to the Grotto

The Grotto, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Indian Head Cove, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Indian Head Cove, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Looking down on Indian Head Cove from the ridge

30,000 Islands Day Cruise on the Island Queen,Georgian Bay National Park, Ontario

July 12, 2014

Hole in the Wall

There is nothing more spectacular than Georgian Bay on a beautiful summer day and the perfect way to spend it is by cruising the World Biosphere Reserve of the 30,000 Islands. The boat tour I chose was the 3 hour afternoon cruise aboard the Island Queen, a 132 foot expedition cruise ship out of Parry Sound, Ontario. The ship navigates past granite shoals into narrow channels and provides an up-close look of the pristine beauty of Georgian Bay’s remote island wilderness.

As the ship leaves Parry Sound it makes its way into the Big Sound, a body of water reaching depths of 350 feet. Around 20 minutes into the cruise the ship passes the first point of interest, The Hole in the Wall. Hole in the Wall is a narrow channel which is just wide enough for the Island Queen to pass through with 80 foot granite cliffs on either side. As we passed through we were entertained by locals jumping from the cliffs into the clear blue waters. 

The next real point of interest is Killbear Provincial Park which is a very popular summer park that features beautiful sandy beaches and granite cliffs. The ship then enters the Waubuno Channel and continues pass the Outer Islands, Bears Head and makes a tight angle turn at Devil’s Elbow before entering the Seven-Mile Narrows. Seven Mile Narrows is a narrow channel that was blasted out years ago and is dotted with cedars, white pines, moss and other forms of vegetation.

The ship then passes Five Mile Narrows and provides an opportunity to spot osprey in their nest. Before returning to Parry Sound the ship finally passes through the Rose Point Swing Bridge. Upon approach the ship gives 3 horn blows to signal to the attendant that the Island Queen is approaching and needs to be let through.

I plan on returning but this time in the fall to view the magnificent changing of leaves.

Killbear Provincial Park

Killbear Provincial Park

Approaching Five Mile Narrow

Rose Point Swing Bridge

Point Pelee National Park, Canada

May 2010,

 

Point Pelee National Park is a triangular-shaped peninsula of land that extends into Lake Erie and is the southernmost point in mainland Canada. It is situated at the same latitude as northern California and is an important migration corridor for birds and butterflies over Lake Erie. Because of this, Point Pelee was established as a national park in 1918. This small national park is a little over 7 kms long by 3.5 kms wide and is composed of mainly marsh and woodland habitats. A good time to visit is in the spring when the park comes alive with hundreds of birds as they pass through on their annual migration. There are over 360 bird species that have been recorded in the park including the Yellow Warbler and Painted Bunting. In the fall, Point Pelee becomes a migration path for the Monarch Butterfly. But one can expect to see much more when visiting the park as it is home to the endangered prickly pear cactus, dragonflies, the eastern flying squirrel, the eastern spiny softshell turtle and Canada’s only lizard, the five-lined skink.

 

There are endless opportunities for things to do in the park including many interpretive programs and exhibits. The park has 8 self guided walking trails that bring you through marshes on raised boardwalks and a 35ft high observation tower that provides 360 views of the park. Canoes and bikes are available for rental.

Marsh Boardwalk

 

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

July 2007

Waterton Lakes National Park is located in the southern part of Alberta on the border with Glacier National Park in Montana. This is a beautiful park composed of rugged mountains, prairies, lakes and subalpine forests. It is a great place for hiking with hundreds of  kilometers of trails. While I was there I hiked several trails including Bear's Hump, Forum Lakes, Red Rock Canyon and Carthew Alderson Trail.

Panaramic view of Waterton Lakes from Bear's Hump

Prince of Wales Hotel

Waterton Lakes view from Prince of Wales Hotel

Forum Lakes, BC is a half day hike from Waterton Lakes

Carthew Alderson Trail

Carthew Alderson is an amazing hike which starts at Cameron Lake and ends at Cameron Falls. It offers spectacular views.

On my way from Banff National Park to Waterton Lakes I stopped at the Bar U Ranch and Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump.

The Bar-U Ranch is situated in the Foothills of Southern Alberta near Longview on Highway 22 (also known as the Cowboy Trail). From 1882 to 1950, the Bar U was one of the largest and most successful corporate ranches in Western Canada. Today, it is a National Historic Site consisting of over 30 historic buildings and a modern visitor orientation centre that illustrates the functionings of a typical western ranch.

You can wander the site either on foot or take a wagon ride pulled by two of the famous Bar U Percherons. Learn how to lasso a calf from a professional cowboy and sit by a camp fire and chuck wagon at Roundup Camp enjoying some fired brewed coffee and eating freshly made bannock.

There are many other interpretive buildings to explore on the premises such as the Bar U Post Office, cookhouse and stables.      

The ranch which is situated roughly 100 kms south of Calgary is well worth a visit and makes for a great day trip from Calgary. This is also great stop for those who are going to or coming back from Waterton Lakes National Park.

View of Bar-U Ranch and Canadian Rockies in the distance



Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo Jump is around 300 meters long and 10-18 meters high.

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is one of the world's largest and best preserved buffalo jumps located in the Porcupine Hills of southwestern Alberta. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. There is an impressive interpretive centre and museum which is built and blends into the ancient sandstone cliff. The centre is composed of 5 levels which depict the history and culture of the Native Americans.

Native people of the North American plains (The Blackfoot) used a creative strategy of rounding up the bison and chasing the herd down drive lanes lined with more than 500 stone cairns over a precipice. This began nearly 5,500-6,000 years ago and continued into the middle of the 19th century. After being killed due to the fall from the cliff, the dead carcasses were processed at a nearby camp. The bison provided the Native People of the Great Plains with food, hides for clothing and shelter, sinew, and bone for tools.

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is situated 18 kms west of Fort Macleod and roughly 180 kms south of Calgary. This is a great stop for those who are going to or coming back from Waterton Lakes National Park.

Plains of the Six Glaciers Hike,Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada

July 4, 2007

Along with Lake Ages, another popular trail in the Lake Louise area is the Plains of the Six Glaciers Trail. This trail brings you to the toe of the spectacular Victoria Glacier. As with Lake Agnes, there is also a tea house where you can rest and sample some of the delicious home-baked treats.

The trail head begins on the shoreline to the far right of Chateau Lake Louise. It follows the lake shore trail to the far end of the lake. It continues past the inlet creek that feeds Lake Louise and eventually emerges through the trees into a rocky terrain which ultimately leads to Victoria Glacier. There are many sites to enjoy along the way such as glaciers, moraines, avalanche paths and a variety of alpine wildflowers.

Six Glaciers Avalanche Path- A good place to spot mountain goats.

Hiker on Six Glaciers Trail.

A view of Lake Louise, Chateau Lake Louise and Lake Louise Ski Hill from the Six Glaciers Trail.

 

Six Glaciers Teahouse built in 1924 by Canadian Pacific Railroads for Swiss mountain guides.

Close-up of Victoria Glacier.