Hiking, Bruce Peninsula National Park

It is boot camp time! Time for some serious physical conditioning in prep for winter snowshoeing with heavy winter backpacks. What better gym than the Bruce Trail through Bruce Peninsula National Park? What better weather than this weekend's forecasted sunshine with sub zero temperatures?

Itinerary:

Friday: Oct. 31, leave for Bruce National, Cyprus Lake campground, after work. Dodge smashed pumpkins on the three hour drive north from KW to Tobermory. Set up camp in the dark.

Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 am. For the benefit of newcomers to the park leave camp via the Mar Lake trail, then at Georgian Bay head east on the Bruce Trail via the Grotto. Continue the 13 km, whatever it is, to High Dump backcountry campground.

Sunday, in keeping with the 8:30 am concept run the tape backwards, possibly cutting out a few kms using undocumented shortcuts. Get back to the vehicles mid afternoon for the drive home.

Cost:

Shared gas + shared campground Friday + individual camping permit Saturday

estimate based on three per car

$25 (gas) + $15 Friday camping + $9.80 Saturday camping = $50

Difficulty:

Backpacking resembles walking, how hard can it be? Wrong, this is a challenging trail, don't let the short distance fool you. The intention is to cover it at a reasonable rate of speed, no lingering for Facebook selfies. Don't pack a gram of unnecessary gear. Hollow out your toothbrush (just kidding).

Gear:

Hiking poles are highly recommended. Your 'event host' wouldn't hike this without them.

Tenting is only allowed on tent pads at High Dump campground. If your tent isn't self standing (it needs pegs to stay upright) bring rope.

Campfires are not allowed at this location. Its surprising how good of an imitation a candle lantern can be.

There are already bear hangs in place, save grams by leaving yours home.

While on the theme of saving grams, did I mention sub zero temperatures Saturday? What a great excuse to buy that down sweater you've been eyeing.

Minor details:

The park office is closed this time of year. Not to worry, permits are available from a self-serve kiosk upon arrival.

Cyprus Lake car camping area (Friday night) becomes walk in only this approximate time of year. Anticipate hauling your gear 200 meters from the parking lot.

During summer season firewood (Friday night) from outside the park area is not allowed. There are self-serve firewood stands on hwy #6 approaching Tobermory. Are these OK?

High Dump (Saturday night) has a semi-civilized washroom.

Cell coverage may not be available at all locations, but isn't that why you go 'backcountry' ?

In past similar hikes, some of the group used Emmet Lake or Crane Lake access points to cut down hiking distance to High Dump. In the past, some drove up early Saturday morning instead of camping Friday. Consider either variation on the theme if needs be, but the intention of this meetup is a hiking boot camp. If you can still stand end of day Saturday, you'll have missed the point :-)

Inspiration:

There are tons of photos from Bruce National hikes in KW-backcountry's photo section. We do at least four a year, one a season. Here are a few from last weekend highlighting this fall's colors.

High Dump beach (no one else there)

High Dump, end of day.

Anonymous lookout, of which there are many on trail.

Just another anonymous lookout. Time for lunch?