Backpack or Kayak camping, Reed's Dump, Bruce Peninsula

Along the Bruce Trail just north of Lion's Head is a free, first come first serve camping area known as Reed's Dump. No its not a dump, rather, its a deluxe stretch of round rock beach where industrious types have carved out elaborate digs, flat rock kitchenettes and tall standing fire pits, by stacking beach rock over time. The dump nomenclature comes from the logging days when this break in the Niagara Escarpment served as a log dump to get timbers into the bay.

There are two ways of getting there:

1) By land, a 1 1/2 hour hike along the Bruce Trail suited to novice backpackers.

2) By water, a short sea kayak journey from Lion's Head marina suited to novice kayakers (wind and wave conditions permitting).

Upon arrival and setting up camp at Reed's Dump the options are; hang out and absorb the rays; hike or paddle north along the Bruce Trail to nearby outlooks such as the photo above; borrow a kayak for an introduction to kayaking; practice Eskimo rolls in Georgian Bay.

Itinerary:

Saturday, June 23, 7:00 am, leave Tim Hortons, Northfield and Weber, Waterloo. Drive 2 1/2 hours to Lion's Head. 9:30 am start hiking or paddling to Reeds Dump. 12:00 pm, after setting up camp continue hiking/paddling north along the Bruce Peninsula. This would be the perfect photo-op of brightly colored kayaks on the transparent aqua waters of Georgian Bay below from the towering cliffs of the escarpment above. Reserve your 2013 calendars today!

Sunday, more of the exhilarating same. Mid afternoon, hike/paddle back to Lion's Head. 4:00 pm, a communal meal at one of Lion's Head's exotic mom and pop restaurants. 5:00 pm, depart Lion's Head. 8:00 pm arrive back in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Cost:

$20 shared gas for hikers and kayak owners.

$70 (2 day kayak rental) + $20 shared gas = $90 for kayak renters.

Kayak Rental:

Suntrail (http://www.suntrail.net/content/summer-rentals), Hepworth, Ontario, 1-877-882-2958 (support the local economy). Select touring or tandem kayaks.

Variations on the theme:

Friday after work departure. The town of Lion's Head has a low cost municipal campground on the town's signature bay, frequented by rock climbers enamored with the neighboring cliffs. Reserve early, there are only 15 'transient' sites (519-793-3522).

Alternate starting points. Although a common Tim Hortons start is great for group bonding it obviously makes little sense for distant participants such as Torontonians. Choose a local Timmy's of your own.

Signup Procedure:

After RSVP-ing please go to the Discussion Forum (http://www.meetup.com/KW-Backcountry/messages/boards/thread/24062962/0#76011812) for this meetup and create a trip profile indicating whether you'll be hiking or kayaking, and whether you intend to ride share.