Our first through-hike trip on the LaCloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario (July 2013; 78 km, 3 days) left us yearning for more adventure. We wanted to plan a more involved trip, test out more gear, and have the opportunity to enjoy a longer time in the beauty of all that is the backcountry of northern Ontario. Fast forward to May 2014. After two additional 3 day trips on the Uplands Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park, and another 3 day trip in Killarney, we felt confident in our abilities, knowledge, skills, and gear.
The time had come for a longer adventure! Our first choice was the Coastal trail at Pukwaska National Park on the rugged beautiful northern shores of Lake Superior. Due to logistic issues and costs (the return boat ride was going to cost $700) and timing, we decided instead to postpone Pukwaska for next season when we could give the demanding trail more research and attention (the average speed on this trail tops out at an exhausting 1 mile per hour!) Our next choice became the Lake Superior Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park, also on the northern shore of Lake Superior but lying slightly more south than Pukwaska.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- THE TIME HAD COME
- THE PLAN
- GETTING THERE
- THE SUNRISE
- TIME STOOD STILL
- THE TRAIL
- THE SIDE TRAIL
- THE SUNSETS
- THE WEATHER
- SMALL PACKS AND OTHER HIKERS
- TOGETHERNESS
- BEAUTY
- WILDLIFE
- THE PROBLEM AND THE FEAR
- JOURNEY'S END
- Leanne Hennessy with Stephen Bradshaw
# WORDS: 3800
# PHOTOS: 36
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Lake Superior Costal Trail Adventure
Proofreading before Bob sees this would be best. lol.
Who cares about the proofreading! Great trip report. I'm from Minnesota and this trail was on my bucket list. Now it's a must do. Thanks.
Leanne……Your adventure brings back many fond memories of the wife and I with four of our granddaughters hiking eleven days on Isle Royal two years ago as a culminating event to the many adventures we previously had done during their early adolescent years. Thanks for sharing and a super job!
Your quote at the end of your trail reports sums up the adventure and I bet for many other who "follow the path":
“The trails are my church; nature is my religion. Here, I remember who I am. Here, I remember who you are.” Live, love, get outside!
Ken, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks! We are blessed with many beautiful trails in northern Ontario, can't wait to get back on them, come on summer! Lake Superior was particularly stunning in its beauty. A trip to remember always, much like the ones you mention in your comment I'm sure!
David, thanks! You won't regret it if you get the chance to do it, it is amazing.Happy trails!!!
Very nice trip report, I have been to the area in winter but not any other time of year.
I live in Mid Michigan so this would be about 6.5 hour drive for me, must go back.
Definately a superior trip report! A far cry from where I normally hike but some stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.
Nice writeup. Thanks!
First of all – great trip report! You guys snapped some amazing pics!
I've spent quite a bit of time at LSPP over the last several years (in fact I was just there for a quick overnight the weekend before last) and have done different sections of the Coastal Trail but not the trail in its entirety. However, I'm planning to check the entire trail off my list this summer or fall. What were your favorite campsites?
Spencer
Stephen,thanks! 6.5 hours is nothing lol! You must go back in the summer!!!
I must indeed Leanne, My next big trip will be back home to Ireland
but hopefully will go after that.
Leanne, thanks for sharing such great pictures of words from a little part of the world that oft goes unnoticed. Exploring the "other side" of the Big Lake has been on my bucket list for a long time and I hope someday to tick it off.
Thanks HKNewman! I'm glad you liked the photos, we're happy to share the beauty of Canada!!!
Thanks Dan!
Sam, We're happy to share the beauty of Canada! I hope you can "cross the lake" soon!
Love, love, love this trail but cringe at the thought of it becoming too popular! Part of its charm is its remoteness and lack of other humans…
Pure gorgeousness. It was a poorly planned adventure when I first visited (no matches, but plenty of wine, no hiking shoes but vibram fivefingers (can you say bloody feet?). No thru-hiking experience but started to hike in the middle of the night. No concept of hiking speed, so had to cut through to the highway 3/4 of the way through, to get back to my car and to drive back to work. No alarm, so kept sleeping in until 11 a.m. (thank god for late sunsets!)
But, WORTH IT. AMAZING. Loads of fun. And a must re-do (just don't tell anyone).
;) Great trip report.
A really nice description of your journey. Thanks!
Veronique, you sound a wee bit like Cheryl Strayed there in your hiking of the Lake Superior Trail Lol!!! I totally agree with your thought about it becoming too crowded. I guess that's the danger of making our trails more widely known. We can only hope that the people in charge will gauge the number of hikers and that hikers will always respect the remoteness and beauty. I hope you can get back for a proper hike someday!! :)
Thanks Spencer! The campsites are all first come first served so there are no reservations. You just have to get back on the trail early if you want to be the first one to a certain site. Some of the sites can accomodate two parties. We didn't really have a favourite, they are all very good with amazing views, you can't really find a bad one! The more popular ones are the ones on the sandy beaches. It truly feels almost like a caribeaan resort on those beaches! Hope you can get the whole trail in this year, it's an awesome trek.
Must be some incredibly beautiful trails in Ireland!! Jealous! :)
Thanks James! :)
Hi Leanne,
When I am back in Ireland I stay away from the Trails and head to the mountains.
Had to google Cheryl Strayed… but now I'm excited to read her! :D
Leanne,
Nicely done! Glad to see Ontario parks/trails getting some street cred!
I did the Coastal Trail back in April 2009 – it was stunning. I've basically backpacked every trail in Ontario, and it looks like you are on the same track. What is next on the list for you guys?
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