Lake Superior Coastal Trail Adventure

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