Peninsula: The one where Laura was eaten by a bridge (Crane Lake Rd & 40 to Halfway Log Dump)

Enjoying the view

Today was all the drama, some of it entertaining, some of it not so.  We were warned about flooded sections, so came prepared with surgical boots to put on over our boots and pants -- and we definitely used them multiple times.  Huge win.   

One of many times we found ourselves wading today

Scary part was when the bridge at Andrew Lake ATE Laura.   This was seriously dodgy - I'd made it across through sheer luck.  Laura, not so lucky.  She slipped through between two logs and her foot got caught underneath and it took quite a while to get free.  Fortunately she wasn't hurt - although was *very* wet.  It was, of course, an area far away from anything and with no cell service.  Was thinking through how I'd be able to go get help when she did get free.   When we got home, we learned that between when we left in the am and when we got there, they had closed that entire section of the trail after we were already on it 🤦‍♀️ 

Laura navigating the rest of the bridge after she got free

That being said, since we did get through it, I'm glad we did because the trail was excellent, some absolutely stunning views, and at the end - second-story composting toilets for the win.   

So many stunning views

Today's Stats:

Fellow Hiker: Laura Furness
Distance: 20.6 km
Elevation Gain: 456m
Weather: 3-10 deg and sunny
Duration: 7h
Avg Pace: 21:05

Indian Cove - with zero people

After this hike we hit up the Grotto / Indian Cove (part of the plan for fall) so that we could be sure to see it on a sunny day.  Made for a long but excellent day.

Peninsula - Hope Bay to Cape Croker

Much easier today except one small section that needed icers.  Boardwalk was pretty -- I just wish we were a bit later for flowers!

This boardwalk was long and lovely

Today's Stats:

Fellow Hiker: Laura Furness
Distance: 12.6 km
Elevation Gain: 358m
Weather: 0-5 deg, cloudy
Duration: 4h, 11min
Avg Pace: 21:09

Peninsula: Richardson St to Lion's Head Beach

Often the side trails are the most interesting part

Today was mostly a rest day.  We just did one short road section for logistics of future hikes.  Random 40m side trail to a cave side was interesting.   I did enjoy the random giraffe statue on somebody's front lawn for no apparent reason ;)

Tired and damp but still smiling

Today's Stats:

Fellow Hiker: Laura Furness
Distance: 5.5 km
Elevation Gain: 79m
Weather: 0-5 deg, cloudy
Duration: 1:05h
Avg Pace: 12:00

I'm gonna bet this might be the only giraffe I see on my BT hikes

Peninsula: Hope Bay to Barrow Bay (edited after to add - hardest day of the whole trail)

Some great views today

This one made me question my life choices.   It took us about 10h to go less than 15km.   So long.  So hard.  Snow packs with hidden crevices and sections of pure ice requiring icers continually on and off made for extremely slow going.  It was a stunning trail but so hard.   I would be interested to see it without ice and snow as it might just be a normal fun hike then.   Some areas extremely flooded.  Depending on the time we had both incredible blue skys with fabulous views and insanely creepy fog.  Just when we thought we were finally done, we got to climb a seemingly endless staircase.

And some atmospheric moments

Fellow Hiker: Laura Furness
Distance: 24.7m
Elevation Gain: 744m
Weather: 0-5, sunny/overcast/fog
Duration: 9:54
Avg Pace: 25:40

Break time

Grand finale stairs

Peninsula: Barrow Bay to Lion's Head Beach

Atmospheric, yes.  But imagine how this would look without the fog?!?!

Really pretty hike with Laura today.  Started and ended with road, but otherwise excellent.  Would've been even better if it hadn't been foggy - some potentially amazing scenery.  Shortest side trail ever to view some caves.  Hiked back to our B&B lol.   More challenging than expected - lots of clambering on this one.

The blue signs are start and end of the side trail.

Fellow Hiker: Laura Furness
Distance: 17.36km
Elevation Gain: 572m
Weather: 5-10, foggy, rainy at times
Duration: 7h, 15m
Avg Pace: 25:04

Sydenham: Bayview Escarpment to Hwy 6 & 10

Some parts were pretty even in the rain...

Day 3 with the same group.  Horrendous weather.  18km of road.  Last part had interesting terrain and an amazing crevice, but the rest was meh to miserable.  Not my favourite hike.

Fellow Hiker: Group hike, Sydenham in 6, led by Margaret
Distance: 29.4 km
Elevation Gain: 634m
Weather: 0-5 and rainy all day
Duration: 6h, 18m
Avg Pace: 13'01

Sydenham Day 2 - Bayview Escarpment to Bognor Marsh

Gorgeous day today

Absolutely amazing day today!!!   Same group.  Sunny, fun, challenging terrain, incredible crevices (including one that needed the microspikes - win!), and ended with a stunning marsh with a long boardwalk.  Very little road today.  Just ideal all around.

Fellow Hiker: Group hike, Sydenham in 6, led by Margaret
Distance: 27.3 km
Elevation Gain: 668 m
Weather: 0-5 and sunnny
Duration: 6h, 42m
Avg Pace: 15'21

This was one of the coolest things I've ever done.

Sydenham Day 1 - Blantyre to Bognor Marsh

Not the loveliest day, but good people to hike with

This is a group hike led by Margaret, with Karen and Byong being the other participants for the weekend.  There is a LOT of road in this section - we had about 10k today.  Meh trail - nice enough but nothing special.  Drizzly weather but not bad.

Fellow Hiker: Group hike, Sydenham in 6, led by Margaret
Distance: 28.2 km
Elevation Gain: 525m
Weather: 0-5 and drizzly 
Duration: 4h, 49m
Avg Pace: 13:21