Old Baldy

 Return to Old Baldy

This is just a heads up to members to put this hike on your calendar for August.

Friday August 21 we will meet at the bank at 9am, and car pool to Laurentian Lodge. We will travel a short distance by boats to the Trail head and hike to the magnificent look outs at the top. We will return to the Lodge for lunch, likely around 1:30.

The boat ride will cost $10 each.

Kayak Outing

 Tim will be going on a kayak outing at 9am on Wednesday 22 July to Esten Lake.  Note the earlier time.  Meet at the Esten Lake boat launch. 

Duration will be 2-3 hours.  We can practice our landing technique on
some islands to the west.

Horne Lake Lookout 2026 07 14

 July 14.... Storming the Bastille Day.

We decided to Storm the Horne Lake Lookout.

Three of us started from the Miner's Monument and followed the Horne Lake Trail through shady hemlock groves, some deadfall( we strayed from the trail a bit), and a rather tall patch of ferns to the green bridge.

A merganser was guiding her small brood through the cattails and arrowheads.

After a brief rest we continued gingerly picking our way through the rocks and roots to the trail up to the lookout.

Well.... a bit of a shock awaited us.

Bulldozer or earthmover had gouged and flattened rocks up to the Lookout. About half the rocky surface has been gouged out to allow work on the double poles of the Hydro line.

Someone else had " Stormed the Horne Lake Lookout" before we arrived.

The breeze at the Lookout cooled us and prepared us for our descent along the same trail.

A moose had crossed part of the widened trail before heading into the bush along the Blue Trail.

Frequent stops to sip water, identify plants and enjoy the scenery helped us to complete the 5 km hike.

We heard a blue indigo, and a kestrel during one stop.

We checked out the new sign at the Miners Monument showing the local trails. It is worth spending time perusing!

Photos

Paul Eckle Trail 2026 07 13

 Two intrepid hikers strolled the Paul Eckle Trail, braving very warm temperatures and sunny skies. Thankfully the trail is in a hardwood forest, so the forest is wide open under the canopy and a light breeze filtered though. The mosquitos made sure to keep us company and try for a bite or two but bug spray and nets kept them at bay.

A good sized bear print dried in the mud was noted, but no other wildlife seemed to be active other than birds. Not a long hike, but glad we got out for a few kilometers on this beautiful trail.

Photos

Lumberjack Days are Coming

 CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - LUMBERJACK DAYS

The Social Committee is looking for volunteers for Lumberjack Days on Saturday, August 1st & Sunday, August 2nd.  Please reply to email dated July 7th if you can help out.

Semiwite Creek Trail 2026 07 06

 Dave Nesbitt promised three of us that he would give us ice cream after our hike in Mississaugi Park along Semi White Creek Trail.

Unfortunately,  he forgot to tell us we needed to do trail clearing along  Semi White Creek!!!

Anyway, not too many bugs.  Ferns, maple and Spruce saplings kept us busy with clippers. Some large trees needed to be cut and pushed off the trail.

Photos

Kayak/ Canoe Outing

 Tim will be going for a kayaking jaunt on Elliot Lake Wednesday 8 Jul at 10 am.  Meet at Spine Beach. We will cross the lake to see a creek outlet with nice water lilies and visit 2 sandy beaches.

Denison Mine Rd Area 2026 07 04

 Six active hikers factored in the heat and mosquitos ; then walked old mine roads for two hours, enjoyable.

Photos

Hike for Thursday July 09, 2026

 This Thursday's hike location depends on the amount of people who show up. If we get 8 or more then we go to the Helenbar trail in Mississagi park and we clear any fallen trees etc. 

If we get 7 or less we go and hike Bolger MTN.

As both hikes are out of town we will leave the bank at 930am, please arrive early so we can get the sheet signed and leave at 930am sharp.

I'll be watching the weather for rain and heat, if its over 25c (77f) and or raining steady then I will cancel the hike and post that on FB, and pass it along to the blog

Scavenger hunt and Beach Party 2026 07 01

 

Photos