Lake Superior Coastal Trail Adventure

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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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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 31 total)

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Mar 24, 2015 at 8:09 pm #1327223

Stephanie Jordan
Spectator

@maia
Locale: Rocky Mountains

Companion forum thread to:

Lake Superior Costal Trail Adventure

Mar 24, 2015 at 8:23 pm #2185751

Ken Thompson
BPL Member

@here
Locale: Right there

Proofreading before Bob sees this would be best. lol.

Mar 25, 2015 at 4:41 am #2185799

David Noll
BPL Member

@dpnoll
Locale: Maroon Bells

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.

Mar 25, 2015 at 6:31 am #2185822

Ken Larson
BPL Member

@kenlarson
Locale: Western Michigan

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!

Mar 25, 2015 at 7:58 am #2185839

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

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!

Mar 25, 2015 at 8:01 am #2185840

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

David, thanks! You won't regret it if you get the chance to do it, it is amazing.Happy trails!!!

Mar 25, 2015 at 9:51 am #2185872

Stephen M
BPL Member

@stephen-m
Locale: Way up North

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.

Mar 25, 2015 at 10:01 am #2185873

HkNewman
BPL Member

@hknewman
Locale: The West is (still) the Best

Definately a superior trip report! A far cry from where I normally hike but some stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.

Mar 25, 2015 at 10:17 am #2185881

Dan @ Durston Gear
BPL Member

@dandydan
Locale: Canadian Rockies

Nice writeup. Thanks!

Mar 25, 2015 at 10:59 am #2185900

Spencer Lindenberg
BPL Member

@lindenberg44

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

Mar 25, 2015 at 11:01 am #2185901

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Stephen,thanks! 6.5 hours is nothing lol! You must go back in the summer!!!

Mar 25, 2015 at 11:23 am #2185911

Stephen M
BPL Member

@stephen-m
Locale: Way up North

I must indeed Leanne, My next big trip will be back home to Ireland
but hopefully will go after that.

Mar 25, 2015 at 11:35 am #2185918

Sam Haraldson
BPL Member

@sharalds
Locale: Gallatin Range

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.

Mar 25, 2015 at 12:38 pm #2185937

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Thanks HKNewman! I'm glad you liked the photos, we're happy to share the beauty of Canada!!!

Mar 25, 2015 at 12:39 pm #2185938

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Thanks Dan!

Mar 25, 2015 at 12:42 pm #2185941

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Sam, We're happy to share the beauty of Canada! I hope you can "cross the lake" soon!

Mar 25, 2015 at 1:24 pm #2185959

Veronique Dault
BPL Member

@verndo

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.

Mar 26, 2015 at 4:20 am #2186187

James Marco
BPL Member

@jamesdmarco
Locale: Finger Lakes

A really nice description of your journey. Thanks!

Mar 26, 2015 at 6:14 am #2186208

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

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!! :)

Mar 26, 2015 at 6:20 am #2186210

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

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.

Mar 26, 2015 at 6:22 am #2186211

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Must be some incredibly beautiful trails in Ireland!! Jealous! :)

Mar 26, 2015 at 6:25 am #2186213

Leanne Hennessy
BPL Member

@annie
Locale: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Thanks James! :)

Mar 26, 2015 at 6:31 am #2186214

Stephen M
BPL Member

@stephen-m
Locale: Way up North

Hi Leanne,

When I am back in Ireland I stay away from the Trails and head to the mountains.

Mar 26, 2015 at 12:46 pm #2186366

Veronique Dault
BPL Member

@verndo

Had to google Cheryl Strayed… but now I'm excited to read her! :D

Apr 2, 2015 at 9:40 am #2188393

Steven Evans
BPL Member

@steve_evans
Locale: Canada

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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