Short notice, but I'm opting for a coastal hike on the south shore: less snow and better trail conditions (snowshoes probably not required, but bring them in your vehicle if you have them), plus temperatures, great scenery, short and not too difficult, and wind-driven surf. Optional rope climb down to Sand Cove. It WILL be windy, so dress appropriately. Meetup is at the Hirtles Beach parking lot at 1130am. Bring water, lunch, whatever you need to shield yourself from wind. Terrain is sand/cobble beach, coastal forest path (possibly some ice underfoot), rocky shoreline. Dogs are fine, but may need to be leashed at times due to cliffs at Gaff Point. Directions: take Hwy 103 Exit 11 (Blockhouse/Lun
I hummed and hawed about whether I'd join the group. The drive was just over 100 km. I'd need to leave by 10 a.m. It was only when I woke up to an encouraging note from Mr. Hiker that decided to eat brekkie, fix a lunch, fill the car with gas and head out at 10:10 a.m. to meet up with Le Gang at the Hirtles Beach parking lot.
The group met up just after 11:30 and set off within 10 minutes.
It was several degrees above zero and unseasonably mild. Gaff Point is at the end of that spit of land to our right.
The wind whipped layers of foam up the beach.
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| Not snow. |
I was delighted when my new South-shore chum, Kelly joined us on the hike.
The trails were well kept and much of the land is owned by The Nature Conservancy of Canada. The NCC is one of my pet charities. It purchases sensitive, significant or endangered habitats to keep them protected and safe from future development.
I've gotta get me some of them thar hiking poles.
The scenery was lovely. The trail often leading us to beautiful outlooks,
or along seaside rocks where the waves crashed noisily with stunning blue waves the colour of THAT lake near Jasper, Alberta; you know the one I mean ?
An off shoot of the trail lead to this amazing location.
Look at that lovely beach below.
Do you think it's possible to get down there ?
Why "Yes. Yes it is."
See that handy knotted rope ?
Gulp.
As the others made their way down without hesitation, Kelly and I watched in awe and fear, and screwed up our courage,
and with the encouragement of the group,
joined them.
After hiking back up and walking a while through the woods, we found ourselves back on Hirtles Beach. Kelly and I always seemed to be at the back of the pack but we were OK with that. We'd get held up taking pics, helping each other put on and take off grippers and stuffing rocks into Kelly's pack.
That's the rest of our group waaaaaay in the distance. Wendy doesn't like it when her hiking "pack" is not together.
As we got nearer the group we were amazed to see that three of them had doffed their shoes and socks and rolled up their pants,
and had gleefully run into the January-chilled Atlantic Ocean !
What a crazy group !
That's why I love hanging out with them.
The trails were well kept and much of the land is owned by The Nature Conservancy of Canada. The NCC is one of my pet charities. It purchases sensitive, significant or endangered habitats to keep them protected and safe from future development.
I've gotta get me some of them thar hiking poles.
The scenery was lovely. The trail often leading us to beautiful outlooks,
or along seaside rocks where the waves crashed noisily with stunning blue waves the colour of THAT lake near Jasper, Alberta; you know the one I mean ?
 |
| Wendy was the only dog on the hike. |
Look at that lovely beach below.
Do you think it's possible to get down there ?
Why "Yes. Yes it is."
See that handy knotted rope ?
Gulp.
As the others made their way down without hesitation, Kelly and I watched in awe and fear, and screwed up our courage,
and with the encouragement of the group,
joined them.
 |
| A lousy photo of Kelly coming down via the rope. |
 |
| I "thought" I was smiling. Actually this pic is of me coming back up later. On the way down, someone held the rope taut at the bottom. |
Can you see how proud we were of ourselves for overcoming our fears and making it down to the beautiful beach.
BTW Wendy just sauntered down the "cliff". No rope needed. Sigh ...
 |
| Kelly 'n me and Wendy. |
 |
| It's called Sand Beach. Luckily it was low tide. At high tide the water would be to the base of the cliffs. |
After hiking back up and walking a while through the woods, we found ourselves back on Hirtles Beach. Kelly and I always seemed to be at the back of the pack but we were OK with that. We'd get held up taking pics, helping each other put on and take off grippers and stuffing rocks into Kelly's pack.
That's the rest of our group waaaaaay in the distance. Wendy doesn't like it when her hiking "pack" is not together.
As we got nearer the group we were amazed to see that three of them had doffed their shoes and socks and rolled up their pants,
and had gleefully run into the January-chilled Atlantic Ocean !
 |
| Scotian Hiker didn't even bother to roll up his pants ! |
What a crazy group !
That's why I love hanging out with them.
What a great looking adventure! I bet you're very happy you decided to make the trip!
ReplyDeleteI always feel good after an outing that has pushed me out of my very small comfort zone. lol
DeleteWow, I don't think I could have climbed down holding onto a knotted rope -- well done! And perhaps THAT lake near Jasper, Alberta is Maligne Lake? All the lakes in our Mountain Parks have that same incredible colour.
ReplyDeleteOK just Googled it and I "think" it is Lake Louise but as you say many of them have that colour. The ocean was dark but when the waves curled the light through them gave them that amazing colour.
DeleteAs for the rope, watching others go down first helped a lot and everyone was encouraging but didn't push us.
Awesome recap Sybil! The hike was so much fun, and big YAY for going down the rope and then back up the rope :-) And Wendy was awesome - such a good dog :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you decided to come along Kelly. I really enjoyed walking with you. Wendy has grown to be a lovely old girl.
DeleteI am impressed. Thank you for taking me along. Oh how I wish I could do what you did. At first I wondered if Wendy was along, so was happy to see her. It took a lot of courage for you to go up and down using the rope. I think I would have stayed at the top and taken pictures of the others. What a great way to spend a day.
ReplyDeleteIf you had not gone down the rope you would have enjoyed the amazing view from the top. We only stayed on the beach for about 10 minutes or so ...
DeleteOn this hike Wendy was the only dog. She's so well-behaved I don't think the others mind having her along.
I've never been to Hirtles Beach. Next summer, for sure!
ReplyDeleteMartha, thanks so much for stopping by. Do you visit Nova Scotia often ?
DeleteWhat a great adventure, Sybil! I love the windswept scenery and the secluded low-tide beach...
ReplyDeleteMe too Barbara. I need more adventure in my hum drum life.
DeleteMe too Barbara. I need more adventure in my hum drum life.
DeleteIt looks like a lot of fun--except the part with the rope. Nope, nope and nope. I remember doing that at Amethyst Cove some 30 years ago and not being happy about it then. Now, with bionic knees, even less so. I'll just enjoy vicariously, thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow Jodi. You did the rope down to Amethyst Cove ! I'm impressed. I think that's even steeper and longer. I hear you about the bionic knees. That'll be me one day. BTW your blog always gets me dreaming of Spring. Thanks.
DeleteWow Jodi. You did the rope down to Amethyst Cove ! I'm impressed. I think that's even steeper and longer. I hear you about the bionic knees. That'll be me one day. BTW your blog always gets me dreaming of Spring. Thanks.
DeleteLooks to me like life is good and let me tell you that this place looks so very exciting........next summer we will try the trek!! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think you 'n Jim and Soph would love it. Just let her gallop off one of the many cliffs.
DeleteI think you 'n Jim and Soph would love it. Just let her gallop off one of the many cliffs.
Delete