Chasing Waterfalls

 After a rough start to the morning - we got our van stuck on the boat launch - we were able to get help quickly (Thanks Mr. Paul!) and get on the road (or water) to get our day rolling.

We cannot all fit in our fishing boat at one time, so we divided and conquered.  Ian and Seamus headed out on 13 Island Lake to try their luck at catching supper.  

Meanwhile, Liam, Alistair and I headed into Frontenac Park to try our hand at seeing some waterfalls, Feldspar mines, old homesteads and amazing views.  

We succeeded on all counts but it was hot as heck and incredibly mosquito-y at times.  We were well armed with Deet, lots of water and willpower so there was no stopping us.

We started out hike with a picnic lunch at a lovely, shady lookout over a beaver pond.

Upon arriving to the start of the loop portion of the hike we ran into another group of hikers - two mid-twenty something guys.  We departed the loop at the same time but in opposite directions; an impromptu race of sorts.  Off we go!

We saw a beaver swimming at this shady rest spot.

A great view...

but holy heck it was HOT!

Finally a breeze.

Our first waterfall and some poison ivy!

We finally reached the tip of Slide Lake. 
What a long journey to get here!

Our second waterfall.  This one was amazing.

Beaver lodge.

We found a log slide where log drivers in the 1880s
drove logs through the lakes to the local mills.

Dense woods (that sink in water) were tied to pine logs (that float)
to drive logs of all types through the lakes.
Apparently the bottom of the lakes along this logging route
 are littered with the logs that came loose and sunk to the bottom.

Another of many, many rests.

Liam found the old Feldspar mine.

We crossed the path of two old homesteads from the late 1800s.
All that were left were cleared sites in the middle of the forest.

We ran into the opposing "team" of hikers quite a bit shy of the halfway point. This was not surprising given that our side of the loop was longer and more difficult terrain.  It turns out that they still beat us to the end though (hardly surprising, lol).  Maybe it was all those shady rests we took!

We were thrilled to receive their message to us once we finally arrived back at the sign post after completing the loop.  It was just the boost we needed to get back along the 2 km trailhead to the van.

It was a super hike - really challenging and so, so hot but we found lots of cool things to discover.  Even so, we were really happy to get back to Ian and Seamus AND supper.  They really delivered on their end of the bargain.  We arrived home to an epic and incredibly delicious fish fry.  We were famished!

What a day!  Despite a rough start we managed to turn it around and it ended up being an awesome day of waterfalls and bluegill.  We are happy hikers and fishermen.