Challenge Hike#3

Finally, a hike that went as planned. Well, actually not really. It went as recently planned and not as planned a couple of months ago. Since the last hike distance shorter than anticipated, I thought I would like to hike the VTA trail along the southern edge of Elliot Lake from the far end back to Westview Park. 

This would be a total of about 11.5 km, a good distance, I thought.  I made up my mind after confirming with Emily that Pipeline road was passable.

Sunday morning we arrived with minutes to spare and were joined at Westview Park by Emily and three other hardy Elliot Lake hikers. We left one vehicle there and headed around the lake along Pipeline (otherwise known as Gasline) road. The gravel road was easily driveable and we arrived at the starting point with no incidents. After regrouping, we headed down a bush road towards the Elliot Lake Falls. Luckily, Emily had warned us to bring our rubber boots because the road was flooded for about 150 meters or so and easily a foot deep in spots. The water in the beaver pond that runs along the road is very high due to all the rain this summer.

After forging our way through the flooded section we came to the falls. A bridge crosses the waterway below the falls so you get quite a nice view. We met a family of ATVers at the falls who probably were wondering about our boots. They would find out soon enough. We changed out of our rubber boots into our hiking gear before climbing the side of the falls along the portage trail. From there we ascended further to a clearing where I was told there was once a cabin. All traces of the building have disappeared except for the clearing. We got a bit sidetracked off the trail before Emily steered us to the correct trail through the clearing.

The forest in this area is lovely and the Red Briffet Trail leads to a really nice lookout over the end of the lake and the towering cliffs on the other shore.

From there we wondered along the trail until we came to a bridge and a cross country ski shelter where we decided to have lunch.

At this point the trail is part of the cross country ski
trails that are maintain by the trail coalition in Elliot Lake. This partnership of all local trail users is a good example of how joining together can have all sorts of benefits. The trail parallels the shoreline of the lake and there are many access points to campsites, one of which we checked out. It was a really nice spot, with a newly built fire pit, lots of level areas for tents and it was clean, no garbage. Obviously, someone was keeping this site in good shape as these sites along the lake are all unofficial. The trail continues along the ski trail for a couple of kilometers, through a lovely hardwood forest. Many of the maples haves turned a brilliant red and orange. There were signs of forestry throughout with some really large specimens of old trees having been cut down, mostly yellow birch as you can see in the picture with Emily below.

We reached Spine Beach shortly after leaving the ski trail. The remainder of the trail after this park, we had already hiked previously on the last challenge hike. So far, this has been my favourite hike, which may be because the weather has finally cooperated and things went relatively smoothly. Next hikes are going to be in conjunction with some other hike leaders, Susan and Steve. I am looking forward to them.