Gibson Lake Loop

Tues. 20 September:  Gibson Lake Loop

Lurking in the grimpen mire

One of the many challenges of the aptly named Frontenac Challenge is figuring out the best access route to the start of each loop.  

The Gibson Lake Loop lies in the far northeastern corner of Frontenac Park.  To reach it you have to enter the unofficial northern “back door” via Devil Lake Road.  There’s a car park at the end of the road, but no place to pay the usual Provincial Parks fee.    You’d think this would make it a popular entry point, but today we had the place to ourselves.  During the day, traveling over fifteen kilometres of trail, over five hours, we saw just one other person.

As the pictures will show, there was plenty to see.  Dangerous mica pits, beautiful lakes, rocky viewpoints, old logging camps, rugged woodland trails and open fens…and the green grimpen mire!

It was a hot day for mid-September, under a bright sun, and the trail seemed like an eternal roller coaster.  But we successfully added Gibson Lake Loop to our scorecard, leaving just four loops to complete our mission.

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

Orange morning skies in Perth

Heading into Frontenac Park once more, this time from the northern end

Dangerous mica pit 

Bright sunlight and temperatures in the mid-twenties Celsius

Tetsmine Lake

Our leader insisted on this picture - hope it doesn't disappoint her

Handy boardwalks keep the feet dry

Still early for Fall colours

Turtle and bullfrogs cohabiting this log

Another angle

Finding today's secret code (which is secret!)

Lunch atop Bear Rock...

...sitting on the edge of a dangerous cliff

In the fen country

Lazy snake finally stuck out its tongue as I was wrestling with my camera

In the grimpen mire

Typical of today's remote scenery

Our hike leader demonstrating tree-crossing techniques

Noisy Kingsford Dam

Final leg after 15.6 km of quite tough going

Cooling off

Kingsford Lake