22.2 km in 9.5 hours spent with like-minded people on the trail is pretty much a perfect Friday! Brian had volunteered to pick up a tent for someone and Heather and I took up his invitation to join him. The weather was great! And the company could not have been more pleasant.
It was not my first or second time to head to Refugee Cove but it was the first time to hike in and out over Mill Creek Hill in both directions. Last time I ascended Mill Creek I carried my 36 lbs pack and it took me 40 minutes, today I carried 10 lbs and made it in 21 minutes. What an improvement, a personal best. Truth be told, this hill has been a struggle in the past, no more!
I realized that I had never explored this part of Chignecto Provincial Park in the summer. We discovered a mushroom wonderland! I even brought home some edibles to be cooked up tomorrow with dinner.
Lunch with Old Sal is always a treat! We discovered some raspberry canes along the beach looking toward Refugee Campsite. Love raspberries but not when they are surrounded by Eastern poison ivy.
And there was a lot of it!
I admit, this was my first time identifying it up close and not from a picture or a book. We made sure to avoid touching it.
After a well-deserved lunch break we soon hit the trail to get back to our cars.
The forest was lush with ferns and the most amazing mosses! Creeks were rushing with clear water, few hikers crossed our path and we were immersed in tranquility. There were bursts of light rain showers but we were protected by the dense tree canopy.
Returning to the beach and walking that final stretch toward Red Rocks always gives us the last burst of energy needed to reach the parking lot near the park entrance. We set out at 8:30 am and returned at 5:59 pm. What a great day we had!
Hope you enjoy the images from today’s outing. Wishing you all a fantastic weekend, Anna
Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers... 