S2.Ep12 “Skinner’s Bluff” Hiking The Bruce Trail End to End – Thunder on the Bay!

Get back on trail with the twelfth episode of Season Two : End to End Hiking The Bruce Trail, A Journey Across Ontario:
“Skinner’s Bluff”
The day began a stone’s throw from the Slough of Despond side trail and the mid summer heat set the tone for the day. There was a “heat warning”, the temperature was in the mid 30’s C and with humidity it could reach 40 degrees. There were not any water sources high on the cliff- we were going to have to keep hydrated.
The hiking was great and the views from Skinner’s Bluff to out on the bay were dramatic as rainstorms moved across the water in the distance.
Sure enough the rain arrived and it escalated to a full blown thunderstorm. The glorious rain came gushing down cooling the air and the stifling heat. It was a great stretch along Skinner’s Bluff which led to Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area – I wish we had some time to explore the caves!
We hiked through fields, and past the Wiarton Airport and dried out as we walked. Once we got into Wiarton it began pouring again – but not before we ducked into a Subway for lunch. Good timing.
Wiarton Willie stood tall as the trail hugged the shoreline through Wiarton and into Spirit Rock Conservation Area, and up the Spiral Staircase to the escarpment ridge.
It looked like a smooth end to a long day with some easy and pleasant field walking through Colpoy’s Bay and across highway 9, but we were met with some rocky rumbly terrain, hopping from nub to nub on the escarpment ridge – tough going for our weary end of day bones – but we made it to our destination - Mallory Beach Side Trail.

Map Distance : 26.7 km / Start : km 158.1 Colpoy’s Range Rd. / End km 174.4 end Sydenham Section and 10.4 km into the Peninsula Section to Mallory Beach Side Trail
This episode features the songs “Can’t Take It With You” and “Everybody” by Loyal Sun Dogs from their debut album. Visit Loyalsundogs.ca for more info on this amazing band.
The episode includes a song from the archives “Lake Lavielle” and and instrumental remix of the song "Fine Thread" to start things off.
Individual songs $0.99 / Vitality – Entire Album $9.99 at stevewelchontario.com
Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated.
Check out all episodes and original music from Season One at stevewelchontario.com where you will find links to music videos, adventure films, blogs and even some BT related merch.
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Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com)
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