Hike : Rock Point Trail

I'm a huge fan of North Western Ontario, specifically Blue Lake Provincial Park. I'm hoping I won't bore you with yet another post about the area but I did want to make a record of our longest hike as a family thus far. Technically it's not the longest distance wise, clocking in under 5 k ( Pine Point Rapids here was closer to 5 and a half return ) but it definitely was the longest time wise. We were surprised by the moderately difficult terrain which for a normally healthy adult isn't overly challenging, but certainly is one for kids. Unless you have a super outdoors person as a kid, in which case, congratulations. Hiking must be a breeze for you!

Rock Point Trail out of Blue Lake P.P. is a completely gorgeous route which covers fen, forrest, lake side and rock outcrops with varied elevations. We crossed log bridges and boardwalks along with the usual puddle jumping and bush whacking that goes along with a forested trail. It was a perfect day for the adventure, not too hot and with a bit of a fresh breeze. Late spring is a hikers dream minus the wood ticks and tent caterpillars. Honestly I'll take them over summer time black flies and wasps. Those things drive me nuts!

I encouraged Eve by telling her we might spy a goblin. Weird I know. It kinda worked for a while and you'll see in the photos below that she did discover a "Goblin Den". The rest of the time we bribed Luke and Eve onward with a stash of snacks and drinks. It's surprising how much energy a 4 year old can get from one apple! At one point Luke asked for us to call for an emergency helicopter rescue. Just in case you were under the illusion that our kids were different than yours, let me clear that up. They are not. When we made it back to camp Todd looked at me and flat out said "I think we broke him." All I can say is we made it and that's something!

Here are a few photos of the beautiful Rock Point Trail that you should definitely take with your adult friends (or your super outdoors person kids). I sure will! Luke might need a bit of a breather though . . .

Isn't that sphagnum moss gorgeous? It always reminds me of a beautiful book we own called The Salamander Room in which a boy brings in the forrest for a pet salamander, bit by bit until his bedroom becomes the forrest itself.

“The rain will come through the open roof, and the sun, too. And vines will creep up the walls of my room, and ferns will grow under my bed. There will be big white mushrooms and moss like little stars growing around the tree stumps that the salamanders climb on.”