2421 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2010 : 06:58 AM
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Drove out to Elk Island on Friday evening, and set up camp at Sandy Beach. Next time I'll go to the walk-in sites - too many RVs at the drive-in campsites. A baby bunny hopped through the campsite while we were setting up the tents - see if you can find it in the photo. 
I wanted to get in a hike before dark, so we headed up along the lakeshore trails. At the very north end is a beautiful little trail of only a few kilometers that passes through a few marshes and beaver ponds.
In the evening everything is calm, and the animals at Elk island are relatively tame. By taking our time and trying to walk quietly (and being prepared to stand still and wait) we managed to see a few animals.  
The trail splits after just a couple of kilometers, and there's a nice diversion up through the bush. It's a completely different environment - tall pine and spruce, creating a mystical, deep-forest feeling, unlike the surrounding aspen forest. Passing a lookout over one of the marshes created by the beavers, it goes behind a few hills north of the lake, and leads to an area that seems to have been destroyed by high winds. Huge trees toppled at the roots. 
The return began with a stop at another lookout where the trail returns to the lakeshore. We paiused for a break and watched the sun begin its descent.   
We returned with the sun going down behind us, threading our way through the bush. Our timing was perfect - by the time we made it to top of the hills overlooking the lake near the campground, we were able to stop and witness a gorgeous sunset.  |
Edited by - peter1955 on 05/17/2010 08:02 AM
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North Lakeshore Trail, Elk Island, 14 May 2010
