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Blue Mountain & Bruce Peninsula National Park

Weekend Trip | Total Cost = $92

Saturday:

Started the Day in Buffalo and took the Peace Bridge over to Canada
Drove 3 hours North on Queen Elizabeth Way [QEW] (the main highway connecting Buffalo to the North), towards the Blue Mountains in Ontario, Canada.

‘La Grande Hermine’ Shipwreck at Jourdan Harbour. Stopped about 38 miles North of the border to explore the shipwreck. It’s a neat sight to see and a quick stop!
- Located off Exit 55 of QEW
- There is also a coffee shop on that exit, a small farmer’s stand during the summer, and plenty of jetties to climb on (with proper shoes of course!)
- To park closest to the wreck, look for the small pull off about 500 ft after you pass the ship on your left if you are headed towards the harbour.
- If you are traveling with young kids or are just young at heart, there are also inflatable water obstacle courses in Jordan Harbour Marina (I did not do those).
- Jordan Harbour Marina also rents little rowboats if you want to row around the wreck, but there is a lot of seagrass making it difficult and slow-going. Plus the wreck is pretty close to land so you can see it really well without going through all the extra work (Hence, I did not do this).

Eugenia Falls (in Grey County): Don’t do this! You have to pay $6 to be there for 5 minutes and look at the “falls.” The falls would be pretty, but you can only see a little of it from the top. There is no way to get down to the bottom. I don’t recommend doing this!
- Public Facilities are porta-potties

Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve (part of the Niagara Escarpment and about 10 Km of Colling Wood, Ontario): A Must-Do!
- This was a surprise gem of the road trip
- Hiked through little caves, large ravines & crevices, and lots of lush green trees.
- Wear hiking boots because the ground is very uneven.
- Do not go when it’s raining- the rocks get too slippery, and you may not be able to get back up or down.
- Don’t go here alone- it is very easy to get lost between the rock tunnels you are walking through.
- There are no Public Facilities at this Park, and no camping

Blue Mountain Village (Ontario)- it’s a cute ski town!
- In the summer check their schedule- they usually have outdoor concerts
- Tons of food options, but because it is touristy, it is all a tad pricey.
  - If you can’t make up your mind, I recommend the poutine (When in Canada, EH?!) and homemade ice cream while you listen to the band.
- Hiked up the Village trail, along the Bryce trail at the summit, and the Cascades trail down/ there are only 4 hiking trails here. I recommend doing the one I did. It brings you to the top of the ski mountain and back down again along a different trail in the woods.
- Mountain biking is popular here in the summer!

Stayed in an Airbnb- one of the best ones I’ve ever been at. Huge gorgeous modern farmhouse in the country with a hot tub perfect for stargazing on a clear night (contact me for the Airbnb name if you plan to come and want to stay here: $65 a night for 2 people).

Sunday:

Indian Falls Conservation Area (Owen Sound, Ontario):
- Gorgeous walk along a creek until you get to the beautiful waterfall
- Hike along the creek bed, but also be sure to back track a bit after you reached the falls. There is another trail that takes you to the top.
- Type the whole name of the conservation area in if you are using google maps. Sometimes if you just say “Indian Falls” it will take you down a one lane dirt road called Auchinean. This is a dead end that will not take you to the falls. Don’t use this way. lol. Find the actual parking lot.

Lunch at The European Bakery Café (Owen Sound, Ontario):
- Great homemade soup, bread, and desserts. Plus good hot coffee & tea, (grab a treat for the road!)
- Outside seating (if it’s warm enough)
- Grab a booth, pull out your journal, & relax for a bit.

Jones Falls (Grey county, Ontario/ near Springmount):
- You can take the trails to the top of the waterfall or down to the bottom

Bruce Peninsula National Park (off of Highway 6, Ontario), a 1.5 hour drive North.
- One of my favorite places ever!
- ***Make sure to buy a parking pass (around $15) online ahead of time. You will have to sign up for a 4-hour time slot where you will be able to park at the Grotto Trailhead
- Best Hiking Route: drive to P1 Daytime Parking Lot (running water here & public facilities)
  - Take Georgian Bay Trail to Marr Lake Trail. Follow Marr Lake Trail until you hit Boulder Beach- careful! Don’t roll your ankles! Head to the far left end of Boulder Beach where the forest begins again. Find Bruce Trail and take that to Overhang Point. Then double back to Boulder Beach and head to the far right end of the beach. Catch Bruce Trail again on the other side and follow it to the Grotto. When you’re finished having your mind blown, head back to P1 on the Georgean Bay Trail. It’s an easy scenic walk- a nice break after hours of rock climbing.
  - Overhang Point: huge dry caves & sheer cliffs
    - You have to climb down this tiny hole in the ground to get to the caves, no joke!)
  - The Grotto: The best place here! Such blue water and so many places to explore! You can climb down to the grotto by the water- but be careful!
    - Some people swim here but the water is very cold even in the summertime.
    - Public Facilities are composting toilets about 500 yards from the grotto- follow the signs

Explored the town of Tobermory: cute town on the water

Fathom Five National Marine Park (few Km’s farther North on Highway 6, past Bruce Peninsula National Park)
- Walked along the water here. It’s gorgeous blue water all around!

Big Tub Lighthouse (Also farther North on Highway 6): Pretty and right on the water!

Grabbed some grub for the road, and Drove 4.5 hours back to Buffalo (late at night)
- Driving through Canadian farmland when the sunset makes the wheat fields gold and sky full of watercolors is a beautiful experience. Take your time. Take it in. Live in that moment before you have to go back.

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