Over the years, I made a number of trips to the beautiful Killarney and OSA lakes, but lately I find myself spending more time on the Georgian Bay side. On my latest trip, I was there only for one day, which turned out just perfect for an interesting hike along the Chikanishing Trail, lunch at the legendary Fish & Chips outdoor restaurant with the view of George Island and Collins Inlet in the village, and then a leisurely afternoon and a pleasant swim at the George Lake beach in the park.
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| Information post with a map at the trail head |
The Chikanishing Trail is a relatively short 3.5km hiking loop situated south of Highway 613, just a short drive west from the Killarney provincial park entrance gate. The trail starts on the large pink boulder with a trail map information post (see above), near the Chikanishing Creek parking lot. The hike takes about three hours to complete. In the mid or late summer, when the water in the bay has warmed up, you could add another hour for a refreshing swim at the creek delta or at the wave-washed rocks of the Collins inlet.
The path crosses a series of small ridges and traverses mainly over a rocky terrain, with most portions nice and easy, and others steeper and more tricky. The red trail marking are nailed on the trees and many are painted right on the rocks. The rocks are very smooth, but can get slippery in the early morning or after a rain. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes with a good profile. In the middle portion of the trail which is somewhat sheltered, where over the years soil has accumulated, there is a healthy forest with many mature pine, beech, birch, and oak trees.
For the launching of canoes, kayaks and small motor boats there is a boat ramp at the parking lot. This spot is the main access point for paddlers and boaters who venture into the open waters of Georgian Bay. If you rent a kayak from the local outfitters, they bring their boats right to the parking lot and drop them on a wooden rack beside the creek.
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| Wooden bridge over a ridge between the granite boulders |
Most of the trail goes over on rocky ground in an open area, often with the view of the Georgian Bay or Chikanishing creek, a placid stream which is the connecting waterway between the parking lot and the open waters of the bay. The creek which sometimes borders on its east side on rocky cliffs, meanders mainly through marsh land that is very rich in the both, in the flora and the fauna. While paddling down the creek on the previous occasions, I've seen there blue herons, turtles, beavers, and even a black bear with a cub.
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| Paddler floating leiserely down on the bottom section of the Chikanishing Creek |
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| Small rocky island with mature pines marks the entrance to the Chikanishing Creek |
There are many breathtaking view points and resting places along the trail, some adorned with interpretive plaques that illustrate the history of the old logging operations and fishery in this part of Georgian Bay.As you get close the the coast, you'll be able to see old iron rings used for mooring lines during logging days.
There are many small islands and shoals along the coast, and their size and shape is constantly changing with fluctuating water levels.
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| One of many lookout points on the trail - west view towards North Channel |
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| On a clear day, you can see for miles - cropped upper middle portion from the picture above |
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| Collins Inlet and north shore of Philip Edward Island |
Just a few kilometers west, in the narrows of Collins Inlet (in the direction of the light beacons above) lies the picturesque village of Killarney. It is a favourite stop for many pleasure boats from southern Ontario and USA on their journey to the North Channel.
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| Killarney harbour with the famous Fish&Chips outdoor restaurant |
George Lake is a beautiful lake right in the park campground. You can launch your canoe there and explore many of the bays in the lake or head out east towards the other lakes in the park. There are several nice beaches and hiking trails accessible directly from the parking lots in the park.
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| Canoe between the tall granite cliffs |
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| Swimming opportunities abound |
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| Water and rocks everywhere. The water is clear and deep enough for diving from the rocks. |
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