Bearbells by Leslie Noonan
August 17, 2024 – After last weeks adventure along that escarpment face, I chose a close to the ground route with no stomach-turning drops, only picturesque views. Hardy Lake Provincial Park is found on Highway 169 just east of Bala. It is a popular destination and parking is limited, but if you are inventive and don’t mind some scratched paint you may be able to just squeeze yourself into a spot that is perhaps not really a parking spot and might be up the side of the bank with your car on a significant slant. All par for the adventure!
Hardy Lake has some unique flora that is usually found on the Atlantic Coast. If you like geology you would already know that this is due to the glaciers and that this area was once Lake Algonquin. This is typical Canadian Shield, with lots of bogs and marshes as well mixed forests. There are several trails to choose from, like the short three km B and C trails that are perfect for those with children, and still offer beautiful views out and over the lake and through forests of pine and cedar. I chose the longer A trail, which is a doable nine km. There is also an extra one km trail that adds to the A trail. Trails are easy to follow, and any side trails are clearly marked. The trail itself has some small elevation changes, lots of roots, and many areas of thick black mud. I doubt that the trail is ever completely dry and would suggest wearing shoes that you don’t mind squelching through. There are also several boardwalks that connect you between points of land and offer scenic views over Hardy Lake.
Despite the overcrowded parking lot, those crowds disappeared once I was out on the trail, only briefly passing other hikers, or having them pass me as I contorted myself into pretzels trying to get the right angle to identify a new fungus. Today I was intrigued by what looked like a brown sea urchin hiding under a rotten log. A quick poke, and nope, instead of spines these spikes were soft and squishy. There is my lack of self preservation again, poking my finger where it doesn’t belong. A quick scan of my app and there it was, chocolate tube slime, and not even a true fungus but a protista, and nope, I have no idea what that means except slimy, and I have no intention of licking it to see if it really does taste like chocolate.
About halfway through the trail there is the remains of an old homestead. Only the small grey walls and chimney remain, though I did stumble over a metal pipe leading to the lake, perhaps for pumping water. It would have been a beautiful spot to live, though very rugged and isolating. I can relate, as some days I would love to have a break from society. Finally, within the last km or two the mixed forest becomes dense pine with a thick brown litter of needles. A small creek travels down a granite slope with burbles and gurgles. A lovely place to sit for a minute for a rest. Altogether a great trail for any ability. And now dear readers, I have a plane leaving in just a few hours and have yet to pack, because I always leave things for the last minute, and there seems to be a large orange tabby sleeping in my luggage. It’s off to the Emerald Isle!!
