Tag / hiking trails

Today we will look at some of the beautiful scenery from the Canadian Shield in the Whiteshell Provincial Park and Nopiming Provincial Park. The first photo is from Nopiming with late day sun glowing on this island.  This is the Boreal Forest which is home to an abundance of wildlife, wildflowers, birds and world class fishing. One of the main watersheds in the eastern part of Manitoba is the Winnipeg River System which forms pockets of pristine lakes throughout the area attracting a variety of waterfowl and my favourites – loons.  When you hear the eerie loon calls throughout the night you know you are are truly in a wilderness area.  (I’ll be featuring Loons in a future post.) There are numerous Manitoba Campgrounds in the Whiteshell and this is also cottage country. There are many canoe routes and hiking opportunities – information on this can also be found on the link in this post.  Photographic opportunities abound here.

If you are planning a Manitoba camping, hiking or canoeing vacation be sure to include an outing to one of these two Provincial Parks but note that camping in Nopiming is limited. The Whiteshell is only 1-1/2 hours from Winnipeg and Nopiming is about 3 hours. Check Manitoba tourist information and availability first using the following link. http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/camping/index.html

I am always amazed at how plants can root and thrive in the crevices of rocks.

Moss and lichens form a soft spongy bed atop the bedrock in a spruce stand.

Marshes at water’s edge provide home and shelter for waterfowl above and fish below.  The beavers like to eat the tender shoots of the reeds as well.

Nothing can best the morning mists rising from the lakes or a Manitoba Sunset in the summer.

Consider visiting us !

~Sharon

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Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park is about 2 hours north of Winnipeg on Hwy 8.   Hecla features a beautiful campground, a golf course and a newly renovated Gull Harbour resort. It’s a very picturesque spot in Manitoba surrounded by Lake Winnipeg and is home to many varieties of birds and animals including moose and wolves.  There are some easy walking trails through the marsh area and a wildlife viewing tower just a short walk off the highway.  A few years ago we saw a wolverine in that area. The stones along the shorelines are rounded and polished from the constant action of the waves.  Marsh Marigolds were in full bloom in the ditches giving them a splash of colour.

There is also the very historic Hecla Village which is still home to descendants of Icelandic settlers.  It seems a big friendly dog was acting as a village greeter this weekend as he/she loped down the highway right to the car.  I am not sure of this breed but it looked like the dog was wearing a winter hat with ear flaps.

You can easily visit on a day trip. Places to purchase provisions are limited so be sure to take whatever you will need with you for a picnic lunch.  Today’s blog features some of the scenery from the park.

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