Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Sun 24 Jun 2012 Tom Wilson 2012 Hike the Highlands Festival / Branch Pond Look-off Trail / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Trekking Poles Comments Off on Surprises on the Branch Pond Look-off Trail / / /

Surprises on the Branch Pond Look-off Trail

It was a day full of surprises….first the weather changed from an overcast day to hot sunny day – 20 plus degrees. Then I saw my first spruce grouse of the year.  At the 1st look-off, I caught up with and met a nice couple from Pennsylvania who were bird watchers. We had a nice...Read more

Thu 14 Jun 2012 Tom Wilson Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Hiking Boots / MEC / North River Falls / Trekking Poles Comments Off on Breaking in New Hiking Boots / / / / / / / /

Breaking in New Hiking Boots

It happened, the part I dread the most, my hiking boots were wearing out. My old ones had served me well but the tread was wearing down and I was feeling rocks. Threads were going in key spots and one side of my boot was breaking away from the rubber.  I order my new boots […]Read more

Sat 19 May 2012 Tom Wilson Cape Breton Highlands National Park / CBHNP / Franey Hiking Trail / Hike the Highlands / Hiking / Hiking Boots / Nature & Landscape Photography / Parks Canada / Photography Comments Off on Franey Hiking Trail Has Changed / / / /

Franey Hiking Trail Has Changed

You will notice driving up to Franey Trailhead in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, things have changed. The road is  wider, the parking lot has expanded. The Trailhead has been open and cleaned up. And there is more on Franey hiking trail : a)  1st hill – As you begin the hike you will...Read more

Mon 09 Apr 2012 Tom Wilson Cabot Trail / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Middlehead Hiking Trail / Outdoor Gear / Photography Comments Off on Hiking Middle Head on Easter Sunday / / / /

Hiking Middle Head on Easter Sunday

It was a cool and breezy day when I got of the car and headed to the trailhead of Middle Head, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish Beach.  It wasn’t long on the trail when I switched apparell – put on a toque and winter gloves.  It felt like winter hiking today rather than...Read more

Sun 01 Jan 2012 Tom Wilson Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Diabetes / Hiking Boots / Hiking Tips / Nature & Landscape Photography / Photography / Snowdonia National Park Comments Off on Hiking Resolutions – 2012 / / / / / /

Hiking Resolutions – 2012

As new year begins, many hikers take time to reflect on the past year,2011 and what it was for them. Hikers remember the trails they hiked, the people they have meet, those incredible photos taken and those special memories. It is now time to plan and prepare for the 2012 season… 1) One of...Read more

Fri 16 Sep 2011 Tom Wilson 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / CBHNP / Fishing Cove Hiking Trail / Hike the Highlands / Hike the Highlands Festival / Hiking Festival / Pollett's Cove Comments Off on Day 7 – Pollett’s Cove and Fishing Cove Hikes / / / / /

Day 7 – Pollett’s Cove and Fishing Cove Hikes

Two of Nova Scotia’s best seacoast hiking trails were hiked yesterday by close to eighty hikers in the 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival. Sunny and warm conditions made the return trip hot in the afternoon with lots of water breaks and stops. Both hikes had swimmers enjoyed the ocean water to...Read more

Thu 15 Sep 2011 Tom Wilson 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Cape Breton Island / CBHNP / Fishing Cove Hiking Trail / Hike the Highlands Festival / Hike the Highlands Guides / Pollett's Cove / Salmon Pool Hiking Trail / Skyline Hiking Trail Comments Off on Day 6 – Records Fall / / / / / / / /

Day 6 – Records Fall

It was a day when records fell and hikers were out in big numbers at Salmon Pools, Le Buttereau & le Chemin du Buttereau and Skyline hikes. The Skyline hike had the most hikers on any hike since the festival started 8 years ago with 75 plus. The total day of hikers was another record....Read more

Wed 14 Sep 2011 Tom Wilson 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / CBHNP / Hike the Highlands / Hike the Highlands Festival / Roberts Mountain Comments Off on Day 5 – Beulach Ban Falls and Roberts Mountain / / / / / /

Day 5 – Beulach Ban Falls and Roberts Mountain

Hikers continued their quest for the Hikers distance award (25, 50 or 100 km) during the 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival. Close to 80 hikers enjoyed Beulach Ban Falls/Aspy and Roberts Mountain hikes on another sunny day. Beulach Ban Falls /Aspy trail was a new hike this year and received good...Read more

Sat 10 Sep 2011 Tom Wilson 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / CBHNP / Hike the Highlands / Hike the Highlands Festival / Middlehead Hiking Trail / Sugarloaf Mountain Trail / White Point Comments Off on Great Start for 2011 Hike the Highlands / / / / / /

Great Start for 2011 Hike the Highlands

The 8th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival got off to a great start with forty -two hikers enjoying the first hike of the festival – Middle Head in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.  There were lots of hugs as friends said hi again. Sunny conditions and a great sunset provided some...Read more

Thu 04 Aug 2011 Tom Wilson 2011 Hike the Highlands Festival / Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Cape Breton Island / Dressing in Layers / Hiking Boots / Hiking Tips / Packs / Trekking Poles Comments Off on Some Tips to Help You Plan & Prepare for Upcoming Hike the Highlands / / / / / / / / / / / /

Some Tips to Help You Plan & Prepare for Upcoming Hike the Highlands

With just 5 weeks away, it is time to start planning and preparing for the Hike the Highlands Festival, Sept. 9-18, 2011.  Here are some tips: 1) Determine your Hikes  – Review the list of hikes scheduled ie. trail description, photos & map. Determine the ones you would like to do and...Read more