Fri 18 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival Comments Off on Day 7 – Sun is Back / / / / / /

Day 7 – Sun is Back

  The big news on Day 7 – the sun was back. The morning started out chilly at 12 degrees but soon warmed up to a high of 27 degrees. Three hikes today – Branch Pond (14 km), Branch Pond Look-off (8.4 km) and White Point Sunset Hike (4 km). Day 8 hikes are – […]Read more

Thu 17 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival Comments Off on Day 6 – Pleasant Bay / / / / /

Day 6 – Pleasant Bay

Today the hiking festival moved to the small community of Pleasant Bay with 70 plus hikers enjoying trails at 1) Otter Brook, halfway to Pollett’s Cove,  2) Roberts Mountain – a steep trail with an elevation of 1126 feet, and 3) MacIntosh Brook – a short trail, 1.7 km,  with a...Read more

Wed 16 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival Comments Off on Day 5 – Cheticamp Area / / / / / / / /

Day 5 – Cheticamp Area

The weather cooperated nicely with just a few sprinkles on Day 5 of Hike the Highlands Festival.  100 plus hikers enjoyed three trails – Skyline (loop) , Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge and Corney Brook on the west side of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. In the evening,  hikers were...Read more

Tue 15 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson Uncategorized Comments Off on Day 4 – Meat Cove / / / /

Day 4 – Meat Cove

The community of Meat Cove was the centre of attention in Day 4 of Hike the Highlands Festival.  58 hikers enjoyed the three hikes today- Lowland Cove, Meat Cove Mountain and  Little Grassy & the boardwalk. A little drizzle to start the day off but nothing to damper the spirits of fellow...Read more

Mon 14 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival Comments Off on Day 3 – Mountains & Cabot Landing / / / / /

Day 3 – Mountains & Cabot Landing

  Today’s hikes involved some great scenery on Tenerife Mountain and Money Point Gulch along with a relaxing walk along the 4 mile beach at Cabot Landing Provincial Park at Sugar Loaf.  Over 100 hikers enjoyed the three hikes in a region called Top of the Island along the Cabot Trail....Read more

Sun 13 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival Comments Off on Day 2 – Middle Head and Mica Hill

Day 2 – Middle Head and Mica Hill

Hikers were strong and resilient on Day 2 of Hike the Highlands Festival (2015) facing rain, fog, mud and wasps.  The day began with a sunrise hike on Middle Head hiking trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Fog, clouds and rain kept the sun away but we did see a light in a spruce tree...Read more

Fri 11 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival / CBHNP / Freshwater Lake Hiking Trail Comments Off on Day 1 – Freshwater Lake Hikes and Opening

Day 1 – Freshwater Lake Hikes and Opening

  Day 1 of  the 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival went well despite showers off and on in the evening.  Thirty six hikers enjoyed the 1st hike of the festival at Freshwater Lake and Look-off.  The hikers later went to the festival headquarters at St. John’s Hall to enjoy the opening...Read more

Fri 11 Sep 2015 Tom Wilson 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival / Freshwater Lake Hiking Trail Comments Off on 2015 Hike the Highlands Festival begins today

2015 Hike the Highlands Festival begins today

The 12th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival begins today, Friday, Sept. 11th, 2015 with two hikes in the evening and opening ceremonies. Freshwater Lake and Freshwater Lake Look-off hikes will start at 5:30 pm.  Our area has been having showers off and on today so it is highly recommended that you...Read more

Sun 17 May 2015 Tom Wilson spring hiking Comments Off on 10 Tips for Spring Hiking / / / / / /

10 Tips for Spring Hiking

I have learned over the years several lessons and tips to being prepared for spring hiking especially in the highlands of Cape Breton. They are: 1) Expect snow in May on trails, 2) expect high streams and difficult wet crossings. 3) Use hiking or trekking poles for balance and stability. 4) Wear...Read more

Sun 12 Apr 2015 Tom Wilson CBHNP / Hike Nova Scotia / Hike the Highlands Festival / Nature & Landscape Photography Comments Off on Preparing for the season – Part 4 – Set Goals & Challenges / / / / / /

Preparing for the season – Part 4 – Set Goals & Challenges

While I am preparing for the season, I usually set goals and challenges to keep me motivated before and during the hiking season. I am fortunate that I live in a hiking environment that has no shortages of challenges each year. They include two in Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike 10...Read more