Day-Tripping on the Shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park — Trek Report — Description

Needing to get away from it all even though it was raining, we made some trail mix (basically like our granola but without the biodynamic oats), packed some sandwiches made with our own fresh farm eggs, grabbed some hiking gear, and took off to go day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.

A view of Martin Pond while day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.
Martin Pond

We accessed the trails via Martin Pond, a large wetland and the first lookout of the day. I can never resist taking pictures of this quiet scene, where the silence and stillness are both heard and felt.

While day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park, we looped around to Martin Pond.
Martin Pond

Luckily, the rain was on and off so we had time to dry off in between soakings. We cut inland to the shores of Lake Nipissing and rested briefly at Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach dock while day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.
Pebble Beach

The impending shower spurred us on. After skirting the Coastal Trail for some time, we returned inland.

Lake Nipissing in uncertain weather photographed from the Coastal Trail while day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.
Lake Nipissing

The bush had been wet all day, but it was nothing compared to the meadow we had to cross. Even though most of Atakas Trail is now much easier thanks to boardwalks in a few key cranberry marshes, this meadow still makes it an inaccessible trail for many hikers.

A wild meadow on Atakas Trail seen while day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.
Meadow on Atakas Trail

By the time we began our northward return journey on Heron Trail, the rain had completely cleared, and we were completely refreshed.

Marsh along Atakas Trail seen while day-tripping on the shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park.
Along Atakas Trail

Comments

2 Thoughts on “Day-Tripping on the Shores of Lake Nipissing in Mashkinonje Park

  1. In some ways I like rain on a hike or a fishing trip. The variety in the weather makes for really beautiful scenes. I love the photo you took of Lake Nipissing from the Coastal Trail too.

  2. Thanks! Some of the best hikes I’ve ever done have been in the rain (smiley face).