Gargantua Trail

As we hike along the Superior coast, you will encounter evidence of ancient volcanic activity, mountain building, faulting, folding and custal uplift. The plant life features a mixture from the southern Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region and the northern boreal forest...suagar maple, birch, pine, spruce, balsam fir and poplar. The resultingly large variety of habitat provides for an unusual diversity of bird life, which is a welcome opportunity for the bird watchers amondst us. An interesting variety of mammals may also be seen; from the largest, the moose, to smaller ones like the porcupine, beaver, fox and otter. Caribou may also occasionally be seen.

The Gargantua trail snakes it's way along side raised shorelines of the old Lake Algonquin telling of tales long past. Numerous faults and diabase dikes cut through the Canadian Shield bedrock locally creating narrow chasms. Often the coastal trail is sharply rerouted around or over these chasms; and at other times becomes part of the trail. A most interesting erosional unconformity can be seen at Rhyolite Cove, which marks the contact between the older granitic Canadian Shield and the younger volcanic rocks offshore.

With a pair of good hiking boots, a comfortable lightly packed backpack, and being in good physical condition will make this adventure an exhilarating and enjoyable one. And remember: a smile goes a long, long way and encourages everyone around you.