Gros Cap - Voyageur Trail Association

GROS CAP LOOP TRAIL
This yellow-blazed approximately 3-km. loop
trail is a pleasant trail that offers wide views over
Whitefish Bay at the blue-blazed side trail lookouts. There are wet sections on the trail so be sure
to have proper protective footwear.
The Voyageur Trail blazing system: If you are
standing at a blaze, the next one should be
in sight. One blaze on a tree indicates a fairly
straight trail. If there are two blazes, this means
a fairly sharp turn is coming and the top blaze is
usually in the direction of that turn. Yellow blazes
indicate a loop trail and blue blazes indicate a
trail to a lookout or an access trail. The Gros Cap
trail has mostly blue and yellow blazes.
GROS CAP LOOP TRAIL DESCRIPTION
Drive west along Second Line West (Hwy 550) to
the termination of Hwy 550 located in the village
of Gros Cap. The Voyageur Trail was officially
opened here in 1974.
Follow the blue-blazed access trail from this
parking area as we begin our ascent of the Gros
Cap cliffs. The path branches part way up the
cliff. If you follow the left branch, you will come
out at the top of the lower cliff with fine views
over Whitefish Bay where it enters the start of
the St. Mary’s River. To get to the Gros Cap Loop
trail, you must take the path to the right and
climb even further. As you approach the top of
the cliff, the trail bears left and takes you back
into the bush. You continue to climb steadily
and finally reach the top of the cliffs. Continue
to walk on the well-worn path until you come to
the intersection of the yellow-blazed loop trail
(you have travelled approximately 1 km from the
parking lot). You will notice a “T” on a tree--this
indicates the end of the blue access trail.
Continue west (clockwise) following the wide
yellow-blazed trail through a raised cobble beach.
At 1.3 km, the trail will intersect the first blue-
blazed side trail.
This trail will come to a lookout over Lake
Superior ~50 m down the path. During leaf
season, the lake is difficult to see, but there is
usually a nice breeze.
Once back on the main trail, the hiker will continue NW through some lush vegetation, and
an esker (old cobble beach). Climb up a small
hill and the second lookout will be encountered
(1.6 km). This is a large lookout, but still the
view is made difficult by a tree canopy. The
hiker will reach the third and final lookout in
about 400 m. This side trail has the best view,
and is a good place to stop for a break (blueberries are excellent picking in season here).
A little further along the loop trail brings you
to Jackson Island Rd. Turn right (E) and follow
this road (slightly uphill) for 600 m to another
parking area.
There is a blue-blazed branch of the Voyageur
Trail that intersects this spot. This trail would
take you to the termination of the access trail
at the Red Rock cottage area so be careful to
continue to travel SSE down Jackson Island
Rd. (also known as North Gros Cap Rd.) for
approx. 100 m. Yellow double blazes will be
easily spotted, signaling the hiker to proceed
right (S) away from the road into the bush.
Upon entering, the hiker will notice a logged
mixed forest. Notice the decay of the old
yellow birch on the left. Continue W down the
path crossing through a lush area of ferns, moss
and lichens. This segment of the trail is quite
visible.
The trail will come upon a very marshy area
complete with water-tolerant plants like
cedars. The hiker will then come to a rocky
outcropping with Saskatoon berry shrubs and
blueberry bushes. There are two outcroppings
to pass between whereupon the hiker arrives
at an elevated esker. On the other side of the
esker, the trail has been logged. A sign-in box
has been installed here - please sign in. At the
1.0 km mark, make a right turn and follow a
skidder track. Continue along here and pass
by some large boulders until making another
sharp right turn onto the intersection of the
access trail from your parking lot. Take the
path to the left to descend the cliffs back to
your parking lot (round trip - approximately 5
kms).
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WALLS LAKE LOOP TRAIL
From Hwy. 550 (Second Line) just east of Gros
Cap, turn right at Marshall Dr. Follow road for
2.3 km. Turn left onto Jackson Island Rd. (VTA
Hiker sign is posted at the corner), passing a
relay tower on the left to meet (3.45 km from
Hwy 550) both yellow and blue blazes (Gros
Cap Loop trail and Tom Allinson Side Trail,
respectively). This open area has room to park
a few vehicles.
Note: This short Walls Lake Loop Trail is a ‘figure eight’ rather than a true loop. As you leave
Marshall Drive you climb a short hill, and
then watch for the trail to split. Take the right
fork and follow it as it meanders through the
woods. You come out to a bush road where you
cross the Big Carp River. Follow the road up
beside a widening of the river, and watch for
the trail to turn left off the road, across the river
and on to the south end of Walls Lake. Shortly
past Walls Lake, the trail rejoins the southern
loop and you return to Marshall Dirve.
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These trails are made possible by the generosity
of our private landowners, including the Sault Ste.
Marie & Region Conservaton Authority. Please
respect the rights of our landowners and stay to the
marked trail, pick up after your pet and take nothing but photographs.
Members of the Voyageur Trail Association
receive:
• The Voyageur Trail News, a top-quality newsletter
containing information of use and interest to members,
including regular notification of trail changes 3 times
a year;
• Free advertisements in the Voyageur Trail News to
sell used trail equipment;
• A discount on the purchase of the Voyageur Trail
Guidebook through the Association;
• A membership card to be carried at all times on the
trail and which provides discounts at identified selected businesses along and near the trail route;
• The knowledge that you are aiding in the development and maintenance of an 1100-kilometre long
(when complete) volunteer hiking trail through some
of Ontario’s most spectacular scenery.
VOYAGEUR TRAIL ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP FORM (08/14)
Name: ______________________________________
Mailing Address: ______________________________
____________________________________________
Phone (home) _________________________ (work/cell) _______________________
Email: _____________________________________
___
___ Email me notification when I can download the pdf newsletter.
MEMBERSHIP FEES: Prices subject to change without notification.
Individual: yearly @ $25 or 3-years @ $70........... = ______
Family/Group: yearly @ $30 or 3-years @ $85..... = ______
Full-time Student @ $10 yearly or 3-years @ $25. = ______
Donation: Charitable Reg. #119261923RR0001
(tax receipt will be sent).......................................... = ______
___ Crest @ $3 each............................................... = ______
___ Gift Certificates (in $5 denominations)........... = ______
___ Guidebook (limit 2)
@ members $30 / non-members $40 ...................... = ______
Shipping/Handling for all MAILED Guidebooks = $ 12.00
TOTAL:.................................................................. $_______
If this is a gift, please provide name & address for the mailed acknowledgement.
Make cheques payable (in Cdn. funds) and mail to:
VOYAGEUR TRAIL ASSOCIATION, PO Box 20040,
150 Churchill Blvd., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 6W3
(over)
I WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH:
o Trail maintenance o Trail development
o Hike leadership
o Organization-execu-
Legend
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This brochure is distributed free-of-charge
compliments of the Voyageur Trail Association
(VTA). In our Guidebook (available for purchase)
we have maps and descriptions of over 700 kms of
hiking trails in Northern Ontario.
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Visit the VTA on the web (including our on-line
store, a calendar of club events, information/
contacts for local clubs, trail photographs, this
brochure in a pdf format and much more) at:
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DECLARATION: I understand that the Voyageur Trail is a wilderness trail and some remote or
little-used sections may be in poor condition due
to fallen trees or regrowth of vegetation. I understand that I hike it at my own risk. I have read
and will abide by the Trail Users’ Code (above).
(signature)
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o Newsletter or guidebook, photography
o Landowners, records
o Maps
o Publicity, Special
events
o Sorry, not at this time.
o Contact me with information on what’s
needed, and I’ll decide then.
o Please add my membership to the membership
of the club closest to my home town, OR
o consider me a member-at-large, OR
o consider me as a member of the following
club:
________________________________________
VOYAGEUR HIKING TRAIL USERS’ CODE
• Hike only along marked routes. Do not take shortcuts.
• Protect and do not disturb wildlife.
• Do not climb fences.
• Keep dogs under control (leash if necessary) and follow your club’s guidelines concerning dogs).
• Carry out all garbage (if you can carry it in, you can
carry it out.
• Light cooking fires at official campsites only. Drench
fires after use (or better still, carry a lightweight
hiker’s stove).
• Respect the privacy of people living along the trail.
Walk around fields, not across them.
• Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy.
• Leave only your thanks & take nothing but photos.
• Do not damage live trees or strip off bark.
BE A LOW-IMPACT HIKER!
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Water Pumping
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voyageurtrailassociation
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The Voyageur Trail is a wilderness trail and some remote or little-used sections may be
in poor condition due to fallen trees or regrowth of vegetation. You are welcome to use it
but you do so at your own risk.
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The Sault Ste. Marie branch of the VTA
is called the Saulteaux Voyageur Trail Club and
here is how you can contact us:
Phone 705-942-1891 (message machine available)
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If you are interested in becoming a trail adopter or joining a work party to maintain the trails,
please contact the Saulteaux Voyageur Trail Club.
We hold over 30 public outings a year including work parties, hiking and snowshoeing. We
strive to provide all types of outings, some geared to beginners and/or families with children,
and some for more experienced hikers. You are most welcome to join us. Visit the calendar on
our web site at: www.voyageurtrail.ca and find listings for the Saulteaux Voyageur Trail Club.
Call the listed leader for information about the outing you are interested in.
See you on the trail!
Internet: www.voyageurtrail.ca/trailsssm.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Saulteaux.Voyageur.Trail.Club
We are ALWAYS looking for volunteers to help
with trail maintenance, club organization and
the many other little jobs that help keep us a
vibrant club.
If you have talents to offer, we want to hear from
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copyright: Voyageur Trail Association 08/14
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