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Destination: Misery Bay Provincial Park, Manitoulin Island
The name Misery Bay certainly conjures up all that could be negative about a place. But don’t let the name put you off.
According to local lore the name came about because of a conversation in the 1880′s between a farmer cutting marsh grass at the water’s edge and a couple of men in a small boat. They asked the farmer the name of the place – and after swatting black flies for probably hours he yelled back “Misery”. It turns out the men in the boat were government surveyors mapping the island. The name stuck despite the fact the place is indeed beautiful – and with wildflowers blooming in the summer I can only imagine how much nicer it would be than the day we visited in November.
Misery Bay is located on the south shore of Manitoulin Island – on the waters of Lake Huron. It’s now an 1100 hectare natural reserve (the MBNR) put in place to protect fragile ecosystems including the rare Lakeside Daisy, Pitcher Thistle and Blandings Turtle. Even more interesting to most visitors will be the rock you walk on. The park sits on an ancient flat rock sea bottom called an alvar. It is this feature that throws it into the ring of world class parks. The only alvars in North America are found in the Great Lakes Basin and the collection around Manitoulin Island are the most noteworthy alvars found anywhere in the world.
We saw none of the rare plants are animals and nor did we expect to in November. In fact a thin layer of snow could be found in the woods and skies were in line with what’d you’d expect in November – gloomy with the sun trying hard to come through. Yet the area still had it’s charm. We walked along the shore and through the woods for roughly eight kilometers. I can only imagine how magical the place would be on a hot summer day.
Here’s a look at what we saw on our walk around Misery Bay. No other humans were sighted.
Flat limestone at the start of the walk to Misery Bay
First look out across Misery Bay
Looking out at Lake Huron
Eroded rocks filled with pebbles
Great texture in these rocks
Boulder under November skies
More great texture in the rocks
Eroded rock – easy to walk on
My friend Jo – taking no chances in hunting season with a fluorescent vest
Rocks that look like waves
Looking out to the Big Water – Lake Huron
A bit of colour on an otherwise gloomy November day
Looking in the window of an old cabin
Snowy paths through the woods
We did the red loop
Have you ever been to Manitoulin Island?
This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, a website where Nancie offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos.
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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31 Responses to Destination: Misery Bay Provincial Park, Manitoulin Island
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
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awesome pictures. I can just imagine how beautiful that place would be June to Sept..
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@Marty That water would be very inviting on a hot summer day.
What’s it like to walk barefoot on the eroded rocks? Are they sharp? Would love to visit there. And would hunters really mistake Jo for a deer if she didn’t wear the neon vest?
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@Aleah Misery Bay is a provincial park and hunting isn’t allowed. But it’s not worth taking chances. The dogs have neon orange vests too.
Barefoot walking might be an issue. I’d be wearing water scandals in the summer to get in and out of the lake.
What beautiful colors and peaceful solitude you captured, Leigh. I can almost believe I was there with you -
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@Jackie The solitude was lovely. WE actually wished we’d had time to hike the other loop on the other side of the bay.
I’ve not been to the island. I love the lace like texture of the eroded rock. I have only seen Lake Ontario. I could never get over the size of it and kept on referring to it as the ocean. Lake Huron seems to be bigger still – awe inspiring.
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@Jan I agree the Great Lakes feel more akin to oceans. The waves can get so big that you have to treat the lakes with great respect. Lake Huron in the summer is a thing of beauty.
Looks like it has an air of mystery to it, too. Like the setting of a film based on a Stephen King novel.
Sophie recently posted..The colours of La Boca
@Sophie There’s a bit of gloom but that was okay. The wind was blowing hard so we felt invigorated by the end of the walk.
I love the rocks
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Showtaro Morikubo – The Answer
@Muza-chan I love them too – the variety and the texture.
For me, the worst time of the year is the in between zone between fall and winter and winter and spring. The leaves are down and the weather is usually too cold to camp, but not cold enough for skiing. Being outdoors during this time is not as beautiful as normal, but it does not mean one should just stay indoors until it snows or if you don’t like skiing until it gets warm again. These pictures show that there is still beauty found during this time, but it is just a little different.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving and the year of the wild turkey photo essay
@Ted I couldn’t agree more Ted. I usually feel cooped up in November and April and anyway to get outside and make the most of it is welcome. I tried some early season snowshoeing yesterday too – and that helps to get the happy hormones going.
Interesting place. The eroding rock is so fascinating – like machine made nature.
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@Mette I felt like much of the rock was like one giant puzzle.
Gorgeous shots, Leigh. It would be fun to go back in the spring/summer to see the flowers in bloom. Your friend is smart!
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@Nancie I’d love to see the place under a summer sun. And Jo made me wear a bright vest too. Always better safe than sorry.
What a wonderful job you did of countering the difficulty of a less-than cooperative sun. I love the pebbles on rock. I’m going to be posting some of those nature closeups that I did on my recent trip to the Smokeys. I’m fascinated with nature’s “found objects art”. The “Still Life in Cabin Window” wowed me too!!
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@Vera Thank you for that lovely comment. I love looking closely at what’s around me when I’m in nature. It’s amazing the beauty you find.
The rocks in that photo look like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which is what I thought it was at first. Oh, and I’d never heard of alvar before. It looks like quite a hard rock, almost like flint.
Poor guy, it’s definitely misery to have to swat black flies
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@Marcai – I’ve actually thought of getting a puzzle made from them! Black flies are definitely worse than mosquitoes.
You always show us the prettiest parts of nature. That picture of the eroded rocks with pebbles is my favorite. And Jo has a great idea there. It’s not the best idea to wear your “Rudolf the Reindeer” headband up there during hunting season.
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@Michele – I like that photo too Michele. Read an Italian blog that made note of how many deaths had happened because of hunting accidents – something like 12 already this year. Not as bad in Ontario but getting mistaken for a deer would be a stupid way to go.
This is our favourite place on Manitoulin Island and we always send our guests their for hiking experiences. We offer accommodations in Providence Bay which also features the alvar shore. We would love for you to come and stay with us next time you are travelling through the Island.
Our hostel is called Auberge Inn. http://www.aubergeinn.ca
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@Nathalie Thank you for the kind offer. I just might take you up on the offer.
My husband’s family is from Manitoulin Island and we spend time there every summer. It’s one of the most beautiful, unspoiled places in the country!
Lisa recently posted..Visiting the Louvre with Kids
@Lisa I agree. The shoreline is spectacular and it’s a place very few people have ever heard about.
I love how you captured the beauty of this place despite the gloomy weather. I’ve never heard of alvars but these look so interesting. The textures are all wonderful and unique. Thanks for introducing me to another beautiful part of Canada.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Mission La Purisima: A Step Back in Time
@Mary – Alvars were new to me too. A gloomy day was made far more interesting by exploring new country.