Southeast Wooded Pine Island is the perfect dinghy day trip for boaters anchored in the vicinity of Go Home, Monument Channel or Indian Harbour. In fact I have even made the trip from Hope Island on a 10’ dinghy with a 15 hp tiller engine but that was on an extremely calm day!
Blackstone Harbour hides its treasures well!
Located deep within the Massasauga Provincial Park, the narrow channel entrance can be found in Woods Bay just north of Moon River Marina. Depth through the channel varies but generally is within 4 – 5’ so keep a bow watch going through and try to stay in the middle.
Upon first entering the harbour only the odd campsite or cottage can be seen lining the shore, nothing to tempt you onwards. However looks can be deceiving, especially on Georgian Bay!
Once you’ve cleared the entrance, continue straight ahead to the back east corner of the harbour and locate the small bay which the Blackstone River spills into. The river has eroded a narrow passage which cuts through the rock as it travels down a chute and into Georgian Bay.
Although no dock exists there are a few spots you can easily shore up with a dinghy or Kayak and disembark.
It’s an easy walk to the top of the waterfall where there is a good view of the river which flows from Little Blackstone Lake, a good portage should you wish to bring an inflatable kayak.
Blackstone River
After the falls it’s just a short ride to the old Calhoun Lodge and Baker Settlement on the northeast side of the harbour.
The lodge was built in the 1930’s by an American Judge from Pennsylvania as a summer home for his family. Being a fairly large property, he employed various caretakers – one who sadly took his own life in the maintenance shed (pic below).
Years later and after the Judge’s death the property eventually ended up in the hands of the Ministry, becoming part of the Massasauga Provincial Park.
It was a warm and humid August day when we visited and as we climbed the steps to the property, we really felt like we were being watched – a very spooky feeling! However we really enjoyed wandering around and peeking in windows, looking at all the various old farming tools, and reading the information provided by the Park.
Peeking through a window you can see an ancient diesel generator in the maintenance shed, and much of the farm equipment sits out, like it was just abandoned yesterday.
From the Calhoun Lodge, there is a 6 km trail that will take you past what remains of the Baker Homestead and then loops around passing Little Blackstone Lake, returning to the Lodge.
The Park has a short blog outlining the history of the Lodge – click link:
https://dhnadzam.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/calhoun-lodge-and-baker-homestead1.pdf
This is a great dinghy day trip for boaters in the Massasauga or Sans Soucis area, just keep in mind the water is very dark throughout Blackstone Harbour and occasionally the odd deadhead sits just below the surface as this was a major logging area back in the days. If you plan to hike the trails wear good walking shoes and long pants plus take bug spray, a compass and drinking water.
If you’re planning to cruise the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay then be sure to check out my article in Canada’s largest national boating magazine – “Canadian Boating”!
Cruising Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands: Canada’s Freshwater Paradise for Boaters
Situated on the remote northeast point of the Bruce Peninsula overlooking Georgian Bay, Cabot Head Light Station was just a few short years ago a drive-up tourist “destination” with museum, picnic area and gift shop! Sadly this property with it’s stunning views of the Bay now sits abandoned, looking more like a ghost town!
The light station boarded up, sidewalks crumbling, picnic areas overgrown with brush, the only road in barely passable by car. Reasons for the abandonment? From what I understand there were/are three main ones: road access/maintenance, hazardous contamination, and lack of funding – each made all the more difficult to resolve due to the isolated location of the property.
During my Toronto Boat Show’s “30,000 Islands” seminar, a common question asked by attendees, especially boaters new to the Bay was “where do you recommend we go?” Well, that’s an easy one for me to answer! Georgian Bay’s eastern coast is an absolute treasure trove of destinations filled with fun activities for boaters, regardless the size or type of vessel!
Wide open water for the good days, secluded tree lined anchorages for the bad; all with great swimming, paddling, fishing, and hiking. Add in stunning sunsets, star-filled night skies, sugary sand beaches, delicious local food, amazing history and you will never want to leave! But how/where to combine all of that into a one week cruise?
To make the ‘where to go/what to do’ part easier, here is my “Taste of the Bay” itinerary which is a “short haul” trip but ticks all of the boxes above. This is ideal for boaters new to the Bay who wish to venture out and try some interesting places plus learn a little about Georgian Bay along the way. And all locations are pet friendly so nobody gets left out on this trip!
Continue reading “A Taste of the Bay: A 7 Day Cruise Itinerary from Midland”
