No post last week as my busy weekend started on Wednesday and I simply didn’t get there, but I’m posting early this week with what I’d like to think is an interesting topic. There aren’t too many examples I can think of where winter beats out summer on the big lake, but massive ice formations that extend the beaches have to earn some points. I went for a drive up the coast today and ended up spontaneously stopping at Sawpit Bay (about 5 minutes north of Pancake Bay), and I think I have to call it my favourite stop of the day. For as far as you can see, and then some, ice caves formed from freezing waves on the rocky shoreline what is usually a very rocky shoreline. If you can make the trip here, you’ll find an experience that you absolutely can’t find in the warm summer months.
After pulling off to a small dip in the highway (more space than parking on the shoulder) just past the Sawpit Bay Motel and Cabins, this was the first pic I took after walking a little ways in from the highway, maybe 100 metres. I can’t explain exactly how these formations happen just from freezing waves, but I guess that’s another one of Mother Nature’s mysteries.
I could have walked for hours out here today – that’s the beauty of it. I felt like every hundred metres I walked, there was some new formation in the ice that had its own unique aspect different from the last. There were caves, there were archways, there were “ice mountains,” drops in the ice where you could jump down, and more. This was a pretty easy walk with no deep snow, just be wary of slippery ice under the snow.
Here’s another visual of “something new around every corner.” Layers of ice that you could climb on to get that panoramic view of the lake and ice sheets frozen up against the shore. I climbed up here for the view and then slid down like a kid at the park.
It was absolutely freezing outside, and I knew I’d be feeling it, so I packed a thermos of tea and one of my favourite mugs to enjoy a hot bevvy with a view. Next time however, I think I’ll drink straight out of the thermos as the air got to my tea pretty fast in this mug.
Being just over an hour drive from Sault Ste Marie, I would definitely recommend the drive to anyone in the area. You can spend as long or as little as you’d like here, and it’s an easy outing for kids – just gotta watch near the edge of the ice. This is one of those day-trips that makes you appreciate the freezing temperatures of the North, even if the appreciation only lasts an hour or two. Dress for the weather! That’s all from me this week, get outside and enjoy the cold if you can!
Outdoors With Eden 