  "The sweet clarity of mind is found in the deep roots of the wilderness." Nature photographer Robbie George said it well. There is a bit of the wild in all of us, and I have been fortunate enough to explore that beauty a lot the past two years. Enter Killarney Provincial Park: 645 square kilometres of silver mountains and rose granite with 50 crystal clear lakes...a UNESCO biosphere protected place where the Group of Seven painted regularly.  My friend Nancy is an impressive athlete. Daily 100 kilometer bike rides are commonplace for her, and she just finished the Beaton Classic with a time of three hours. Our destination this past week was Silver Peak, her favourite hike. Silver Peak is the highest point in Killarney. There are two ways to access the hike to the peak, both requiring paddling and hiking. We accessed the peak via Bell Lake, where you can rent canoes and kayaks for the 3 kilometer journey over to the start of the hike. Nancy brought her own. The paddle was a good workout, and the water was like glass for part of the journey and choppy for the other part. The scenery en route was tranquil. There are very few cottages in the park itself, with those that exist having been grandfathered in from before it was designated. Otherwise, there is no one anywhere for as far as you look. We came upon a camp site along the banks, but when you paddle you are basically all by yourself in the absolute spectacle that is nature. The trees line the route, the water is clear, and you are one with nature. There is a dock at the launching point for the hike, along with racks for your boat. The hike itself is apparently 5.5 kilometers each way, although Nancy's watch showed 7 kilometers each way. The path includes part of the 80 kilometer La Cloche Silhouette Trail and is flat for the majority of the hike, rising steeply in the last hour of the hike to the peak. We came upon fresh bear skat although we did not see any bears. There were blueberries everywhere on the peak, and the topography was typical northern forest. You were going pee in the woods because there were no port-a-potties to be found. We came upon one other twosome on our way up the mountain, but otherwise had the trail entirely to ourselves. We left at 10:30 am from Bell Lake Launch Point. The climb to the peak was challenging, and you needed to be sure-footed. The effort paid off. At the top, the silver comes from the colour of the rock all over the mountain. It is gorgeous. You can see Manitoulin Island, Georgian Bay, the North Passage, all of Killarney Provincial Park, Sudbury in the distance, and glorious views 360 degrees around. The best idea is to pack a lunch, which we did, and eat it while marveling at the vista. We munched on grapes, guacamole, crackers, peanut butter and jam sandwiches, bananas, cashews, vegetables from Nancy's garden, gatorade and trail mix. It tasted so good sitting on top of the world.  There were about 20 people at the peak, from Toronto and Ottawa, most of which were spending multiple days in the park, either at one of the cottages or back country camping. Everyone we met was incredibly appreciative of the setting, the views, and the wonder of being in the park and experiencing the scenery. There was a general feeling of good health and gratitude for being there. The day was a perfect combination of sunshine and wind, and one side of Silver Peak is much windier than the other. We ate on the side with less wind.  The descent was much easier than the ascent, and much more populated. We probably encountered 30 people in total coming down. When we arrived back at the dock, I stripped down and jumped in the clear as glass water of Bell Lake. While swimming around in the water to cool down, I began expounding on how lucky we were to be in a lake with no one else around, enjoying the untouched and unspoiled waters, and was encouraging Nancy to jump in. She was on the dock and cooly says to me, after listening to my exposition, "How do you feel about snakes?" I sputtered and asked why she enquired. "There is one heading your way now." I was out of the water quicker than you can say "snake bite" and thankful Nancy warned me. I love to swim in the lake, but swimming with snakes is not on my bucket list.  We arrived back at Bell Lake Launching Point and headed into the town of Killarney, about 30 minutes away. Herbert's Fish and Chips is an institution. It was dinner time and we were starving. Fresh fish right off the boat, battered and fried, hit the spot along with their homemade fries and coleslaw. We sat outside watching the comings and goings in the small town of 500 people situated in such a treasured location. The fishing boat that caught the fish we were eating came into port while we were sitting there, and they began filleting the fish right in front of us. No wonder it tastes so good. It is almost still swimming. With clear minds and full bellies, we headed back to Sudbury, having clocked 20 kilometers of exertion. I understand why Silver Peak is Nancy's favourite hike. It was a special day in an exceptional setting, and it stoked my desire to return to Queen Killarney again and again. Next on my agenda: The Crack.
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 Killarney is a town on the northern shores of Georgian Bay that is a national treasure. With a year-round population of approximately 500, it is small and charming. Yet it possesses one of the prettiest provincial parks in the country. Full of rock and trees, it evokes Canadiana in its best form. We decided to explore the town on New Year's Day. What a great way to start 2024.  Setting out from Sudbury around 3 pm, we arrived at Killarney Mountain Lodge at 4 pm. On the way, we lost complete cellular reception for about 30 of the 60 minute drive. I was driving my truck and we had a quarter tank of gas. In hindsight, I should have ensured there was a full tank because if you ever were stranded on that road without cell service, you would be waiting in the truck for a while for someone to come along. During our drive from Highway 69 along Highway 637, we encountered a total of four vehicles en route to Killarney. Killarney Mountain Lodge was closed for the season, but still grand in its scale and architecture. You can imagine many a beautiful wedding and lots of great parties being held in this place. Adjacent to Canada House, on the grounds of the Lodge, there is a hiking trail to the Lighthouse. It is five kilometers long and takes you into the forest full of pink rock and quartzite. You then traverse along the shore of Georgian Bay.           The lighthouse itself is modest, in white wood with red accents along with a beacon atop. The true treasure is in the natural setting. Sitting on the northern shore of Georgian Bay, with its vast beauty and remote wilderness, you experience the wonder that always comes to me when I am in nature. The day was crisp and just above zero with sun and a sunset that we captured along the water. There was some ice on the trail, but it was rare and we were beneficiaries of the mild winter thus far which made the trek safe. I wouldn't want to walk the trail in the snow. By the time we arrived at the lighthouse, night had fallen. We had to leash our dog near the ice because none of the lakes were frozen through and they just had a layer of ice on the top, if anything. Given nightfall, thankfully there was an access road to the lighthouse and we trekked back to the lodge via the country roads.   We had worked up an appetite so headed over to the Sportman's Inn where the pub was open. We were the only guests in the large, 200 seat restaurant. Apparently we were a day late for the party. They hosted the Polar Bear Dip folks the night before until 3 am and apparently had a full house. We enjoyed the quiet and luxury of having the place all to ourselves. Given the lack of snowfall to this point, there were no snowmobilers or skiers as there typically would have been in other years. We were literally the only car in the parking lot. Given the weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the poutine, caesar salad, burgers, fries, nachos, fish tacos, and the chicken pot pie. I would strongly recommend the chicken pot pie - it was just delicious. We also splurged on some toffee cake which my youngest daughter enjoyed.  I thought Killarney lived up to its billing as an absolutely beautiful place in the wilderness, gateway to the North Channel. I would imagine a visit in the summer would be even prettier.
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Norma WaltonEntrepreneur and mom to four amazing kids New Day
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