This trail was recommended to Lee and Karen Duquette while they were at the Nipigon Welcome Center, But it was very hard to find. The photo below shows how far away the sign for the trail was from the road.

Karen Duquette got up the hill first and photographed the sign. She was disappointed because it did not show the trail or say anything about the length of the trail.

Below: Looking back down the hill at the truck (toad) of the two RV Gypsies.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette started the hike on the narrow trail that was not well maintained. But it was easy at this beginning point, at least.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette have seen Lady Slippers several times during this trip, but they were always one Lady Slipper at a time. This is the first time there were several Lady Slippers on one bush. A beautiful sight.

Below: Brittle stuff that looked like it would be soft, but was not. Plus a big mushroom.

Below: Part of the trail consisted of stepping on logs to avoid the mud. The trail was not maintained well here and beyond. The bushes were overflowing onto the trail, as seen in the photo below.

Oh my! Now the trail required using ropes to get down. Recently Lee and Karen Duquette used a rope to get up a short, steep hill and that was easy and fun, BUT one look at this and they knew this was different! It was down a steep, curvy, rocky area, and quite tricky, but the two RV Gypsies decided to give it a try. They are usually open to new adventures, that is why they are RV Gypsies (well, plus the fact that they drive an RV and even live full-time in the RV because they do NOT have a home anywhere else).

Below: Lee Duquette discovered that it was a lot easier to go down backwards, while using the support of the rope.

Below: A second section with a rope, tree stumps, and a very nasty trail down.

Below: After a couple more areas going downhill with ropes, Lee Duquette looked down and saw a "rope section" that was just way too steep and dangerous in his opinion. The brief glimpse he got of the river below told him that there would be even more rope areas that are meant for only serious, experienced hikers. So, even though they were disappointed, they gave up on the idea of getting to the river.

The photo below, shows that it was still a very long way down to the river and waterfall. And as stated many times on this website, everyone is responsible for their own safety and must know their own limits when in the wilderness. So this became the turning around point for the two RV Gypsies, especially since cell phones did not work here and there was nobody else on the trail and no way to get help if help should become needed. Safety first is their motto.

Below: Lee Duquette was disappointed so he took a rest and relaxed while enjoying the scenery before heading back to the beginning of the trail. (Maybe sitting on the edge of the cliff was not such a great idea either)

Below: Then it was time for Lee and Karen Duquette to climb back up the trail and go back to their truck without ever getting to the river. These areas were much steeper then they appear in the photos, and common sense told them that it was time to turn around. Safety first.

Below: Now that the two RV Gypsies were back on the easy part of the trail, Lee Duquette decided ---- well, who the heck knows WHAT he was thinking, but he sure made Karen Duquette laugh. A nice way to end the hike, even though they did not get to the finish line. They were alive to experience more adventures.

Menu for The Two RV Gypsies Adventures
in Nipigon, Ontario, Canada and surrounding areas
June 25 - 26, 2013
You may visit these six sites in any order you choose.

Nipigon Welcome Center

Birch Point

Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridges

Ouimet Canyon

Alexander Dam

Split Rock Trail (this page)

AFTER you have seen all six sections above, please continue on to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and the Sleeping Giant, the amazing Kakabeka Falls, a lighthouse, deer, and more.

After you have seen all of the above,

Continue Navigation in any year, any place, in the order of your choice
via the alphabetical or category buttons below