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Split Rock Rapids Lookout and trail sign

The two RV Gypsies
hiked Split Rock Trail
at Lake Nipigon Basin
Ontario, Canada
June 26, 2013

This trail was recommended to the two RV Gypsies at the Nipigon Welcome Center, but it was very hard to find. The photo below shows how far away the sign for the trail is from the road.

View of the sign 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.

The Split Rock Trail Sign
Lake Nipigon Basin sign about wildlife

Karen Duquette took a picture of Lee Duquette coming up the hill and Lee took a picture of Karen at the top of the hill.

Lee Duquette coming up the hill
Karen at the top of the hill

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

Looking back down the hill at the truck of the two RV Gypsies.

The two RV Gypsies started the hike on the narrow trail that was not well maintained, but was easy at this beginning point.

start of the trail at Split Rock
Karen Duquette hiking the Split Rock trail in Ontario

The two RV Gypsies 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.

Lady Slippers
Lady Slippers
Karen Duquette on the Split Rock Hiking trail in Nipigon
Karen Duquette on the Split Rock Hiking trail in Nipigon
Karen Duquette on the Split Rock Hiking trail in Nipigon

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

Brittle stuff
a big mushroom

Part of the trail consisted of stepping on logs to avoid the mud. The trail was not maintained well, and the bushes were overflowing onto the trail.

logs on the trail

Oh my! Now the trail required using ropes to get down. Recently the two RV Gypsies 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.

a rope to aid hikers down the steep path
Lee Duquette gives the rope a try

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

Lee Duquette discovered that it was a lot easier to go down backwards
Lee discovered that it was a lot easier to go down backwards

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

The rope, tree stumps, and nasty trail
The rope, tree stumps, and nasty trail
the rope ends at these rocks

After a couple more areas going downhill with ropes, the two RV Gypsies looked down and saw a "rope section" that was just way too steep and dangerous. And the brief glimpse they got of the river below told them that there would be even more rope areas that are meant for only serious, experienced hikers. So 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 the two RV Gypsies have 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.

panorama with a peek at the river

Lee Duquette was disappointed so he took a rest and relaxed while enjoying the scenery before heading back to the beginning of the trail.

The rocks before the trail gets super steep.
Lee takes a rest

Now it was time for the two RV Gypsies to climb back up the trail and go back to the car without ever getting to the river. These areas were much steeper then they appear in the photos, and common sense told the two RV Gypsies that it was time to turn around.

the rope to help the two RV Gypsies get back up the hill

Now that the two RV Gypsies were back on the easy part of the trail, Lee decided ---- well, who the heck knows what he was thinking, but he sure made Karen laugh. A nice way to end the hike, even though the two RV Gypsies did not get to the finish line.

laughing dudeLee Duquette being fun and silly
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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

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go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesAFTER 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