Hiking with Friends Spring 2026 Series #3
Peninsula Section
Lion's Head to Crane Lake
June 9 to June 11
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June 8
Dinner for those who arrived in Lion's Head the day before; Hungry Hiker, Ferndale. Limited menu, okay food. Friendly and cheerful service.
From left, Josie (photo), Renu, Annette, Catherine, Donna, Doug, Marion, Barbara, Maria, Frank
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June 9 - Crane Lake Road - Lindsay Road 40 intersection to Dyer's Bay.
Some of us drove up to Lion's Head this morning. To allow for their travel time, we started the series with this hike. It was the shortest and easiest which allowed us to get back to the hotel in time for a shower, nap and happy-hour get-together before going to dinner!
Crane Lake Road is closed to vehicles from its intersection with Lindsay Road 40. But you can still hike on it. To make up the original hike distance (so that our hikers can qualify for an end-to-end certificate) we hiked 2.1 km in towards Crane Lake and then retraced our steps to Lindsay Road 40 before heading to Dyer's Bay.
Rain was forecast for later in the day. In the event, it started after the hike, just as we arrived at Cindy Lou's in Lion's Head for ice-cream.
12 of us hiked. From left to right, Ivan (photos), Faryde (photos), Renu, Donna, Catherine, Annette, Josie (photos), Diane, Doug (HC & photos), Barbara, Marion, Frank.
Off we go to towards Crane Lake ... and back again.
Heading east on Lindsay Road 40
Into the bush (Juniper Flats) and lunch ...
On to the escarpment edge and Dyer's Bay ..
Dinner at Bear Tracks Inn & Restaurant, Ferndale. Larger menu, more choice. Okay food. Good service.
June 10 - Lion's Head to Carter Road.
We hiked north directly from the Lion's Head Beach Motel and Cottages. Easy going on road for the first 4km, then it got harder. Lots of rock-hopping, nothing too technical but tiring.
It was misty as we started. Rain was forecast and ponchos were deployed. In the event, we had no rain but it stayed misty for a while. The sun broke out eventually.
The Motel has new owners who have spent money on needed upgrades. Unfortunately, there are operational problems - the lovely new showers leak, dishes are dirty, coffee makers don't work. However, this is the only game in town!
11 of us hiked. Unfortunately, the hike yesterday injured Marion's left leg. She went home. From left to right, Ivan (photos), Donna, Doug (HC and photos), Catherine, Josie (photos), Annette, Frank, Faryde (photos), Renu, Barbara, Diane.
Off we go, full of beans, around the harbour towards Chetwynd Lane and Isthmus Bay Road.
The Williams Cave Side Trail was open! (There is a misleading Trail Notice advising that the Bannister's Hill Side Trail is closed.)
The amazing driftwood bench at the start of Chetwynd Lane.
On to Isthmus Bay Road. Check out the riding lawn mower!
Into bush, meadows and the escarpment top.
I (Doug) misread the BTC Trail Guide and anticipated lunch on the boulder beach which is actually a long way north - beyond Smokey Head. The team revolted and took the side trail to Reed's Dump for elevensies.
Back into the bush.
North of Smokey Head, finally on the elusive 700 metres of boulder-beach just before reaching our cars at the south-end of Carter Road.
Dinner at The Taste Kitchen, Lion's Head. Cozy place, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Good menu, good service, decent food.
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June 11 - Carter Road to Dyer's Bay.
We made an early start, meeting at Dyer's Bay by 8:00am, so that we could finish early for the drive home. As is distressingly usual, I (Doug) blundered and led the start-shuttlers to the wrong place! By the time we arrived at the right place (Carter Road) we had used up our early start.
The first part of the hike, to the Maplecross Nature Reserve (owned by the BTC) and the sadly decaying former estate at Cape Chin, was fairly easy. It was a lovely day, full sun but not oppressively hot. There was no rain.
From Cape Chin north, the going got harder, with the last 4 kilometres feeling endless. Constant ups and downs of a few metres on the escarpment edge. All compensated by outstanding views.
The same 11 hikers as yesterday, from left to right, Faryde (photos), Barbara, Renu, Doug (HC), Diane, Donne, Annette (photos), Catherine (photos), Josie (photos), Ivan (photos), Frank.
Off we go, through the woods to start, but reaching the escarpment edge at Cape Chin. Mostly easy going.
Continuing along the escarpment, Renu pretending to be the thing-from-the-void, lunch.
Daredevils.
Devil's Monument.
Some of us getting silly.
Almost at the end - Michiganders Arch, close to Dyer's Bay. (Michigander is apparently what most people from Michigan call themselves. Who knew? According to Trip Advisor, the name of the arch honours Michigan tourists. Really?)
And that's all she wrote. We reached Dyer's Bay Parking and our cars, packed up, and went home. A lovely three days!
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