In today’s post, Fushimi Lake Provincial Park’s Discovery Guide Marcos Mendez shares his passion for hiking. He hopes you’ll take the time to notice the little things along the trail.
Those who know me now might be surprised to know that I wasn’t always into hiking.
As a kid, I can remember racing my family to the lookout because I figured the hike was just the boring filler before that once-in-a-lifetime view.
Nowadays, instead of racing to the end, I hold up my family and friends by constantly stopping to gaze around.
Approaching the hike less as checking something off a to-do list and more as letting the forest take me on a journey has brought me closer to the world and helped me find a new love for hiking.
The Fire Tower Trail
Here at Fushimi Lake, we have two hiking trails.
The one I set out to explore is our Fire Tower Trail. It’s a strenuous 7 km hike that can be completed in 2 hours.
The trail’s main attraction is the 1930s Bannerman Fire Tower and cabin.
This trail transports you back to the 1930s, following the footsteps of the towerperson on his way to watch the horizon for forest fires from May through September.
Fire towers such as the one found at Fushimi Lake were built across northern Ontario in the first half of the twentieth century.
These towers were often only accessible by canoe or floatplane, so the towerperson grew his own food and obtained drinking water from nearby springs.
Towermen climbed these towers every morning, recording weather conditions and looking for the smoke that might indicate a dangerous forest fire.
Their job was vital as they protected not only timber resources, but also the northern communities that dotted the landscape.
Such a remote area is also the perfect habitat for diverse flora and fauna.
The Ruffed Grouse is a frequent visitor, while the Canada Lynx is more elusive and only occasionally spotted in the area.
Painting pictures
As I set out on the hike filled with excitement, I was immediately struck by the brilliant visuals of the forest.
Beard Lichen showed the age of the wise old trees and alien Morel Mushrooms were its children, growing from their ancestors.
The scenery was all brought together by blooming flowers and colourful mushrooms on fallen trees, which dotted the forest floor with bright whites and oranges, like an impressionist Seurat painting.
Songs of the forest
About an hour into the hike, it started to rain. As a kid, I would have thrown a fit about my wet and muddy socks, yet now I couldn’t help but stand there in awe of how the rain transformed the forest around me.
The rain drops glistened off trilliums, bringing life to the sprouting flowers. Then all of a sudden, the forest erupted into song.
Rain splashing in the lake was a metronome setting the pace. The toads croaked and birds chirped like trumpets and violins, while the squirrels danced and squeaked along.
As I stared off across the lake along the trail towards the lone island, I discovered a certain peace in all the chaos.
The harmony of the forest’s symphony, the trees blowing in unison, and the crashing waves calmed by the shorelines – everything was moving in harmony and perfectly balanced, with me as a spectator.
Stories of old
Reaching the fire tower, I imagined the old, abandoned cabin telling me stories about its owner through its creeping vines.
I imagined the Osprey circling above as the towerperson surveys the forest for fires.
After a while, I checked the time.
To my surprise, three hours had passed and I was only halfway done with the hike.
While “Little Me” would have been asking for a piggyback home so I could nap, I couldn’t wait to take in the art of the forest all over again.
Go slow
As you set out for your next hike, be it this trail, the Nanabosho Lookout Trail at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, or the Barron Canyon Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park, take your time.
Don’t rush for that picture perfect view.
Let your wonder run free because you never know what you’ll see.
Planning a hike?
If you’re excited by hiking and want to experience the Fire Tower Trail for yourself, come visit Fushimi Lake, located 30 minutes west of Hearst.
Remember, it’s always important (especially for strenuous hikes like our Fire Tower Trail) to be well-prepared and plan before your hikes.
Make sure to refresh your hiking safety knowledge before you go!
Not a hiker?
If hiking isn’t your thing, check out our Discovery programming to explore the lush boreal forest with a Discovery guide.
Or if you’re an angler, the park is located on stunning Fushimi Lake, which is filled with delicious Walleye, Yellow Perch, and huge Northern Pike!
