Loop? Scattered showers?

To me, the definition of a loop in relation to hiking, means starting and finishing at the same spot. And “scattered showers” is different both quantitatively and qualitatively from “torrential downpour.” We were prepared for scattered showers. We were anticipating scattered showers. Furthermore, we were anticipating an actual loop, not for the 9.3 “loop” to end 3.2 km from our car. I’m generally a glass half-full kind of person, and most of the time any hike is worth it, but this hike? Not so much. I truly wouldn’t want to repeat this hike. And I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that!

The hike began well enough, and happily we did get to a lovely vantage point before the rains came. The Laurentians are beautiful old mountains, rounded by time, and make me feel so at home. Other mountains, with their sharp craggy peaks and astonishing heights are almost frightening in their awesomeness. But the Laurentians embrace you into their rolling beauty, and look especially inspiring when they fade through tints of blue and green as they recede into the atmosphere.

Had we known the full length of the hike, we probably would have turned around when the rain started getting heavy, but at that point, we thought we were past the halfway point. And I’m never keen to double-back. Oh hindsight, you’re always so after the fact... Not helpful. Sadly, the remaining viewpoints were obscured, and our moods were sufficiently dampened into that head down, push on mode of hiking. No views to savour, let’s just keep moving.

As the signposts counted down the kilometres, I had a sinking (no pun intended) feeling that we were not getting nearer to the car. My suspicions were confirmed, and we found ourselves deposited at a trailhead in a campground with poor signage. But we found our way out of here, and through a parking lot to what we figured was the main road, and headed back the unknown distance to the car. This was the worst, most unforgiving stretch of all, and the wide, straight road gave unfettered access for the driving rain to pelt us. Interestingly (?) the heavy rains seemed more effective than the rinse cycle on my washing machine, because our pants were foaming suds at the knees. This odd little observation distracted me enough from the near torturous cold, chilling, unfortunate weather, until we got back to the car, and the waiting change of clothes. Not the best hike to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary!