We have traveled 215 miles from Penetanguishene since 7/29 on our first cruise of Georgian Bay, sampled a few beautiful anchorages and towns, and started a must-see list for future trips back here. We always thought that the Bahamas were our favorite part of our Great Circle Loop, but it has slipped to #2 now, and we still have the North Channel of Lake Huron to do. We’re finding that we prefer pines to palms; cool shady wilderness hikes to beach walks for a cruising area—that’s just us.
The North Channel is formed by the long protective arm of Manitoulin Island and the Ontario mainland at the northern extremity of Lake Huron. It is about 100 miles in length and as wide as 20 miles across. That may describe it geographically, but for many it is a cruising paradise of stunning scenery, hundreds of quiet anchorages and historic towns stretching from Killarney to Sault Ste. Marie on the north shore, and Little Current to DeTour Village on the south shore.
We left Killarney for a short 3 mile trip to Covered Portage Cove. You sneak into it through a keyhole opening by the Indian Head rock and are greeted by a shimmering pool of green water surrounded by towering bluffs of pine and white highlighted quartzite. The best part is that you can hike up the north side and get a picture of your boat floating freely, and then forge your own rock trail on top of the bluffs. Some boaters prefer to be one with the rocks and so throw out a stern anchor and tie their bow to shore.
We are indebted to the snowmobile and ATV clubs for maintaining the Portage and Summit trail on the south side—they even put in a 250 yard boardwalk leading to a deck overlooking Killarney Bay. We have enjoyed meeting sailboaters who come here every season and describe not only great sailing and scenery but a North Channel state of mind. We already feel it working its magic on us.
But beware, there is something lurking on the bottom of Covered Portage Cove amidst all this beauty. Whatever it is wrestled Bob in the lake and devoured his Crocs when we were trying to get into our dinghy. Was it just a hole of quick mud or is there something more ominous down there?
The North Channel is formed by the long protective arm of Manitoulin Island and the Ontario mainland at the northern extremity of Lake Huron. It is about 100 miles in length and as wide as 20 miles across. That may describe it geographically, but for many it is a cruising paradise of stunning scenery, hundreds of quiet anchorages and historic towns stretching from Killarney to Sault Ste. Marie on the north shore, and Little Current to DeTour Village on the south shore.
We left Killarney for a short 3 mile trip to Covered Portage Cove. You sneak into it through a keyhole opening by the Indian Head rock and are greeted by a shimmering pool of green water surrounded by towering bluffs of pine and white highlighted quartzite. The best part is that you can hike up the north side and get a picture of your boat floating freely, and then forge your own rock trail on top of the bluffs. Some boaters prefer to be one with the rocks and so throw out a stern anchor and tie their bow to shore.
We are indebted to the snowmobile and ATV clubs for maintaining the Portage and Summit trail on the south side—they even put in a 250 yard boardwalk leading to a deck overlooking Killarney Bay. We have enjoyed meeting sailboaters who come here every season and describe not only great sailing and scenery but a North Channel state of mind. We already feel it working its magic on us.
But beware, there is something lurking on the bottom of Covered Portage Cove amidst all this beauty. Whatever it is wrestled Bob in the lake and devoured his Crocs when we were trying to get into our dinghy. Was it just a hole of quick mud or is there something more ominous down there?
