After a long break from hiking, I’m back on the trails. I did this trail on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, October 13th, 2008 along with my girlfriend Melanie and my daughters dog, Sierra.
Finger Point Lookout trail is located south of Thunder Bay on Highway 61 at the US border, in the Pigeon River Provincial Park. You access the trail from the east side of the parking lot at the Ontario government tourism office. When the office is open you can pick up a map of the park. Follow the boardwalk to where the trail heads left. Although not very wide, the trail is easy to follow as it heads to the intersection of the High Falls trail. Keep right and you can’t miss the Finger Point signs.
You get a chance to walk to the waters edge here and you can see the “lookout” in the distance to the east north east. So once you’ve had a look at the driftwood, and probably let your dog wade in the water, head up the trail to the lookout.
A view from Pigeon Bay of the lookout.
It’s about 2.5 kilometers one way from the parking lot to the lookout. The first kilometer and a half is fairly easy with minimal up and downs. However, once you get to the base of the lookout, you have a few steep climbs ahead of you. But the trail is very good and easy to follow. There are natural steps created by both rocks and tree roots that help you along. And once you reach the top, you will be amply rewarded with a view as spectacular as you have seen in these parts. This is a trail with a high “wow” factor.
On top you will find two veiwing areas separated by a small gully. Make sure you head over to the far one as that is where the bench and artwork is found. This is a pleasant surprise as you are not expecting to see such creativity in the middle of nowhere.
Enjoy your stay on the lookout and then head back down the trail. But be careful on the way down. Sometimes your legs can get going faster than you like on some of the downslopes. Hiking down a hill can often be as dangerous as hiking up.
Remember to take your garbage out with you. We found the trail and lookout very clean and hope that it remains that way. And don’t forget to clean up after your dog as well.
Great site!!! I really need to do more outdoor stuff. I actually went hiking in the south of France near Biarritz, and when I was driving to the mountain my tire went flat and I had no idea how to change it. A helpful stranger gave me a hand but I think everyone should know how to change a tire especially if you are going on a long trip somewhere. I found this video a couple of months ago that explains how to change a tire but I wish I had had watched before http://www.howcast.com/videos/114840-How-To-Change-a-Flat-Tire
This trail is a very pleasant surprise. For us Americans, it’s RIGHT after crossing the border, when we’re thinking about finding Coffee Crisps and a good shoreline sauna.
I’m glad that you enjoyed our trail. For me, the shore of Superior is fabulous no matter which side of the border I’m on. And you guys certainly have the better views from the highway. I don’t know why our roads are so far inland. And it sounds like you have a bit of a sweet tooth, but who can pass up a Coffee Crisp!
hiking in New Zealand last year I saw a lot of similar scenery to this, just AMAZING. Great pics and blog.
I’ll wave hello to you from the other side next time 🙂