Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Part 3: Pinguisibi (Sand River) Trail
The Pinguisibi Trail is a 6 kilometer hike along the Sand River that begins where it empties into Lake Superior and ends upriver of all the major cascades. The trail begins with a fantastic waterfall rushing towards the river mouth and continues to impress for its length; the sheer volume of water rushing over the pillow basalt and gneiss river bed were stunning, and the forested banks lovely. In addition to the views along the way, the exposed rock just above the level of the rushing water allowed for some fun climbing opportunities, access to nearly the middle of the flow, and multiple vistas up- and downriver that couldn’t otherwise be seen.
We began the hike covered in what we designated our bug outfits – outer layers drenched in mosquito repellent and face nets to keep off the black flies – but as the sun began to emerge near late morning the bugs abated enough to remove our nets. The entire hike was incredibly scenic as I mentioned, and ended up being one of my favorite of our Lake Superior Circle Tour due to the dozen plus waterfalls, open pine forest, and basalt boulders that littered the river.
Near the trailhead, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
A bug-netted Tom and Abby looking at Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
It’s only fair if I include a photo of me rocking the bug net, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Looking downriver, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
The bug nets come off on the return, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Upriver of the waterfalls, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Me near the trailhead, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Looking at mouth of the Sand River, Pinguisibi Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
