Summer, 1997: Five Walks

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July 2 Jollimore - Colpitts Lake - Granite Ridge between Colpitts Lake and Flat Lake

Proceeding from the Jollimore under grey skies, we arrive at a spot about half way along the eastern shore of Colpitts Lake, where there are irises growing by the lake. Continuing along the shore, we reach the southern end of the lake and enjoy the view up the length of the lake. Then we climb on to the granite ridge that lies between Colpitts Lake and Flat Lake. From the summit we have a delightful view of Purcell's Pond, though the sea beyond is concealed by mist.

July 7 Spryfield - McIntosh Run - Granite Ridge near York Redoubt

Today it is sunny and hot, and the McIntosh Run is resplendent under blue skies. We are walking south along its banks, having started in Spryfield. Generally the McIntosh Run flows calmly, but there are small rapids at a point where the rock severely constricts the flow. A striking white pine grows here. A short distance from the banks jack pines can be found growing on the granite. We leave the McIntosh Run and head towards the Purcell's Cove Road. A lily pond is found just before the road. Then we climb on to the granite ridge near York Redoubt, and are rewarded with views towards Herring Cove and Halifax Harbour, as well as Spryfield.

July 9 Spryfield - Granite Plateau - Colpitts Lake - Purcell's Cove - Williams Lake - Spryfield

Starting in Spryfield, we cross the McIntosh Run and ascend to the Granite Plateau. Continuing towards Colpitts Lake, at the edge of the plateau we suddenly have a view across the lake of the Halifax skyline. We descend to the lake, and walk along the western shore to the southern end. From there we go through a large bog with tamaracks towards Purcell's Cove. Particularly beautiful are the grass pink orchids which grow in the bog. We take a closer look at them. On reaching the Purcell's Cove Road we walk back towards Spryfield along the south side of Williams Lake. At the western end of the lake we pass these islands shortly before reaching Spryfield.

August 27 Spryfield - Colpitts Lake - Granite Ridge between Colpitts Lake and Flat Lake - Colpitts Lake - Spryfield

Under cloudy skies we walk from Spryfield to the northern end of Colpitts Lake, and then along its western shore. The forest reaches to the shores, but in many places a variety of interesting plants find room to grow on the rocky shores, between the trees and the water. It is a little misty when we reach the southern end of the lake, where there are ferns growing among the trees. We ascend the granite ridge that lies between Colpitts Lake and Flat Lake. The view is clear, and we see both Halifax Harbour and Purcell's Pond, not just Purcell's Pond as we had on July 2. Returning to Colpitts Lake, we proceed along its eastern shore, where we find both deciduous and coniferous trees, and a beautiful maple wood. Having reached the northern end of the lake once more, we return to Spryfield. Just before the Herring Cove Road meets the Purcell's Cove Road, we have a good view of Melville Cove, with the Northwest Arm and the Halifax peninsula in the background.

September 6 Spryfield - Colpitts Lake - Granite Plateau - Flat Lake - Duck Pond - McIntosh Run - Spryfield

Starting in Spryfield, we go up on to the granite ridge that lies between Williams Lake and the Herring Cove Road. We pass through a thick deciduous wood as we descend steeply to the stream linking Colpitts Lake and Williams Lake. Then we proceed to the northern end of Colpitts Lake, along the western shore of the lake and up on to the granite plateau, where we have a view of the granite ridge between Colpitts Lake and Flat Lake. We descend from the plateau and head towards Flat Lake. This black moss is growing on the granite slope that flanks the eastern side of the lake. Continuing through a maple wood we emerge at Duck Pond. From its marshy shores we can glimpse the ridge that lies between Duck Pond and West Pine Island Pond. Proceeding along the stream that flows out of Duck Pond, we see goldenrod growing on a grassy patch near the stream. We pass a beaver lodge on our way to the McIntosh Run, which looks particularly beautiful in the late afternoon sun, as we walk back along it to Spryfield.

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