The day I met a bear on the Wright's Lake Trail

At the end of August, I was cooking for 50 people at Camp Manitou, the last family camp for 2015. Cooking for this very appreciative collection of people in the gorgeous setting of the North Channel is very rewarding.

After two days of rain, it was lovely to get out for a walk in the woods during the four-hour break between meals. 

My destination was Wrights Lake, three kilometres to the west. The forest starts out with towering white pines and hemlock. Then smaller cedar, some spruce, birch and beech. After that come the maples and oak trees. Daydreaming as I walked, I caught a glimpse of something black deep in the woods to my left.

Of course it was a bear, looking at me. He made no sound at all, and I might not have seen him but for the movement of his head when I stopped to look. We looked at each other for a few minutes, trying to figure out what the other would do. Wouldn’t it be great to see him even closer? He was a small bear, just a year or two old. He certainly seemed to be cautious of me.

Finally, I decided to check him out, to let him know that people are not his friends. I raised my hands high and yelled out, “BOO!” And this wild bear in the forest did just what he’s supposed to do. He looked up for a sec, then turned away. He didn’t go far though. His curiosity kept him looking at me. Even so, his steps took him father away until he got lost in the woods.

The trail to Wrights Lake is not particularly well marked, so there were a few decision points where other trails cross. I had no map, but I had a general idea which direction to go because I had been there before, even if it was 20 years ago. It was a little disconcerting when I came to a fork on the path that did have a sign — “Wrights Lake Trail” it said, with arrows pointing in both directions. Probably the left turn went to the big water of the North Shore. So I went right. Correctly, it turned out.

Wrights Lake is beautifully tucked into the LaCloche Mountains. Steep white walls of quartzite reflected in the clear blue water. Pine and cedar trees hug the shore. A long pebbly beach spread out at my feet and a canoe with three paddles begged me to explore the lake.

I checked my watch and had plenty of time. Like all Northern Ontario lakes, this one is a gem. I paddled around to the far shore and clambered over one of the quartzite outcrops. The sun did not come out, but I dove into the cool clear water anyway. It has been a glorious summer for swimming. When it was time to go, I paddled back to the shallow beach, parked the canoe, and headed back to camp.

I briskly walked along the wide trail, enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of the forest all around. When I slipped on the oak leaves going down a steep hill, I rested there on the ground for a while, looking up at the canopy of oaks. A gentle breeze nudged at the leaves. The grey clouds thinned and tiny bits of blue shone through. 

Dreams for summer to go on for weeks to come.

Viki Mather has been commenting for Northern Life on the natural world and life in Greater Sudbury since the spring of 1984.