Colpoy’s Bay Islands

by
Griffith Island Lighthouse
Griffith Island Lighthouse

by Doug Cunningham

Spectacular vistas await the paddler as he circumnavigates White Cloud Island in Colpoy’s Bay: majestic bluffs, blue water, forested islands and cobblestone beaches. To the north are Cape Croker’s Malcolm Bluff and King’s Point Bluff, to the south lie Skinner’s Bluff and Ester’s Bluff of the Colpoy’s Range of the Escarpment, and to the southeast, in the distance, the hills of the Meaford Tank Range and the ski hills of Blue Mountain are visible. A millionaire’s view!

Allow one day for the 14-kilometre circumnavigation of White Cloud and add an additional day if you plan to visit Hay Island or circumnavigate Griffith Island.

The principal safety feature concerns the long west-east fetch provided by Colpoy’s Bay and rapid wave buildup, particularly in the afternoon. These waters are deep and cold and the crossings are long enough (at least 2 kilometres to White Cloud and 4 kilometres to Griffith) to pose a problem for novice kayakers if the winds come up. As well, the offshore shoals which project out from the points of land bordering Kidd Bay on white Cloud Island can provide some tricky paddling conditions in winds and waves. Get an accurate weather forecast before starting out and wear appropriate cold water immersion clothing.

The best time to make this trip is May through September. There is little cottage development except between Cameron Point and at Big Bay. Boat traffic is not a major problem in this area. Make sure that if you cross to the mainland at dusk that you have deck lighting so any boats in the area can see you.

One can start and finish the trip either at the Colpoy’s Lookout Conservation Area near Cameron Point or at the Big Bay government dock. Parking is available at both locations.

Colpoy's Bay Islands
Colpoy’s Bay Islands
  1. Cedar Hill Park and Big Bay: Departure and finish points, parking. The Big Bay Store serves great homemade ice cream.
  2. Kidd Bay: Kidd Bay Dock is a government dock which has been enhanced by the Georgian Yacht Club out of Owen Sound. They have placed two picnic tables on the breakwater and maintain two privies just behind the cedar edge.
  3. Schoolhouse: A narrow roadway leads east from the dock and within a short distance (0.2 km) splits in two. The right-hand trail continues up the escarpment while the left side continues past a magnificent barn, a grassed airstrip, and stops at a summer cottage. The left-hand trail, slightly overgrown with poison ivy, passes the overgrown remains of an early 1900s barn and just past this, on the left is the shell of the old schoolhouse, built in the 1920s. It has since been vandalized by people looking for the supposed stash of Soper’s moonshine, which was rumored to lie buried under the floorboards.
  4. Log Cabin: Ann Burton’s log cabin is open to visitors. It is stocked with food, accommodations, and a first aid kit, all meant to assist stranded boaters in the case of inclement weather. Honour this fine lady’s generosity and hospitality by leaving the property as good or better than you found it.
  5. Fishing: Recreational fishing is an important Colpoy’s Bay activity, rainbow trout in the spring and pink salmon in the summer. An area with good prospects for anglers is the water between the north point of White Cloud and the south point of Hay Island.
  6. Wild Boar: If wind and waves are suitable, the 2 kilometre crossing to Hay Island is worthwhile. This island has significant forested escarpment margins that front on narrow cobble beaches. It has been rumored that the island is home to wild boar. The circumnavigation of this island provides changing vistas of the Georgian Bay and the adjacent lands of Cape Croker.
  7. Ghost Ship: On the evening of November 25,1881 the Jane Miller departed from the dock at Big Bay and was soon engulfed in a blinding snowstorm. The steamer was last sighted between Cameron Point and White Cloud Island trying to make headway before the storm. The steamer was lost somewhere in the waters between White Cloud, Hay, and Griffith Islands where the Bruce Peninsula meets the depths of Georgian Bay. Twenty-eight lives were lost in this tragedy. It is said that during the nighttime in November, people on any one of these islands can hear the cries and wails of the victims.
  8. Private Game Reserve: Griffith Island is privately owned and provides recreation activities for a limited membership. The island sports a lighthouse, a grass strip aircraft runway, a towered shooting range where skeet/clay pigeon are targeted, and is liberally stocked with game birds such as pheasant for the hunting enjoyment of club members. Entry is restricted except in the case of emergency.
  9. Imperial Tower: Griffith Island is home to one of the six Imperial Lighthouse Towers built on the Great Lakes between 1855 and 1859. The 17 metre tower still remains but the lighthouse keeper’s house has been ruined by vandals.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Map: 1:50,000 White Cloud Island (41 A/15)

This is one in a series of trip descriptions collected by the Georgian Bay Committee for a paddling guide to the Bay.


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GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.