Franey – A Fitness Hike with Poles and Smart Wool Socks
Lady Slipper on Franey Hiking Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
It has been foggy this past weekend with drizzle so I decided to do a fitness hike and get some exercise in on one of my favorite trails – Franey in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I took out my nordic walking poles, put my smart wool socks on – a different type this time – trekking heavy (cushion) crew socks. It was a warm and muggy day…so I took lots of water….and off I went.
The poles were a great help going up Franey and down and the new trekking heavy socks worked very well.. I took a few pics on the hike but what caught my eye were the Lady Slippers…however they seemed to be on their way out… I learned a valuable lesson on this hike – don’t wear cotton t-shirt on a hot and muggy day….I was soaked… a good base layer for example – merino wool, or polyster, keeps the dampness from against the skin… Not sure if it would of have kept the mosquitos away …They attacked me on the way down… but on the bright side, I did hike Franey in 2 hours….one of my best times yet and one of the benefits of a fitness hike.
Franey is one of the hikes featured in the 2009 Hike the Highlands Festival, September 11-20, 2009. It well known for its elevation and incredible views of the Clyburn Valley, South & North Bay & Middlehead. It is a classic hike with some of the best views of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park at the top.