Standing in the Mouth of the Shark on William's Trail, Cape Spencer

William's Trail is another hiking excursion I learned about through word of mouth.  Just as another hiker I met at Sheldon's Point made sure I didn't miss Split Rock, a hiker I met there got me excited about checking out this one.  

Heading across the causeway and passing through a heavy industrial part of town to reach Redhead Road. 

OK.  Outside of the city, it is significantly more scenic.

I had all day so I rolled into Mispec Beach for a snack break.  I had a special technique for swimming there when I was 15.  The Bay of Fundy is extremely cold all year round and when you first step into the water, your feet go numb.  What I did was, I would step in and step out, wait until I could feel my feet again and then return to the water a little further and repeat the process.  Eventually, I would get acclimatized as high up as my waist and I was ready to swim for a maximum of ten minutes.  I've never spent longer than that in there. 

There was a dining hall here for events back in the 70s.  It was old then and has since rotted away.

I once ran right in and dove into that water on a dare.  Big mistake.  It took 2 hours to get my body temperature back to normal and my lips were purple the whole time.  

I was surprised to see bare foot tracks in the sand.  Surely, that sand was chilly.  I touched it and it wasn't that bad. So, I touched the water too.  It would take a much warmer day before I would even consider going in.

The woman who made those tracks told me she had been there for the annual New Year's Eve polar dip.  She wasn't crazy, just foolhardy, which I can relate to.  She swore she would never do it again.

That severe looking industrial structure on the horizon is a recent addition.

Time to move along.  This is roughly the halfway point of the ride.

Here we are at Cape Spencer at the very end of Redhead Road.

Dad knew a guy who grew in a little house here.   This old foundation is all that is left of that.

Just as I was heading on to the trail, I met a woman on her way back.  She hadn't made it very far.  She'd been to Split Rock before but thought this trail was too much for her.  Too scary.  That gave me something to think about because I'd thought Split Rock was quite rugged and some of the lookout points felt treacherous.  

Fortunately, I moved on to find out for myself, fully prepared to turn back if it felt too dicey and already half expecting that to be the case.

This is where I first began to have my own doubts.  The rope is there to help you up the steep incline but what you don't see in this picture is how close you are to the cliff on the left.  I began to have my doubts.  A man waiting with a dog on the other side of the gully for me to pass, assured me that the trail never got worse than this so I kept moving and I'm so glad I did.

Incidentally, I wiped out here on my return trip.  I was so glad to have that rope tightly gripped in my hand.

How and why is this massive truck tire here?

The views of the rocky cliffs of the Bay of Fundy are spectacular.  I would be negligent if I failed to warn people that the hazards of these trails are real.  These are strictly for use at your own risk.  If you injure yourself or find yourself in any trouble, you won't be able to find immediate help.  The entire Cape Spencer area is little else but cliffs so watch your step at all times.  Cliffs can crumble and collapse beneath your feet at any time.  Whenever possible, it is best to hike in a small group.  All risks associated with trail hiking increase for single hikers.

You are unlikely to find a cellphone signal out there.  Hiking with friends means one of the group can help you or find help more quickly.  Wild animals are also more likely to attack a single hiker than a group.  Groups make more noise and that is always a good plan in the woods.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/disappearance-missing-woman-fall-mispec-1.6651993 

Considering it was a 2 hour bike ride to get there, (it's quite remote) I saw a surprising number of hikers that day.  There were two guys ahead of me who I never saw again, the woman who turned back and four adventurous young people on vacation from Belgium.  They were travelling through the Maritime provinces and put this on their itinerary.  This new-to-me trail has a considerable and well-earned international reputation.

Sometimes it's a little mucky.

You should always be expecting cliffs on this trail but it's nice someone thought to post the sign.

Watch your head.

You have to wonder how much longer that tree at the tip of the point will stay there.  Even if the roots are strong, its own weight will eventually send it down to the rocks.

By the time you reach Milligan Brook, you have reached the highlight of the trail.  Shark Rock Beach is the only place along the trail where you have easy access to the shore.

Hmmmm.  I wonder why they call it that?

I was told you could climb the rock if you were inclined and it looks doable but it is surrounded by rocks covered in slippery seaweed.  Honestly, I wouldn't have climbed the shark anyways.  I wouldn't recommend it or do it on a dare. 

That is one giant hungry looking shark.

|This is where I turned back.  Alternatively, you can push forwards just a bit further and return by the road but I wanted to see everything again.  

I met two more couples entering the trail just as I was leaving.  Presumably they had planned to take the return by the road.  I, personally would not want to be caught in there after nightfall.

That fog bank was moving in quickly.  I wanted  to be back in the city before it landed. 

It was high tide that morning when I stopped in on Mispec.  Check out the difference at low tide!

There is actually a tiny person walking on the right side of the panorama.

I didn't quite make it back home before nightfall but at least I made it as far as city lights.

Put this trail on your bucket list if you ever visit New Brunswick.  I would do it again for sure. 

It's not the same as being there but here is my vid with highlights of the trip.