At the top of the Appalachians: A story of a hike to Mont Sugar Loaf!

When the first rays of sun broke through my bedroom window that morning, I knew it was going to be a promising day. It was a Friday in March, the kind of day when winter seems to be desperately clinging on to its last breaths, but spring is timidly beginning to make its way. With a gleam of excitement in my eyes, I joined my adventure partner in l’Islet, the starting point of our journey through the Parc des Appalaches.

A cosy little chalet

Our destination: Micro-Chalets des Appalaches. Despite the biting winds, the warm welcome of our cosy little cottage was already waiting for us, warmed by a crackling log in the fireplace. Equipped with two double bunk mattresses and all the essentials, our wooden cabin with its cathedral ceiling would be our cocoon for the next few days. After a short respite, we decided to seize the opportunity offered by the glorious sunshine to embark on our adventure: the summit of Mont Sugar Loaf (link in french).

Breathtaking views

As soon as we set off along the trail, the reality of winter weather hit home. The frozen ground and patches of ice made for cautious walking, and crampons were a must. The trail was beautifully maintained and offered breathtaking views. Viewpoints with steps and footbridges in harmony with nature allowed us to savour every moment.

When the summit finally revealed itself through the trees, bathed in the golden light of twilight and enveloping the landscape, our amazement was unparalleled, matched only by the beauty of the landscape stretching out before us.

A well-deserved break at the summit

At an altitude of 650 meters, the summit of Mont Sugar Loaf offered us a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, a well-deserved reward for our efforts. It was here, at the top of this bare rock, that we decided to take a well-deserved break. My friend had even planned ahead. She slipped into her rucksack the ingredients for a delicious, spicy and comforting Chai latte. We sipped it as we gazed out over the landscape, where the treetops mingled with the horizon stretching as far as the eye could see.

After savouring every sip of this moment of pure happiness, we carefully packed up our equipment, making sure not to leave any trace of our passage behind us. At dusk, we began our descent, our headlamps guiding our steps in the darkness. Night fell quickly and the sky was transformed into a cloak of twinkling stars. What a feeling of freedom and deep satisfaction when we returned to the comforting warmth of our chalet.

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Parc Des Appalaches Sugar Loaf Pascale Anctil 86
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Pascale Anctil

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Parc Des Appalaches Sugar Loaf Pascale Anctil 120
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Pascale Anctil

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Parc Des Appalaches X Pascale Anctil 88
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Pascale Anctil

An extraordinary day

That night, lulled by the crackling of the wood fire and the whisper of the wind in the trees, I closed my eyes, letting my mind wander to the memories of that extraordinary day. Dream or reality, it didn’t matter, the adventure was engraved in my memory.

Thanks to my adventure partner Laura Duval.

Photos: Pascale Anctil – @pascaleanctil