Hopewell Rocks

Hopewell Rocks is a good place to experience the tides of the Bay of Fundy.  Also known as Flowerpot Rocks, the base of the rocks are covered twice a day at high tide.  At low tide you can view and explore the rocks from ground level.

Our original plan was to see and walk around the rocks at low tide on Saturday, going back on Sunday to see them at high tide.  However, we realized earlier in the day that if we wanted to fit in everything we hoped to see and do, we were going to have to combine outings in some way in order to lessen drive times.  It seemed to take between 45 minutes to an hour to get anywhere (that includes parking, walking to the site, etc.).  So we ditched our 2-day plan, and decided to go see the Hopewell Rocks after we finished at Cape Enrage.  The tide would not be at its highest (would, in fact, be going out), but at least we’d get some idea of the change in water level.

It’s a little bit of a hike to the overlook of the rocks, but if you don’t feel like walking, you can take the shuttle for $2.00 (Canadian).  We walked (it’s only about a 15 minute walk, all downhill on the way there), exploring some of the trails around the park.

While the tide was going out, we spent time exploring the various areas of the park and then had lunch.  By the time we finished lunch and hiked back down to the overlook, the tide was low enough that we could go down and walk around.  In order to get down to the rocks, there are stairs.

Low tide. See the people walking around? What I’m wondering is how that got that little vehicle down there.

The stairs were not so bad.  (See yesterday’s post if you don’t know why I’m going on about stairs.)  Instead of the straight and steep, they were more like switchbacks.  I find switchbacks so much easier to handle than straight and steep.

The stairs are to the left in this picture.

It was a fun and fascinating place to explore.  I did manage to get a few shots without people (there really weren’t that many of us down there), but you get a better idea of just how big those rocks are when you see people in the midst of them.

A mini version

You can walk 2k of beach at low tide.  M and I didn’t walk quite that far.

I’m not sure, but I think we walked around for nearly an hour.  I took far too many photos, most of them pretty terrible due to the time of day (not quite mid-day, although with the longer days in the Maritimes, it was probably close to that).

Some of the formations have nicknames based on their shapes.  Lover’s Arch, Dinosaur Rock, ET.  I’m not sure which is which, to be honest, as I wasn’t paying much attention at the time.  I’m not even sure I managed to get pictures of the rocks with nicknames.  I was too busy marveling at what Mother Nature has done with stone and water.

For a better look at the Bay of Fundy tides, have a look at this official time lapse video from Hopewell Rocks.  Pretty cool stuff.

Here in the Bogs, we’ve had some relief from the heat.  A cold front moved through overnight and the day has been gradually cooling and the humidity levels have dropped, making for a very pleasant afternoon.

View of the mud flats

Thanks for stopping by today.  The umbrella and chairs are set up on the deck.  I’m going out to sit and enjoy the breeze.  You’re welcome to join me.  I will take a book along, but I doubt I’ll do much reading.  I’ll probably end up watching the wind play in the trees and grasses, and listening to the birds.

Can you spot M in this picture?

Have a great weekend!

Related articles

• Cliffhanging (bogsofohio.wordpress.com)
• Dennis Beach (bogsofohio.wordpress.com)
• Greetings from New Brunswick (bogsofohio.wordpress.com)
• Cape Enrage (bogsofohio.wordpress.com)

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