Sea Lion at Silver Islet

As legend has it, the Sea Lion of Silver Islet, also known as Nagochee, was a companion of Nanabijou -the Sleeping Giant. In the tale, Nanabijou mistakenly believes that Nagochee has betrayed him. In his anger, the giant puts a curse on the beast, turning him to rock. Each summer, scores of visitors to Silver Islet and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park make the trek to the spot where the remains of the faithful Nagochee still stands, longingly gazing out across Perry Bay on the world’s largest freshwater lake. While Sleeping Giant Provincial Park features more than 80km of trails to explore, the journey to the Sea Lion is one of the shortest and most rewarding. Located just off the popular Kabeyun Trail, the Sea Lion is a perfect destination for a family hike.  If you’re lucky, you might also run into porcupine, marten or possibly a black bear, lynx, or timber wolf. Unfortunately, the woodland caribou that once frequented the area have disappeared. The Sea Lion itself is a piece of hard diabase rock that was formed into its current shape when the softer layers of sedimentary rock surrounding it were eroded by the relentless waves of Lake Superior. The formation once looked a lot like a sea lion on its haunches, legs out in front, until the head fell off many years ago. Even without its head, it remains a sight to see, and it is a worthy destination for a little hiking adventure the next time you’re out on the Sibley peninsula.