Living up to its name – entrance to the wilderness – Nopiming Provincial Park serves as a transition between the settled country to the south and the trackless wilderness to the north. A mix of civilization and nature, the park has several lodges and cottages on its southern end. It permits logging and mining in some areas, but most of the land is development free, a home to wolves, bears, and lynx.

Nopiming is classic shield country: ancient rock mixed with boreal forest and bodies of water. For a closer look, hike the Ancient Mountains Trail, just off Rte. 314, east of Tooth Lake. This moderately difficult round-trip walk passes through an area swept by a 1983 fire that exposed the bedrock. Use the brochure as you examine light gray and brown layers of sedimentary rock and white pegmatite, flecked with pink feldspar, black tourmaline, and other crystals.

You will see dead trees that are still standing. These charred skeletons are essential to life here. Insects prosper in snags and other wildlife, such as three-toed woodpeckers, in turn jackhammer into the snags and feed on the insects. Tall snags also make good nesting sites and perches for birds such as northern hawk owls.