Twenty-eight outdoor associations and trail associations belong to Hike Ontario. If you belong to the Maitland Trail Association or the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, you automatically belong to Hike Ontario. Representatives of most organizations meet several times a year to exchange ideas and concerns. Hike Ontario negotiates group insurances rates which most associations find to be the most cost-effective way to cover their liabilities. Hike Ontario also organizes courses to train hike leaders. This year is their Golden Anniversary and hikers who have completed 50 hikes during the year can submit a list along with $15 to receive a Gold Hike Badge.
It is left up to the individual as to what constitutes a hike. I decided that as I hike every day with few exceptions, and hike twice a day when dog sitting, that I would aim for 500 hikes at 50 different locations for at least 30 minutes. On Wednesday November 13th I reached this goal. My longest hike was the first day of the Camino Maitland on September 21 when 30 km took me 5 ¼ hours. My shortest hike was on June 20th on the Taylor Tract when the mosquitoes were so bad I hiked very fast at just under 30 minutes. I prefer not driving a long distance for a hike, so my most used trails are the ones at Front Road, the Maitland Trail at Sharpes Creek Line, the Hullett Sugar Bush trails and the Clinton Conservation area trails. Nearly all my hikes were in or near Huron County, except for two in Sault Ste Marie, seven on the Bruce Trail near St Catherines and one on the Bruce Trail from Hope Bay to Rush Cove on the Bruce Peninsula.
During deer hunting, when many trails are closed, I often enjoy hiking at Bannockburn Tract. This year, improvements have been made by putting wood chips down on part of the trail, and patching potholes in the access road to the parking area. One unique feature of the trail is the old wooden culvert, which can be viewed from the bridge.
Despite some rain, the trails have remained remarkably dry, and has resulted in very few fungi, which is unusual for this time of year, however I did see one very small one on the trail. As late as November 13, I’ve seen one butterfly (my 2782nd observation) which might well be my last one for 2024.
I found an interesting article about leaving leaves in your yard, which amplifies the benefits mentioned by Betty Hendricks in the November 7th Focus. Dr Max Ferlauto, Maryland State entomologist, proved the benefits of leaving leaves in his study of 20 pesticide free yards. Where raked, he added leaves and where normally left he raked leaves and compared to control plots. In both cases with no leaves the result was far fewer emerging moths and butterflies and other insects in the spring.
Notes
Monday November 18th and Tuesday November 19th 8a.m. to 5p.m. the Sifto trail will be closed for tree cutting.
Monday December 2nd to Sunday December 8th the Maitland Trail is closed due to deer gun hunting.
Saturday November 30th 10 to 11.30 a.m. Mindfulness Walk. This is a meditative walk on the trail – pause and explore mindfulness techniques, walking meditation and forest therapy. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya MacIntyre at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519 616-3636. This is a level 1, slow pace, 1 1/2 hour walk.
Thursday December 26th 1 p.m-2.30 p.m. A Boxing Day hike or snowshoe on the Hullett Sugar Bush trails. Meet at 80602 Wildlife Line. To confirm your attendance email Patrick at pcapper99@gmail.com
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, complete the form on the Maitland Trail Website (Go to Events/Tuesday Trompers)
Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.
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