Trail Talk 382 - September 23, 2025

On Saturday September 14^th I joined six other hikers on a hike from Benmiller to Morris Tract.  We hiked from 9 am to 10:30 which was too early to see butterflies, especially when most of this section of trail is under trees.  What we did see was quite a variety of fungi. These included artist’s bracket, orange mycena and chicken of the woods. This is according to iNaturalist as I am no expert on fungi.   

 From September 21^st to 28^th is the CWF (Canadian Wildlife Federation) Great Canadian Bioblitz.  I noticed that between Clinton and Mitchell, except for Hullett, there are very few observations on iNaturalist.  After photographing a monarch at Seaforth’s Lions Park, I checked on iNaturalist and discovered that I am the only person recording a monarch between Clinton and Mitchell.  My three Observations were one near Front Road in 2021, a monarch caterpillar near St Columban in 2022 and my Seaforth observation.   I encourage you to photograph nature and post the observation on Naturalist especially in this zone.

Last year our biggest apple tree did not have a single apple, but this year it has a bumper crop.  We ended up with far more apples than we can use.  We don’t know the variety but they make good apple sauce and apple pies, and are good for eating but are not the sweetest apple variety. Our local eastern cottontails like them better than our neighbors’ apples and one helped itself to one from our apple bucket.

You may notice that the volunteer trail maintenance crew and Trail Rangers have done a great job, so the Maitland Trail is in great shape for the September 20^th and 21^st Maitland Camino.

The Menesetung Bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich is now closed to pedestrians and cyclists until an expected completion date in November.

The Maitland Trail entrance at 80918 Sharpes Creek Line is now closed due to gravel pit work.

September 26-28^th Hike Ontario is having its annual Summit. This year sponsored by the Elgin Trail Hiking club which like the Maitland and Avon Trail is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary.  For details contact pcapper99@gmail.com

Saturday September  27^th 11 am Join the monthly Mindfulness Walk starting at the Millennium Trail entrance on Nelson Street. For details contact Tanya Macintyre at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636.

Sunday September 28^th 10am -12:30 Cycling Auburn to Blyth and return - enjoy the tunnel under Hwy 25 and enjoy a break in Blyth before returning to Auburn. Please bring a bicycle in good working order, a helmet and water. Meet at the end of Hardwood Line in Auburn. For car shuttle arrangements and to confirm your attendance, please contact Sally Brodie at 226-378-1648. This is a Level 1 moderate paced bike ride, approximately 2 hours.

Saturday October 4th at 10 am Join the Tom Sinclair Crossing Memorial Ride organized by the G2G Rail Trail, a ride designed to raise awareness of the missing bridge and raise funds for the Menesetung Bridge.

There are two starting points – McGaw Road heading east and Auburn Road heading west.

To join the team departing from Auburn, register at: https://e2e.g2grailtrail.com/.../t-sinclair-crossing...

To join the team departing from McGaw Road, please register at:https://e2e.g2grailtrail.com/.../tom-sinclair-crossing...

Saturday, October 11, 9am-10:30am Hullet Sugar Bush. Meet at 80602 Wildlife Line and hike the Hullett Sugar Bush Trails for about 1.5 hours. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. This is a level 1 moderate fast pace hike.

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 MTA website (see Tuesday Trompers under Events tab)

Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.