TRAIL TALK 395R

The weather continues to be very changeable.  I was getting used to the cold and snow and having to put snowshoes on all the time, but by Tuesday December 16^th I found that the Maitland Woods trail was packed down enough to hike it without snowshoes.  On the next day we found that a snow machine had been round the Clinton Conservation Area trail loop, which made for easy walking.  Wednesday was quite mild with some thawing, so it made it much more comfortable to take photos so I did not need to use my hand warmers afterwards.  

On Thursday Dec 18^th Rick and I hiked the Taylor and Mavis trails, which was mostly snow packed but some icy sections. Icers will be helpful if this mild weather continues for long.  On my return home there was a racoon on the back patio, that reluctantly climbed the nearby maple tree. I am not sure if it had distemper or was just used to people from being fed by them.

On Boxing Day due to freezing rain, the hike was moved to 9am, and we only had a little freezing rain during the hike, but found we had to scrape ice off the vehicles and drive cautiously home as the side roads had become slippery

On Saturday , many of the trees and shrubs still had a coating of ice, but I did not find the Front road and Sharpes Creek Line (west side) Maitland trail as bad as expected, just rather rough from previous hikers frozen footprints.

Best wishes for the New Year

The Menesetung bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich was reopened on Wednesday December 10th

Thursday January 1^st 2026 1pm Falls Reserve Wear off some of the holiday cheer, and clear your head by joining us on our traditional hike/snowshoe depending on the weather at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area. Dressaccording to the weather conditions. For special parking information and post hike get-together info, registration is required. To confirm your attendance, please contact Faye Ribey at fribey@hurontel.on.ca or 519 524-2070 or Wendy Hoernig at w.hoernig@gmail.com or 519 525-6976. This is a Level 1-2 hike with some inclines, moderate

Saturday January  10^th 9a.m. Hike the Hullett Sugar Bush trails with Susan Ethelston. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. This is a Level 1, moderate to brisk paced hike - some uneven surfaces.

Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca

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

LIFE hikers meet every Friday for a hike of about 1 1 /2 hours, with a choice of of pace, striders moving a little faster than te strollers.  The hikes now start at 9a.m. and can be joined through One Care.