On September 24th and 25th, The Maitland Trail Association held the El Camino 2022;   Auburn to the Goderich Beach  along the Maitland River. On the first day, those doing the full 52 km length of the  trail,  park at Ben Miller and are bused to the trail head in Auburn on the river and walk 32k back to Ben Miller. On Sunday, hikers walk from Benmiller 20km to the Beach in Goderich. Of approximately 120 hikers just over half hiked the full trail while others hiked shorter distances. Saturday went smoothly as the trails were in great condition, the temperature cool and the hiker snacks plentiful.  Sunday’s wet conditions kept a third of the registered hikers at home, 71 enthusiastic hikers completed Sunday’s hike at a very fast pace, cheerful to the end despite wind and intermittent rain. This year the MTA Maintenance Crew did a lot of work in September to keep the beavers from blocking drains at Riverbend and flooding the road and 13km hike access point.  Hikers appreciated the 2 new outhouses on the trail since our last Camino in 2019. 70 volunteer helped during the Camino Weekend in addition to the regular volunteer crews that maintain the trails. Land owners, Trail Rangers and the Maintenance Crew work throughout the hiking season to ensure the trail is ready for the El Camino weekend hike, which celebrates our beautiful river and our community spirit. An interesting fungus on the section between River Line and Sharpes Creek Line was a Northern tooth fungus on a beech tree.

I was pleased to see that the fringed gentian on the Bayfield Woodland trail Zavitz loop were again in bloom this year.  One new sight in our garden was what at first was mistaken as a small white moth but was a Northern flatid planthopper.

On Thursday Sept 29th ten “Uneven” hikers enjoyed a hike on the Lobb trail, grateful for a dry day after several wet ones.

Notes:

Saturday October 8th 1.30 pm Hike the Lobb trail with Faye Ribey. For more information and to confirm your attendance contact Faye at 519-524-2070 or email fribey@hurontel.on.ca

Saturday October 15th 9a.m. Easy pace 1.5 hours in the Maitland Woods. The first Mindfulness in Nature walks to pause and explore…Mindfulness Techniques, Walking Meditation and Forest Therapy. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move! Dress warmer than usual as we will be moving slowly, please leave your pets at home (dogs are already very Zen!). Our group number is limited to 10 to not block the trail. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Janie van Essen at 519-955-4402.

Saturday October 15th At Naftel’s Creek conservation area. A dual celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the John Hindmarsh Environmental Trust and the completion of the new bridge The ceremony will begin at 1 pm, (including cake!) following  which a guided hike at 2 p.m.

Sunday October  16th 1.p.m. Hike Benmiller to Sharpes Creek Line The third of the End to End hikes. Level 2 moderate pace, expect to take about 3 hours. Come out to stroll along this very pretty section of the Maitland Trail, passing through, among other scenic places, the mature forest of the Morris Tract and enjoying a view of the falls at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area. Wear sturdy footwear, hat, sun screen, insect repellent and lots of water. For car shuttle arrangements and to confirm your attendance, For car shuttle arrangements and to confirm your attendance, please contact Cindy Fisher at cfisher@cabletv.on.ca or Con Melady at conmelady@gmail.com.

Saturday October 22nd 11a.m. Environmental educator Michele Martin will lead a walk through the village and down to the waterfront, pointing out how climate change is affecting our area and what we can do to help.  Meet at the Clan Gregor pavilion for a walk lasting about 90 minutes.

The NCC and Maitland Trail Work crew have now finished removing the invasive buckthorn from the reroute near the pond at Riverbend (12.7km) so the reroute is now part of the main trail and so avoids the part adjacent to the pond that beavers regularly flood.

October 1st to 31st Bayfield Woodland Trail will be closed for Turkey hunting-  Bow hunting for the month, and  gun hunting 11th -23rd.

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 All hikers must sign the waiver, preferably the Online waiver at www.maitland trail.ca

Uneven Hikers hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays, contact Patrick Capper. Both groups meet at 9 a.m.  and are open to non-members provided they sign the MTA on-line waiver.

If you have questions or something of interest for Trail Talk email me Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.