When you read this the big hiking event of the year- the Maitland Trail Association El Camino will be over. There were 195 hikers registered for the event. Not everyone planned on hiking the whole 50.6 km in the two days (Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th). Fortunately the weather looks good for that weekend, and it is great to have so many volunteers for the event. These include: the planning committee, the Trail Rangers making sure the trail is in good shape, the maintenance crew cutting windfalls and grass where necessary, the crews at the check in and at the check points where refreshments are supplied. I am also thankful for Richard Moore giving permission for a short cut rather than hiking the route around a field.
On Tuesday September 12th only four Trompers hiked Anne Melady’s trail. Many others were afraid it would be wet as it was raining early in the morning but at 9 0’clock the rain had stopped so we had a very pleasant hike. I was surprised to see a leopard frog hopping around in the stubble of a field, quite a way from the nearest pond. On Wednesday seven “Uneven” hikers went on the first 7.8 km of the Maitland trail. There was a huge mass of Himalayan balsam on the East side of the trail near the grain silos. Stopping to take a photo of some sunflowers, we noticed another invasive alien, some Japanese beetles.
Hunting season is here, including for Canada Geese Sept 8-18, ANS Sept 24-Dec 28, Ducks from Sept 24-Jan 8th
Deer bow hunting starts on October 1st with Deer gun hunting on Nov 6th -12th.
Notes.
Saturday September 23rd 9am Hike with Anne Melady at 7277 Hwy 8 near Dublin. Walk through this delightful property of farm fields, across the railway tracks and back to the bush anda cabin. The walk takes you along the Bayfield River and up through the bush of old growth and recently planted bush. There will be a trip to the Dublin Restaurant after the hike. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Anne Melady at jamelady@hotmail.com. This is a Level 1, easy pace, 1.5 – 2 hours.
The bicycle outing on September 30th has been cancelled.
Saturday October 7th 9 am Hike with Gena Lowe at the Falls reserve
Saturday October 13th 10am Hike the Lobb trail with the BRVTA
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
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.
