TRAIL TALK 397
One thing about winter is you never know what sort of weather you will get from one week to the next. We had a fairly long cold spell and now are heading into temperatures as high as 10 oC. This can make for some very soft trails. Up until January 7th the Hullett Sugar bush trails have been mostly so well used and packed that you could still walk on them. I also noticed that there was significantly less snow on the Naftel’s Creek Area trails.
I had two surprises recently, on Tuesday I saw a Northern short tailed shrew, it was unable to climb up the rut left by the tractor that had cleared the Wildlife Line parking lot, so I was able to take a photo of it. My first photo of a live shrew. The next day there was a spider on top of the snow. I usually only see snow fleas on the snow, but although I have yet to see any of them this winter, I suspect that the sunshine will bring some out.
After a warm spell and the temperature falls again to below freezing, is the time when icers are needed to avoid slipping on the ice. I usually find that the parking lots are where there is the most slippery ice.
Thinking of parking lots I got a bit stuck trying to back out of the Wildlife Line Parking lot on Wednesday January 7th. Using a spade, gravel and with a couple of hikers pushing I managed to get out. I went back later that day at 4 pm and found that one driver was not as lucky, needing a tow truck to haul his car out.
Notes:
Saturday January 17th 1 p.m. Hike the Maitland Trail West of Sharpes Creek Line for about 1 ½ hours. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. This is a Level 2, moderate to brisk paced hike – some uneven surfaces.
Saturday January 18th 10a.m Hike or snowshoe the Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area trails for a bout 1 hour.
For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Sally Brodie at 226 378-1648. This is a level 1 moderate pace hike/snowshoe.
Saturday January 24th and Sunday January 25th 1.30 p.m. ski the trails at the Maitland Cemetery.NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE This area near goderich has lovely trails that wind through reforested areas, along a high bank with views over the Maitland River and through open woods. Carpooling is suggested for this event. If the snow conditions are not good for skiing, we will hike. For more information, please contact Con Melady at 519 – 524-8730 to pre-register and for details about location and carpooling. This is a Level 2, moderate pace, 1.5 hours hike or ski.
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 the strollers. The hikes now start at 9a.m. and can be joined through One Care.
