TRAIL TALK 399
I never know what to expect along a trail, whether there will still be a well packed trail or some deep drifts totally obscuring the packed trail. We had a bit of a blizzard on Monday January 19th , so it was not a great surprise to find a few deep snow drifts across the Sugar Bush trails. I regularly go from Wildlife Line on the blue trail and make a loop by hiking/snowshoeing the purple, green and white trail to rejoin the blue trail. This takes about 1 hour. I find the blue trail to the white trail is well used and mostly good walking, while the rest of the loop is more uncertain, especially the white trail, which is prone to drifting, but recently packed by a snowmachine.
Other trails that recently have not needed snowshoes are the Maitland Woods, Sifto Loop and Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area trails.
One other trail I regularly pack is the Front road trail which takes me about 35 minutes. On Tuesday I dug out the entrance which had deep drifts and then snowshoed the trail which included some deep drifts. As I was leaving I met a dog walker without snowshoes, who would have had a hard time if I had not just been around the trail.
I try to avoid the trails with a lot of open area when it is cold and windy. The Maitland Trail east of Sharpes Creek Line can be particularly bad for wind chill.
My Yanes snowshoes have now given me too many problems. On Wednesday, on the way back to the Wildlife Line parking lot, my fourth one broke the strap near the boot’s toe. I have probably had them for about 10 years. Fortunately the trail was well packed so I could easily walk back to the car. I bought a new pair made by Tubbs. These are the Cadillac of snowshoes with a boot pivot made of a metal bar, which reduces the amount of snow that is kicked back under the boot. I did not like the Tubbs I saw years ago as the binding was too cumbersome for putting on in cold weather. The ones I bought at Canadian Tire, had a much better binding system and the main disadvantage was the high price. A friend had a pair of Tubbs for many years with a lot of use, they broke and were quickly replaced much to his surprise.
A few days ago, Thyra was snowshoeing near the Bayfield river and heard a lot of crows and was lucky enough to see a great horned owl. Several days later we found a beheaded rabbit that had been killed by an owl during the night.
I have only once seen a Great Horned Owl in the wild and that was many years ago.
The Saturday hike on January 17th on the Maitland Trail, had nine out with a few on snowshoes. We hiked in from 80855 Sharpes Creek Line. I had been in on the previous day so it was quite good hiking even without snowshoes. The two small deep gullies are always a bit of a challenge. When we reached the creek just South of the blue trail at Bishop’s road we could not see a safe way to get across the creek because the ice was not strong enough to support our weight. The Sunday hike at Naftel’s had ten out, with none needing snowshoes.
On Thursday January 22nd six of us snowshoe packed the Maitland Trail from Sharpes Creek Line to the second bench at 26 km in the John and MaryLo Graham nature Conservancy.
With the return of below freezing, there are now times 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.
Events
Saturday January 31st 11 a.m. Mindfulness Walk. Meet at the Millennium Trail in Goderich, Nelson Street East entrance. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636.
These walks are at 11am on the last Saturday of every month.
Saturday January 31st 9.30pm Night ski at Lucknow. The area will be a trail close to Lucknow. Hopefully a recent snowfall and a clear night will make the scenery magical. Ski equipment can be provided if required. Please bring headlamps for extra lighting in event of cloudy and shadow areas in the bush. The snow conditions will determine which trail to use to host the event. Also, hot drinks and snacks at Sommerville Court will be provided. For more information, to confirm attendance and details about location to meet and park please contact Donald Andrew 519-530-9019 or Sally Brodie at 226 378- 1648. This is a Level 1 easy pace event 1½ -2 hours. In event of poor weather, the alternative date will be February 28th.
Friday February 6th 7.30pm -8.30 pm Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods A one and one-half kilometer portion of the trail in the Maitland Woods will be transformed by the flickering beauty of candlelight. Participants can set out from the trail entrance at the east end of the Columbus Centre parking lot (Parson’s Court) anytime between 7:00 and 8:30 pm and trail closes at 9 pm.
Saturday February 7th 9 a.m. Hike or Snowshoe Maitland Trail loop from Benmiller through Falls Reserve Conservation area and back. A scenic hike through Falls Reserve Conservation Area and along the Maitland River. Meet at the roadside pullover on Benmiller Line immediately northeast of the bridge over the river. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. This is a Level 2, some hilly sections and moderate pace, expect to take 1 ½ – 2 hours.
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.
