TRAIL TALK 400
The Maitland Trail Association has agreements with the landowners where the trail is located. These vary from detailed written agreements to verbal agreements. If we don’t respect these agreements then there is a risk that the landowner will remove permission for the trail. This means that by definition the landowner is always right.
The Maitland Trails Association has an agreement with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) for land use of the Falls Reserve Conservation Area (FRCA) section of the Maitland trail.
This includes new requirements. The new agreement is very clear that Maitland Trail supporters are only allowed to use the White Blazed and Blue Blazed Maitland Trail section routes of the Falls Reserve property. Access to other trails or areas of the FRCA property require special permission or purchase of a park entry pass issued by FRCA Park Staff.
MTA supporters who present a valid card at the FRCA Gatehouse are eligible for a $25 off the FRCA Park Membership Pass or 25% off the FRCA daily entry fee. A FRCA Membership Pass or daily entry pass allows vehicle access, parking, and use of all trails at FRCA. Details on FRCA is available at MVCA/camping or at https://mvca.on.ca/camping/frca-camping/
Parking is not permitted on Falls Reserve Line to entry the FRCA property or the Maitland trail. Parking is now available inside the entrance of the FRCA property past the gatehouse and pay gate kiosk.
MTA trail users may enter the Maitland trail access point off Grist Mill Line or the Maitland trail access point through the Morris Tract. All trail users must obey FRCA trail rules, which include always keeping dogs on a leash.
Recently I have been walking in a winter wonderland, with snow draping the trees. On CBC the medical correspondent was talking about depression and the various treatments. One study found that getting three or four hours of exercise per week, especially if they were in Nature helped people suffering from depression.
I hike for at least one hour on practically every day. To avoid buying watch batteries I purchased a cheap rechargeable watch with an exercise tracker, which shows that I average around 13,000 steps/day
There is a popular notion that one should take 10,000 steps per day, but this number was not scientifically determined. It is better to do less than 10,000 steps if they include 30 minutes or so at a faster pace than 10,000 at a steady pace.
3800 steps may reduce dementia by 25%. The study found that the more steps per day is better, but the benefits diminish somewhere round 10,000.
I took over Trail Talk in 1998 and this is my 400th edition. One of my early photographs was of the small bench on the Front road trail. My recent photograph shows that there is quite a bit more snow now than in 2018. I recently measured the snow depth on the bridge on the Sugar Bush Blue trail at just over 2 ft
I have been looking out for signs of a recent hole made by a pileated woodpecker and finally found one on the Maitland Trail in a cedar tree. It was not nearly as large as some I have seen in the past. I suspect that insects are more difficult to find in the cold weather than in the summer time.
Events
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 pace, striders moving a little faster than the strollers. The hikes now start at 9a.m. and can be joined through One Care.
