TRAIL TALK 402
On Thursday February 5th eleven of us hiked on the Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area trails. The trails were well packed and the walking was easy. I noticed that there were not many signs of skiers having used the trails, unlike other years with the equivalent amount of snow and many ski tracks. Naftel’s Creek has seen many improvements made by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. Since I first used the trails in 2006 two bridges across the creek have been built or replaced, as has the long boardwalk. Several wet areas have been fixed with gravel, and maps and benches have been installed at several locations. The other change is that the previous owners of the log cabin allowed hikers to use the trails on their property, but the new owners prefer their privacy.
The trails make for pleasant hiking with a variety of habitat, and all are in the wooded area, which provides shelter from the wind, which is much appreciated in the cold winter we have been experiencing. The maps and improved signage are also welcome, as in the early days I sometimes got a little lost on the trails.
Occasionally fish can be seen in the creek. I am always amazed that fish can manage to swim upstream in the creek, as there are many blockages from windfalls, this means that they can only navigate upstream when there is a good spring flood. One year the flood was so high that water covered the access to the bridges.
I have only been on some of the local trails and the conditions on the trails can change from one day to the next. Recently the trails on the Sifto Loop, the Maitland Woods, at Naftel’s Creek and at Front Road have all been good for walking. The George Newton reserve was passable on the main loop, The Varna Taylor trail was good and the Mavis trail only fair. The Hullett Sugar Bush trail from Wildlife Line was good up to the junction with the White trail. Then the part through to the end of the purple trail was good, the green trail and white trail South of the blue trail were fair. I believe the Maitland Trail from Grist Mill Line through the Falls Reserve is packed but not most of the blue trail. The Clinton Conservation Area trail was mostly well packed on the portion East of the river. However with a thaw the access across the culverts will become flooded. Bannockburn Tract was good from Bannockburn Line, on a snow machine track that included just the blue trail portion. The laneway in had not been plowed. Bannockburn Conservation area just had a narrow track used by some walkers.
Monday February 16th 1 pm -2 pm Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) Family day hike at the Stanley Complex at Varna.
Saturday February 28th Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser for the homeless. The main Goderich event is being held in the Goderich square with a check in at 4 pm and start at 5 pm for a 2 or 5 km walk. There are also teams walking in Wingham and Exeter. For a more energetic walk I will lead the team Maitland Trail Hikers at 2 pm on a local trail for one hour to 1 ½ hours depending on the weather. The location will be decided nearer the date. Please support one of the teams with a donation to help the homeless.. To see the Goderich teams and how to donate go to https://cnoy.org/location/goderich
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.
