Trail Talk 405

There was a very successful Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) hike at the Hullett Sugar Bush on Saturday February 28^th . The conditions were excellent with hard packed trails. Eighteen hikers came out of which 12 came to the pot luck supper ( limited due to room in our house). Everyone hiked with icers as there were some slippery parts including part of the parking area.  One of the interesting sights on the hike was an Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar on top of  the snow despite the -3 ^oC temperature. Thanks to the many generous donors the Maitland Trail Hiker team raised a total of $3160 for the Goderich CNOY fundraisers to aid the homeless.

On Monday March 2^nd as there was a good hard crust on the snow, I hiked in on the Maitland Trail East of Sharpes Creek Line.  The snowdrift hill itself was impassable with an 8 foot drift with steep sides, but using the ATV trail it was easy to get down towards the river and cut across to the Maitland Trail again. Parts of the trails had been well used by deer.  At the meadow where the landowner had planted a lot of trees last year, there was clear ice in part of the area, that had wonderful ice crystals on top of the smooth ice surface.  Nine midweek hikers retraced the route on Wednesday, but by that time all the ice crystals had disappeared.

On Tuesday I hiked into Morris Tract from Londesboro road. Parts of the two steep hills were free of snow so it was easier hiking than I expected.  There were 7 step-over windfalls the four large ones being dead ash trees, one of which fell onto the bridge across the creek.

The Maitland Trail chain saw crew were starting on clearing these up on Wednesday afternoon March 4^th. There was a track of a grouse walking on the snow, probably a ruffed grouse.  Although wild turkey tracks are quite common, I don’t recall ever having seen grouse tracks before.

Morris Tract between about 12.7 km and 13.7 km was very heavily damaged by the tornado that went through the area on Sunday August 21^st 2011.  The route of the Maitland Trail was difficult to find beneath the debris.  At that time the Maitland Trail only had one certified chain saw operator, but through Hike Ontario we were able to enlist the help of chain saw volunteers from Bayfield, Guelph, London and Kitchener.  Four chain saws were in operation for almost the whole day. Local volunteers assisted by moving the cut limbs off the trail. The Nature Conservancy did not want to salvage any of the timber so you can still see many large diameter logs as you hike through this part of the Maitland Trail.

March 6^th was the first report of Tundra swan sightings by the Lampton Museum.  Every year very large flocks are seen along Greenway road south of Grand Bend.  You may seen  or hear them flying over our area, and resting where there is open water such as in Hullett Wildlife area.

Events

Sunday March 15^th 10 am  Hike  Probably on the Maitland Trail heading East from Sharpes Creek Line.  Location may change depending on conditions. Expect to take about 1 ½ hours. This section has a steep hill, and includes an open area, a deciduous forest and good views of the Maitland river. Leader Patrick Capper.  To register and confirm your attendance contact Patrick at pcapper99@gamil.com

Saturday March 21^st two options  Hike with Paula Deering at Exeter 9am to 10.30 or hike with BRVTA  11am -noon at Bannockburn Conservation Area.

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

Saturday March 28th 11 am 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.

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.