Trail Talk 406
By Patrick Capper
Spring arrived quite quickly. On March 6th, I crossed the culvert causeway at Clinton Conservation Area and watched the water swirl clockwise through each culvert, with no water crossing over the path. (Water swirls clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.) By Sunday, March 8th, the Bayfield River and Maitland River were in major spring flood mode, and the water was across the path leading to the culverts.
The Maitland River, I am sure, will have flooded the Menesetung Trail, the Millennium Trail, and the Maitland Trail near Jenkins, in the Falls Reserve, at Cherrydale near the picnic site, in the Nature Conservancy property just upstream of the Carey Property, between River Line and Sharpes Creek Line, at the bottom of River Line, near the 34 km mark, and at the bottom of Pinery Line. The Bayfield Sawmill Trail will also be flooded. I have not checked all these places, but from looking at the flooded field at Forster’s Bridge, and also seeing that the Bayfield River has reached the bench on the Front Road Trail, I believe these parts will be flooded as well.
Naftel’s Creek had flooded the trail south of the westerly bridge, but on March 11th we were just able to reach the purple trail on the south side of the creek by crossing on the easterly bridge. The trail at Bannockburn Conservation Area will also have been flooded at the west end of the bridge. These floods are as high as I have ever seen them.
The warm weather has resulted in the first sightings this year of many birds, such as robins and red-winged blackbirds. Snowdrops at Naftel’s and the George Newton Reserve, as well as crocuses, are also now in bloom. One may think the snow has disappeared from the trails, but although this is true in some places, there is still a great deal of snow in other parts.
One trail that was virtually snow-free is the section through Morris Tract from Londesboro Road to River Bend. I had a very pleasant hike there on March 9th. When I was down on the flat near the bridge at 14.4 km, I heard a loud crack and saw a tree fall over. This one was well off the trail, but it was still remarkable because it was a calm day. I had also noticed a new large leaning tree that was upright on March 3rd. An hour later, when I returned, it had fallen across the trail.
Hikers are warned not to hike the trails in windy conditions, but strangely enough, all three of the trees I have witnessed falling have come down when there was no strong wind.
Other trails I have recently visited include the Maitland Trail between Bishop’s Road and Sharpes Creek Line. The part near Sharpes Creek Line had snow and a couple of puddles; then the trail was bare and dry until reaching the gully south of Bishop’s Road, where there was snow on the trail. The creek was flowing well, but could still be crossed with care on the stones. The Front Road Trail was clear on the upper sections, but mostly covered with snow and puddles on the lower section. The Maitland Trail at Snowdrift Hill, east of Sharpes Creek Line, I am confident will have deep snow through the end of March, as the drift was over 8 feet deep. The Hullett Sugar Bush trails had many parts where the ground at the edge of the trail was snow-free, but some sections still had snow across the full width of the trail.
March 6th was the first report of tundra swan sightings from the Lambton Museum. Every year, very large flocks are seen along Greenway Road south of Grand Bend. You may see or hear them flying over our area, and resting wherever there is open water, such as in the Hullett Wildlife Area.
Events
The public are welcome to join all Maitland Trail hikes, provided they sign a waiver, though they are encouraged to become paying supporters.
Saturday, March 21st
There are two options: hike with Paula Deering at Exeter from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., or hike with BRVTA from 11:00 a.m. to noon at Bannockburn Conservation Area. The Exeter trail is mostly level and runs on both sides of the Ausable River. I hope the water level will have gone down by March 21st to make the trail fully accessible.
Saturday, March 28th at 11:00 a.m.
Mindfulness Walk. Meet at the Millennium Trail in Goderich, at the Nelson Street East entrance. This walk is 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.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesdays to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be added to this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca
Midweek Hikers meet at 9:00 a.m. and hike for 1½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com
LIFE Hikers meet every Friday for a hike of about 1½ hours, with a choice of pace, striders moving a little faster than the strollers. These hikes now start at 9:00 a.m. and can be joined through One Care.
