Trail Talk May 13th 2026

Spring seems to be in no hurry this year, with cooler than normal temperatures, but there are now many more signs with many trees, except a few like Black walnut now in leaf and birds such as Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles back in our area.  As some spring flowers fade away there are later spring flowers blooming such as many yellow Large-flowered Bellwort, Cut -leaved Toothwort, May apple, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Wood Anemone and Garlic Mustard.   Garlic Mustard is a very unwelcome alien that can takeover vast areas if not controlled. The best way to control it is to pull it up before it goes to seed and put it in a black garbage bag for two weeks and then put the bag in the garbage.

On May 4^th I saw my first turtle of the year.A painted turtle resting on the middle of the blue Sugar Bush trail.   Please watch out for turtles crossing the road, and, if possible, help them to cross to the other side.  Snapping turtles are best helped with a shovel or picking up where they can not bite you.

On our May 6^th hike on the Maitland Trail on the East side of Sharpes Creek Line, we saw a great display of white trilliums on both sides of the trail in the Woodlot.  Although parts of this section of the Maitland Trail were quite wet a few weeks ago, on that day many of the wet areas had dried up making for an easier hike.  Nonetheless one had to be careful not to trip over the many roots that are on the trail.

 

On our May 7^th hike was on the Maitland Trail through the John and Marylo Graham Nature Conservancy.  We were glad to see that the yellow Wood Poppies planted by the Nature Conservancy workers, were thriving both inside and outside the caged area.

Maitland Trail Closure A section of the Maitland Trail is closed from Londesboro Road to Little Lakes Road due to bank slumping and instability. Please plan your hike accordingly and respect all closures for your safety. There is no reroute. The alternative is to walk West on Londesboro road then North on River Line to rejoin the Maitland Trail.

Events

Saturday May 16^th 8.30-9.30  BRVTA members only birdwatching at G. Ebers property.

Sunday, May 17^th 1.00 -3.30 p.m. Hike Jenkins to Morris Tract.   Meet at 36833 Londesboro Road (at the junction of Morris Tract Line and Londesboro Road or Google “Morris Tract Trailhead”) to carpool to Jenkins. This section has several big hills and includes many views of the Maitland River and goes through the section most affected by the 2011 Tornado. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. This is a level 2-3 hike at a moderately fast pace with hills and uneven terrain. Expect to take about 2 ½ hours.

Saturday May 23^rd 10 a.m.-noon Maitland Trail Association AGM at the Huron County Museum

Saturday May 23rd 11 am Join Jan Pate for a BRVTA an inaugural Meditative Hike on the Sawmill Trail. Everyone is welcome but pre-registration is required so that we are aware of the number of participants. Please register by email or phone to Ralph Blasting at rjblastingjr@gmail.com or 519-525-3205. Meet at the entrance to the Sawmill trail at the end of Sawmill Rd.

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.