Trail Talk: Be aware of varying trail conditions

Clearing shrubs at Hullet Marsh.

By: Patrick Capper

Trail conditions can vary from week to week.

This was evident because on June 13 there were swarms of biting insects when we hiked the Maitland Trail at the Auburn end, so it was a pleasant surprise on August 20 to find there were hardly any insects in sight.

The previous day at the Hullett Sugar Bush, the insects were still bothersome, though not as bad as a couple of weeks earlier. I suspect the insect problem is related to all the ponds and marshes in the Sugar Bush.

Another problem at this time of year is Tall Agrimony seeds, which are a bit like mini burdock seeds.  Koda, a border collie, collected over 150 (I counted them) all had to be carefully removed.

On our hike, thanks to the keen eyes of Susan, we saw four Monarch caterpillars, all on milkweeds close to the trail and none were seen on the vast numbers of milkweeds further away.

One big change is the extensive cutting of shrubs in the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. This is in order to ensure there is more open area.  The other change is that the paint trail blazes have been replaced with small circular plastic indicators similar to those used at Wawanosh.

Recently I hiked twice on the Maitland Trail east of Sharpes Creek Line using the new trail extension.

Around 11 a.m. on one day I saw two Eastern Giant Swallowtails, and on the next day one Eastern Giant Swallowtail and one Great Spangled Fritillary.

Most of the Maitland Trail is in wooded areas, which are great for hiking on a hot day as they give shade, but not good for seeing butterflies other than the occasional Cabbage Whites, so it was great to see these large butterflies.  I have also these butterflies at Bannockburn Tract.  The Eastern Giant Swallowtail caterpillar food plant is the Prickly Ash, while the Spangled caterpillars like Violets.

There is a Maitland Trail Association contest if you wish to share your “Maitland Trail Moment”, whether it was a few minutes or perhaps a day, a 100–500-word submission can be sent to jmorris@maitlandtrail.com. Describe what brought you to the trail, what you saw or experienced, how the trail made you feel and why the memory stayed with you.  Your submission will be shared on the MTA blog. Full details are in the Maitland Trail Newsletter.

EVENTS:

Saturday, September 5 at 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Hike Goderich Parkland Vista and Waterfront Experience Beginning at the Huron County Gaol, the group will review the route and choose a pace and distance that can be completed within two hours.

An 8 km route is available, with shorter options for the group. The terrain is mostly level, except for the transitions between the bluff and the lakefront. The walk will finish with time to reflect on Goderich’s urban trail network and how community trails can be supported and strengthened elsewhere.

Meeting Location: Huron County Gaol.

Distance: Up to 8 km; shorter routes are available.

Terrain: Mostly level with bluff-to-lake transitions.

Cost: No fee.

Registration Deadline: Pre-register by 12 p.m. on the day of the event.

Please complete the MTA annual waiver in advance. Contact Con Melady at 519-530-8998 or cmelady@maitlandtrail.ca to pre-register.

Saturday, September 12 at 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Cycle Goderich to Auburn Return on the G2G Rail Trail Ride from Goderich toward the Maitland River near Auburn and return along the crushed gravel G2G Rail Trail. The route is mostly treed and includes bridges over the Maitland River and a creek, with a gentle downslope on the return toward Goderich Meeting Location: North Harbour Road Parking Area W, Goderich.

Distance: 12.5 km each way; approximately 25 km return.

Difficulty: Beginner.

Surface: Crushed gravel trail.

What to bring: Water.

Annual Waiver: Complete the MTA Cycling waiver Helmets required. Pre-register by calling/texting Donald Andrew at 519-530-9019.

Sunday, September 13 at 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Hike Maitland Trail and Robertson Tract Hike Explore the Maitland Trail near Auburn and the trails of the Robertson Tract. This area has no significant hills and is suitable for a moderately paced morning hike.

Meeting Location: Bottom of Bridge Road near the Auburn end of the Maitland Trail.

Difficulty: Level 1.

Pace: Moderate to Brisk.

Terrain: No significant hills.

Annual Waiver: Complete the MTA Annual Waiver Pre-register with Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. Be prepared to show proof of the waiver and provide emergency contact information when you arrive.

Saturday September 19 and Sunday, September 20 - The Maitland Camino. Many hikers will be on the Maitland Trail.

NOTES:

The Maitland Trail between Londesboro Road and Little Lakes Road remains closed due to a landslide.

The Maitland Trail map shows distances that were about 300m different from the km posts.  The posts have now been moved to correspond with the map distances.

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 1.5 to 2 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com

LIFE hikers meet every Friday for a hike of about 1.5 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.