Trail Talk: Be informed of weather conditions and air quality conditions before heading out on the trails

Hiking on the Maitland Trail during the heat wave.

By: Patrick Capper

On a recent hike, I had a near miss.  The day was calm and Rick was a few metres behind me. He saw a branch, (about 4 feet long, 1.5” diameter), fall across the trail.

With slightly different timing it would have hit either Rick or me while we were enjoying a hike.

Recently, I traveled up to Sault Ste Marie for a hiking friend’s 90th birthday party.

While there I went with Thyra’s brother to his old farm on St Joseph’s Island.  The property has a small house, forest, swamp and a small patch of lawn and a vegetable garden with a double fence to stop deer getting in.

While Thyra and her brother watered the vegetables I wandered around the wildflower patches.

Most of the Viper’s Bugloss, Cow Vetch and Bird’s Foot Trefoil had many butterflies nectaring on them. I estimated there were about 400 European skippers, and quite a few Crescents, White Admirals, Northern Pearly-Eyes as well as four other species of butterfly. Nearly all were attracted to the native wildflowers, rather than the non-native ones at the house.

This place was a true butterfly garden rather than the small, isolated butterfly gardens that you find in towns. These small gardens, however, are much better than the manicured lawns that are rarely inhabited by anything other than a few Cabbage Whites.

On July 10 we were very surprised to see a Mourning Cloak butterfly sitting at our kitchen window next to an angel ornament.  We have no idea how it got in the house as all our windows were closed, so I caught and released it.

Later that day on a hike at Front Road I saw another Mourning Cloak (the first two since June 17).

On Sunday, July 12 I had a hike scheduled for 1 p.m. from River Line to Sharpes Creek Line.  That day was the beginning of a heat wave, and that section of the trail has quite a few hills and parts with no shade.   

When the six of us gathered at the meeting place on Sharpes Creek Line, we agreed to a shorter hike, that was mostly in the shade, so hiked the Maitland Trail on the west side of Sharpes Creek Line for just under 1.5 hours.

Before heading out for a hike, it’s important to be informed of weather conditions and possible risk factors like extreme heat or bad air quality conditions.

On Tuesday I joined 20 Trompers for a walk along the Goderich boardwalk, which was a great plan as there was a breeze off the lake and the day had not yet warmed up to the afternoon temperature of 33 oC.   

Due to the heatwave, the midweek hikes were moved to an 8:30 a.m. start.

NOTES:

Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m. - The Monthly Mindfulness Walk and Forest Therapy.  Meet at the Millenium Trail in Goderich, Nelson Street entrance. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move. We’ll be moving slowly and silently together for 20 minutes to the first river lookout where we’ll stop to chat about the benefits of mindfulness and forest therapy, enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Maitland River, and head back to the entrance - maybe hug a tree on the way out. Please leave your pets at home; dogs are already very zen. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636. This is a level 1, slow paced meditative walk.

Sunday, July 26 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard event. Arrive at East Street Cider with your equipment ready for a short shuttle, very likely to the mouth of the Maitland River. Paddling location will be determined closer to the date as conditions become predictable. The trip is suitable to people who have experience in moving water (Class 1) or waves in Lake Huron and can provide their own boat and safety gear. Swimming is likely. This is a co-promotion event with East Street Cider. You can register with either organization. Maitland Trail registrants must sign the annual MTA online waiver. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Con Melady at: 519-530-8998.

Sunday, August 9 at 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Cycle at MacGregor Point Park. Meet at the park entrance gatehouse (permit office). Obtain a Park Day Pass from a library or pay $14 day pass or we can prearrange a ride to the park.

Difficulty – Mostly beginner with some moderate as some of the trail is bumpy due to roots and stones. Deer Run Bike Trail 11 km easy, Old Shore Road Trail 6 km easy, Kempfs Trail 0.8 km (20 min) easy.

After the ride can stop for coffee at Cedarvale Wellbeing located on the edge of MacGregor Park, or a cold plunge and sauna for those interested in the opportunity.

Helmets are required. Maitland Trail Association Waivers are required and please complete a waiver at

www.maitlandtrail.ca/cycling/ in advance of the ride. One for each participant. Call 519-530-9019 if you

need assistance. Please pre-register with Donald Andrew 519-530-9019 call or text.

Saturday, August 15 at 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Hike the Morrison Dam Conservation Area and the MacNaughton-Morrison Trails.

Meet at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, parking at 71108 Morrison Line, Exeter (south side of the dam).

Approximately 8 km hike. Scenic views along the Morrison Dam reservoir system and the McNaughton-Morrison Trail.

Level: Level 1, moderate to brisk pace. Some uneven surfaces, no significant hills.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com

NOTE: 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 up to 41 km have now been moved to correspond with the map distances.

The September 22- 23 - Maitland Camino is getting close to being fully booked.

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.