Trail Talk: Experience the healing power of nature

Hikers on the Mavis Trail Bridge on January 30.

It is very hard work breaking a new trail with all the snow we have been getting.  That is one reason I have been out many times on the Hullett Sugar Bush trails.

Recently I have been packing the Maitland Trail going west from Sharpes Creek Line so now have another packed route.  The Varna Taylor and Mavis trails were also well packed when we were out on January 30.   

At the Clinton Conservation Area, despite the low flow of the river there was some overflow of the culverts, because many of them were plugged with debris. A mallard duck was swimming in a small patch of open water.

I was happy that Yanes have replaced my broken snowshoe for the cost of shipping ($22.60). The replacement has some minor improvements on my older one.

On January 18 coming back from snow shoeing on Bishop’s Road Area Trail, I saw two adult and two juvenile swans on the ice at Forster’s Bridge on Sharpes Creek Line.

I reported this to Lampton Heritage Museum who informed me that perhaps 1,000 Tundra Swans stopped briefly in the area about December 16.

They also had a few Tundra Swans in the fields near Lambton Heritage Museum around New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. They had not seen or heard about any, since then but they could still be in the area. Some have been over-wintering around the Great Lakes the last few years. I could not tell from my photo whether they were trumpeter or tundra swans.  Lampton Heritage museum report on the tundra swans migration every year. They are most often seen along Greenway Road.

They are usually seen for the first time in March but in 2012 the first sighting was on February 3 and in 2024 on February 7, which is usually a result of a mild winter.

Dale Matties, with a much better camera, took a great photo posted on the MTA Facebook page of three swans on January 24 near the Menesetung Bridge.

On January 24 on returning from a snowshoe at Hullett, I discovered a car stuck in the entrance to the lot.   

The plough had cleared not only the lane but also part of the shoulder, so the car had sunk down on the passenger side on the soft shoulder.  The participants were very grateful that I had a shovel.

With some digging and use of some coarse gravel we managed to get the car out.  It is a good reminder that unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle it is advisable to carry a shovel in the vehicle in winter.

I also carry some coarse gravel which is often also useful. I had got stuck in the previous week when I went too far on the east side of Front Road, which also required digging out, some gravel and a push from a passing truck driver.

In the Toronto Star January 26 Insight section, there were summaries of studies that showed the various factors affecting life expectancy.

They suggest only 20-30 per cent is from heredity. Nutrition was a key factor; ultra processed foods should be avoided. Exercise is also an important factor and following the Canadian 24-hour Movement guidelines for adults is recommended.

These are preforming a variety of types and intensities of physical activities which include: moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activities for at least 150 minutes per week, muscle strengthening at least twice per week and several hours of light physical activities including standing.

Therefore, try to get out and hike, snowshoe, swim, or cycle for at least 2.5 hours per week, preferably in a natural environment and experience the healing power of nature.

There is also a recommendation to use a muscle strengthening exercise at least twice a week which I have had no trouble doing by shoveling snow from the driveway nearly every day.

NOTES:

Hikers on any Maitland Trail outing are reminded to sign the 2025 online waiver, even if they signed the 2024 waiver.

Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. - Hike the Varna trails with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.

Saturday, February 15 at 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods; Note change of date.

Thursday, February 20 at 2 p.m. - Hike a trail to raise funds for the Coldest Night of Year (CNOY) in support for the hurt, hungry and homeless in the area.

Leader Patrick capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.  If you cannot hike on this day or on Saturday with another team, please sponsor a member of a team.

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 or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com