TRAIL TALK: Hats off to volunteers who help trail events run smoothly

At the River Line check point.

The Maitland Trail Association holds two big events each year - The Candlelit Walk in the Maitland Woods in February and the El Camino Maitland, which was held on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21.

These events would not run so smoothly without several years of experience to help make incremental improvements and the dedication of many volunteer hours involving planning, year-round trail maintenance, installing extra signage for the events, manning the sign-in, check points, car parking, bus loading etc.

Hats off to a great effort over the weekend.

I joined about 296 other hikers for my fifth Maitland Camino. I usually have some recommendations for improvements for the next Camino event, but this year I have been unable to come up with any suggestions.

On top of all that the weather was perfect, no rain and not too hot. Congratulations to everyone.

My impression was that the female hikers outnumbered the male hikers by about three or four to one male hiker.  The demographics indicated that the youngest hiker was seven years old and the oldest 83, both completing the full 50 km. Nearly 75 of the hikers were 60 years old or over, while 79 of the hikers were in the age range of 50-59, 66 hikers were 40-49, while 51 hikers were 30-39, and 26 were under the age of 30.   

Many hikers opted not to do the whole 50 km.

September 21 was also the start of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CFW) Great Canadian Bioblitz.  If you join the project and submit at least 50 different species you will have a chance to win a CWF backpack with binoculars, and first aid kit.

I used my Sunday hike to take photos of over 110 plants, plus a frog, squirrel, two birds and a caterpillar along the 20 km trail. Easily qualifying for entry into the Bioblitz prize.   

One surprise was seeing a Twinleaf near Jenkins. I know they are quite common on the Lobb trail but the only other place I had previously seen them was in the Morris Tract.  The other surprise was to find two Trolls under the Robert Edgar Bridge giving out candy, apples and chips.

Often a Bioblitz will result in an unusual sighting. For example, John Hepburn photographed a Checkered Skipper.

My Ontario Butterfly book indicates that its range is just southwestern Ontario. His photo taken on the new part of the Maitland Trail is the second most northerly report of this butterfly.

There have only been four other reports on iNaturalist of this butterfly in Huron County.

NOTES:

The Menesetung Bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich remains closed to pedestrians and cyclists until an expected completion date in November.

The trail entrance at 80918 Sharpes Creek Line is now closed due to gravel pit work.

Saturday, October 4 at 10 a.m. - Join the Tom Sinclair Crossing Memorial Ride organized by the G2G Rail Trail, a ride designed to raise awareness of the missing bridge and raise funds for the Menesetung Bridge.

There are two starting points – McGaw Road heading east and Auburn Road heading west.

To join the team departing from Auburn, register at: https://e2e.g2grailtrail.com/.../t-sinclair-crossing...

To join the team departing from McGaw Road, please register at:https://e2e.g2grailtrail.com/.../tom-sinclair-crossing...

Saturday, October 11 at 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Hullet Sugar Bush Meet at 80602 Wildlife Line and hike the Hullett Sugar bush trails for about 1.5 hours. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. This is a level 1 moderate fast pace hike

Saturday, October 18 at 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Hike the Maitland and Robertson Track Trails Meet at the bottom of the Bridge Road near the Auburn end of the Maitland Trail. This area has no significant hills.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. This is a level 1, moderate to brisk paced hike.

Saturday, October 18 at 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. - Cycle Point Farms Provincial Park. Helmets are required and be prepared for rain or sunshine. Maitland Trail Association Waivers are required and please complete a waiver at www.maitlandtrail.ca/cycling in advance of the ride.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Donald Andrew at 519-530-9019 by calling or texting. This is Level 2, easy paced bike ride.

Saturday, October 25 - “The Bad Thing Race” will take place on the Maitland Trail.

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

Sometimes there is not room for all the photos with Trail Talk, but they are available on the Maitland Trail Association Website blog.