Trail Talk: Hikers are Looking Forward to Milder Temperatures, Spring and Getting Back on the Trails

Frost covered trees at Hullett.

After a long cold spell many of us are looking forward to milder temperatures and eventually spring weather, although winter does result in some beautiful scenes.

Monday morning on February 2 around the Clinton area was a spectacular frost on the trees with the sun shining, despite the snow fall and blowing snow resulting in some local road closures and resulted in some massive snowbanks.

Some of these have been reduced by the hard work of the county work crews, while one bank along Front Road, I estimate as being nine feet tall, and there was an even bigger one on the Bannockburn Line just South of Mill Road.

If you lived in some parts of Huron County, you may have seen only about six inches of snow, while other areas are over three feet.

It is my understanding that the Maitland Trail, east of Sharpes Creek Line, will have a snow drift, which will be at least eight feet deep. The problem when the snow starts to thaw is that many trails will become soft and hikers’ boots will sink in leaving a very uneven surface and a big problem if these holes are later concealed by blowing snow.   

The other problem is with dog poop that was not picked up by their owners.  On thawing this leaves a very unpleasant mess.

I noticed that there has been a lot of dog poop on the Sugar Bush trails, but I did not notice any on the Naftel’s Creek or Sifto Loop trails.

I just came across a report in National Geographic Health about a study showing that even a gentle post-meal movement can influence blood sugar control and gut brain signaling, helping the body process nutrients more efficiently.

I encourage everyone to take part in one of the many Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walks being held on February 28.

If you cannot join a walk then, if you can afford to, please sponsor a walker. Funds go to local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

I am leading a team of Maitland Trail Hikers.  If you go to CNOY Goderich, you can find all the various teams that will be taking part on Feb. 28.  Other local teams are based in Wingham and Exeter.  (I hope that we have already experienced the actual coldest night of the year).

NOTES:

Monday, February 16 at 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) Family Day hike at the Stanley Complex at Varna.

Saturday, February 28 - Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser for the homeless. The main Goderich event is being held in the Goderich square with a check-in at 4 p.m. and starts at 5 p.m. for a 2 or 5 km walk.

There are also teams walking in Wingham and Exeter. For a more energetic walk I will lead the Maitland Trail Hikers team at 2 p.m. on a local trail for one hour to 1.5 hours depending on the weather.

The location will be decided nearer the date.

The first twelve to register for the hike and donate are invited back for supper.

Please support one of the teams with a donation.

To see the Goderich teams and how to donate go to https://cnoy.org/location/goderich

Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. - Join the BRVTA for a hike on the Bayfield woodland Trail for about one hour.

Sunday, March 15 at 10 a.m. - Hike or snowshoe the Maitland Trail.  I hope to have this on the Maitland Trail starting on the East side of Sharpes Creek Line at 80842. And last from 1.5 to 2 hours.  However, the location may change, so be sure to contact me pcapper99@gmail.com to register for the hike.

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 9 a.m. and can be joined through ONE CARE.