Trail Talk: Long Spell of Cold Discourages Many Hikers

George, Susan, Richard and Doug on the NCC property on January 22.

The recent long spell of cold weather seems to have discouraged many hikers from coming out on the trails.  My time in Canada has progressed where the winter has been progressively milder.

My previous homes in Labrador City, Atikokan and Sault Ste Marie where temperatures were below -20 oC were quite common, so I find that unless there is a strong wind the recent cold temperatures here have not been a problem so long as I have dressed appropriately.

I have had problems with hands getting cold, especially after fastening up snowshoes or taking photographs, but this has been solved using battery powered heated mittens, which help warm up my fingers again.

The more sheltered parts of the trails have been a winter wonderland with snow draping the trees.  Some of the local trails are so well used that snowshoes are often not necessary.

These include the Hullett Sugar Bush purple trail and most of the blue trail, the Maitland Woods, the Sifto Loop and parts of the G2G, Naftel’s Creek trails and the Front Road Trail.

On Thursday Jan. 29 at Varna, we found the Taylor Trail had been well used, but snowshoes were needed on the Mavis Trail.

The Maitland Trail Association (MTA) has agreements with the landowners where the trail is located. These vary from detailed written agreements to verbal agreements.   

If we don’t respect these agreements, then there is a risk that the landowner will remove permission for the trail. This means that by definition the landowner is always right.

We appreciate that so many local landowners support the Maitland Trail as without them we would not have a great 54 km long trail.

One of the Maitland Trail Association agreement’s is with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) for land use of the Falls Reserve Conservation Area (FRCA) section of the Maitland Trail.

This includes new requirements, which are very clear that Maitland Trail supporters are only allowed to use the White Blazed and Blue Blazed Maitland Trail section routes of the Falls Reserve property.

Access to other trails or areas of the FRCA property requires special permission or purchase of a park entry pass issued by FRCA Park Staff.

MTA supporters who present a valid card at the FRCA Gatehouse are eligible for a $25 off the FRCA Park Membership Pass or 25 per cent off the FRCA daily entry fee.

A FRCA Membership Pass or daily entry pass allows vehicle access, parking, and use of all trails at FRCA.

Details on FRCA is available at MVCA/camping or at https://mvca.on.ca/camping/frca-camping/

Parking is not permitted on Falls Reserve Line to enter the FRCA property or the Maitland Trail. Parking is now available inside the entrance of the FRCA property past the gatehouse and pay gate kiosk.

MTA trail users may enter the Maitland trail access point off Grist Mill Line or the Maitland Trail access point through the Morris Tract.  All trail users must obey FRCA trail rules, which include always keeping dogs on a leash.

On recent hikes in these freezing temperatures, I saw a pileated woodpecker, but could not photograph it, but a friend photographed one at her feeder.  I recently saw where one had dug a hole in a cedar tree searching for insects.

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 February 28.  Other local teams are based in Wingham and Exeter.

NOTES:

Friday, February 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. - Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods Back to First Friday in February this year. The Maitland Trail Association (MTA) organizes this annual event as part of the Town of Goderich’s Winterfest, and it is always a magical adventure. A one and one-half kilometer portion of the trail in the Maitland Woods will be transformed by the flickering beauty of candlelight.

Participants can set out from the trail entrance at the east end of the Columbus Centre parking lot (Parson’s Court) anytime between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Trail closes at 9 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 at 9 a.m. - Hike or Snowshoe Maitland Trail loop from Benmiller through Falls Reserve Conservation area and back.

A scenic hike through Falls Reserve Conservation Area and along the Maitland River.

Meet at the roadside pullover on Benmiller Line immediately northeast of the bridge over the river.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. This is Level 2, some hilly sections and moderate pace, expect to take 1.5 to 2 hours.

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.