Trail Talk: Snow making trails rather challenging

Hikers setting out at Varna on January 19.

Some of the local trails have become rather challenging with all the lake effect snow.

Fortunately, the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association hike on the Varna Trails was on the Sunday before the last big snow dump.

A total of 28 hikers were out on the Mavis Trail at Varna, and a lesser number opted for the shorter Taylor Trail.  Afterwards most hikers enjoyed a lunch of chili, corn bread, cider and cookies back at the Stanley Complex.

This was an interesting week. On Friday, January 10, while snowshoeing on the Front Road Trail, my Yane’s snowshoe came apart. The back two third separated from the front third.

I hiked back to the car without any problem and on inspection found that the rivets holding the two parts together had broken. I later drilled and bolted the parts back together.

On Sunday afternoon hiking in the Maitland Woods at 3 p.m. I saw a rabbit lying on its side on the trail and a couple of other hikers coming the other way said a weasel had got it.  I then saw the short tailed weasel, also known as an ermine. By the time I got my camera out the rabbit had recovered enough to disappear.

This was the first time I have seen a weasel. The one I saw was a North American Ermine, (Mustela erminea) as it was white with a black tip to its tail.  It is also known as a shorttail weasel or a stoat.

Two other weasels live in our area, the Longtail Weasel, which is about one and a half times the size of the ermine, while the Least Weasel is much smaller and quite rare.  All three may turn white in the winter, but only the ermine has a tail with a black tip.

They eat mice, some birds, and the two larger weasels also eat young rabbits.  The rabbit I saw was very much larger than the ermine, and may not have suffered a fatal injury.

NOTES:

Saturday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Menesetung Bridge and Sifto Loop.

This is a meditative walk, Mindfulness in nature, pause and explore mindfulness techniques. Dress appropriately for moving slowly. Meet at Big Rock on North Harbour Road Goderich.

For more information and to confirm your attendance please contact Tanya Macintyre at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636.

Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26 at 1:30 – 3 p.m. - Ski at John Goldie Reserve.

This area near Benmiller has lovely trails that wind through forested areas, along a high bank with spectacular views over the Maitland River.

For more information contact Con Melady: 519-524-8730 to preregister and for details about carpooling.  This a level 2 moderate pace outing.

Sunday, February 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Snowshoe or hike the Maitland Trail. Meet at or near 80965 Sharpes Creek Line and we will hike or snowshoe the Maitland Trail and nature Conservancy trails.

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

Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. - BRVTA hike on the Varna trails

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

Hikers on any or all Maitland Trail outings are reminded to sign the 2025 online waiver.