Trail Talk: This time of year can present challenges on the trails due to unpredictable weather

One place where the Maitland Trail is flooded.

Recently both the Maitland and Bayfield rivers were in full flood mode, resulting in parts of the local trails flooding.  These include several parts of the Maitland Trail, the Millennium Trail, the Menesetung Trail, the Bayfield Sawmill Trail and the Bannockburn Conservation Area Trail.

Although many of the local trails have had little or no snow in recent weeks, there are still parts with significant amounts of snow and or ice.

One place where most of the trail was good for walking with little snow was in the Morris Tract going in on the Blue Trail from Londesboro Road through then to River Bend.

There was very little snow on the trail when I hiked there on March 10. What was especially welcome was that the steep hills did not have any snow or ice on them.

On March 12, around twelve of us hiked from 80855 Sharpes Creek Line on the Maitland Trail extension created last year. We did have to skirt around a large puddle near the start and then on the flat section there was a patch of snow, but after leaving this lower area the trail then just had a dusting of snow so that crossing the two gullies was not too difficult.  Just South of Bishop’s Road the creek had a good flow but could be crossed with care.  The Woodlands Nature Trail was also good walking for most of the trail, with just a short stretch with snow.

The Hullett Sugar Bush blue trail from Wildlife Line was great for a while with no snow at the edges of the trail, but there were significant patches with snow or ice across the width of the trail.

Naftel’s Creek Trail was mostly snow free, but on March 11 we could only get across to the purple trail on the South side of the creek by accessing it from the bridge at the end of the boardwalk.

I have found that if a shaded trail has been well packed, especially by snow machines, it stays icy for long after other parts have become snow free.

The other place that usually presents difficulty is where there has been a significant snow drift.  This is always the case on the Maitland Trail leaving the field South of the Gravel pit, East of Sharpes Creek Line to descend towards the Maitland River. This year the snowdrift was especially large.

Just having written this I see the forecast is for more snow so conditions will have changed again.

EVENTS:

Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Morrison Dam Conservation Area, Exeter.

Meet at the Morrison Dam parking lot at 71108 Morrison Line, Exeter.

Scenic views along the Morrison Dam reservoir system and McNaughton-Morrison Trail.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Paula Deering at paulaldeering@gmail.com.  This is a Level 1, moderate paced hike.

Saturday March 21 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Hike the Bannockburn Conservation Area Trail with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.

This hike will be along an almost two-kilometre recreational trail and will travel through the six different natural communities including Wet Meadow, Eastern White Cedar, Deciduous Forest, Old Field and Mixed Scrub and Marsh. Bannockburn Conservation Area is located at 76249 Bannockburn Line.

For more information, contact Ralph Blasting at 519-525-3205 or rjblastingjr@gmail.com

Saturday, March 28 (last Saturday of the month) at 11 a.m. - Mindfulness Walk & Forest Therapy

Meet at the Millennium Trail in Goderich, Nelson Street East entrance.

Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move. We'll be moving slowly and silently together for 20 minutes to the first river lookout where we'll stop and chat about the benefits of mindfulness and forest therapy, enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Maitland River, and head back to the entrance, maybe hug a tree on the way out.

Please leave your pets at home. Dogs are already very Zen.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636.  This is a level 1, slow paced meditative walk.

NOTES:

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.