Trail Talk: Warmer weather is a pleasant change for local hikers, but can make for messy hikes

The Falls on February 26.

As you read this, the warm weather will have arrived, which has been a pleasant change after the long cold spell, but it creates a problem on the trails.

Often a trail has a hard crust over a foot or more of snow, and with the mild temperature forecast of 12 oC this usually means that if not wearing snowshoes, you break through the crust and leave a deep hole.

It can make walking very difficult, trying to find a good route without large holes.

Later on in spring you can walk where the edge of the trail has melted, while waiting for the centre section to slowly disappear.

On Wednesday, nine of us snowshoed or hiked the Hullett Sugar Bush Trail to try to ensure it was in good shape for the Maitland Trail CNOY hike on Saturday, February 28. This hike is for hikers who prefer to be out in nature as an alternative to walking round Goderich Square for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).

Recently, eleven of us snowshoed the Maitland Trail in the Falls Reserve. There were a few inches of fresh snow in places, and when we reached the Falls Reserve a groomer had left a hard packed trail with a modest indent for skiers.  We did our best to stay away from that track.

There is quite a steep descent towards the river from the pond, where in summer, for a fee, fishing in season is permitted. The pond was still frozen over.

At the base of the hill there are many spice bushes. I believe these are still healthy, unlike most of the ones in the Maitland Woods that succumbed to fungi.  The Maitland River in this section was mostly open water, which is in great contrast to the river seen from Forsters Bridge on Sharpes Creek Line where no open water is visible.

When the river is in flood mode a shortish low section of trail can be flooded. I remember many years ago, coming across this flood and having difficulty finding a route around it.

On most of the section between the area that used to be a group campsite and where the groomed trail joined the blue trail at the top of the hill, we had to create a packed trail.

I found the steep hill at the start of the blue trail easier to climb with snowshoes, than in summer when there is often a lot of loose rock.  One hiker without aluminum snowshoes with good claws, found it easier to climb the hill without snowshoes.  This whole trip took us about 1 hour 20 minutes and it has great scenery with the forest, river and the falls.  Many years ago, the Falls Reserve had the largest Eastern White Cedar in Ontario, which unfortunately died of old age.   If you buy a park pass, (at a discount with proof of being a Maitland Trail Supporter), you can explore many other trails in the Reserve.

In previous years the Maitland Trail Association (MTA) held a river walk when the water level was low, as most of the river below the falls has flat rocks.  This area is one where Queen snakes, which are not venomous, might be found.   

I once joined a group trying to locate them (unsuccessfully). The snake’s main food is crayfish, which don’t do well if the water level is low and too warm. Last year these conditions were common so I suspect that the Queen snakes have become even more rare.

NOTES:

Camping in the Falls Reserve Conservation Area is available from April 17 to October 12 by making a reservation on-line.

EVENTS:

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.

Saturday, March 21 - Two options: Hike with Paula Deering at Exeter from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or hike with BRVTA from 11 a.m. until 12 noon at Bannockburn Conservation Area.

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.