Don't Give Up on November

Many people take a seasonal approach to their hiking, and stop venturing onto the trails once the leaves fall from the trees in late October. They abandon the woods for a month or longer until enough snow falls to enable cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, making November a quiet month on the trails.

I think that they are missing a fascinating time to be outdoors.

November has its own charms, not least of which is its relative lack of popularity. The most well-liked trails, such as the Sentier du Loup in Gatineau Park, or the Ottawa River Pathway, still maintain a high level of usage, but elsewhere the trails are often deserted for entire days. In November 2008, I hiked the Tallow Bay Loop in Charleston Lake Provincial Park one Sunday. I was in the park for six hours and there was no evidence that anyone else had visited; I had the trail - the entire park - to myself.

But in addition to there being fewer people sharing your hike, there are other reasons I like November. Walking is more comfortable than in the summer. Temperatures are lower, making it refreshing rather than draining to exert yourself. Yet it is rarely too cold: think sweaters, not parkas!

There are fewer mosquitos. I say "fewer", because there have been changes in our climate, both in terms of warmer weather and the introduction into Ontario of a new, more hardy, species of mosquito that has resulted in some unexpected encounters; I was bitten twice on November 8 when the temperature in Ottawa topped 15.

Most of all, I enjoy seeing the shape of the land, particularly in hilly and rocky landscapes. By early November the leaves have been blown off most species of hardwoods, and the woods look somewhat spare and stark. Yet these leaves make an appealing carpet of brown that molds itself to the contour of the land. Rocks and wetlands stand out clearly in contrast, and long views are available in areas which, during the summer, you can see nothing beyond the bordering vegetation. Lookoffs are even more prominent, and other views are possible which do not exist during the spring and summer.

And if you enjoy sighting wildlife, November can be one of the best months to do so. Squirrels and rabbits are busy rummaging about in the leaves for food, and wild turkeys and deer can often be sighted at some distance, because of the improved visibility through the forest. There are fewer birds, but the ponds and streams are still populated by geese and ducks, including some species that are only in the area during the migratory period.

So do not overlook November. Don't let its shorter, colder, wetter days drive you inside. There is still so much that is exciting and captivating to enjoy.

Coyotes Kill Hiker in Cape Breton

Something extremely rare in North America has happened in Nova Scotia: Coyotes have attacked and killed a hiker in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This happened on the popular Skyline Trail on October 27. Two coyotes were involved in the attack. One was killed shortly afterwards, and a search is being undertaken for the second.

In fact, coyote attacks of any kind are unusual, and most outdoor enthusiasts, myself included, have seen coyotes on dozens of occasions and have never felt threatened. I have seen coyotes in Gatineau Park, in the Ottawa Greenbelt, and elsewhere in eastern Ontario and western Québec. I have even been followed, on more than one occasion, by a curious coyote.

The picture accompanying this article was taken be me in Arizona, and shows a typical western coyote. Eastern coyotes tend to be larger and darker, suggesting cross-breeding with eastern timber wolves. Coyotes only arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1970s, having spread across the continent from west to east.

There is considerable speculation on the reason for this nearly unprecedented attack, and further details about this story will be of interest to outdoor people as they become available. Additional information may be found at: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1149776.html.

October Hiking

For me, October is the best month for hiking around Ottawa. The stifling humidity of the summer is a distant memory, even the most hardy mosquitoes have succumbed to the cooler temperatures, and the days, while much shorter, crackle with a crisp freshness that invigorates both mind and body.

But best of all, by October the millions of hardwood trees that carpet the hills of the surrounding Canadian Shield and Laurentian Highlands go through their annual transformation from the rich green of summer to the colourful quilt of yellow, orange, and red of fall. This natural tapestry generates wonder and curiousity from even those who never venture into the forest at any other time of the year, and local trails, especially in nearby Gatineau Park, throng with walkers in numbers that are difficult to believe.

Every year, the National Capital Commission hosts the "Fall Rapsody", a celebration of the magic of this remarkable natural transpformation. In 2009, this runs from October 2-18, and includes interpretive events and guided walks. But whether you brave the crowds in Gatineau Park, or venture elsewhere into the equally vibrant, but less well-travelled countryside, October is the month to be on the trails.