Winter Appears to have Arrived

The National Capital Region is known for its robust winter. Although Ottawa is not the coldest capital city in the world - it is only seventh, behind Ulan Batar, Astana, Moscow, Helsinki, Reykjavik, and Talin - it is sufficiently cold that one of the region's largest festivals is Winterlude, held every February.

Cross-country skiing is tremendously popular in the region. In Gatineau, the Nakkertok club has become one of the largest, by member count, in Canada. In Gatineau Park, more than 185-km (depending upon who you ask) of trail is groomed for cross-country ski. And in the Greenbelt, although no trails are groomed, skiers can be seen on almost every pathway.

Snowshoers are becoming nearly as frequent, especially in recent years as more and more people trade in their traditional design baskets for those more high tech and user-friendly. This increase in popularity is being reflected in the number of trails that are being designated for snowshoe use. In Gatineau Park, for example, there is an extensive new network that permits snowshoers to have access to both Herridge and Healey Shelters, as well as the Lac Brown Cabin.

Walkers are more likely to be found on the Greenbelt Trails, and the pathway system where it runs close to housing. In addition, whenever conditions become icy, as they did in the winter of 2009-10, many people put away their skis and snowshoes and trust in their hiking boots instead. But even when the snow is thick, many walkers can be found on trails all over the region.

All 50 routes profiled in Hiking Trails of Ottawa have the permitted snow season uses listed, including mentioning those, such as Pink Lake, where they are closed in the winter. These winter uses may be found in the "Trails at a Glance" table on page 19.

So, whatever your preferred method of winter recreation, you should find the information that will keep you active this winter. The snow may have arrived, but that does not mean you need to hibernate until next spring.

Presentation - November 19 - Orleans

On November 19, at 7pm, I will be doing a presentation about Hiking Trails of Ottawa at the fall information open house of the Petrie Island Outdoors Club.

Representatives from the club will speak until 7:30. Then I will do a 45 minutes slide show about the trails found in Hiking Trails of Ottawa and how the book was organized and structured. This will be followed by a Question-and-Answer session and refreshments.

Location: Room 340 at the Orleans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard.

Refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat please email listpioc@gmail.com.

Five Fall Favourites

I have never understood why people talk about summer as the best time to get outdoors. For me, hiking has always been most enjoyable in the fall; the temperatures are more moderate, the air is clearer, and most importantly: no mosquitoes!

Even in September you can observe the first change in colour in the leaves of the hardwoods. The National Capital Commission's Fall Rhapsody festival does not begin until early October, but here are five recommendations for fall hiking.

King Mountain: Climbing to the top of a knoll on the Eardley Escarpment in Gatineau Park, this trail provides panoramic vistas of the Ottawa River Valley as well as excellent views of the predominantly hardwood canopy of the surrounding parklands. The 6.5km route description found on pg. 83 of Hiking Trails of Ottawa should be a pleasant, if occasionally challenging, 2-3 hour walk for most people.

Wakefield to Lac Brown: Climbing to the top of the hills overlooking Wakefield, this hike is the perfect fall excursion for those who like a little effort and have healthy knees. This 9.5km route, found on pg. 175, contains a difficult climb at its start and near the end, but takes you to a pleasant picnic site beside a small lake, or the chance for a meal in Wakefield afterwards at one of the village's many restaurants.

Murphys Lake Provincial Park: Although I enjoy climbing hills for their expansive view, in the fall, being surrounded by trees while you walk is an unquestioned delight. This 7.5km route, passing beside a lake, a river, and through interesting archaeological exhibits, should make a quite enjoyable weekend excursion for the casual outdoor enthusiast at any time of year. It may be found on pg. 264.

Manitou Mountain: Ascending Dillion Mountain on the shores of Calabogie Lake, the Manitou Mountain Trail features numerous lookouts with expansive views of the lower, surrounding countryside. But be warned, this 11.5km trek more is suitable for advanced hikers, as it requires both a good fitness level and competent navigation skills, especially when falling leaves carpet its indistinct footpath. The route description is found on pg. 200.

Pine Grove Forestry Trail: What path could be more ideal in the fall, when the glory of the forest's display captures so many imaginations? This 6km route, located in Ottawa's Greenbelt, is ideal for young children and novices, both because of its relatively level and wide pathway and because of its many interpretive panels, provided by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, which helps identify many of the tree species found along the route. The route description is on pg. 46.