Trail that did not make the Book - #2

Gatineau Park features one of the most extensive trail networks of any nature park located close to a major Canadian city. In Hiking Trails of Ottawa, I featured 10 routes inside Gatineau Park, and I could have shown many others. One of those that did not make the book, but which I quite enjoy, is Trail 36, from the P11 parking lot at O'Brien Beach toward the Meech Valley.

This is a wonderful trail at all times of year, but very nice in April and May. Flowers are poking up everywhere, their leaves, more than their blossoms, providing a welcome splash of colour onto the grey and brown forest floor.

Trail 36 is also quite a physically challenging route. Except for a few hundred meters shortly after the parking area, it is almost never level for very long. Hill-climbing - or descending - will be a constant feature of your walk, and a few of these hills are likely to leave you a little short of breath. Expect to feel some ache in your hamstrings when you finish, especially if you neglect to stretch.

But there are many worthwhile sights. Within a kilometer of the start, you cross a bridge over the outflow from Lac Meech. This is almost always a lively place, as the gap is quite narrow and a fair amount of water needs to flow toward the Gatineau River.

About 2.5km into the walk, the path edges around a cove on Meech Lake, passing in front of a private cottage. This is a scenic spot, and is a favourite resting point for those who are enjoying a relaxed weekend amble.

If one is eager to obtain exercise, Trail 36 can be followed to its end at a junction with Trail 50. Turn left, and you will reach either Herridge or Healey shelters, 10km from P11 and providing a respectable 20km return hike.

My choice, usually, is to hike to a bench located on the shore of Meech Lake about 6km from the start. This is an exceptionally tranquil location, and in the summer, a wonderful swimming destination. I hiked here on April 30, and we could hear both loon and wild turkey, and sighted an osprey. (Did not swim yet, however.) After a brief rest and a snack, we retraced our path back to P11.

Do not let the fact that I did not include it in the book deter you. This is a very enjoyable walk, and the main reason I left it out was that once the beach opens in the summer you must pay a fairly substantial fee to use the parking area. My frugal nature triumphed, and I left Trail 36 out of the book.

Spring is just Around the Corner

I am writing this article on March 14, 2011. The temperature hovers at the zero mark, with the sunlight gently warming my face. The ground is still snow-covered, largely thanks to a few heavy falls earlier in the month, but the forecast is for temperatures to climb to +10 later in the week, these high temperatures accompanied by rainfall.

Spring is rapidly coming, and sooner than you might think. The first picture in this article was taken on March 20, 2009. Like today, it was sunny and enticingly warm, a teasing hint of mellow weather that prompted me to walk along the Ottawa River Pathway East. There was still plenty of snow and ice, and it was obvious that this condition would not long last, but winter still seemed to hold a firm grip.

The second picture was taken on April 2, 2010, also on the Ottawa River Pathway East. And what a difference. There is no snow in sight, and walkers are confidently striding with sleeves rolled up their arms. On the day, the runners went by in shorts.

It is never easy to predict what conditions will prevail from year-to-year, but from past experience we can confidently say that spring will arrive soon, and the trails will reveal themselves for another year of enjoyment. Now is the time to dig out your equipment, checking to see that your safety gear is topped up and complete, and to decide what must be replaced.

The trails will soon be ready; will you?

Cold Snap hits Eastern Ontario - Stay Indoors?

This weekend the wind chill reached -39 in the City of Ottawa, and to hear the media there was nothing for anyone to do but seal the doors, brew up some hot chocolate, and settle in front of the television set.

I disagree.

There is no question that -39 is not merely extremely cold, but potentially dangerous. At that temperature, exposed flesh can quickly freeze and frostbite is a real possibility. However, that does not mean to me that you should not go outside. It simply - but most assuredly - means that you must take the proper precautions: dress appropriately, choose a route where you have the ability to return to shelter rapidly if necessary, and monitor your condition constantly.

I actually went outdoors three times on Sunday, and walked a combined distance of more than 14km. The first was before breakfast, although not before coffee. I am fortunate to have near the house a wooded path tracing a ridge line. I spent nearly an hour tramping along this ridge; I took the above picture with my Blackberry.

Was I cold? Surprisingly, not really. I had two layers on my legs and four on my torso. I wore mittens and a toque, as well as a kerchief that I could raise over my face. My fingers felt chilled somewhat, as were my toes, and any exposed skin felt raw, particularly when I headed into the wind, but when I finished my walk I was sweating; you can see it frozen on my toque.

I am not saying that -39 temperatures should be discounted, but neither do I think that they preclude being active in the outdoors. During my walks on Sunday, I saw people walking their dogs, children sledding in a local park, and cross-country skiers (true, bundled up with so many layers that they could barely move).

So do not let the cold weather of January and February force you into hibernation. You might need to put a little more effort into what you wear, but if you chose wisely, you can still get outside and absorb more of that delicious sunshine that our body craves so much in these winter months.