We are having quite a variety of winter weather. After a period where it seemed that it snowed every day, we had a brief thaw and then back to cold weather. I have found that if a trail is packed with snowshoes several times, and that is followed by a few days of cold weather there is often a good crust that you can walk on without breaking through the crust. I had packed a trail near Bishop’s Road with the help of George Cantin and hoped it would have a good crust by the hike on Sunday afternoon on February 2nd. On our hike, we found that some of the trail was very good to hike on and other parts there was a tendency to break through the crust. I get upset when a trail has deep holes made by a walker breaking through the crust. When there is another snowfall, the holes get filled up and obscured, so that one can unexpectantly find these deep holes, and possibly twist an ankle.
So far, February has been a busy month. On Sunday Feb 2nd seven of us hiked or snowshoed the Maitland Trail and John and Marylo Graham Nature Conservancy trails, On Monday, I checked out the Maitland Trail at Sharpes Creek Line and found that Snowdrift Hill lived up to its name with deep drifts across the trail, as well as a small windfall. The Tuesday Trompers were out as usual in the Maitland Woods. On Wednesday, twelve hikers were on the Naftel’s Creek trails, and several of us had another short hike on the George Newton Trail. On Thursday, eight of us returned to the Maitland Trail and Nature Conservancy trail. Some of it had a strong crust produced by snow machines, parts had a fair crust from previous snowshoeing, and we also packed a trail as far as a Property boundary. As well as the usual deer tracks, there were also some from a raccoon and grouse. I have noticed several holes that look like the entrance to a burrow, probably made by a rabbit.
Notes:
Hikers on any Maitland Trail outing are reminded to sign the 2025 Online waiver, even if they signed the 2024 waiver.
Saturday February 15th 10 am hike the Varna trails with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.
Saturday February 15th 6.30-8.30 pm Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods Note change of date.
A 1.5 km portion of Maitland Woods Trail will be transformed by the flickering beauty of candlelight. Participants start from the trail entrance at the east end of the Columbus Centre parking lot during operating hours. Conditions vary on this leisurely paced 0.75-1 hour circuit. Anyone with their own candle lanterns is welcome to display them on the trail
Thursday February 20th 2 pm hike a trail to raise funds for the Coldest Night of Year in support for the hurt, hungry and homeless in the area. I am leader of the Maitland Trail Hikers (Patrick capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.) If you cannot hike on this day or on Saturday with another team, please sponsor a member of a team. See cnoy.org/Goderich, where there at present there are 41 teams and 196 walkers or cnoy.org/wingham where there are at present 17 teams and 61 walkers.
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11 am to 12.30 pm. This is a meditative walk at Menesetung Bridge and Sifto Loop. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move! Dress appropriately for moving slowly. Please leave your pets at home (dogs are already very Zen!). Meet at Big Rock at North Harbour Road, Goderich. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya Macintyre at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636. This is a level 1, slow paced, 1.5 hour hike.
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 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com
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