The Mill Pond

Sat. 13 December:  The Mill Pond

Yet another hidden gem of Eastern Ontario

There was not a breath of wind today.  So it seemed appropriate to be hiking at the Mill Pond Conservation Area southeast of Perth.  The waters of the Pond would have been calm – if they had not already frozen over!  Last week we had our first significant snowfall, and temperatures below minus ten C, and so the landscape had been transformed into a silent snow-covered world.

This beautiful corner of Eastern Ontario has been preserved thanks to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, which is a community based environmental protection agency.  Many years ago a dam had been built to create this meandering lake, very much more than a simple mill pond.  A roughly circular trail undulates through the forests, with a side loop leading onto a narrow peninsula jutting out into the water.

Our group of about nine hikers made a leisurely clockwise circuit of these loops.  The snow was a little slippery on the gentle hills, but it was a perfect day for a stroll in the woods.  Later in the season this would make a good snow shoe trip. 

Mill Pond clearly has a special place in the hearts of my fellow hikers.  I learned of canoe trips on the Pond, of ospreys nesting on a tall tree across the water, of giant snapping turtles, and foxes and many species of birds, and wildflowers such as the Dutchman’s breeches which will bloom in early Spring in a special place that was pointed out to me.  We saw some beautiful trees, including a stand of tall pines, and the footprints of several wild animals.

Somewhere along the trail we crossed over a tiny stream, running down to the wetland beyond the trees.  One of my colleagues asked me to take a photo of this little piece of paradise.  Unfortunately the photo came out blurred.  This note here may encourage the reader to come and explore this trail for yourself.

Mill Pond is yet another hidden gem of Eastern Ontario.  I know that I will return here in the future.

Note:  single-click on the first picture above to scroll through the photos separately

Statistics:

Total Distance:         4.5 km (hike)

Height Gain:             Say 100 ft.

Time on Trail:          2 hrs. 7 mins.

Start:                        11.39 am

Finish:                        1.46 pm

Temp:           Around Minus 2C

Weather:       Cloudy, sunny spells, no wind

Setting out

First glimpse of Mill Pond

A pretty woodland trail

View across the Mill Pond to site of an osprey nest

Ideal hiking terrain

The remains of a lime kiln can be explored here

Through the trees

Sugar shack and picnic shelter

Almost the shortest day of the year

Back to our starting point

Minus 2C and no wind