Resolutions

Sat. 3 January:  Rideau Trail:  Tay River

Perth:  winter storm on the way

A New Year’s Resolution walk – the ideal answer to a week of Holiday Cheer!

Despite the cold temperatures and a forecast for snow, fourteen of us gathered at Conlon Farm in Perth to take up the challenge.   This section of the Rideau Trail, right through the middle of Perth and along the Rideau River/Canal is one of the prettiest sections of the entire trail – even on an overcast winter’s day.  I had walked from the house to Conlon Farm, to avoid the need to drive today.

In the centre of town, opposite the Town Hall, is a large Rideau Trail sign.  Here we stopped for a “team photo”.

New barriers had been erected along Riverside Road after an unfortunate accident last year.  There was a steady flow of cars along this section today, and so we were glad to head out into the fields beside the river.  Thanks to the efforts of the hiking club last year, in clearing brush along the towpath, it was a pleasant stroll beside the water’s edge – the water now mostly turned to ice. 

Somewhere along this trail, one of my hiking partners found my rusty saw beside the trail.  I had lost it back in the summer.  We were soon putting it to good use, removing a tree which had been felled recently by a beaver, and filling in a large hole beside the trail.

We stopped for a hot drink at the old inukshuk, where the trail turns inland towards Rathwell Road.  The stones have been rearranged to make a series of small seats and a bench.  In the trees above us were two male pileated woodpeckers, busily looking for food I suppose.

Halfway back along the trail, the snowflakes started to fly, and in a very short space of time, the green landscape had been blanketed with new snow.  The coffee shop at the old Shoe Factory proved to be the ideal stopping place for the remaining members of the hike – by now we were down to nine! 

It was a trudge through the snow back into town, a very different scene from two hours previously - now with streets and sidewalks covered with snow and more heavy flakes falling. 

We had timed this New Year’s resolution hike perfectly.   Now all I have to do is to figure out what I have just resolved to do this year!

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

Statistics:

Total Distance:         11.6 km (hike)

Height Gain:             Negligible

Time on Trail:          3 hrs. 6 mins.

O/A trip:                  3  hrs. 55 mins.

Dep. home:             9.02 am

Arr. Conlon Farm:   9.17 am

Start main hike:       9.33 am

Turn-around pt.:    11.05 am

Arr. Coffee stop:    12.10 pm

Dep. Coffee stop:  12.43 pm

Home:                    12.57 pm

Temp:           Around Minus 11C

Weather:       Overcast, then snow

Conlon Farm - meeting place for the hikers

Crossing the Tay River in Perth

Perth town centre

Beside the Tay River

On the tow path beside the river/canal

Wider path thanks to efforts of the RTA last year

Canal and river take separate parallel courses

Male pileated woodpecker - one of two we saw here

Tiny nest - possibly wren or hummingbird

Snow storm blows in...

...and quickly accumulates as we return to the start