Mad March Days

Sun. 15 March:  Mad March Days:  The Rideau Trail circuit from Ferrier Road

Mad March Days on the Rideau Trail

The pictures can tell the story of this weekend’s trip. 

It was one of those late winter days when the blustery wind was racing through the tree-tops, and it still felt cold, although the temperatures were closer to zero than they had been for a long time.  The snow was losing its strength, making snow-shoes essential for the remoter sections of this circuit.

This route took us southwards through one of the most varied and interesting sections of the Rideau Trail, before returning along quiet, snow-packed country roads to the starting point on Ferrier Road.

Highlight of our journey was the lunch stop at the lonely hunters cabin, where the thoughtful occupants had left some comfy swivel chairs out on the front porch.  It made for a luxurious resting place.

The gusts of wind carried the sound of a distant train horn across the fields and forests.  We hoped that, on this mad March day, it was also scurrying away with the last gasps of a long, cold winter.

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


Statistics: 

Total Distance:         10.5 km (‘shoe)

Height Gain:             Say 200 ft.

Time on Trail:           3 hrs. 41 mins.

Start Ferrier Rd:        9.50 am

Hunters Cabin:        11.39 am 

Stanley Rd:             12.37 pm

Ferrier Rd:                1.00 pm

Ret. to cars:              1.31 pm

Temp:                 Minus 1 C

Weather:            Blustery winds, spits of snow, overcast

Crossing the stile at Ferrier Road

Into the woods

Stile style

Boardwalk balance

This is a rugged section of the Rideau Trail

A favourite tree (or what's left of it)

Bridge crossing

The hunters cabin - our lunch stop

30-pointer:   That would be some stag

Back on the trail

Heading down the road from McLaren Point

Ferrier Road

An apple a day...