"In like a Lion..."

Sun. 22 March:  Return to Foley Mountain

On Foley Mountain

For heaven’s sake!  This is the first week of Spring, but you wouldn’t know it.  The north wind was biting and the temperatures were in the minus teens Celsius.  Such small matters, however, would never deter the enthusiastic group of hikers who gathered this morning at Conlon Farm in Perth.

Our destination was Foley Mountain, a perennial favourite, and with good cause.  The trails here are a delight, and there is always a good chance to see wildlife along the way.  The hard-packed snow along the trails allowed us to forsake our snow-shoes for icers, which made the going easier. 

First stop was, of course, Spy Rock.  The temperatures might have been frigid, but the sky was bright blue, and the view down to a frozen Westport was as spectacular as you could wish.  We continued in a clockwise direction along the blue trail before heading down the escarpment to the Interpretive Centre and our usual “elevenses” stopping place in the trees.  There were no snowmobiles whizzing across the lake today, perhaps because the first signs of thinning ice were evident.

Continuing eastwards past the beach area to the eastern end of the trail system, we then turned westwards for the steady climb back up the hillsides.  This section of trail, below the rocks, through the trees, is a highlight of the park.  We heard the sound of a blue jay making a warning call, and some cheerful chickadees chirping in the distance.  There were deer tracks all over the ground, and at the end of our hike we spotted three deer through the trees near the parking area.  We also noticed a turkey vulture flying up into the trees, but no owls today.

Even at the end of our journey, the air was frigid and temperatures well below zero.  Sooner or later, Spring will arrive, but it’s certainly taking its time this year.

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

Statistics: 

Total Distance:         8.0 km (‘shoe)

Height Gain:             Say 200 ft.

Time on Trail:           2 hrs. 45 mins.

Start:                        10.02 am

Blue/Red Tr. Jn:      10.54 am

Interp. Ctr:               11.12 am

E. end:                     11.52 am

Ret. to cars:             12.47 pm

Temp:            Minus 13C rising to minus 9C

Weather:       Cloudless, biting N. wind

Westport from Spy Rock

Foley Mountain trail signs

Upper Rideau Lake through the trees

Dropping down the fault line

Maple syrup time (as soon as it warms up enough)

Our favourite lunch spot

Keeping on the move

The swimming beach (but not yet!)

Leaf art

A canopy in summer

Climbing back up the escarpment

Finally signs of Spring with the snow reluctantly starting to melt

We were here - we were everywhere today!