Back on the Cataraqui

Tues. 10 November:  Back on the Cataraqui: MacGillivray Road to Sydenham

This line has me hooked!

For the second time within four days, here we were tackling a major section of the Cataraqui Trail.  Last Saturday a group of hikers completed their end-to-end journey, and today, we celebrated one more end-to-end completion.

The promise of sunshine soon turned to overcast skies, but it was an ideal day for a walk.  The cool breeze was at our backs, and apart from the faintest scotch mist towards the end of the journey, we stayed dry. 

The pace was steady, and we made good progress along the line, with plenty to see along the way:  signs of active beavers; several colorful birds, notably red-wing blackbirds and bluejays;  a heron taking off across Sydenham Lake; two large sleepy snakes beside the trail; industrious squirrels.  We also met a handful of human beings: one man with his dog, a cyclist, an elderly jogger.

A short distance east of Sydenham Lake is an ideal stopping place, with two Cataraqui Trail benches beside a small lake.  Here we had our lunch, including special home-baked cookies and some more of that delicious “hikers delight”.    

By the end of the journey, we had probably not lost any weight at all!

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

Statistics:

Total Distance:                16.9 km (hike)

Height Gain:                    128 ft.

Max. Elev:                       162 m (531 ft.)

Time on Trail:                  3 hrs. 50 mins.

MacGillivray Rd:               9.29 am

Lunch:                             11.46 am

Sydenham:                       1.19 pm

Temp:                              + 6C rising to +10C

Weather:                          Mostly overcast, hazy sun.  Cool  NE breeze.

Start of today's hike at MacGillivray Road

Bullrushes

Here at Maple Leaf Road, the Rideau Trail heads right

Recent beaver activity

Even more dramatic evidence of beavers

At the Perth Road crossing

Getting our kicks

Sleepy snake

Hikers Delight and Russian tea cakes

Lunch by the trail

Officially the worst ever photo of a heron!!

No more leaves to fall

Crossing Sydenham Lake

Summer challenges?

Hungry squirrel

Our route