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”.
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 |
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