Straight Forward

Sun. 24 April:  Straight Forward

The Duke of Plaza-Toro
leading his regiment from behind

What could be simpler than a hike along an old railway line? 

The answer is: a return hike along an old railway line.   Why?  Because a return trip would avoid the complex world of car shuttling. 

Luckily for the Passionate Hiker, he had an amazingly helpful team of drivers today, who willingly offered their vehicles to make sure everyone had a ride, and equally supportive hikers who made no complaint as they waited patiently as the shuttle process took place.

Straight Forward
(pre-hike pic)

There is actually a simple formula for car shuttles, which assures nobody is left waiting at the start or end of a trip, and this is critical on winter hikes with sub-zero temperatures.  But it sometimes requires more vehicles than are available.  And for a hike such as today’s, under bright sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, there was no penalty to be paid for a short wait.

The reader might wonder why a group of experienced hikers would choose to walk along a railway line in the first place, when there are plenty of more “interesting” trails available in the area.  But these railway hikes are popular, whether they be along the Cataraqui Trail, or the K&P Trail – both of which this author completed end-to-end last year - or in this case, the Ontario and Quebec railway, (the O&Q).  The appeal lies in the ability to stretch the legs and make effortless progress, while enjoying good conversation and not having to look out for rocks and roots along the way.  And there is, in this author’s experience, always lots of interest, even when least expected. 

Lunch beside McGowan Lake
(pre-hike pic)

Our ten kilometre journey today started in a rural farming setting, ending up in a remoter swampy forested landscape.  The line curved through gentle valleys, sometimes passing through low rock cuts, and then across wet swamps on raised embankments.  There were old farms close to the line, quiet country lanes crossing our route occasionally, and a handful of passing quad riders – always considerate – and then there was the pair of hiking boots.  

There they lay, beside the trail, a pair of smart-looking boots in perfectly good condition.  We wondered how they might have ended up there.  Perhaps they fell off a passing quad bike, or maybe someone had been abducted by aliens or eaten by a bear – we had no good answer.  So we left them in the middle of the trail for some lucky passer-by to find, and resumed our journey, slightly puzzled.

Our lunch stop took place at the seven kilometre mark above the south shore of McGowan Lake, more familiar from the north side where the busy Highway 7 follows the shoreline.  But some thoughtless tick landed on someone’s leg, and so prompted a shorter than usual break.  It was, however, a good reminder for all of us to keep an eye out for those impossibly elusive and sometimes sneaky – and always tiny - pests.

Our route

There might be lots more that could be written about this pleasant stroll, but this will do.  The author apologizes to the reader for not having made use of his camera today.  Unlike the celebrated Duke of Plaza-Toro, he chose to lead his regiment of fourteen other hikers from the front!

So as the reader can see, it was all very straight forward.  And straight forward is definitely a good thing as far as any conscientious hike leader is concerned.

Enjoy this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dmQMl3JtLY