Ridgewalk

Fri. 26 August:  Ridgewalk

Lots of dangerous holes to fall into

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

I can’t keep up with all this activity.

Just like my Rideau Trail end-to-end trip two years ago, this “blue trail challenge” has turned me into a fanatic.  This was my third trip to Gould Lake in just over a week.  If you have been there, you will know that it’s a little off the beaten track, especially when approached, as we did it, from the north.

Today our mission was to finish off the Gould Lake Blue Loops with a hike along the Ridgewalk trail and back along the shoreline on the main Rideau Trail.  In case you have not been following my previous blog entries, my goal is to hike all the side trails of the Rideau Trail, which are marked by blue (as opposed to red) triangles.  Why?  Because I want to find out what we are missing by often ignoring these side trails, and then to find a way to introduce more people to these lesser used routes.

The main feature of the Ridgewalk comes just before you drop down off the northern end of the ridge.  Here the trees thin out, giving fine views across the lake from our rocky perch.  We were perhaps only about a hundred and twenty feet above the water, but it felt a lot more than that.  The return beside the lake provided many more ideal viewpoints of lake and islands.

It was such a perfect day for hiking that we kept on walking, adding the Mine Loop and Spur trail to our hike. This loop I had completed only two days earlier.  It was just as spectacular the second time around.  As we cooled off our feet in the lake waters at the end of the Spur trail, a tiny frog hopped up on the rock, looking up at us with interest.  The sound of the loons echoed across the lake.

Back at the beach, a few families were relaxing by the lake.  The summer camp kids were racing off into the woods for a game of cat and mouse.  A short swim in the dark waters was the perfect way to cool down. 

I have several more Blue Trails yet to explore.  Gould Lake has set the bar high. 

Rideau Trail bridge

Reflections in the lily pond

There were little frogs everywhere

Superb new boardwalk replaces older version

Southern end of Ridgewalk

Climbing up the ridge

Past a large swamp

Ridge-top rocks

Some larger trees...

...but many, especially oaks, suffering from the dry summer

My hiking partner likes to point out the scenery..

..in both directions!

Northern end of the Ridgewalk

Back along the main Rideau Trail

An exciting section of trail

Spectacular views

Deep mica pits right beside the trail

Spot the friendly visitor...

Frog Friend