The Passionate Hiker: December 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Challenge

Sun. 31 December: Challenge

536 km worth of RTA "150" badges!

We’ve been celebrating Canada’s 150^th birthday all year long. In so many different ways.

Hikers in Eastern Ontario have had a lot of fun attempting the Rideau Trail Association (RTA) challenge to travel 150 km on the Rideau Trail during the course of the year. And many people have been awarded their special edition "150" badges for completing this challenge.

Here’s a question: has anyone exceeded 150 km on the Rideau Trail this year? And by how much? The Passionate Hiker’s tally this year is 536 km. Which means, I suppose, that I could claim three and a half “150” badges! Can anyone top that?

And if you haven’t yet completed your 150 challenge, you have just a few hours left to do it.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gift Ideas

Wed. 20 December: Gift Ideas

Big Rideau Lake from Red Rock

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

Here’s an idea for a Christmas gift this year. Give yourself a treat and go on a short walk down to Red Rock on Big Rideau Lake. The round trip from the safe parking area on Miners Point Road is about six kilometres, all on a quiet, snow-packed side road. You can make it a slightly more challenging walk by sticking to the Rideau Trail where, on two occasions, it dives into the snowy woodland.

Either way, you will be rewarded with a stunning lakeside panorama. Today, this might have been two lakes at two different times: to my left, blue skies and dark blue waters, and to my right, the back end of a squall line, the watercolor clouds reflecting in the lake. Two for the price of one.

Treat yourself – and Merry Christmas to all my reader(s?).

View to the east: blue skies

View to the west: a disappearing squall line

Pleasant stroll down North Shore Road
(mid-ground: squirrel racing across road)

I quickly moved to the "wrong" side of the road
to avoid this speeding snowplow on Miners Point Road

Christmas gift: a visit to Red Rock

Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Lost Spike

Thurs. 14 December: The Lost Spike

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

The lost spike - then found!

This morning on the TV there was an interview with the author of an interesting book called “The First Spike”. It tells the story of the local railways of Eastern Ontario. I must ask Santa for a copy (hint!).

The title was probably inspired by Pierre Berton’s classic book “The Last Spike”, the story of the making of Canada, through the building of the CP railway.

It was a cold, sunny morning today, with temperatures around minus 23C, although it later "warmed up" to minus 15C. Six inches of snow lay on the ground. So for the first time this season I dug out my trusty MICROspikes for a walk along the Rideau Trail.

So spikes were on my mind today as I set out on my walk in the woods. Somewhere along the way, however, one of my MICROspikes fell off my boot. It had never happened before. Luckily, I found it on my return journey, lying in the snow.

My journey was a short pre-hike of this Saturday’s RTA trip from Long Lake Road to Lally Homestead. It is an enchanting woodland walk, and I hope you will join me on the trail. Bring your spikes!

On the road to Lally Homestead

On the snowy Rideau Trail south of Long Lake Road

Satellite shot of crystal trees beside a lake on another planet?
Or an icy puddle on the Rideau Trail. You decide.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Enticement

Fri. 1 December: Enticement

McLaren Point Road

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

Don’t these pictures entice you? To explore this quiet corner of Canada?

If so, then all you have to do is to turn up at Conlon Farm in Perth this Sunday morning (3rd December) at 8.45 and you will meet a friendly band of hikers who will be heading out on this enjoyable nine kilometre loop.

If you don’t read this blog until later, then go anyway. It’s worth the effort, at any time of year.

These photos, taken today, will be familiar to many local hikers, but perhaps may entice new explorers.