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Fay's First
Hike
I guess turning 50 for some of us is a
natural progression into happiness and contentment, but for others it
means taking a new path into the unknown, leaving behind everything that
made you who you are.
While you are pondering over which path to take,
you find yourself wrestling with the steering wheel, while spinning your
tires trying to get back onto the familiar road you have traveled all
your life.
You're like a leaf in the wind, fluttering here
and there, disconnected and free, not knowing where you are going to land.
The children have already left, or are just on the threshold and after
20 years everyone expects you to stop being a parent.
You talk too little, or too much. Words you have
said in the past all of a sudden become unimportant, or horribly wrong.
Overnight, you have become a transparent piece of the furniture. You feel
your life is sand, slowly running through an hourglass, and your afraid
that what remains of your life will feel like an hour. You wake up one
morning and realize that you and your partner have really not much in
common, except for one thing - the Great Outdoors!
I've always been a walker, but a couple of years
ago I suggested to my husband we take up backpack hiking. He had no qualms
about giving it a try, so we excitedly researched and purchased some equipment.
The most important part of the body when hiking is the feet. Good hiking
boots are a must. To get a real feel for this new spring adventure, we
packed a lunch, brought along the camera and binoculars and hiked some
flat terrain mulch-covered paths only a few miles from our home. Soon
it was summer vacation and both of us were looking for something new,
an adventure.
We packed our newly-bought hiking equipment, loaded
our new pickup truck and struck out for a three day hiking trip in Northern
Ontario! Being as green as grass, little did we know that we were heading
into the most rugged trails imaginable, at the very end of the Bruce Trail,
at Tobermory.
It was a cool cloudy day as we pulled into the
parking lot of the motel that served as our base camp. We stepped out
of the truck and got our first gulp of the cool summer breeze drifting
across the lake. A couple of sailboats and a fishing trawler drifted into
the harbour on the clearest blue water, I've ever seen.
This is going to be great, I thought, as I shivered
and quickly turned the key. We threw our equipment on the bed and went
to our window to view the lake.
Since, it was already late in the day, we decided
to eat our packed lunch and take a short hike into the village, nestled
around the harbour. We'd map out the trails. Tomorrow would be our first
full day of hiking.
We awoke early, quickly showered and dressed and
enjoyed a continental breakfast in the motel restaurant overlooking the
lake. To get to the starting point of our first trail, we had to drive
a few miles south and then turn east into a parking lot.
A sign indicated bears were often in the area,
but my husband convinced me it was probably a warning, not reality, when
I initially refused to leave the truck.
Our map marked a six-mile loop that would take
us out to rocky cliffs and a panoramic view of the lake.
Our backpacks were much heavier than the light
loads we were used to for treks around home. They were filled with everything
from rain gear, food for the day or overnight if needed, bug spray, flashlight,
emergency kit, and warm clothes. To my husband's dismay, I was prepared
for the worst-case scenario.
Although, our map information gave directions,
there was no notice on how difficult the trail might be; beginner, intermediate
or advanced. It began as a beginner trail, with a crushed stone path,
well marked, and well traveled by other human beings. This is great, we
thought, a piece of cake.
But soon, it turned to an intermediate trail and
we were beginning to wonder if we had taken on more of a challenge than
we had planned. We crossed a wooden bridge and not wanting to admit we
were inexperienced wimps, we began a narrow trail through thick forest,
green slime, deep crevices, twisted tree roots and big slippery boulders
as far as the eye could see.
Each step took us farther into difficult terrain
that to this day we haven't encountered anywhere else. Focusing on every
step as not to turn an ankle or lose our footing, we often had to stop
and make sure we were still on the trail. Not another human being in sight,
and thank heavens, no bears. Besides, no one or anything would be stupid
enough to be out here in the middle of nowhere, and heaven forbid if we
had to run from a bear. Tree climbing was not my thing.
We were maintaining a slow pace, but determined
to reach our destination. Time was passing quickly and we didn't want
to try to navigate this trail in the dark it would have been virtually
impossible. Thoughts of camping overnight began to haunt me. After hours
of constant climbing and concentration, we came to the lake and trail
markings leading us across a vast outlay of round, white rocks, each the
size of a coffee mug.
None of the rocks were stable and they rolled with every step. I stopped,
exhausted, and ready to give up.
Finally, we came to a road that seemed to be heading
nowhere. No loop, no signs, only a log to rest on and eat some of our
lunch. We had no idea where we were and we hadn't seen another human being
since we left the motel.
We had a decision to make, to either follow the
road and hope it came out onto a highway, or return the same way we came.
We knew the trail back didn't excite us much,
but at least we were confident that it would take us back to our truck.
The road idea was an unknown. Really tired now, we gathered up our stuff
and headed back.
Our first hike was far more frightening and challenging
than anyone could ever imagine, but it paved the way for our continuing
interest in hiking and a brand new appreciation of the dangers and the
beauty of nature.
Needed Equipment:
Hiking can be the most inexpensive
of all sports.
You will spend the most money on a good pair
of properly fitted, laced, high-top hiking boots.
You will not regret the cost, as comfort and
safety should be your top priority.
Carry your own backpack, and stock it with plenty
of water, food (in an insulated lunch bag with a small freezer pack),
a first aid kit, insect repellent, tissues, a pocket knife, flashlight,
a whistle (if you need to call for help), a rain poncho, a map of the
trail (helpful, as trails are not always clearly marked), a camera and
binoculars, if you wish.
Take along anything else you think you might
need, but remember…..you are carrying it. Encourage the kids to
carry their own backpacks with food, water and a whistle.
Helpful Hints:
Do not go off the trail. You would
not believe how quickly you can become disoriented if you don't stay on
the trail.
There will be colored circles or strips of paint
on trees along the route. Follow the markings and be aware of what is
around you. On advanced trails, you concentrate on every step, so take
the time to stop and look around. You do not want to miss a spectacular
view, a flower, or peculiar rock formation or tree.
With everyone carrying their own backpack of supplies,
it ensures that if anyone should get separated from the group (heaven
forbid), their supplies will sustain them until they are found. Carry
a watch and check the time as you first begin the trail. Since you really
do not know how long it will take you to complete the hike, check the
time periodically and recognize that it will take you that much time to
return.
Unless you are hiking in an isolated area, you
will meet other hikers along the way who are friendly and willing to help.
All of the trails I will be profiling are not always well traveled and
washroom facilities are an added bonus, so there may be times when the
nearest tree or bush may suffice.
Dress for the weather and layer clothing. As you
walk you may get overheated and wish to shed that jacket. Do not wear
cologne. Bugs love it! Mosquitoes are attracted to dark coloured clothing,
so wear light colours, long sleeves and pants. For added protection make
sure you apply bug repellent.
We found early morning is the most comfortable time to hit the trails.
The air is fresh and cool. It also provides you with the full light of
day for your return, if you happen to get lost or have taken the wrong
turn.
So, come on … let's Take a Hike.
Dundas Valley Conservation Area
Spring Creek Trail
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Directions: From 403, take Hwy. 52 to Copetown. Turn right on Governor's
Rd. (Regional Rd. 299) to the main entrance of the Dundas Conservation
Area. There is an admission fee.
It had rained the day before and we knew late
March was a bit early to hit the trails. But the south-easterly breeze
had a hint of warmth in it and the blue sky promised spring had finally
arrived.
We had been to the Dundas Valley Conservation
area last year when we hiked the Main Loop Trail, and got lost when
we took a wrong turn, an embarrassing moment I won't mention too often.
So, make sure you get a map of the area at the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center, a reproduction of a Victorian
Railway Station, is about a five-minute, easy walk from the parking
lot, and it is here where all the other trails branch off.
Today, we decided to take the Spring Creek Trail.
It winds northeast off into the forest and in a few minutes you will
arrive at an information board with instructions on warm-up exercises.
If you feel fit enough to attempt the fitness
trail, it loops off to the right of the main path and then farther down,
connects back. There are obstacle structures built along the main trail
if you wish to test your fitness level. We decided we didn't want to
know.
We checked the time and began our hike.
Hard-packed earth and gravel made up the trail
surface with some small uphill grades, but it was a pleasant walk with
the creek almost always in view. In low-lying areas it became quite
wet and muddy, but not impassable.
We were glad we were wearing a good pair of
waterproof hiking boots. Make it a practice to keep other shoes in your
vehicle for your return. You may want to get out of those hot, sometimes
muddy boots.
Since it was still too early for the leaves to have formed on the trees,
we could clearly see the creek widen and narrow with an array of currents
pushing through the foliage creating tiny waterfalls as the water cascaded
over fallen logs. It's a path it has followed for hundreds of years.
Just where the trail bordered the creek bank, I noticed across the widest
portion, nestled into the grass, tiny spots of yellow. Could be wild
flowers I thought, but it was too far away to tell.
We pushed on, down some hills, over a bridge
where a mallard duck with his mate were swimming casually along the
creek, periodically diving under the water for food. Oh, the male was
so beautiful with his green and white markings beside the drab brown
female. They didn't like us invading their privacy, so they slowly turned
away and headed back up stream.
Enjoying what seemed like a moderate walking
pace, we had become quite warm as we came to the end of the Spring Creek
Trail, so we removed our jackets, stopped for lunch and checked the
time. It had been an hour, so it would be an hour back, as this trail
does not loop your return the same way you came. I thought retracing
our steps would be a bit boring, but it is remarkable how many sights
are overlooked and missed entirely when you pass by the first time.
As we began our trek back, poking through the
grass at the trails edge, were yellow spring flowers called Coltsfoot.
It's a dandelion-like plant with a flower head about one inch and thin
spiky petals surrounding the centre. It blooms from February to June
and it got its name from the leaf, which is supposed to resemble a colt's
foot. According to the Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, the
extract from the fresh leaves can be used for making cough drops or
hard candy, and its dried leaves can be steeped for tea. So don't step
on the Coltsfoot.
Farther on, we crossed paths again with the
mallard duck and his mate, swimming upstream in rhythm, as graceful
as a dance in slow motion.
Creeping as quietly as I could, I reach the
edge of the creek and knelt down behind a fallen log to get a photo.
Realizing I was there, they just paddled away, unruffled, determined
to complete their mission.
Our return hike did give a new perspective:
Views from different angles, a variety of tree formations we hadn't
seen before and hills that had somehow grown steeper. It hadn't occurred
to us that the opening trail had been a gentle downhill walk. But coming
back it was a continuous uphill climb, some grades steeper than others.
Even if you think you are reasonably fit, as
we do, the added weight of your backpack and heavier boots all add to
the workout resistance.
Hearts pumping and getting a little tired now,
our last leg of the hike and the parking lot was in full view.
Our hiking time had been two hours and fifteen
minutes. It had been a good workout, and a very pleasant experience
for the first hike of the season.
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