Finally and because of Family... On the trails!

After a week and  half of celebrating with family, we ended off our Year One Celebrations with a night at the campground.  My nieces were keen on trying out a night in the tents, so, all of us keeners spent one night and a morning at the Glen Rouge Campground in east Toronto. 

Company while Working

Prior to the camping, I was on volunteer duty at the Glen Rouge trail head for the Rouge Park's 1st Bio Blitz.  Waiting for 4 hrs for eco-researchers to register at my check-in site was not the most interesting volunteer gig, so I called on my partner to drop off Lil'-Chica to keep me entertained.  We live a hop, skip and a jump from the Rouge Park.  Lil' Chica and I had fun practising walking on the grass, playing with pine cones, chatting with researchers, and ... gasp... peeling bark off of trees! 

On Duty at BioBlitz before the Fun Begins

The Main Event

The main impetus for our one-night camp-out was our 2 visiting nieces.  High on the list of camping events would be roasting marshmallows and making smores.  Here's a taste of it:

Smores before Snores



The Next Morning

In the morning, we were all up by 6:30.  Feathered folk sure put on a show come sun-up.  Singing birds are super alarm clocks, and they also work against the usual sleep-in that prevents us from enjoying the best part of the day.  Lil' Chica, on the other hand, woke up around 7:30, her usual wake-up time.

Tent for 5

Challenge Young Muscles on the Mast Trail

Our camp-out in Rouge Park would be incomplete without a walk on the Mast Trail, an easy to moderate hike for the average adult.  But, for children on foot, it could be challenging -- hills and a return distance of 6k (with the walk-in portion to the trail head). 

With hot-chocolate and peanut-better sandwiches in their tummies, my nieces were up for the challenge and conquered it with energy to spare.  

At the bridge over the Rouge River a couple 100m to the Mast Trail head.

Start Young for Best Practices on the Trails 

One of the best reasons for taking youngsters on the trails is that they can learn best practices from an early age.  On the Mast Trail, there are many unofficial trails that have led to fragmented animal habitat and loss of native flora.  Staying on official trails is one way to keep a more pristine forest floor. 

When coming to a fork on a blazed trail, follow the direction by looking at the upper of the 2 blazes.  In the case below, the upper blaze indicates a veer right.

Which way to go?  Right!

 Looking forward to a few more camp-outs with the family.  Since I am new to it all, I would appreciate any suggestions for camping with toddlers (foods, gear, clothing, etc.) and good camping spots that are no more that 2-hrs drive from Toronto or Montreal.  By the way, the Glen Rouge Campground is the only official public campground in the city of Toronto.