Summer Legs Gone

Meeting up Parent #3 at Whitevale

Good fun last weekend with my Meetup crew  (http://www.meetup.com/Pickering-Parents-Hiking-Group/), including my hiker buddy T'ana.  We really like to pump up the jam for a good few hours when we get out, so we decided on a 15km-Seaton Trail stint last Sunday morning.  The plan was to go northbound for 4.5 km whereupon we'd meet up with another parent, continue northward for 3 km, rest, then return south to drop off the parent and stop at our parking spot -- 15 km in total.


It was really good to be out on the trail with her familiar face, especially as we had not hiked together for over 2 months; a far cry from the almost daily walks while we were on mat leave together.  I think that the last time we hiked together was on the Bruce Trail in August.  With lots to catch up on, we chatted for a good long while about Halloween, family, day care, work, housing prices (ugh!) and life in general



Stop pulling my hair on the steps :-)  Too cute.

After a good hour or so, we met up with another Meetup parent and continued on to Green River where we rested, stretched and ate.  High spirits kept up even on our way back ... until we were at about the 12-km mark -- the mostly up-hill part... ZOIX!  Trying to keep up our old summertime pace was a challenge as our legs were feeling the burn and tightness.  Was it the increased weight on our backs... heavier babies?  Was it the thinning air as we walked up-slope?  Nah, it wasn't like it was Mount Kilamanjaro.  The one comment that rang true was:  "My summer legs are gone."  I won't tell you which one of us said it.  But, suffice it to say that we both thought it.

Looking forward to our next leg-burn.

In the Rain with a Hiker Buddy


The weather forecast could have left us hopeless – rain all day.  Booooo!!!  But, we went out anyways.  After a few minutes on trail, I realized that all would be well.  We had come prepared, after all.  Onward along the Seaton Trail for a 16 km hike with rain gear in tow.

On the first leg near the corn fields.  There is hardly a drizzle.



It had been some time since I had seen my hiker buddy, Katy, so I was excited to meet up.  As it turned out, she could not join us at the start at the Forestream Rd trailhead, because her little Paige had to complete her beauty rest. (Aaah... the mystery of a baby who loves to sleep in.  My L’il Chica sleeps no later than 6:55 a.m.  Up and at 'em.  Want to play, Ma?).   We had to hike a good 6 km before we met up at the Whitevale trail head, so we kept a good pace.

Once we met up with Katy, we got to chatting about everything from her camping vacation, the Olympics (the whole Canadian Women’s Football drama), family, and, one of our favourite topics while killing calories, food! Home-made Mac & Cheese and wild blueberries topped the list.

After about 3 km we were at Green River and Highway 7 where we chilled for a bit at the community centre. Up to this point the drizzle had been light and we were well-sheltered under an ash tree. On the menu was PBJ sandwiches, peaches, water and bananas for L’il Chica and me. Katy and Paige’s spread included wild blueberries (thankfully they shared with us). Yummy :o) If you ever get a chance to sample wild blueberries (they are smaller and tastier than the store variety) take advantage of it. The extra cost is worth it.



L'il Chica and Paige taking a break from their carriers

Rain Cover for the Vaude Carrier

Rain Cover for the Deuter Carrier



By now, the drizzle was steadier, and we had to pull out the rain covers for the carriers.  First time for me... woo hoo!  We headed back south toward Whitevale with high spirits and lots of energy.  The girls were also happy despite the drizzly weather.  We hung out a bit at Whitevale to chat some more and to give Paige a stretch before the car ride home.  Sadly, L’il Chica and I had to say goodbye as we still had an hour or so to get back to where we parked at Forestream.  See you soon, Katy and Paige!

See you soon, Katy and Paige!





Alright, then. Still 6 km to go, all by our lonesomes. Wait! That would be ‘my’ lonesome. L’il Chica has fallen asleep within a few minutes – the inevitable on a long hike. The walk back is at times tough on my legs as I am getting tired, the hills on this southern part of the trail grow increasingly tougher, and L’il Chica is getting heavier as she grows. But, silence is golden, and the pitter-patter of the rain on the leaves make me forget my wet shoes and pants. 





I am Tired and Slouching on the Last Leg

 

Hmm... I'm also getting hungry. What's for lunch?

Home-made Mac & Cheese!  Thanks for a great morning, Katy and Paige.

Mother's Day Hike in Durham Forest



Hiking Buddy and Better Half

This was my first Mothers Day, so my family took a walk through one of my favourite local trails —the Main Tract of Durham Forest in Uxbridge.  I also had new gear courtesy of my better half: Prana convertible hiking pants and a Deuter carrier.  I was comfy in my new duds and my girlie was super-duper comfy in her new carrier.  How do I know she was comfy, you ask?  Read on :o)

Highlights of my family hike on Durham Forest trails:



Yellow Bellwort



n  The trails are perhaps the most pristine in the Greater Toronto Area.   The flora includes fields and fields of white trillium, batches of purple trillium, a surprising show of yellow bellwort, and wild lily of the valley in bloom.  There are so many surprises.  There also will be fields of wild columbine in bloom within a few weeks.

n Lovely mix of deciduous and evergreens offers shade when you need it and then some awesome glimpses of the skies.

n No dog droppings in sight.  Unliek many other GTA trails, the dog walkers on this trail are either too few to mention or pick up after their pooches.  I only noticed this on the day after Mother's Day when I spotted doggie-doo along another GTA trail; it was a stark contrast.

Red Pines Line the Trail

nTall Red Pines—We walked for a good stretch of time heading east along the Spruce Loop. The double trails are deeply lined with majestic red pines 



n Wide trails with many trail-side logs for resting – and as she grows, I can foresee the need for resting increasing.



n  Happy Baby--Hiking with my girl usually means a good stretch of much-needed sleep from the movement and fresh air. 

Asleep in her New Deuter Carrier

n  New Deuter carrier  – This carrier is great for sleeping babies.  It took care of my sleeping babe by offering a super sun shade, a chin rest for her sleepy head and side rests for when she bobbed to the sides. 

 

Hiking parents should look out for:



This Way for the Spruce Loop

n  Cyclists –There are lots of cyclists on the trails here, as it is a multi-purpose trail.  Many of them are really fast, so it is best to take care and listen out for their bells. 

n  Poison Ivy —Watch out for the poison ivy, as there are heaps of it.  This would be okay if your kiddies are in a carrier, but it’s not the best if your young ones are on foot and eager to explore nature’s floral gifts.  Take care, too, of the poison ivy if you need to take a nature break.



Intersection of the White Pine and Maple Loops



n  Signage – If you depend on blazes to help you navigate the trails, this is a warning that there are very few blazes on the Main Tract trails.  All the trails (double and single) are connected and some of them criss-cross.  But, there are so many off-shoot trails, one might get confused.  My best advice is to stick to the wider, double trails.  There are, however, many signs at most intersections to indicate which trail you are on and the way back to the parking lot.  I’d suggest you take a map with you if you have one.  Here it is: http://www.lsrca.on.ca/pdf/maps/durham_forest.pdf

Ten Things -- Why I Love the 'Seaton Trail'

The Seaton Trail is located in Pickering and follows the West Duffins Creek. It runs about 13 km from 3rd Concession near Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 7 at Green River.  There are a few trail entry points, but my favourite is at Whitevale in North Pickering.  Not only is it close to my home, but there are a few picnic tables, a shelter, a playground with swings and all, and even a field for soccer and such. 

Today's Hike

Today we walked with our hiker-buddy and her little girl.  We went from the Forestream entry point to Whitevale.  Although the weather was cloudy and the forecast threatened rain, it made for a great hiking experience -- no sunburn and no overheating.  There and back was about 9 km in all.

Checking out Duffins Creek from the Seaton Trail

Ten Reasons to Hike the Seaton Trail (between Whitevale and Clarkes Hollow)

1.  Good challenge for avid day hikers and trail runners. There are many hills in this portion. My calves ache even as I write this.  Find out more about the Seaton Trail at http://www.seatontrail.org/ .

2.  Family-friendly play area at Whitevale -- This area is maintained by the City of Pickering.  There is usually a portable toilet, but there are also picnic tables, benches, a swing set, a playing field, parking lot, and a good view of the creek.  This was a good rest area (see below) on my hike with Hiker Katy.  I can see this as an awesome picnic spot for us in the years to come.
3.  Super views of Duffins Creek from hill and river levels -- I even saw a turkey vulture the other day hanging out on a fallen tree overhanging the creek.  The bluffs created from erosion (booo!) provide dramatic vistas (yaaay!).
4.  Much less foot traffic compared to the other more popular trails in the region, so you are often alone in your serenity
5.  Plentiful flora -- fields of trillium, may apple, wild ginger, bloodroot and other native plants.  It it good that the Seaton Trail flora is respected and that there are few signs of foraging or of invasives.
6.  Many shady spots -- good deciduous and evergreen mix to provide shade and sun when you need it.  Only a couple meadows that are upland from the river.
7.  Multiple entry points -- Whitevale and Forestream/Clarkes Hollow are a couple. Check the map for more on that: http://www.seatontrail.org/maps/
8.  Location -- not too far from Toronto and just a few km from the 401.  Yet, you really have a sense that you are in a wilderness area.
9.  Many resting points on logs -- if you are interested in resting. Hah!  The TRCA is in very often managing the trails for step and bridge maintenance.  There is also a good management of fallen trees, so there are many dotting the sides of the trail.
10.  Ample parking at all entry points for this section of the trail.  Don't forget to carpool if you are expecting a large group.

Chilling with Hiker Katy before the return walk to Forestream Rd.

If you hike on the Seaton Trail,
or if you have questions about hiking on the trail,
 feel free to ask.

 

Sunday Morning Walk in Rouge Park

Today's weather forecast practically knocked on my bedroom window told me to get out of the house and on to the trails.  It was sunny blue skies from dawn to dusk.  I chose the Rouge Park as it was early enough to avoid the fair-weather crowds and I wanted an extra challenge of hills. 

Starting out at nine, we took two hours to tackle the Mast, Orchard and Vista Trails.  This is about 10 km in all, with road crossings and trail connections included.

Mast Trail
While I love the extra challenge of the hills on the Mast Trail, I can hardly get over how much erosion there has been over the last few years as a result of foot traffic.  I would recommend a walking stick and boots with good grip for walks on this trail with a baby.

Managing my way through the rolling rocks on the Mast Trail

Beare Wetland
After having crossed from the Mast to the Orchard Trail, I got to the Beare Wetlands and was thrilled to see a bale of Midland Painted Turtles sun-bathing and warming up on a log in the south pond.  What a treat.  A friend of of mine, Terry, with a birdwatching telescope just happened to be walking by, so I had an excellent close-up.  My photo is not as clear.

Painted Turtles basking in the sun at the Beare Wetlands