Après School Saunter

Altona Trails in the Autumn

 

L'il Chica and her Hiker Momma

Back to work and the days are getting shorter.  Tired once I get home and I have to cook.  It sure is tough to get out... unless I find some way to commit myself to it.  I've decided to get out by committing to a few after-work meetups; that way, I am less likely to stay at home. 


Rochelle and her L'il Hiker

Today, I met up with a meetup buddy and friend who lives in the neighbourhood.  We had a refreshing walk through Altona Forest -- about an hour long.  All of the sugar maples are in their yellow-to-red bloom.  What a treat it is to be so close to a mature forest and only 25 minutes from the city. 

Autumn on the Altona Trails

 

 

Into the Gorge!



My better half, Chandran, can be a real sport when it comes to hiking... at times J  This past Sunday morning, he suggested we go on a day trip somewhere out of town.  I did a few double takes in my mind before I responded, not knowing what exactly the ‘day trip’ would mean.  My brave suggestion “We could hike a bit?” was met with a cheerful-enough “Sure!”  Hmm... ‘Sure’?  What was this about?  ‘Sure’? Maybe I could get away with more than just any old hike.  “What about seeing the Elora Gorge?”  An hour and a half drive to hike a not-so-long trail on a hot summer day?  “Okay.  Sure.”   What? No questions asked?  Waste no time, Marie.   Just get things ready before anyone changes their mind.

Hustle, Marie.  Hustle.  Backpack... check!  Snacks... check!  Change of clothes, camera, first aid... check!  Check!  Check!  Water... check!  Alright!  Woo hoo!  We’re doing this.  Get your boots on.  Get into the car.  We’re going on a family hike to see the Elora Gorge... yay!  Oh yah...L’il Chica... check!

The Old Mill and the Grand River Falls

We headed to Elora and ended up at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area (EGCA).  The maps showed a measly 2 km of trail, disappointing for me as I was expecting a good workout.  Chandran was keen though, so I we made the most of it.  We went off trail a bit and ended up seeing the falls which are actually outside if the EGCA.  

We got good advice to go down into the gorge to meet the Grand River. Well worth it as it offered an extra workout and L’il Chica got to take an impromptu dip.  

 



Appa and L'il Chica with Wet Shoes



L'il Chica Dipping into the Grand

 




















Dipping our Feet into the Cool Waters of the Grand River

 We had no clue that the EGCA would have been this fun.After a bit more hiking, snacking, and peeking at the river, we headed to the other side of the gorge where we could check out the tubing. With L’il Chica, we were out of that kind of luck.But, the water looked so inviting, that we couldn’t resist at least dipping our feet into it. Aaaah... cool and refreshing!

  





 

Tall Meadow Flowers

Amongst the Wild Carrot and Sweet White Clover
(some folks are sensitive to Wild Carrot)

Flowers within your child's arm’s reach can be fun to touch. Many of them are in bloom in the late summer; they are also very attractive to even young eyes. Because they within your child’s reach, it is makes for good texture and tactile learning experiences as they sit in their carrier.

Joe-Pye Weed, Goldenrod, and Spotted Touch-Me-Not

Burdock's prickly burrs are soft to the touch when they are just beginning to bloom. 
Once the blooms are fully formed, the burrs can be painful to the touch.

Detail of Elecampane

Elecampane standing tall in the Background with Wild Carrot in the Foreground
(some folks are sensitive to Wild Carrot)

Joe-Pye Weed's fuzzy tops are soft to the touch

Tall Joe-Pye Weed in the Background

The above plants are generally safe to touch.  But, many others are not , especially mega-tall ones like Giant-Hogweed and the taller plants of the parsnip family.  For more on that, check out www.invadingspecies.com

  Don't forget to vote in our first ever just-for-fun poll and to join the site.

Ten Things -- Why I Love 'Cap St Jacques', Pierrefonds, Québec

Featured Trail -- Cap St Jacques (Pierrefonds, Québec)

July 6, 2012

The trails of Cap St Jacques Nature Park in Pierrefonds, Québec, just west of Montréal, are easy to hike and are suitable for lower to moderate fitness levels.  Although I enjoy a serious fitness challenge on the trails, I love that this trail system includes several rest spots and picnic areas for families, lots of tree cover, and a farm for children to visit at the half-way point on the trail.  This is the most entertaining of any hike that I have entertained thus far, and L'il Chica is sure to agree.

L'il Chica Heading Away from
the Hens on the Cap St Jacques Farm

 Ten Reasons to Hike the 'Cap St Jacques' Trails in Pierrefonds, Québec


The Cows in the Meadow



1.  The Farm -- About 2km into our hike, I spotted a fenced-off enclosure with cows in the distance.  Really? Cows? Yes!  As well as grazing horses and goats ready to approach the fence to have you feed them strips of sweet grass from the trail.  Neat-oh!





Unable to understand that real ducks also
say "Quack! Quack!", L'il Chica runs away.

2.  The Farm -- Not only are there grazing animals, but around the bend there are rabbits, a chicken coop and a chicken run with tens of hens.  Just across the way there are ducks swimming in a pond!  Bonus!!  L'il Chica has just perfected her version of "Quack!  Quack!"  Then there are even goats, pigs, and emu in the barn.

3.  The Farm -- Around and about the farm area, there are benches and trees that invite both weary adult legs and happy toddler legs.  We also visited a huge greenhouse with tomatoes almost ready to be picked. 

What's up with all the running away
from the farm animals?

4.  The Views -- Because 'Cap St Jacques' is situated on a cape, there are awesome views, not only of the river and the rapids, but also of the Oka region and mountains on the other side of the river -- mainland Québec, with Montréal being an island.

5. Location -- The park is about 40 minutes from downtown Montréal.  A bit far, but well worth it as entry is free.  Parking is $8, but because the park in located near residential streets, hikers like me are happy to park a 5-10-minute walk away and hike to the park entrance and trail head.


6.  Rest Areas -- Along the trail, you can find a few benches, all in strategic spots with views of the water.

One of the many picnic sites along the Rabbit Trail

7.  Farmer's Market -- Although we visited during the week, there is weekend Farmer's Market that sells produce from the on-site farm.

8.  Flat Trails -- There are virtually no hills in this park, making it an easy trail.  We hiked almost 6 km on the dirt paths, but there are also 8 km of paved paths that cyclists use.

Sign along the Rabbit Trail

9. Picnic Sites -- There are at least 5 picnic areas that offer picnic tables, shady trees, water access (not necessarily beaches, but good for rock-skipping), outhouses, and great views. 

10. Access to Beach -- Cap St Jacques is most famous for its beach after hiking and cycling.  It is quite popular and can be a welcome break on a hot day.  Including the beach in your hike will cost you an extra 2 km hike and the entrance fee (free for infants and then up to $4.50 depending on your age).  We did not swim that day, though. 



L'il Chica doing her favourite thing
when she touches ground -- playing with rocks.

 

If you have anything to add to this feature on Cap St Jacques, feel free to comment.  As well, if you have questions that I might be able to answer, leave your questions below.  Happy Hiking!

Ten Things -- Why I Love 'Bois de Liesse', Montréal, Québec

Featured Trail -- Bois de Liesse (Montréal, Québec)

July 6, 2012

The trails in the Bois de Liesse nature park are located in the eastern portion of the city of Montreal. There are about 12.5 km of trails to offer you a full day of hiking with stops at the Rivière des Prairies, lunches at the many shaded picnics, a fun and educational interpretive site, and two welcome centres. The trails themselves not at all challenging and are well marked and lined with logs or rocks.

Resting along a Log-Lined Gravel Trail

I highly recommend the trails in the Bois de Liesse nature park for families with children of all ages. Parents and caregivers of all fitness levels would find this trail to their liking.

Ten Reasons to Hike the Bois de Liesse Trails, Montréal

1. Location! Location! Location!: The nature park is located just a few minutes north of Highway 40, the Transcanda Highway, and not even 25 minutes from downtown Montreal. Once you exit off of the 40 at the exit for Boulevard Henri Bourassa, you have fewer than 2 km to go. More than the proximity to the city, is the proximity to residential areas.

The suburbs of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, St Laurent and Pierrefonds border the park, so driving or even walking there is super bonus. If you have children and are in this region, I highly recommend Les Bois de Liesse. It is a fun and free opportunity for adventure.

2. Public Transit Access: The bus 215O from Metro Cote Vertu and 215E from Centre Fairview in Pointe Claire get you to Rue Douglas-B.Floreani, a short walk from the SW trail head.

The bus 208E from Centre Fairview in Pointe-Claire gets you to the SW trail head on Sunnybrooke Blvd.

The bus 68 from Pierrefonds or from Cartierville stops near the corner of Boulevard Gouin and Highway 13 to give access to the north trail heads.

This park is so centrally located, I wish I lived in Montreal just to take advantage of it all.

Woodpecker Interpretation
on the Sentier des Attraits

3. Access to Trail Heads and Parking: The suburbs of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, St Laurent and Pierrefonds border the park, so parking is a breeze on neighbourhood side streets (you can also park in one of the many Bois de Liesse paid parking lots). I would suggest parking near Sunnybrooke Blvd in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux. Check the map (see below) for more residential side streets and parking access near the trail heads.

4. The Sentier des attraits: One of the neatest things about the park is that it serves to educate younger crowd by providing on-trail interpretations on the 'Sentier (Trail) des attraits'. At the stations on this trail, one gets audio or audio-visual info on forest foxes, trees, woodpeckers, and more. It is a must-see for school-aged children or adults. On this side trail, there is even a gazebo structure with comfy seats for relaxing under the trees. Talk about neat-oh!

Resting Spot and Interpretive Segment on
the Sentier des Attraits

5. Diversity of Flora: I am always interested in the unique plants that grow in any region I visit. One tree that I had never encountered is the Black Maple. This native maple is so plenteous that there is a whole section of the park dedicated to it. You can see them in abundance along the 'Sentier des érables noirs' (Black Maple Trail).

6. Centres d'Acceuil/Welcome Centres: There are 2 welcome centres off the trails with parking access, trail-head access, washrooms, picnic areas, concession bars, and first-aid access. The staff are all bilingual -- French and English. Check the map (see below) to see how well-located they are.

7. Access to the River: If you are hiking in the NE sector of the park, you are never far away from the trails that lead to the Rivière des Prairies. There are clearings and lookout spots where you can see the river, the island of Laval, and the bridge that takes you there. This is a great spot for skipping rocks as long as the boats haven't ruffled the water.

Our Lunch and Rest Stop near the River
just off of Gouin Blvd.

Log Trail

8. Picnic Areas and Resting Spots: Not only are there benches along the trail, especially in the NW sectors, there are several picnic areas to help you with your impromptu picnics. This is great if your children's appetites or energy levels are unpredictable. The tables and grassy spots were in very good condition when I was there in July 2012.

Gravel Trail Lined with Cement

9. Trail Conditions and Terrain: The terrain is primarily flat, making it suitable for all fitness levels. But, with the trail system being more than 12 km, parents with higher fitness levels will enjoy the distance. There are fine gravel trails, dirt trails, boardwalks over a few of the wetlands, and even paved paths that run beneath the highway. Trails are well marked and lined by log stumps or rocks. It is very difficult to find one self lost for having gone off the trail. 

There are many warning signs for poison ivy (l'herbe à la puce) when it appears on the trail.  Watch out for them.

See http://hikingbootsandacarrier.blogspot.ca/2012/05/leaves-of-three-let-it-be.html for more on how to identify poison ivy.

10. Options for Short or Long Treks: Because there are so many access points or trail heads, there are many options for long and short hikes. For example, if one wants a medium distance hike, say, about 5 km, I would recommend hiking only the Érablier noirs, Pic-bois, and Bois Franc sectors.

If you have anything to add to this feature on Bois de Liesse trails, feel free to comment. 

As well, if you have questions that I might be able to answer, leave your questions below. Happy Hiking!

Links for Bois de Liesse:

Info (French): http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=7377,94551572&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&id=72&sc=1

Info (English):

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/grands_parcs_en/media/documents/summer_calendar2012.pdf (go to page 17)

Trail Map: http://montreal2.qc.ca/rep_parcs/media/documents/application/pdf_doc_carte_ete_bdl_id5.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.