Glen, the Rouge and Missing Mittens

The day started out really well -- not too cool for early November; joining up with my fellow volunteer, Glen, who was leading a hike that morning on Rouge history; a 10k hike starting out on the Mast Trail.  We met up at 9:30 a.m. -- not too early and just enough time to eat breakfast and play for a bit at home.  Not too late -- we'd be done well before noon and on schedule for the afternoon nap.

Glen (in green), his dog Les Paul, and some guest walkers

Glen had about 4 guest walkers on his hike that morning, so it was okay for me to join in without having signed up for it.  We walked at a slowish pace and learnt about camping in the park during the 1950's when Glen was just a wee lad.  Neat-o!  After almost 3 km, at their turnaround point, we pressed on for about 2 km more until we stopped for a snack and stretch at the wetlands.  Not too much going on there, but I did notice that the clouds were getting thicker.  Hmm... our half-way point meant rest time, so rest we did.  Off with the mittens -- snack time!

After about 15 minutes, Lil Chica started to fuss a bit so I decided to pack up.  Hmm... her hands were colder too.  I got her gloves back on, got her in the carrier, and off we went -- 5km still to go get to the car. 



Lil Chica WITH gloves still on

After about 1km or so, she had started complaining again.  I looked back and realized that ... oh no! ... mittens missing.  With a good 4km still to go, I had to head back to find them.  Some people we met on the way back said that they saw the pink Minnie Mouse mitts on the trail, so I felt good knowing that we 'd see them soon.  Almost 10 minutes later and very close to the wetlands where we snacked, there they were.  I took off the carrier, made Lil Chica even more agitated, put the gloves back on, and headed back to where we just came from.  Seemingly in higher spirits now that the gloves were back on, Lil Chica ensued in a game of hit-mummy-on-the-head while laughing out loud.

We made tracks for a good 20 minutes in high spirits until I realized that the mitts were off again. What?  Really?  Back track again?  Darn!  It was that hit-mummy-on-the-head game.  As soon as I turned around, still a good 2.5 km from the car, Lil Chica started to cry.  The sky was still thick with clouds and it was indeed colder.  Man oh man, I knew that she was feeling the chill now.  After about 5 minutes, I gave up.  It was just about noon and we were both tired.  I called for back up.

I called home to get my better half to pick us up.  The house was only 5 minutes away from where I had parked the car and then another 5-minute drive to get us on a nearby road. 

After less than a 10-minute wait, Lil Chica's dad arrived to save us.  We got into the car and were soon warmed up.  Glove #2 would have to wait for later in the day when we got L'il Chica home and fed.

Lessons Learnt: # 1 -- Find a better way to keep gloves on. #2 --Go for shorter hikes as the weather gets cooler.

Well... we gave it a good shot.  We'll be on the trail this coming weekend.  I think it'll be sunny.



 

16 for 15 km

This bit here is a celebration of sorts. Many of you know that I organize a Meetup group for parents who like to hike with their infants. Usually, the woodland hikes have an attendance of 3 or 4 parents; a good sized group considering most of us do not own hiking carriers for babies. But, last week, 8 parents came out with their babes.  I was really impressed with the turn-out and thought it would be great to highlight it.  Most of the babes were young toddlers, but we had a new 20month old come along to join the fun.  There were 8 parents, 7 babies, and one dog in all. 



Downhill after the Mast ridge

We hiked the Vista, Mast, Orchard and Cedar Trails.  Usually things get tough around the 3 km mark when we hike up to the Mast Trail ridge.  We all passed with flying colours.

The trip north toward the lunch spot was filled with the usual chatter and catching up.  One of the best things about the Meetup group is that many of us have formed friendships along the trails having walked together so many times and shared our parenting ups and downs.

Along the way we met a few walkers, including the regular Wednesday group of Rouge Park Walkers – the Rouge Park Volunteers lead members of the public on interpretative hikes.  We like meeting up with them, as they are a cheery bunch.  That day, Terry, one of the regulars has us listening very quietly for a catbird amongst the trees –the squawk sounds just like a cat.  Not a meow, but more like a cat trying to escape a hungry dog.  Neat-oh!

Bumping into the Rouge Park Volunteers on the Trail Wednesday group
There are Kathy and Bruce in their volunteer shirts.

 

Lunch at the 10-km mark is always welcome on this walk as it comes right after a steep uphill on the Orchard Trail and offers a view of the Beare Wetlands.

 

 

 

The walk continued after lunch with a 5-km return walk on the Cedar Trail past the wetlands and toward the north end of Meadowvale (a bit anti-climactic but a nice challenge with the 2 staircases). 

Chatting up a storm while catching our breaths

I will surely miss this walk and all that the excellent company has to offer come September when so many of us return to work.  Meeting up on weekends will be tough for most of us, what with life being as busy as it is.  But, it will also be a welcome respite and happy reunion for many of us who can make it out.

Meetup for a 10-15 km Walk

When we get together with my Meetup group for long hikes, we always have a good time.  Hiking with friends means chatting, catching up, and finding out something or the other about baby care.  it also means lots of laughs.  Last week we got together for a 15 km walk in Rouge Park.  It seemed like a lot at the start, but by the end, we realized that time just flew by.

The first leg was southbound for 2 km from the Pearse House along the Vista Trail.  This was a good way to rev up the engines as it was mostly flat and downhill.  Hah!  Easy peasy!



Heading back on the 3rd leg of the hike

Lots of ups and downs on the Mast Trail

The second leg was on the connecting Mast Trail just across Twyn Rivers Drive.  This was where we pumped up the jam a bit as there was a relatively steep climb up to the ridge.  With our legs burning and with the loads of children in carriers, it was a super workout.  But, what goes up must come down.  It felt good to head down the hill towards the river.  Once we were at our southern-most point at the Glen Rouge Camping area, we turned back and headed north along the Mast for a return trip of almost 6 km.  Again, what goes down must go up.  We retraced our steps back up the ridge.

For the third leg we continued north along the connecting Orchard Trail for just over 2 km.  Once we had made our last steep climb (pros by this point), we ended up at the Beare Wetlands where we had a refresher, fed the 3 youths, and chilled for a bit.  After a half-hr or so, we were recharged enough to press on.  Woo hah!  5 more kilometres to go!  And, to think we had the option to end the hike by returning to Pearse House where the cars were parked.

Rest Stop after 10 km and Recharging for the Final 5 km

For the fourth leg, we went past the wetlands and continued north on the Cedar Trail.  As we approached the northern trail head at Meadowvale Rd, there was quite a drama near the river.  Some sort of raptor squawking at the top of its lungs.  As hard as we tried, we could not spot it.  Oh well... time to turn back.

We finally headed south for a total of 5 km+ on the Cedar Trail.  What a great workout!  The fresh air, thighs-a-burning, happy babies (well... almost) and happy hikers!

If you want to know more about the Meetup group, check it out at http://www.meetup.com/Pickering-Parents-Hiking-Group/

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.

A Week of Frenetic Hiking

2.5 Weeks Before Mat Leave Ends

Wednesday, May 9^th – Mast plus– 7k hilly 

On the Mast Trail hills

Pausing for a Photo on the Mast Trail

Spotting a Snapping Turtle (a baby, it seems) on the Mast near the Little Rouge Creek

I met up with fellow hiker moms Katy and Tizziana.  The goal was to feel it in the thighs, and did we ever!  There are a few steep hills on the Mast Trail for a really good fitness hike (we also completed a bit of the Vista trail just to be able to attack another hill).   We also bumped into some naturalist friends who were looking for any signs of the dangerous Giant Hogweed (it is phototoxic and can literally burn into your skin).  They found, instead, cow parsnip, also phototoxic.  Check here for the difference between Cow Parsnip and Giant Hogweed:  http://www.gavan.ca/nature/giant-hogweed-vs-cow-parsnip-vs-water-hemlock-vs-wild-carrot/

Note to Self: I need to carry my field guide book to differentiate , esp. for when my daughter is older and more able to physically  explore her curiosity for plants.

Friday, May 11^th – Colonel Danforth Trail – 7k flat

Trumpeter Swan on Lake Ontario

Today, I met up with my usual Friday crew for a stroller walk along the Highland Creek and Lake Ontario.  This walk always offers refreshing landscape and refreshing conversation.  We even caught glimpses of swans on the lake.

                                      

     Saturday, May 12^th – Altona – 3.5k flat

Two Happy Girlies in the Altona Forest

After an early-morning jog, daily chores, and afternoon gardening, the family headed out for a quick walk in the neighbourhood forest.  Lots of Jack in the Pulpit in bloom, but quite a few of them diseased with a rust-coloured fungus called Uromyces aritriphylli.  Yuck!  It actually prevents the female plant from producing seeds:o(

Sunday, May 13^th – Durham about 10k in all

It was an awesome Mother’s Day hike in Durham Forest -- about 2 hours on the Main Tract.  Hard to tell but I think we hiked 10 km in all.  There were a lot of cyclists on the trail –more than there were walkers.  I really like that it is quite pristine and only a half-hour drive from home, but I can see it getting even busier as the summer approaches.  With the so many cyclists going fast on the trails and with the summer heat approaching, I think it best to head out to Durham Forest very early in the morning. 

 Monday, May 14^th – Mast, Vista, Orchard – about 10k in all

Rest Spot near the Beare Wetlands

Killdeer on the Front Log in theWetlands

Today I was pooped but determined to complete a difficult hike in Rouge Park, my stomping ground.  I got together with my Meetup crew of parents; 6 of us hiked 3 trails with tots in tow.  There were 4 steep hills and many rugged spots.  We got out early enough to beat the heat; and, with all the tree cover, we stayed cool enough.  Our mid-way stop was at the Beare Wetlands, an awesome site for spotting turtles, swans, geese and even a killdeer (a bird) that we do not often chance upon.  At this point, I think I need a few days off just to rest my muscles.  My hamstrings and calves are tingling as I write; a likely indicator of sore muscles tomorrow.

Oh, I also jogged a total of 16 km this week.

What a week of frenetic hiking!  Can you tell I am almost headed back to work and not looking forward to it?

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