THURSDAY MORNING HIKE 2026 02 19

 Grey clouds and a cool breeze welcomed five hikers for today's adventure.  Our destination was easy enough - just hike up to the top of the cliffs overlooking the golf course - an upward climb going in and an 'easy' downhill coming back, right?  Well,  Fate had other plans!  Giving in to a few aches, pains and limitations, the leader opted for the easier climb to be found across the flats to a 'gentler' uphill climb on the far side.  All was going well until the established track all but disappearred under the blown snow in the open area.  We could have doubled back after reaching higher ground and seeing where the well-travelled track had veered off below BUT the forward route seemed like it could be a shorter way to go and all voted to push on and upwards through virgin snow cover ... after all, there was the women's gold-medal hockey game at 1:00 to consider!  Long story short, the snow was deep, it was a good (in hindsight) workout, and we did get to the trail we were looking for, thanks to Louise's dogged determination!  The rest was a piece of cake ... except  for the strong winds at the lookouts on the edge of the cliff ... the trail seeming dangerously close to the precipice at points ...  No matter! - all agreed it was a great way to spend the morning.  We did see lots of fresh  tracks in the snow - squirrel, partridge, rabbit, and even bobcat paw prints, centred around the rabbit tracks of course  The sun even came out to reward us for our efforts as we headed home.  Sadly, the women's hockey team did not fare so well!

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TUESDAY HIKE 2026 02 17

 

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SLIPPER LAKE 2026 02 16

 10 hikers headed to Spine beach to follow the sled trail past the hydro substation, around the beaver flood and up the hill past the Bear Bait trail and on to Slipper Lake.

We then followed the All Nations road, sluffing off Camailla at her drive, to the dog park on Washington. Back in the wood to the base of the lettuce rock and around a couple of more ponds to our entry trail.. scooting and puffing we climbed hollow lands and hilly lands back to the cars..

David said "snow shoes are not absolutely needed..." David is a liar.

I did not use snow shoes and broke through the trail twice. Pack on my back, foot through a heavy crust and not enough strength in one leg to step up the two feet needed. The heavy crust was over the toe of my foot and I could not lift it back.. With helpers, we excavated, broke the half inch crust and extracted the boot.. with little ego left, I rolled on my knees and struggled back up.

I am at home drinking coffee and happy to have done it all.

2.5 hours, warmish day, great company...

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SATURDAY HIKE 2026 02 14

 

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WOODPECKER TRAIL SYSTEM 2026 02 12

 Three intrepid club members ventured out on a trek from Washington Crescent to scenic parts of the Woodpecker Trail System.  Sunny skies kept our spirits up despite the chilly winds.

The fox, wolf, mole, squirrel tracks throughout the fresh snow  proved the critters are active.  Just not when we are around.

Chickadees and Blue Jays were heard as was an unusual bird that called. We whistled and got it to answer a few times before it lost interest and flew away.

No otter activity was seen at the creek nor the marsh at Washington Snow dump. 

 One snowmobile swooped along the trail just a few minutes before the huge  Snobird Trail Groomer smoothed the OFSC Trail.

 Lunch was on the shore of Slipper Lake. There was one  ice shack  with a small group of people fishing and enjoying a campfire on shore. 

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ESTON BOAT LAUNCH 2026 02 10

 Although the skies were gray, seven happy hikers joined the parade down the snowmachine trail to Esten Lake boat launch.  Along the way, one lonely bird chirped and we didn't even see it so we counted 0 - zero!! - wildlife sightings!   However, the conversation kept us moving at a great pace ( contrary to the usual, in my experience ) and in a seeming blink of an eye, we had arrived so it was decided to push on a little farther.  The return trip had it's own contrariness:  conversation STOPPED when we stopped walking  & ...the return trip felt LONGER than the going in!  Despite the overcast day and a feeling that we did, indeed, get a bit of a workout, I think we all would agree that the time spent out in the fresh air with friends made for a PERFECT morning!

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Camp Thompson from Stanrock Road 2026 02 09

 Despite the overcast skies and a brisk wind, five CdeB hikers enjoyed a couple of hours of conversation, laughs and exercise.  Ruth had us all identifying shapes in the snow that clung to the trees and branches around us (can you see the bird in the tree?). 

A variety of animal tracks criss-crossed the trail.  We saw evidence of a healthy rabbit population when we were breaking trail along the small lake on our return to the trailhead.

A little over 2 hours with a short break by the pavilion at Camp Thompson. Beautiful. 

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WINTERFEST FEBURARY 2026

 Thank you so much to all the volunteers who came out to help in this frigid weather.  You are the best!!!

Snowshoe Trail 2026 02 03

 A good group of eight properly packed the "snowshoe trail". We had a satisfying hike.

Go enjoy 

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Sheriff Lake 2026 02 03

Mild temperatures and high humidity made for a and gorgeous freezing fog on tree branches and evergreen boughs.

Groundhog Day was certainly extra special for 11 hikers this am. No snowshoes were needed as we were on the well trodden walking trails from Milliken Minesite to Sherriff Lake.

So many beautiful sights as we started out through the poplar and birches.  Shutterbugs were out in full force to capture the stark beauty.  With every gentle breeze the frost crystals were blown off the tree tops. It felt like we had our own private snowstorm ,  at times.

Otter and fox, squirrel and mice had been out in the fresh snow.

All was calm, almost meditative, as we made our way from the shoreline of Sherriff Lake and back to the main road to our cars. We soon were jarred out of our reverie by the loud whine and engine revs of 7 snowmobiles. 

The snowmobilers  were taking turns driving up a steep hill to the road on which we were walking!!. They saw us waving our arms and our hiking poles. They stopped at the bottom and sat waiting for us to pass! 

Wow.... That excavation was from  a huge gravel pit that the mine used to make roads.

 The two red 

"Danger Excavation Area 

No Trespassing" 

 served as  another clue for the hazard  in that area. 

The smell of the gasoline and oil  hung in the air for a while   as we left the area.

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