Slipper and Esten Lake Wrecks 2026 10 30

Slipper and Esten Lake Wrecks -  No rain so it was 6 hikers who wandered the hills looking at rusted, historic automobiles.  First to the "Valley of the Cars" then bushwack to the Slipper Lake lookout.  Then on to the "Pink Trail", newly marked, for a long slog to 3 wrecks.  Lunch was at Esten Beach and the sun was shining by then.  A bonus wreck was seen outside the day care centre on the way back so 10 wrecks in all.  The
remaining 2 wrecks will be a good excuse for a future hike.

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Porridge Lake 2026 10 27

Thanks to all 14 hikers who came out for my inaugural first hike as hike leader. We travelled Porridge lake for 4kms in 1.5 hours. 

Thank you Dave for your support, and of course a box of Tim Bits for a sweet treat to start. As well as a brief lesson on the local Iron tree right on our trail.  Partly sunny, cool, fall day with the forest floor covered in leaves.

Snowshoe Trail 2026 10 26

Eight CdeB hikers (some new-to-me faces) set out to enjoy the Snowshoe Trail on a nippy morning under slightly overcast skies that promised some sunshine.

The trail was in great shape, although the leaves blanketing the ground did hide potential trip hazards and we all had to be mindful as we strolled along.  The Serpent River is still very low and geese were quite vocal, perhaps making plans for their trip south.  One grouse startled us with its wing/chest thumping but that was the extent of any wildlife activity.  Picked a few cranberries around the edges of the pond (for tasting and for muffins).

Largely uneventful but a pleasant hike on a beautiful trail sharing conversation and laughs.

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Rainbow Ridge in Reverse 2026 10 22

Well that was easy! The lost trail was found and the gloriously perfect day made it quite enjoyable!!  However, there was only two of us daring enough to accept the challenge of confirming the trail which completes the Rainbow Ridge loop.  In all fairness, Don had intentions but was tied up with a garden project.  He did meet us at the start, though, to provide some clearing and trail-marking tools - unfortunately, the hammer got left behind!

The hardest part was the cross-over trail from the dam over to the other side of Ryan Lake.  Someone had recently trimmed the trail to make it easier to see  BUT left all of the clipped boughs on the trail! Recognizing these as potential trip hazards, we diligently cleared the trail... extending the 'shortcut' time to an hour, actually turning it into the longest leg of the hike! 

We then turned our attention to the task at hand: where exactly had we missed the correct turn last time? As we made our way up the trail, we noted how well marked it was in both directions.  Surprisingly, the path was also wonderfully clear and open.  In a mere 40 minutes, we arrived at a lookout - laughably, the same one we had visited first last week!  ... where I had actually checked to see if it continued downwards!! (Originally it did not but I had heard that a trail had been cut to meet the original trail ... just never went on it). In that quick check, I had not identified a trail so we had returned back via the blue-marked lookout trail to carry on to our endpoint lookout and eventually to the bushwhacking adventure!

In hindsight, the error was in not looking up!  I with my visor and others with caps on had not noticed the white trail marker above MY eye level at the first part of the lookout.  When I had checked for a trail, I had not gone very far, noting only a second open rock area but no evidence of a trail.  Now, it suddenly ocurred to me:  the trail up from the main trail had only been marked with blue lookout markers!  To confirm that detail, we hiked down to the start of the 'lookout trail' branching off the main trail and sure enough, there was only a blue marker at a junction that indicated the main trail continued on from there in another direction!  Luckily, I had picked up a white marker that was on the ground along the shortcut trail so I found a rock and nailed it to a tree right beside the blue marker.  Hopefully, it will remind all that the trail continues from this lookout down to Ryan Lake, completing the Rainbow Ridge loop.  

Bonus:  this lookout is far superior to the others along the original Voyageur route.  

All in all, sunshine, great conversation, and an opportunity to laugh at ourselves made it all worthwhile.

Porridge Lake and Old Dump Site 2026 10 22

Five of us gathered on one of the few remaining gorgeous autumn days to chat and explore some of our trails in the city.  We parked at the corner of Pearson Ave and Esten Dr N.  

We explored the Old Dump Site between Pearson and the south shore of Porridge Lake. Some "aged to perfection" debris was protruding through the hard packed trail . Not possible to move metal strips or other unidentified bits of history from our city's earlier days. We did pick up some "Modern Era"debris, however.

We traipsed along the ridge behind the Hydro lift station toward the Porridge Lake Trail.

We did find a few blooming Tansies and Goldenrod . Our break was on a  bench overlooking Porridge Lake.  The quiet among the hemlocks and along the water was felt by all of us 

We returned by ELATV 1 through the Old Dump Site. 

Some of us picked up  $1. 20 worth of empty beer cans along the way.

Kudos to our hikers who crossed Pearson Ave perfectly according to our Club and Insurance rules!!! 

3.5 km in distance

$1.20 of empty beer cans for our Food Drive fund

Amazing conversations

Thanks to Dave for being Sweep !

 Newly certified hike leader Don Jex has planned to circle Porridge Lake on Tuesday, Oct.27.. Please support him for his efforts.

 Saturday hike is a trail clear/hike from Slipper Lake lookout to Pim's campsite and on down to All Nations Road.  Meet at the bank at 10 A.M.  Tools and equipment will be supplied..  If  you have favorite loppers feel free to bring them..

What a glorious day to be out in the woods!  An agreeable group of 12 hikers set off on a regular meander along Wolf Run and managed to turn it into quite an interesting adventure.   We took a left turn onto a side trail that allowed us to cross over a berm to follow a good trail running around the far side of the large pond below the berm. When this trail forked, we veered right (and tied on a trail marker),  wanting to keep the pond in sight. 

For the most part, this trail was excellent and our clearing crew moved larger fallen branches out of our way. Our goal was to come around the end of the pond and to close our "loop" back on the main trail (a few hikers had started tracking the hike on GAIA).

Not surprisingly, our clear trail petered out to animal trails and light bushwhacking was required.  Dave found a berm that had been dug out in the middle, but was only a step across and up the other side.  Continuing on, we quickly found the main trail. I am sure there was some relief in our group, although we were not really lost, we were just not where we wanted to be yet.

An interesting hike with very positive, supportive hikers. A bit more of an adventure for a Monday hike than usual, but all's well that ends well. And really pretty through that new section. Thanks to each of the eleven for trail clearing, positive thoughts and their input. Shout out to Dave for his most helpful trail finding.  Lots of teamwork and laughs. Just over 4 kilometers.

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Highway Cleanup 2026 10 17

(From Sirje)

FRIGID overnight temperatures, a VERY COOL morning, nearly 1/2 inch ice on pooled water ... not exactly inviting conditions for a highway cleanup!!  Yet,  seven dedicated volunteers came out to do the job!  

Fingertips may have been a bit chilled, initially, but spirits were high and all commented on the light work.  Seems either the spring cleanup crew did a very thorough job or drivers along Hwy 108 are curbing their litterbug habit... or perhaps they are just shifting the 'discard zone' to another section?  Regardless, only 4 1/4 bags were left as evidence of a job well done and we were back in town by high noon.

Thank you to the Magnificient Seven for answering the call and a job well done!

(From David)

Newly certified Don had equipment/supplies ready by 10 am. Seven of us turned up on a chill Saturday morning to clean our section of Hwy 108; four to the boat launch and three to the airport, 

Our team cleaned the launch park trails and headed north, facing traffic. B team left the airport and headed south to meet us..also facing traffic..

At the halfway point, we traded sides so we would end up back at our rides..

The parkette/launch was remarkably litter fee. In fact the roadside was as well. only about 5 bags on our half.

Two hours saw us done and dusted. Very nice working with people involved in caring for our environment..

No unusual finds this time.. 10 beer cans on our leg.

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Horne Island 2026 10 15

 I led 6 from the bank to the ski hill, to Horne Island, (counter clockwise) with a pit stop at the fire spot. After deep political discussions, we carried on around the island and back to the ATV trail, up the hill to the old civic center lot. No takers for coffee so we eschewed McD and went back to the bank.

Ran into Jean Guy on the way.

Very pleasant day to be out in the woods.. Just under two hours.

Crows, squirrels and little shy birds were around..

Most trees are shedding or have shed.. a few inches of litter on all trails.

Camilla (sweep) and Ana plucked a bag or two of cans and refuse.

Pleasant day out.. cloud but warm..

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