BURLEY PARK TO ATV 2 2026 05 11

 Sunshine and warming temperatures brought 9 hikers out to enjoy the morning in the woods. Our hike was an in-town jaunt from Burley Park along a snowmachine/ATV trail that would eventually take you to Scott Road and Esten boat launch. We did not go that far, but we made our way around several muddy spots and puddles, past Jakes (?) Lake and beyond.  When the trail became too muddy to comfortably continue, we retraced our path and enjoyed a snack & chat on a smooth rock overlooking a large pond.   

The beavers have rebuilt their dam at the far end of the pond and appear to have made some repairs to their lodge.  A large raven's nest was spotted on top of a stately pine tree with two ravens perched close by.  Some buds were noted on trees but there are still noticeable amounts of snow in some shadier areas under the trees. 

We caught the best part of the day and shared a pleasant couple of hours outdoors.

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Dave's Hike 2026 05 09

 My turn to lead. From Dunlop boat launch on the Atv/sled trail towards Cochrane. Turning off on the trail to the lodge we skirted puddles, ponds and mucky spots and a large white pine, out to the lodge parking lot.

From there, we took the woods trail past Manydace lake, ( hopping the nearly dry crick) towards Evan's Lake. The mines have closed the trail into Evans so we turned back to the lodge and may or may not have had a cuppa.

Refreshed, we ambled along the road back to the sled trail and found our way back to the parking.

Trout lily leaves coated parts of the forest. Small song birds kept flitting in and out of sight, gentle rain kept showing up, sprinkles really..

Janie swept and kept all 4 of us in check.. Louise drove, Ruth photoed and treated coffee, and I only led. Damp pleasant morning..no bugs yet..

Emily's Hike 2026 05 07

 The Fab Four set out from the Spine Beach parking lot on a cool, cloudy morning.

We began our trek along the upper ridge of the Bob Stirling Bike and Cross Country Ski Trail . Both upper and lower trails were generally dry. The few muddy portions were easily circumvented. However, it looked like some moose had decided to stomp right through the puddles!

The sounds of love were in the air as a few male ruffed grouse thundered out their locations to female grouse.

Elderberry leaves are sprouting. New mushrooms are sprouting on the dead fall.

Lots of clearing has been done by members of the Bike and Ski Club. We met one member who was using a gas powered brusher to cut back saplings on the trail.

We cleared some branches off the trail, too.

Our break was at a well kept campsite near the 3 km of the lower trail.

Many thanks to Eva for being our Sweep.

Eight km from Spine Beach parking lot via the upper trail to the third loop and back by the lower trail.

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Jackie's Hike 2026 05 05

 

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Jean-Guy 2026 04 04

Jean-Guy

 led six ladies and one gentleman

around the loop, on the west side of Sheriff Lake

a lovely lady, who recently returned from Florida,

volunteered as a sweep.

the water was high

" it was perfect weather for meandering 

around different spots on the lake shore "

It was  " a hike of many conversations "

" I never knew where I was, I was always lost ... "

" Listening to the sound

of the pileated woodpecker

and wondering, 

how do they do that? "

" the sound of water falling, was very nice "

" feeling the energy of the forest, 

something that can't be felt in the city "

" good company, lots of conversation "

a least bittern flew off 

as our site for the "cookie break" was claimed

an abandoned raven nest, a squawking tree,

and a strong suggestion " to walk and talk "

" Blue sky and sunshine wrapped up the hike "

which saw a temperature of 7 degrees at the beginning 

and ended with 12 .

" No sheep were lost, we're all good! "

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Emily's Trail 2026 05 02

 The first Saturday in May was absolutely marvelous for a meander along the southern bays of Elliot Lake! We hiked Emily's Trail.

Cool temps and a brisk NE wind kept us comfortable as we set off on our westward trek. Our objective was Sandy Point... or thereabouts!!

The trail had generally dried out from the rest snowfall. There still were patches of ice that kept us tredding cautiously.

Buds are starting to show. Birds chirped, squawked , swooped and tapped on trees. Two beautiful pileated woodpeckers led the homeward trek for us.

The tent and camp at the bench still stands. We decided to enjoy our break there.

The sailboat remains grounded a short walk beyond the beaver lodge and the tent.

We re-evaluated our objective of reaching Sandy Point. Our legs, the time and common sense all contributed to that decision!!

Our group of seven collected some garbage along the way back to the cars.

Some Canada geese seem to be eyeing Spine Beach as a good summer residence! Let's hope they keep looking elsewhere.

Thanks for being Sweep, Jackie S.

A good way to start the first weekend in May. We saw evidence of beavers. We heard white throated sparrows and saw pileated woodpeckers.

However, those were animals we did not see on the Trail ...

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CHUTES PROVINCIAL PARK 2026 04 30

 Great group enjoying Mother Nature at her best....

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2026 04 27

 Eleven hikers came out to enjoy the sunny Spring morning.

Our trail had several "stop and turn around " sections due to huge puddles blocking the trail.  

Still we enjoyed the birds singing and spring peepers chirping .

Our photographer had a great idea for a group pose on a rocky Hillside.

No buzzing insects were around to pester us.  All in all, a pleasant way to start the week. 

Thanks to Renee for being our Sweep!

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DENNISON MINE ROAD 2026 04 25

 Six of us walked and explored Denison mine road area .

On the way back we found the Serpent river rapids ..

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SHERRIF CREEK 2026 04 20

 Sunshine, blue skies and NO bugs! Perfect conditions for getting out for fresh air, conversation and a good walk.  Ten hikers did just that, heading out from the Miners' Memorial, through the tent/trailer campground, across Milliken Mine Road, along the snow machine trail, and just over the bridge over Sheriff Creek.

A mix of packed snow, some icy spots, water, bare ground and some muddy spots required attention to where you planted your feet. Birds were out singing, buckets on maple trees filling with sap, interesting ice on a small puddle, icicles dripping off a fallen tree in the rushing water of the creek and sunken rocks surrounded by still frozen earth were noted as we walked along.  One hiker mentioned that they had yet to see any robins but luckily there were a multitude of them to be seen in the field where we took our break.

A big thank you to Camilla and others who filled up a couple of bags with trash left behind by less conscientious individuals or blown in by the wind.  We left the trail better than we found it

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