The day started out gloomy and dreary. Our collective mood was not improved with the intermittent snow showers on our way to the meeting spot at Scotiabank parking area.
None the less, the decision to brave the road walk along Panel Mine Rd was made and off we went!
As we started out from the yellow gates at Panel Mine , we encountered another familiar face from our summer trail clearing adventures. We had a nice chat before heading to our lunch site at the Serpent River Bridge, a scant 4 km distant!
Our contest today was looking for water birds like loons and ducks, or mammals like beaver and otter.
About 2 km along one hiker saw 2 Canada Geese. It might have been the Loch Ness Monster for all the rest of us could discern!! However, his earnest enthusiasm swayed our decision in his favor. Another hiker saw a loon in the same part of the Serpent River. It was visible to others so, she was also given
credit !
Prizes were awarded at lunch where, 2 Canada Geese were seen by all 11 of us. We each got a chocolate Easter Egg with our 2 Eagle eyed members receiving 3 each.
Recent brush clearing by Hydro crews has pushed the tree line further from the road . This has allowed for hundreds of poplar saplings to spring up 7 ft in height. This is just 2 years after the larger trees were cleared away.
West wind blew, chasing away the clouds and letting the sun peek through once in a while.
We enjoyed lunch break while leaning against the guardrails on the Serpent River Bridge. Some of us checked out the beaver lodge that had been extended during a dry season when the water was low. Or, maybe the kids moved back home? Not sure.
We stopped to check the exposed
lava on the north side of the road.
A few mini waterfalls were also seen.
A good hike with good company.
Thanks to Dave Adams for being Sweep!!
The distance was 8. 4 km. Or, a hop, skip and a looong crawl.
