Hike from P12 to Western Cabin

I'm slowly getting back into hiking. Although I seem to feel tired all the time, and I am overweight (72.2 kg). But it feels good to get back into the woods.

Saturday morning, I went on a lovely early morning hike with Jivka and three other hikers.

It was a nice hike, really steep in the first part, but easy after that.

I hadn't been on that trail in a couple of years, so it felt good.

However, I was reminded that I am, sadly, fat.

I had never ever thought I would ever be a fat person. But I am.

Anyway, the hike was still great.

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8km Hike - Marie-Burger to Pink Lake

Sunday, May 19, 2019 marks the day I got back into hiking after a year or so hiatus.

I used to regularly lead big group hikes in Gatineau Park, but gaining a wonderful but busy full-time job, and then my mother's illness, took their toll and I pretty much stopped hiking. (This could lead to a whole other topic about the vital importance of self-care when providing care to others, but let's stick to the hike for now!)

So, anyway, I posted a hike to Pink Lake from Marie-Burger/Ch. de la Mine. It was supposed to be a 10km to 12 km hike, but since we had a small group, we collectively were willing to try new routes. Because I started from Marie-Burger instead of rue Quartz, we were very close to a small dirt trail the was a huge shortcut to trail #15. We took that, then the #15 to the #35, then most of the way around Pink Lake, til we got to a little trail off to the right. I did not know the trail, and had gotten a group lost around there once, but a member of our group was quite familiar with the trail, so we were willing to try it.

The trail led us back to the #25, from where we got to the paved trail #5, went left, back up to the #15, and then the shortcut back to the cars.

In total, is was just under 8 km.

It was a lovely hike, shorter than planned, but to be honest, I am not a fan of hiking on paved trails ;)

Here is the map that I think shows our route:

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Ysterday afternoon marked the first hike in Gatineau park for me and Lola for this season. I know - it's crazy late in the year, but the weather and my work schedule have not been cooperative :)

But, yesterday, Sarah, Gryphone, Lola and I managed to get out for a 5.45 km hike. It was actually supposed to be 3 or 4 km, but I under-estimated the length of the Skyline Trail (trail #6).

This is a good hike - it is a workout, but not too long. Park at P7, take trail #30 up to the first lookout, go left and then right at the sign for the Skyline Trail. Stay on trail number six for the loop! (see the map below).
Lola and Grypon at one of the lookouts along the loop:


And the two pooches were so tired, they slept during the drive back home:
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Autumn Hiking - Camp Fortune to Huron

Leading hikes and just getting out and about has been a little tougher since I started working full-time. Not impossible, mind you, and actually, now that I've got a regular schedule, I'd say it's even easier.

I did take a 3-week hiatus from hiking until I could find my rhythm, but I'm back to it, and it felt great to see my usual hikers last Saturday as well as some new faces.

On Saturday, October 5th, I led a group of 21 hikers (and one dog) on some lesser-used, muddy and fun trails up to Etienne Brule lookout and then Huron cabin for a break.

Our route was: Park at Camp Fortune. Take trails #9 and #3 to Etienne Brule, then trail #1 to Huron, then continue on #1,#4 and #14 back to the cars.

There seems to be some construction going on on trail #9, probably Camp Fortune making new ski trails, so you have to be careful to stay on the trail and not accidentally wander off onto the newly-made (and ugly) trails.

We did not get lost, though, and a good time was had by all.

Leading a Hike on Wolf Trail

Not much to say about this one - I've done Wolf Trail many times now, and this was my third this year. It is an awesome trail, really invigorating with great lookouts and not too long. Though considered the most challenging trail in Gatineau Park, I actually don't find it too bad. Just go slow, take the right side arm up, and descend on a nice, easy route. For more details of Wolf Trail (#62 from P13), see my earlier post here.

Hike P11 (O'Brien Beach) to MacDonald Bay in Gatineau Park

Two Wednesdays ago, on September 7th (2016), three of us went for a lovely afternoon hike in Gatineau Park again. I wanted to scope out a possible route for one of my own hikes that I lead on Sunday mornings, and since parking is now free (since it's off season), I thought we'd follow a trail from the O'Brien beach parking lot (P11) on Meech Road.

Jivka at the bay

The hike was really good, as usual, but this was a challenging route for me, I found. It is hilly both ways, and I prefer to work hard in the beginning and then coast back to the finish. That's just me. And this route is long (12 km return), and, as I said, hilly.

But, the trail is wide enough to walk side-by-side, but still has some rocks and roots, and it wends past a house and field, and skirts Meech Lake a lot of the way. A good walk for dogs!

The clothes of the mountain-biking snorkler

The end point for us was MacDonald Bay, a nice bit of water access where you can swim and cool off. On this afternoon, we saw a snorkler in the water. We were wondering what the heck he could find so interesting to see in Meech lake when he emerged with a spear gun and a bunch of fish hanging off his belt! Yep, he'd been spear fishing. Very cool - though I haven't the heart to kill even a fish.

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12km Hike to Pink Lake

The group at Pink Lake

I've been leading hikes most Sundays since late July, and I'm really loving it. It's a great way to commit to a few hours of a healthy activity, good for my leadership skills, and helps hone my social skills, too. And - others benefit. The people who join my hikes seem to really appreciate me organizing them! So it's win-win all around:)

The Route:
Yesterday I took the group (eleven of us counting me) from P7 on Chemin Kingsmere to Pink Lake, via Chemin Swamp and then trails #15 and #35.

Description, Distance, Difficulty: 
This is not a tough hike, but due to the distance of 12 km and some steep but short hills, I wouldn't recommend it as a first-time hike. You want to have some level of fitness to do this.

The trail is shaded but wide enough to walk two or three side-by-side. It's not very technical as it isn't narrow and windy, but there are some roots and gravelly rock. There are rolling hills, some are steep but they're not long so it's an easy recovery.

One thing, though - this trail is more down on the way to the lake, and more up on the way back. I mention this because I usually like to do the hard part in the beginning, and then coast on the way back!

Trail #15 is popular with mountain bikers (it's a great mountain bike trail!), so hikers will see a few bikers.

Anyway - yesterday was a great hike. The weather was perfect - cool, then warm, and sunny with blue skies. Because the parkways were closed for Bike Day Sunday, we hikers had the lake pretty much to ourselves,  since people couldn't drive.

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Hike from P12 in Gatineau Park (9 to 12km)

Although yesterday was August 31st (and today is already September!), the weather has continued to be hot but still inviting for us eager hikers.

 I went out yesterday afternoon for our mid-week hike (Jivka, Gord, Nancy and I) to enjoy the outdoors, a little shinrin-yoku, and to get familiar with trails on which to lead our group hikes on the weekend.

 Yesterday's route was really good because it is not one we've done often, and part of it, we had never done.

The Route: 

P12 parking lot. Take trail #40, stay left to take #2 (about 1.5 km in), Turn right on #1, then right on #62, right on #38, and left on #40 back to the parking lot.

Description, Distance and Difficulty

So, this hike was really not very long - only 8.5 km or so, but can easily be extended to 12 km by building in a visit to Western cabin for a break and to enjoy the lookout there.

However, it is rather challenging for the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the route because you go pretty much straight up on #40 and #2. It's quite steep on a wide, gravelly trail. But it's shaded, and, hey, it's not a race after all, so stop and take breaks as needed.

Once you hit trail #1, you are pretty much going to be making a slow, gentle, steady decline back down.

Trail #38 is really nice - it's a short, narrow single-track that is jungle-like and really has an ethereal beauty.  I LOVED it.

Back to #40 - you've got a steep down-hill before making it back to the cars.

We covered this route in 2 hours (and one  minute!), but we were pushing it. With a group, and a break, I'd say it's an easy 3 hour hike.

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Hike from Camp Fortune to Étienne Brûlé

On Sunday, I led my hiking group on a nice hike to the Étienne Brûlé lookout.

 On Sunday mornings during the summer months, the parkways in Gatineau Park are closed to cars so that cyclist can enjoy the road to themselves for "Bike Day Sundays". I think this is a great idea, but it does mean that many trailsheads are not accessible to us hikers (we cannot get to them by car). On the other hand, it is so wonderful to hike up to popular places and find them unpopulated because car-peeps just can't get there on Sunday mornings!

Anyway, on Sunday (August 28th, 2016) , I led a group of 10 hikers (yours truly included!) from Camp Fotune up to the really beautiful Étienne Brûlé lookout and picnic area. 

Because I do the Early Riser hikes (for morning people like me), the gates to the Camp Fortune parking lot were still closed, so we parked on the side of the road just outside the gates (this is something a lot of people do). 

The Route: 

From Camp Fortune, we walked up the dirt road (follow signs for the Arienne Defi) up to the chalet/ main office. We took trail #9, and #3 to the lookout, then returned via route #1, #14 and #4. 

Distance, Difficulty: 

The total distance for this was 11.84 km or say, 12 km. A good distance for a morning hike. This is not such a tough route. #9 is rough and rocky and rooty, but not too steep and is quite doable. #3 is wider and gravelled. #1 is very wide and gravelled, and is not too hilly in this section. #14 and 4 are quite easy and all downhill. 

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Hiking with Dogs: Wolf Trail

What a glorious day it was yesterday, and, once again, I remembered why I am so fortunate to live so close (practically IN) Gatineau Park.

Me and Lola at Mahingan Lookout

I took Lola (my one-year old Aussiedoodle) out for an afternoon  hike on one of the park's most popular hiking trails - the Wolf Trail Loop (which is trail #62).

It was a great hike, and I feel refreshed this morning - calm, relaxed, and almost euphoric. I blame it on the wonderful outdoors and exercise.

Anyway, the Wolf Trail is not really all that hard. It's only a short route at 8.5 kilometres, but because it's quite steep and rocky in parts, it can be a slog. But it's a gorgeous route - rooty and rocky and forested, peppered with a few stunning lookouts along the way. The largest lookout is Tawadina, and it offers a gorgeous view over the Eardley Escarpment.

It is a loop, which is really nice so you get different scenery, different terrain throughout. You head in on trail #63 for about 500 metres when you get to a choice: left to Tawadina, Right to Mahingan. I always go to the right - this is because I prefer to work really hard in the beginning of my workouts/ hikes, and the right-hand option is where you climb the steepest and rockiest parts of the trail. But once you hit the Mahingan lookout, it's pretty much downhill or rolling hills after that, and then, after Tawadina (it's a loop, remember?) it's a very pleasant, gentle downhill walk. Aahhhh.

Ok, so I said I'd be talking about hiking with dogs. Mainly, I just hike with my one girl, Lola. I've had her out only about three times so far in the park because this summer has been really, really hot (in the 30s often) and I didn't want to tax her system. But she does love hitting the trails as much as I do. And, Wolf Trail is a great route to take with dogs because there are a lot of spots with running water (like moving streams, etc) so the pooches can get in and cool down a bit. It's also not an overly long trail, taking only about 2.5 hours to complete, which is very manageable for most dogs.

Maybe you have questions, like, "Are dogs allowed in the park?" Yep. They are, but there are some rules:

1. Dogs are allowed on ALL but three trails during the hiking season (April 15th to November 30th). The trails they cannot go on are: King Mountain, Pink Lake, and Luskville Falls.
2. Dogs must be on-leash
3. In winter (November 30th to April 15th) dogs are not permitted on most trails

For more information, straight from the NCC (National Capital Commission): http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park/things-to-do/dog-walking-gatineau-park

So those are the rules. What else do you need to know about hiking with your furbaby?

Lola, exhausted post-hike

1. Bring extra water and a drinking vessel (a bowl!) for your pup. You get thirsty, right? So does she!
2. Bring snacks for him or her. You might stop for a snack break, well, it's only fair.
3. Do not bring your pup for a hike in high heat! She's wearing a fur coat, and pushing her to workout in the heat is asking for trouble. Dogs DO DIE from heatstroke! If you see your pup panting excessively and seeming lethargic, get her to shade, give her water, and let her rest. Get back to your car and to the vet ASAP!

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Some Hiking Photos

The group I was leading atop King Mountain, August 7

The group I was leading to the Carbide Ruins and O'Brien Beach, July 24th, 2016

Hiking and Forest Bathing

I've read so many articles over the past few years about the various health benefits of hiking, or even of just "forest bathing" (shinrinyoku), but the proof, as they say, really is in the pudding.

Since I've been getting out at least twice weekly into the woods and onto the trails, I've definitely noticed a marked improvement in my overall sense of well-being. I feel more relaxed, and have a more positive outlook. Hey, it's not like I was Negative Nelly before, anyway, but now I can say I've got a sense of euphoria.

So, you'd think this would lead me to question: Why don't I do this year round? Then I remember, Oh, yeah - because winter here is, like, minus 40 C. ! Then I remember that plenty of folks get out anyway.... And on I argue before, finally, caving in and just hibernating again once winter comes.

So, back to the health benefits of getting out into the woods for a bit each week. I highly recommend that everyone get into some green space for a spell each week. Forest bathing, or shinrinyoku, is a Japanese movement that has demonstrated superior psychological benefits. What is it, exactly? Well, it's just getting out into nature, taking short, non-strenuous, contemplative walks. Sitting for a while surrounded by trees. Ahhhh. Can't you feel it already?

And I'm not kidding - I remember when there was a resurgence of the movement when I lived in Japan. I'd be out mountain biking on an unmarked trail in Nowhere Land, when suddenly I'd see an elderly man or woman, just sitting there. In the woods.

Additionally, the elderly in Japan are generally MUCH healthier than we in the west are. I remember hiking solo on a known trail. I was alone, enjoying the peace, huffing and puffing and struggling up some freaking steep mountains. I got to the top, victorious, to find.... a whole troop of 80 and 90 year olds sitting there well before me, having a mountain top snack of sushi!

And so, I am writing this little post as a reminder to  my 40-something self: Stay active, eat sushi, and bathe in nature!

Why I Love Leading Hikes

As you know, I moved to the Outaouais region of Quebec four years ago, and have been enjoying the many benefits of suburban outdoor life. Including lots of hiking and leisure in Gatineau Park.

I started leading hikes last year, and though I got a slow start this year, I've begun leading again, and I just LOVE it.It is a responsibility, but a good one.


What's involved in leading a hike:

1. Leading takes planning and foresight. I go out midweek to check trails and routes, and the conditions.You need to know your route, and really cannot lose a hiker!
2. The participants' confort should be of some concern - describe your hike well before people join. Mention if it's a beginner, intermediate or challenging outing.
3. Make sure in your description to remind people to dress for the outing (no sandals - you'd be surprised at the peeps who've turned up to my hikes wearing flip-flops!) and to bring snacks and water.
4. You are committed to the hike, even if you don't feel like it on the day, you can't just bail.

What's to love about leading a hike?

1. You are committed to the hike, even if you don't feel like it on the day, you can't just bail.
2. You meet new people
3. You provide people with the opportunity to get outside and move
4. The participants are appreciative of your efforts 

If you life in the area (or not) and want to join my hikes, you can find mine as well as others here on this Meetup Group http://www.meetup.com/ottawa-backpacking-club/

This was last Sunday's hike. I had 13 hikers, and we had a great time in the woods! They especially liked the little leg on the unmarked trail from #9 to Keogan.

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Great Hike from P7 to King Mountain (8km) (and a bear sighting!)

My mid-week hikes have now, finally, become a looked-forward to part of my week. I'll admit, it's taken me longer this summer to become enthusiastic about fitness. I haven't been rollerblading much, haven't been biking but once, and hiking was an effort.

I blame the long, cold spring (winter was quite mild this year) and the slow, tumultuous start to summer. Talking with different people, you see, I realize that I'm not the only one who got a late start.

But now that I'm back into it, I am really into it. No trying to talk myself out of going, no looking for any excuse to bail.

Yesterday's hike was amazing. Short, but challenging and, yep, I got a good face-to-face with a black bear. Actually, I've had a lot of bear sightings in Gatineau Park. Last year about four or five, and already two this year. It's always mid-week (not weekends), and always around the same time of day (4:30 pm).

This bear sighting was gorgeous, though. I think he/she had been sleeping in the leave or brush, because it was only when we'd stopped to spray ourselves with bug spray that, suddenly, we heard the rustle and up came the bear. He was pretty close (not too close), and the angle he was standing at and looking toward - side-view, looking away from me - I got to appreciate his beauty. A big body, and gorgeous beige snout. Such a photo-worthy shot. Sadly, I didn't have my proper camera, and didn't have time to get my phone camera ready before the bear turned and headed off.

We saw the bear about 30 minutes into our hike. We had just left trail #1 and started onto the winter part of trail #8 (about 1km before hitting Keogan cabin, this trail is to the left). After the bear encounter, we kept going on #8, staying straight where it intersects with #17.

It's a steep, challenging climb, especially as we were all going pretty quickly, but it was great. We came out at the road, turned left and walked to the King Mountain parking lot. Then we went into the loop a little, to the left, then left again at the hard-to-see trail #37.

The whole thing, including  a 25-minute rest at the King Mountain picnic area only took us two hours and twenty-minutes, but left me feeling very tired, and very refreshed.

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I'm Leading Hikes Again

I've been a member of a great, active Ottawa Meetup group for a few years now, and I started leading hikes last year, which was great.

But. for some reason, this year I've been a bit slow/ late in getting back to organizing and leading hikes. Just lack of motivation or inherent laziness, perhaps. But I've finally gotten my butt in gear and started leading again.

I'm so thankful that I did. Yesterday was the first hike I've led this year, and it was SO good. It was just a short, gentle route, with a couple of long (twenty minute to half-hour) breaks.  I got to see some old friends, and meet some new ones. The people who joined were so appreciative of my leading the hike and organizing it, it made me feel good. And everyone seemed to truly enjoy the outing.

We took trail #36 from P10 to the Carbide Wilson Ruins, then we made our way to O'Brien Beach for a swim in Meech Lake. The water was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and really I couldn't have asked for a nicer group.

Just so you know, I'm an early riser and plan my hikes accordingly - so they tend to appeal to other early risers. People who want to spend a few hours in nature, then get home and get on with their day.

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A Beginner's Guide to Hiking in Gatineau Park

Carbide Ruins

So, you want to take advantage of the wonderful green space, gorgeous hiking trails and fresh out-doorsy-ness of Gatineau Park.  But - you don't know where to begin. Sure, you love being outdoors, the park is not really far from the city (of Ottawa), and hiking seems like a great way to be active and healthy at any age.

Hiking can be as intense or as leisurely as you like it.

First of all, know that Gatineau Park is quite big, but certainly not as large or as wild as some larger national parks (like Algonquin park, for example). and is great for all levels of outdoor seekers.

Next, know that YES, YOU CAN GET LOST in the park. It's happened before, especially in winter when eager-beaver snow-shoers or skiiers decide to wander off the trails. So, the moral of this story is: don't go off the marked trails.


Ok, enough blah-blah-blah, right?

Get started hiking in the Park. 

1. Go to the Visitor Centre in Chelsea, at 33 Scott Road, and purchase (yes, purchase) a summer trail map. Later, when you get more experienced, or if you decide to ski in winter, you'll want a winter trail map. And why pay for the map? Don't they have free maps? Yep, there is a free map, but it is NOT a trail map, and will not really help you on the trails at all.

2. Be prepared. Make sure you have:

• your map
• good hiking shoes or boots (not sandals!)
• water. And more water. There are no fountains or stores, and you'll want to stay hydrated to fully enjoy your outing
• appropriate clothing for the weather
• bug spray and sun screen. Trust me, Deep Woods Off or something like it will be required to keep the starving mosquitoes at bay
• bear spray if you want - there ARE black bears in the park, I've seen them more than a few times. They tend to run away, and are not looking for a fight, but still, exercise caution

3. Next, plan your first hike. Choose a gentler trail, of shorter duration, and one that is popular so you will not be totally alone for long - this will help you not get lost, will ensure help is available if you sprain an ankle, and will also ensure that bears won't be a problem.

4. Some good first trails are: (click the title link to see my original posts and maps)

P7 to Keogan
Park at  P7 (on Kingsmere Rd) and hike trail #33 & #1 up to Keogan. Keogan is a cabin. There is one little scenic lookout along the way. And there are clear signs - follow the sign to Keogan, then on return, follow the sign for P Kingsmere. This is about 8 km.


P10 to Carbide Ruins
Park at P10 (from Ch. de lac Meech/ Ch. Dunlop), near Camp Fortune. Walk up the Fortune Parkway about 1km or so, then go right on trail #36. Stay on #36 to the O'Brien parking lot. You have the
option here of going to O'Brien Beach, or continuing on #36 to the Carbide Ruins. This is only about 6 km.

Chemin de La Mine to Pink Lake
Park at on Rue Quartz, just off of Chemin de la Mine in Hull. Cross the road, and walk on the bicycle path (#5) for about 1.5 km or so. Then go right, onto trail #15. Follow #15 to #35 following signs for Pink Lake. You can walk around the lake if you like, which would add 2 km to your route.  Be very careful to pay attention to your trails and your turns so you don't go off course especially upon return. This is about 10 km without the lake loop.

As you get to know the park and the trails, as you meet more people, you will learn more trails and test yourself.

If you want to get into a hiking group, there is a great, very active Meetup Group (of which yours truly is a hike leader) called the Ottawa-Gatineau Adventurers.

Happy Hiking!

Gatineau Park, Hike from P10 to the Carbide Ruins. Nudity Ensues.

Today was another hot one. Of course, I basked in the heat! I am a lover of the heat and humidity - probably because our winters are so long and our summers so short. But anyway - today was a GREAT day. I went to my brother's work BBQ for lunch, and then I met my two best hiking buddies, Gord and Jivka, at P10 for a little afternoon hike.

P10 is accessed from Dunlop Road, which can be accessed from Meech Lake Road, Fortune Parkway turn.

Anyway, we arrived at P10 by 3pm, and began our hike by 3:15.

We walked on the Fortune Parkway for about half a kilometer, then turned right onto trail #36, which takes us to the O'Brien Beach parking lot (aka, P11).

The P11 (O'Brien) parking lot is a paid lot during the summer due to it's beach access. P10, however, is totally free, and it's not a far hike at all from P10 to O'Brien - so if you feel like walking for 45 minutes or so to get there and save yourself paying parking, I recommend this hike.

The trail is very dry right now due to our unusually dry spring/ summer weather, and it's very easy to navigate. It's a bit rocky in parts, and it's a trail, not a road, so wear appropriate footwear. There are rolling hills to O'Brien, and then, if you continue past that lot, and press on, there is one or two steep hills, but very, very manageable.

We did press on, and went to the Carbide Ruins. For all of my hikes in the Gatineau Park, I'd never yet been to these famous ruins. I suppose because we usually start this trail at p11, and the ruins are too short a trip - we would always continue on to McDonald's Bay or to Healey. But this hike started further away, and so the ruins were a good destination today.

I'm so glad I stopped. The Carbide Wilson ruins are the ruins of the mill made by Thomas "Carbide" Wilson in 1907 (need to double check all this). Anyway, the waterfalls are lovely,, the ruins are atmospheric, and, well, despite the Park's efforts, there are still nudists!! We stumbled upon a few naked dudes and a lady, what joy!

That was today's hike - from P10 to the Carbide Wilson Rinds and then back again.

OOH, and I've actually started to enjoy photography again! I brought my real camera - my Nikon D90 - along for the trek, and got some nice shots of Gord and Jivka.

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Hike in Gatineau Park, p10 to Keogan

This afternoon, Lola and I met our two hiking buddies, Gord and Jivka, to go for a lovely late afternoon hike in Gatineau Park.

Due to the chilly spring, and the hot summer, we really haven't gotten out as much as we would have liked, but the tide has turned and we are gung ho for sure!

The hike was soo good today. It was a familiar route, from P10 (near Camp Fortune), taking trail #32 up to Camp Fortune, and forking right onto trail #9 until just before a little wooden bridge. At this point, we turned right onto an old, unmarked trail the takes you directly to Keogan cabin (on this trail, keep the swamp/water to your right, when you get to an obvious T choice, go right (downhill).

It was a really enjoyable hike, great conversation, with the added benefit of actually tiring Lola out a bit!!

This is an intermediate type hike, I'd say. Some of the trails are tricky to find, and they are narrow and rocky, and steep, in places. Still, it's a great hike of between 8 and 10 kilometres, and took us about 2.5 hours to do.

Don't be shy - hit the hills with your hiking boots on!

This map below is the route we followed, with the slight exception that, on our return trip, we left trail #32 just past the lake and made out way back to the cars by the easier route of the road! (This map was logged last year, and I have been lazy about setting my phone to log my recent routes. But it IS the same route, except for, like i said, we left 32 on the way back and walked parallel to it on the road).

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Lola's First Hike

Today was the most gorgeous Saturday since, well, since autumn. This month, the weather has been a bit chillier and snowier than usual for April, but this weekend is above and beyond normal for this time of year. The temperature was 16 degrees Celsius, the sky was blue and the sun was bright! So, Jivka and I, along with two other friends headed out on a great first hike of the season. And - I brought Lola along for her first hike EVER. We had a great time.

We parked on rue Quartz, just off of Chemin de la Mine in Hull, and we walked along the bike path to trail #15 (it's on the right, about 1 km in), then trail #35 to Pink Lake. We did not walk around the lake this time out - it's closed to dogs, and we were tired enough anyway!

This hike is a great warm-up for the season - it's not too steep, not really too long (less then 10 km), with rolling hills on a wide, popular path. There was still a lot of snow on the path today, which surprised me, but is, actually, not surprising at all. We went at a comfortable pace (read: slow!), and it took us about three hours round trip, including a ten minute break when we reached Pink Lake.




















And Lola? Well, she loved being out on the trail, loved meeting new people,, and, basically, just loved everything with her usual dogness.















And, as the snow melted and the sun shone, so, too did the wild-life wake up! We spotted a salamander (I never would have know what it was), a snake, and this glorious heron.

Anyhoo - here's a little map of our hike!

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Exploring Winter and Unmarked Trails!

So, as you know, I have become an avid hiker over the past two years. I love being outdoors, in the fresh air, and walking in the hills. And it doesn't hurt that I live on the edge of Gatineau Park :)

I haven't been doing many group hikes this year, as Jivka has been leading on Saturdays, and I've become lazy about leading on Sundays.

But, fortunately, Jivka and Gord, another hiker, have been available and agreeable to weekday afternoon hikes. I know our time is limited because the days are getting so much shorter, but the past two Thursdays, we've had really good fun exploring some winter trails, and some unmarked trails to try to find our way around the park a bit and get off the beaten path.

Honestly, I really wish I'd brought a notebook and pencil to make notes of our explorations.... these maps. kindly recording by Gord, will have to do for now.

But, the basics are: We started from P7 both days. The first exploratory hike, on September 3rd, we took trail 34, and had to navigate around a large swamp/ lake. We luckily stumbled upon trail 22 at that point. And we discovered a gorgeous lookout at Camp Fortune!

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The next week , September 10th, we also started from p7, wandered an unmarked network of trails til we got to trail #1. Then we stayed on 1 and went right on trail #19. We wandered and explored, finally coming back along #22, veering off an unmarked trail to trail #6 (The Skyline Trail), and back to trail #1 and then the parking lot!
 

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