Hikes

Wanisan Hike on a Blanket of Snow

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The day before the hike we were treated to a new fresh snowfall—one last blanket (we hope) that would prolong the season for lovers of winter recreation.

Eight people came out to hike the Wanisan Trail. Immediately we saw that we would be sharing the trail into Blackfoot with cross country skiers. It was an especially good day as the sky was clear and the new snow was still dry.

Stepping carefully alongside the tracks the skiers had been since early in the morning, we paused to admire the Wanisan shelter.

Walking on the boardwalks alongside the beaver dams, we thought about how much effort goes into maintaining these structures in the trail maintenance season, and how valuable it is in supporting activities all year round.

Once we reached Blackfoot Recreation Area, it was just a short distance to Meadow Shelter where we had our lunch.

Although we heard a lot of bird calls on this day, no animals were seen except for the chickadees at the Meadow Shelter bird feeder.

Thanks to John S. for scouting and leading the hike. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Here’s where we’re hiking next.

Frosty Hike on the Laurier-Hawrelak-Whitemud Trails

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Nine people came out, in spite of the predicted high reaching -17 Celsius. Many weeks had passed since we had held a scheduled hike, and we were all eager to be out again in the famously friendly Waskahegan companionship.

Laurier Park has had some enhancements. Here is the new modern washroom, with an all-glass front and all-stainless surfaces. It even has a water-bottle filler.

The space feels clean and safe and it’s a decent place to warm up a little.

No doubt, the birds appreciate the feeders, such as this one in Laurier Park.

From Laurier Park we walked into Hawrelak where the Silver Skate Festival was still on. No pictures as the camera froze up. We ate our lunch outside in the open-air pavilion around a large gas fireplace that actually threw some heat on one side. But we had to go to the main building to warm up before we could go on. As we were leaving the park, we saw the blacksmith setting up for his demonstrations. On a day like this, hammering iron over a raging fire seemed like it would be a fine outdoor activity.

We walked along the south side of the river and Keillor Road to return to Whitemud Park. A mist rolled into the river valley, creating a beautiful sight.

There are not many pictures as the camera battery seized up in the severe cold. The Flickr album contains these few photos plus a some interesting ones from the scouting of the trail the week before.