Waskahegan Trail Association

Ten people came out to hike the North Saunders Lake trail under a clear blue sky. The day was full of midsummer treats.

As we walked along the lake we saw pelicans floating leisurely at a distance. And whenever we came around the edge of cattails and bushes at the shoreline, we watched whole families of ducks and their ducklings hurry away from us toward the centre of the lake.

The midsummer flowers are less common now, as more plants have moved on to their seed and berry stage. In the sunny open stretches we saw lots of huge burdock plants. Some unusual sights were stiff goldenrod, wild black currant, and this funnel spider web.

At the end of the hike, we stopped in at Rig Hand Distillery, only 300 meters from the trail head, for craft beer and mocktails. We are definitely looking forward to coming back here again when we hike in this area.

Thanks to Stella for scouting and leading the hike, to Trail Maintenance for clearing the trails, to the landowners for their generous permission, and to Jeff and the staff at Rig Hand Distillery for their hospitality. You can see all the photos on Flickr.

Where we’re going next.

Ten people came out to hike the trail in the Hastings Lake area to Mottet Hill. The landscape here is gently rolling pasture and light woods—just right for horses.

A landmark on this path is the Two Stones. Situated at a stile, these large boulders are erratics—left here from the last ice age.

We strolled, rather than climbed, to the top of Mottet Hill. It’s a ridge that gives a nice view of the valley. Here we had our lunch. Then we returned via the road so that we could get a glimpse of Hastings Lake.

Thanks to Lee for scouting and leading the hike, and to Trail Maintenance for maintaining the trails, and to the landowners for their generous permission. You can see all the photos on Flickr.