Lessons Learned - Day 5 - August 2014

The map shows today's route as having many long, straight stretches. I thought that meant it would be a lot of walking along roads. The map description mentions the trail going along a "track" in a few sections. It also mentions that one section of the trail is on a  "road allowance" (<-- what is that?) and that it may be "overgrown in muddy in places". ...if only it had just been mud!

We had a guest star hiking with us today, my friend Kizza joined us for the day and little did she (or any of us!) know what we were getting in to! It all started off nicely walking along a gravel road and we made really good time.

We shepherded this turtle into the ditch as it had picked a dangerous spot in the middle of the road to sun itself.

Then the trail turned on to the "road allowance" that started off with this sign

"unopen"? aka "closed"?

Not far along was this bridge made specifically for the Rideau Trail users :-)

But then we came upon lengthy sections of the trail that were completely under water.

We didn't find much mud, but we did find lots of water!

 I felt bad because I had told Kizza that we would be walking on roads so she wore her running shoes and had to hike through this "puddle" that was probably about 2 kms long in running shoes - but she didn't complain once!  Thankfully the trail dried up after a few kilometres of wet and we turned on to a snowmobile trail. I learned that in the summer, snowmobile trails are covered in long grass, which we were completely unprepared for, only wearing shorts.

Kizza breaking trail through the grass.

Other sections of the trail were also quite overgrown.

Yep, that's the trail. Can't you see it?!

Walking though long grass and brush for hours really thrashes your legs. Especially when you're allergic to grass and every time it scrapes against you, you get red welts that swell and sting. 

Kizza, Rolla, Zuzka.  Guess who's allergic to grass?!

The trail did have some really nice views today though and it is always nice to be out hiking in the forest, even if the conditions are less than ideal. We had a really good time out today and it certainly was an adventure! My lessons learned are:

1. Just because the trail is straight on the map, it doesn't mean it will be easy-walking on a road. 

2. Wear long pants and long sleeves to protect arms and legs

3. Don't hike in the afternoon, it's too hot. 

4. Read the trail description on the map while planning the route. 

5. My hiking buddies are awesome! Neither Rolla or Kizza complained at all today!

 

We finished off the hike enjoying some cold gatorade that I had left in a cooler in my car. We certainly deserved it after the hike we had! We've now hiked over 50 kms. Only 250 to go until Kingston!

Trail Marker on a beautiful snag. I always think back to learning how important these are to ecosystems in ecology class. Click the link for more info :-)

Statistics:

Start Point - 16C

End Point - 17D

Daily Distance - 15 Km

Total Distance - 52.7 Km