A good start to the resumption of hike outings as two groups headed off to different trailheads for a few hours of exercise and …. companionship. Yippee! The South of the Nile group was only half the allotted size but 100% full of enthusiasm, while the Brian’s Trail-Glover Park loop drew a full complement of ten.
1. South of the Nile loop (Group 1)
This route was found to be as interesting as always, with its varied landscape. The trail system is generally flat, except for two small gullies that needed descents/ascents to negotiate – just the minimal amount of aerobic exercise required to make the outing qualify as a hike(!). Since our last hikes in this area, there has been some logging activity and a realignment of one logging road, but our trail is still (just) within woods adjacent to the cleared area, for which we were grateful. Arriving at the logging road, we came across the new owner of the woodlot and had a good chat with him, learning that logging should end in a few weeks with no more planned over the upcoming year.
Our lunch break was timed for arrival at the picnic table located near the end of the trail system and it was in this area that we caught sight of a Barred Owl surveying his domain from a nearby branch. Another photo opportunity occurred soon after, when we sighted two Hairy(?) Woodpeckers sharing a tree trunk close by...a juvenile and adult.
Quite satisfied with ourselves, we adjourned to Helmut’s waterfront home to enjoy a patio debrief over fresh homemade rhubarb upside-down cake (m-m-m-good!) and coffee. A great way to end the outing.
1. South of the Nile loop (Group 1)
This route was found to be as interesting as always, with its varied landscape. The trail system is generally flat, except for two small gullies that needed descents/ascents to negotiate – just the minimal amount of aerobic exercise required to make the outing qualify as a hike(!). Since our last hikes in this area, there has been some logging activity and a realignment of one logging road, but our trail is still (just) within woods adjacent to the cleared area, for which we were grateful. Arriving at the logging road, we came across the new owner of the woodlot and had a good chat with him, learning that logging should end in a few weeks with no more planned over the upcoming year.
Our lunch break was timed for arrival at the picnic table located near the end of the trail system and it was in this area that we caught sight of a Barred Owl surveying his domain from a nearby branch. Another photo opportunity occurred soon after, when we sighted two Hairy(?) Woodpeckers sharing a tree trunk close by...a juvenile and adult.
Quite satisfied with ourselves, we adjourned to Helmut’s waterfront home to enjoy a patio debrief over fresh homemade rhubarb upside-down cake (m-m-m-good!) and coffee. A great way to end the outing.
2. Briar's Trail to Glover Park (Group 2)
What a great restart to our group hikes. There was no danger of startling wildlife as multiple conversations could be heard through most of the hike. It was exciting to connect with fellow hikers once again. Our loop south of Royston from Briar's Trail to Glover Park has changed since our last hike there. On one stretch there were so many trees down across the trail that it felt like we were on a hurdle course. Some new roads made it challenging to find our original route. And the figurines have been removed from Glover Park. That made our walk around the park much quicker. We finished our day with a debrief beside the ocean in Royston.
Photos by Steve Hill and Bill Jorgensen...thanks for sending these, you two! More great photos by Bill can be viewed by clicking on Bill's hike photos
What a great restart to our group hikes. There was no danger of startling wildlife as multiple conversations could be heard through most of the hike. It was exciting to connect with fellow hikers once again. Our loop south of Royston from Briar's Trail to Glover Park has changed since our last hike there. On one stretch there were so many trees down across the trail that it felt like we were on a hurdle course. Some new roads made it challenging to find our original route. And the figurines have been removed from Glover Park. That made our walk around the park much quicker. We finished our day with a debrief beside the ocean in Royston.
Photos by Steve Hill and Bill Jorgensen...thanks for sending these, you two! More great photos by Bill can be viewed by clicking on Bill's hike photos