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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DISCOVERY ROUTES TRAILS ORGANIZATION Fall 2009 |
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In This Issue:
Trail Projects on the Go
Trails Across the Region
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Fall is a perfect season to spend time out on the trails. The weather turns to a comfortable cool and the changing leaves decorate the skyline before turning the ground into a beautifully coloured walkway. It's the right time to take advantage of the beautiful natural resources the Near North has to offer. You can get all of your trail information on our website at www.discoveryroutes.ca. And don't forget that the Trail Guide for Healthy Living is available for anyone who wants trail information at his or her fingertips! For those trail enthusiasts whose preferred mode of travel is an ATV, do we have a deal for you! For only $5, you could be the proud owner of a brand new 2009 Honda TRX 420 FM9. Discovery Routes has partnered with the Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters to raffle off this slick machine. The proceeds from the raffle will go directly to trail programs and conservation projects locally. Tickets can be purchased at the Discovery Routes corporate headquarters, better known as the Information Centre in North Bay. As always, Discovery Routes would love to hear about your experiences on the region's trails to include in our newsletter and on our website. Trail Tales is distributed each season, but it's never too early or too late to give us your stories! Just send us an email at discoveryroutes@symaptico.ca, and we'll share your words with the trails community! |
| Trail Projects on the Go | |
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Trail Restrictions and Closures The Municipality of Callander has issued a temporary road closure for Cranberry Road due to improvements being made on the sanitary sewer system. As a result, access to the Cranberry Trail has been restricted. Cranberry Road is only open on weekends, and after 7:00 pm on weekdays. These restrictions will be in effect from August 24, 2009 until December 31, 2009. More information about the road closure and any restrictions can be found at www.mycallander.ca. The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority has authorized the closure of the south end of the Kate Pace Way from Decaire Road to Cranberry Road on account of the construction. This closure is in effect from September 2, 2009 until December 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.nbmca.on.ca. Annual General Meeting time again Details for the Annual General Meeting are now being finalized. Most likely we will be inviting you to Magnetawan on October 27, 2009 to introduce the southern reaches of our region to the faces involved with the organization. The municipalities of Whitestone, Kearney, McMerrich/ Monteith and, of course, Magnetawan have all shown an interest in trail development and Discovery Routes is welcoming their participation. GPS - Compromising our Sense of Direction and Place? by Bill Steer ... as PDA's, including the new generation of phones, are becoming GPS-enabled, the prices are dropping. This new affordability may increase our addiction to GPS, as a way to get "here and there". When we develop a crutch for technology, we lose the ability to do that which we did previously. Within basic navigation, that's the relationship between the map, the compass and the GPS unit related to time, distance, direction and the exact location. People become more and more reliant, and their expectations get bigger and bigger. And if technology doesn't deliver, we get frustrated. To read the full article, go to www.discoveryroutes.ca/gps_article.htm. |
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Trails Across the Region |
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Friends of Mashkinonje have been hard at work! Over the summer, the Friends of Mashkinonje were hard at work on some new additions to their trails. New trailhead signs were designed and built that highlight the different wetland habitats that surround each of Mashkinonje Provincial Park's trails, as well as the associated species at risk that inhabit these ecosystems. The project was a team effort, with input from the Friends of Mashkinonje Board, various biologists and botanists, as well as a professional illustrator who developed beautiful illustrations to coincide with each trail. These signs include text in both English and French, and add a beautiful and informative touch to the routes. Thanks to two dedicated volunteers, a Landscape Architect from Ontario Parks Sudbury, and funding from the Shell Environment Fund, the Friends have added a new lookout tower over the Loudon Peatlands. This new, impressive structure allows visitors to view the area's various habitats from a unique vantage point. For more information about the Friends of Mashkinonje, please visit their website at www.mashkinonje.com. VMUTS Fall ATV Rally From October 2 to 3, 2009, the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System in Mattawa is hosting their annual Fall ATV Rally. Registration is $60, but riders can save $10 if registered before September 25. This event includes a 40 km ride and bonfire on Friday night, and a choice of a 75 km or a 125 km ride on Saturday with dinner served on riders' return. Canteens will be available along the trail during each ride. Riders will also be granted a free Sunday pass with their registration package. Visit www.vmuts.com for more information about the ride and how you can register. Nipissing Naturalists present Akimiski Island's Natural History On October 13, 2009, join the Nipissing Naturalists for a fascinating presentation by one of Ontario's top ornithologists, Jean Irons, on Akimiski Island's Natural History, held at Casselholme on Olive Street in North Bay. Akimiski Island is remote and uninhabited, and the largest island in James Bay. The most southerly polar bears consider this island their summer home, and its vast tidal mudflats are of hemispheric importance to migrating Arctic shorebirds. In the spring and summer of 2008, Jean joined a Ministry of Natural Resources crew in counting, aging, and studying the shorebirds on the Island. This digital presentation will highlight Akimiski's birds, mammals, and wildflowers, and will allow participants to experience its subarctic wilderness. Fall on the La Vase For those looking to stretch your legs or get your paddle in the water, autumn on the La Vase Portages can be one of the prettiest times to enjoy the area. Along the east side of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s property, a bridge leads to a rough brushed hiking trail. The trail can be accessed from the Highway 17 east parking lot just beside Brandy Lake. The trail is linear and runs from the left of the wooden bridge all the way to Telford’s Landing. Fall travel makes it easier to spot any historical trails as the summer overgrowth begins to disappear. The old Seymour Street extension that bypassed Brandy Lake pond in the past can be found along the trail with the remnants of a long abandoned camp foundation still visible in the woods. The La Vase Portages, however, are best viewed by canoe. The entire route takes visitors from Trout Lake down to Lake Nipissing. A shorter, yet very scenic route does exist, and will take paddlers to the north end of Cooper’s Lake. Experience the bright yellow birch and poplar hardwoods, and the rich reds and oranges from the scattered maples. Red and white pines dominate the portage corridor and tower high above adding their familiar green pine needles to the mix. Please remember to respect private property owners, and stay on the marked trail. For more information about the La Vase Portages, visit their website at www.lavaseportages.com. Otter Lake changes course The Otter Lake Friends have brushed a new trail to circumvent the marsh found at the end of the South Access Road. In the past, crossing the berm that ran parallel to the beach could access the trail, but high water this summer eroded this narrow piece of land to a point where it is now very difficult and dangerous to cross. Commanda Creek bridge fixed! The Forgotten Trail Association recently made some much needed repairs to the decking and railings on the Commanda Creek bridge on the old Rye Road. The bridge was deteriorating over the past few years because of its remoteness and a lack of volunteer coordination. The bridge is an important link in the Trans Canada Trail connection that gives trail users an alternate route to avoid the completely impassable original route of the Old Nipissing Road at the Little Pickerel River. The local snowmobile club, the Near North Snowdrifters, maintain this section of the trail during the winter months and also participated in the bridge repairs. Exciting times to come for the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club This past July, the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club received word that their application for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation was approved! Within the next few months, the Club will be adding much needed machinery and equipment to their inventory to assist in the upkeep of their ski and snowshoe trails. New ski sets, both adult and youth sizes, and new snowshoes for adults and kids will soon be available to members of the Club. Finally, 5 km of new trails will be added to the existing 5 km for both skiers and snowshoers to enjoy. The club is expecting cutting for the route to begin this October. This past season, the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club saw their hard work pay off when membership numbers doubled from the year before, and they are confident that their continued efforts will result in further successes. The Club would like to thank all of their volunteers for the long hours and hard work that they unfailingly contribute. |
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| Helping Us Connect | |
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Discovery Routes would like to thank all of our current Business Members for supporting our organization and the region's trails.
- FRi Ecological Services - All of our trails partners throughout the region provide continuous support to our organization by keeping us up-to-date on the status of trails and local trail events. Discovery Routes would like to extend our thanks to these Trail Connector Members for contributing to our organization and our efforts:
- West Nipissing Nordic Ski
Club - Over the past year, Discovery Routes has welcomed new Municipal Members to our organization. We would like to thank the following for their support:
- City of North Bay - Trails connect communities businesses and families. Bring trails to your business or organization and become a member of Discovery Routes. By building awareness and exposure of our regional trails system, you will be contributing to a healthy, natural Near North. |
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1375 Seymour Street, North Bay, P1B 9V6 ~ T: (705) 472-8480 ~ F: (705) 472-8027 ~ info@discoveryroutes.ca |
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