In This Issue:

Trail Projects on the Go

Bike Train

Trails Across the Region

Corbeil

Mattawa

North Bay

South River - Forgotten Trails

Fun on the Trails

Summer is upon us and the trails are as green as ever.  We almost completely escaped the blackflies this year and moved right into a hiker’s paradise.  Canoeists may be dismayed with the low water levels across the northeast so far this summer, but there are a number of great canoe events taking place in July.  Rallying together with other beached paddlers will surely lift spirits.  If your portage skills need a break, you could always try cycling.  And do we have a deal for you!  Discovery Routes will be raffling a Norco Nitro Mountain Bike at our annual general meeting this year in September.  This beautiful trail bike is worth more than my car at $1,500 (I need a new car!).  The bike is on display at the Information Centre in North Bay, where you can also buy your tickets. And, if cycling isn't your style you can purchase tickets on a 2010 Honda ATV.  We are, once again, partnering with the Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters not only because we are able to raise some money for trails but also because the Big Buck Night when the draw takes place is just too much fun to miss!  

Bike Train Returning to North Bay

A successful Bike Train service last summer has prompted expanded service this year.  With three stops in North Bay and one stop in South River in July, August and September this year, the project is gaining steam (well diesel, actually).  The popularity of the Bike Train across the province is a result of the truly sustainable nature of the project that balances environmentally sustainable travel with an active holiday.  Organizers of the service are welcoming local cyclists to join visiting riders during their trip to the area to share local experiences and lead them on  rides around the region.  Local cyclists can contact Discovery Routes for detailed information about local Bike Train events and volunteer opportunities.  More details on the service are available at www.biketrain.ca.  Dates for this year's Bike Train are listed in the events section of this newsletter. 

Trails Across the Region

Corbeil

Voyer Trail Fundraiser

On April 24th this year, Discovery Routes teamed up with the East Ferris Knights of Columbus to raise funds for the development of the Voyer Trail.  The night was a hoot!  We literally ran out of chairs, so it was standing room only as rowdy participants filled up on steak and fought to pay as much as possible for dirt and a septic service, among other things.  The event raised $6,000 that will be held in trust by the Knights of Columbus until construction begins on the trail that will eventually connect Corbeil to North Bay.   The businesses and individuals that donated the auction items and the many volunteers that worked together to pull it off deserve the credit of a job well-done.  Thank you all.  

Mattawa 

Adventure Week and so much more in Mattawa

Mattawa is gearing up for a summer full of events.  Their signature Adventure Week in mid-July culminates with the hugely popular and always sold-out Voyageur Days.  It must be this huge success, and that fact that procrastinators like myself can't get a wristband, that the Tourism Coalition is including an Outdoor Summer Concert series throughout the summer.    There are too many events and activities to name in this newsletter so I will point you to their website where you can check them out yourself.

North Bay

Black Forest Trails

The City of North Bay officially opened the new Black Forest Trails on Highway 11 North on May 14th.  The new 1.5 km hiking and walking loop takes visitors through beautiful red and white pine forest stands.  Working with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, the City created pedestal interpretive signs that have been placed along the trails to provide information on the forest's history, logging, reforestation, and the wildlife found throughout the park.  The goal is that this park and the information contained on these signs will serve as a living classroom for families, groups and schools.  The interpretive trail system will provide an opportunity to be active as they walk the trails and learn more about the forest environment at the same time.

For more information call the City's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Department at 474-0400 or visit http://www.cityofnorthbay.ca/living/recleisure/trails.asp

Heritage Canoe Day on the La Vase Portages

Excerpt from www.lavaseportages.com....  "If you like bugs, mud and french fries then this is the canoe day for you!  Revered by the Voyageurs as a morass of mosquitoes and waist deep mud, these days we leisurely paddle and portage the route with little more than a sun hat and a water bottle ( but don't forget to bring your canoe and paddles as well).  We meet at Champlain Park, end of Premier Road in North Bay at 8:00 a.m.  We then shuttle everyone and their canoes across North Bay to Trout Lake where we start the days paddling and portaging.  Highlight of the route is the morning section from the Brandy Lake and over the as yet undeveloped Crown Land along Cooper's Lake.  We stop for a great lunch at Billy Bob's for an almost traditional Voyageur lunch of pickeral and french fries. After lunch a leisurely paddle brings us back to Champlain Park by midafternoon.  To register or for more information please email us at mayne@onlink.net. Entry is $25 per person and includes a Friends of La Vase Portages guide, canoe shuttle, lunch and a great day of canoeing one of Canada's most famous canoe portage routes." 
 

South River - Forgotten Trails

Action on the Forgotten Trails

Forgotten Trails volunteers have completed spring maintenance on our hiking trails and look forward to installing new trailhead signage later this summer.  We are working on creating some interpretive signage on a few of our trails and running a couple of events.  Join us for a hike on Saturday, July 10th to the scenic views at the top of our historic Tower Trail.  Bring your own lunch and water.  10:30 is carpool meeting time in South River, 11:30 start time at the trailhead.  Contact Beth Angus at 384-2963 or BethA355@hotmail.com.  In seasons ahead, we're organizing a fall colours photography contest on our trails Saturday, October 2nd.  New members, particularly those based in Almaguin Highlands are welcome, we'll meet next Thursday, September 2nd, 6:30-7:30.  If interested in joining us, contact Kara Mitchell at 705-386-7064 or forgottentrails@gmail.com.

1375 Seymour Street, North Bay, P1B 9V6  ~  T: (705) 472-8480  ~  F: (705) 472-8027  ~  info@discoveryroutes.ca