It's almost deep Autumn. Sun is more previous than other months. Most tree leaves have fallen. At this time of the year, we hike not to view colors, but fallen leaves. 😄
After taking 16k hike at Hockley Valley yesterday, we are a little bit tired and decide to visit Cold Creek Conservation Area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBtfKkowVaeU66Ez9) today. I decided to carry my 35-pound training backpack.
The most popular route is going around the area, following the yellow marks for about 9 kilometers. That's what we want to do today.
The Bog Boardwalk is closed for being torn and some sections are totally collapsed. But we determine to give it a try, maybe as the result of watching the adventure TV show last night "Orlando Bloom: To the Edge". Following the pink ribbon on the tree, we carefully pass stale water, jump muddy ground, trek rotten logs and overcome other scraps scattered along the creek. We need to be very careful not to slip into the stinky pond. Finally, with the help of the hiking poles, we hiked the whole section. That is the highlight of the whole hiking
The second stop is happy valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/NLkujMLL16ssxGD17). Since it's getting overcast, and we decide to cut it short by only visiting the viewpoint, instead of the whole trail. At the end of the 7th Rd., a local told us there is a short circle hike. Maybe next time...
Today is the end of the Summer time. We're starting to face the 4:30 dark time again.
Lifer - a term used by birding community, meaning a new bird first observed by someone. I borrow it for experiencing something/someplace the very first time.
The lifer this time is what I haven't done before - sleeping in a car overnight.
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Since coming back from White Mountains, we think it'd be a good idea to view Fall colors from the lake after viewing from the White Mountains. Naturally Algonquin park comes into my mind.
Subaru's back seat isn't long enough for us to lie all straight, so we need to figure out a way to extend the seating area. My wife suggests to use an ironing board. It's such a brilliant idea, foldable, height adjustable and easy to transport in the vehicle.
Feels like Algonquin park is at our doorstep but somehow we haven't explored it like this time before. For a thanksgiving long weekend, the campsites are usually fully booked months ago. The only chance is to hope someone to cancel it, and I happen to be the first one to book it. It's risky but I have no choice.
I started to check weather forecast everyday. It differed from one day to the next, making me feel uncertain about the trip. Eventually, the time pressured me to make a decision on Thursday night. Somebody did cancel Mew Lake #80 and we decided to book it, but cut the trip from 3 days to 2 days to avoid the probable rainy last day.
Day 1:
Like usual, we got up very early to avoid highway traffic during long weekend. It was almost 2.5-hour driving. After buying a lunch package at Tim Hortons in Hunstville, we headed straight to the Canoe Lake beach area. Wow, there were so many people standing on the beach taking photos, viewing scenery, and there are so many canoes in the lake like I've never seen before.
We unloaded the canoe from the car roof, and I went into the Permit Office to check a few things. Unexpectedly, we noticed many cottages on the lake. At this time of the year, very few motorboats are still running. But it's not hard to image how busy it gets in the summer.
We kept paddling into Potter Creek until blocked by a beaver dam. Are beavers and human the only two creatures that know to transform the environment to their benefits?
While Canoe lake shows some Fall colors, when we paddled into Bonita Lake, there was only pine trees. So we decided to finish today's paddling and to drive to the campsite.
Mew Lake site 80: close to the lake, very far from the comfort station, under pine tree, also close to a potable toilet ;-(
This is my lifer 🤣
Sleeping in a car isn't as bad as I thought although the night is as cold as a few degrees. We're well prepared with hand warmers and thick sleeping bags. Also the issue is with how to find a flat ground.
Day 2:
Since it's the last day in the park, we think we should squeeze as many things as possible, and not minding getting home late.
After eating some breakfast at the campsite, we drove to the beach of "Lake of Two Rivers". The lake and the mounts nearby shows some brilliant colors under blue sky break, making it a perfect time to take photos.
dramatic cloud over the lake and the mount
Paddling through Madawaska River channel, the small Pog Lake was found surrounded by pine trees. We stopped at a small sandy beach near a boat launch, had some snacks. Giving up the plan to explore Madawaska River west side, we decided to paddle another lake - Canisbay Lake.
Stopped shortly at the store to buy some food, daunted by the crowd, we drove directly to Canisbay Lake beach.
snapshot in Canisbay canpground while waiting for the washroom
The tree color is so bright in all Canisbay campground.
The easy side of the lake shows the most brilliant colors, so we made decision to paddle along the west side.
There are around 10 backcountry campsites in the lake. We checked some campsites, made notes and took pictures. Without portage, it's an easy canoe camping site candidate. Most sites were empty. On the farthest north side, we decided to check the portage trail, along with some body stretch, the portage is rather long, connecting with Minnesing Trail. I've never seen any portage trail this long, maybe 3 km.
Passing many rocks and board walk, we walked until Canibay Creek and made a return.
While returning to the beach, we had this urge to view sunset. So we decided to go to Track and Tower Trail. Before that, we drove to Cache Lake not far to help me remember the last time we visited it. Unfortunately, the only thing I remember is the portage through the highway 60.
It was rather late, around 5:30pm. The busiest spot in the park was gradually emptying out. We easily found one parking spot, and wanted to push our luck to see if we could get to the viewpoint before sun went down the treeline. Brought headlamp, we started the hike. The terrain isn't easy, with rocks and tree roots.
When we get to the cascade bridge, around half way. By evaluating the time, we didn't think we could make it to the top before sunset. So we stayed at the cascade to take some good photos. Some brave young people passed by, with stylish coat and shoes, so determined to make it to the top. On the way back to the parking lot, it got darker and darker, we were glad to have brought the headlamp.
Lake with two moons ;-)
It was total dark at the parking lot around 7:30pm. On the way driving home. we had something to eat at Mcdonald's in Walmart, and got home around 11pm.
It was a packed trip with many new things. It was the trip I made a decision to make notes about the lifer in my life.
Takeaways:
1. Ontario parks require reservation even for day use and annual pass holder. Reserve at https://reservations.ontarioparks.ca/ to avoid disappointment at the gate.
2. Preregister your vehicle to avoid visiting the park office. You can save a lot of time.
Emstrur hut 有很多乘坐 4x4 jeep 进来的 group hikers。目力所及，周边的 valley 里已经有很多帐篷，甚至搭到了山脊上。这里设施也不错，除了没有Internet，洗澡做饭一应俱全。吃完饭，我和 Paul 又去徒步了一条沿着冰川峡谷的trail。看谷底大河奔腾，真感受到了孔子说的 “逝者如斯夫，不舍昼夜”。
步道中为数不多的一座桥
Emstrur 的帐篷营地
第 4 天（7月9日）：Emstrur hut 到 Alftavatn hut, 16 公里，270米爬升，6-8 小时
A few weeks ago, I came across a picture and by reading the text in it, I smiled in heart. It was me a few years ago, always feeling winters too long.
It's the second consecutive year for me to race in Gatineau Loppet. Team Chinada gathered in Gatineau for the annual winter party this year and most members signed up at least one race. Since I skied classic style last year, I decided to give it a try on 51-kilometer skating style this time.
Having a little incident ( I forgot my ski boots at cottage ), I finally arrived at the start line the very last minute. I was placed in D wave along with two buddies while elite group was in A wave. Looking up at the sky, it was sunny and not as cold as weather forecast to. But wind could easily change everything. Putting on my thick gloves and two layers of soft shell jackets, I took a deep breath. It was going to be a tough day but I was ready. The first few kilometers have some rolling hills, nothing too steep. Everyone seemed to be in all-out mode. Some passed me or were passed by me. It's easy to get influenced in a racing atmosphere. I kept reminding myself of not skiing too fast, too hard to conserve energy for later.
At an aid station. Volunteers are devoted. - by Charles
Sometimes, when trail passes lake shore or farm side, it gets flat for miles. It's my relaxing time since the one-skate technique is exactly the right one to cruise and save energy. It was also the time to savor the nature beauty (I stood long and looked as far as I could at one spot) and to delve into my thoughts.
About four years ago, I started cross country skiing with a group of friends - Team Chinada. It's where my xc skiing journey began. At first, It was just a way from the noise of life. Knowing little about skiing, I could barely move forward. After joining a club and taking lessons, inch by inch, improvements were made. Enjoyments were increased. We skied wherever we could, from Hardwood to Highlands, from Horseshoe to Arrowhead, from Ottawa to Stoneham, even on the backyard trail. "Flying Higher (飞得更高)" - a popular song among the team, precisely reflects how it feels when skiing. Beautiful sceneries are everywhere to make every effort worthwhile.
From the viewpoint of Scenic Cave
From the top of Highland Nordic
Moonlight skiing on backyard trail
Coming back from my reflection, terrains started changing, going up and down more steeply after the 31-kilometer cut-off point (O'Brien). Some most steep uphills are in this section. I had to divert all my power to ski up. Turning right to the Gatineau's pkwy, trails get much wider and seemingly easier. But my memory from last year's race reminded me that it's deceiving. Some slow uphills are brutally long, maybe as long as a few miles.
Skiing up a brutally long uphill
At the finish line, though quite exhausted, I was thrilled to have experienced an international race again. I was also delighted to see many familiar faces. I love the feeling of holding hands with friends, giving each other high five or fist bump. Lots of fun was added by telling stories, teasing each other and taking photograph. We cheer together, laugh together. At this very moment, I realize that without their motivation and support, I might not even sign up. This is the team spirit that goes beyond medals, the team that grows into a family and that I'm proud of being part of. We ski. We go outdoors. We find serenity, happiness, friendship. If fortunately enough, we might someday find some meanings in life.
