Elgin Hiking Trail Club
Enjoying the great outdoors in all seasons.
Elva Allen passed away
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elva Allen on Monday March 6th, 2023. She and Dave retired in Copenhagen a few years ago after living in Northern Ontario for most of their married lives.
Elva enjoyed being closer to their children Karen and Mike who both live in St. Thomas. They enjoyed many vacations in Mexico over the years. They have numerous friends in northern Ontario and Mexico.
Elva who played bass guitar in a band enjoyed the Beatles music and the Blues.
She loved her two grand daughters and her cat Darryl. Two years ago she started up a Facebook Group for the Elgin Hiking Trail Club which now has 339 followers.
Our condolences to Dave and his family and rest assured that you have loads of friends in the club to lean on in the future.
Above graciously supplied by Brian Wilsdon, the clubs Path Finder Newsletter editor for an eternity.
Saturday Hike on Trans Canada Trail
It was a mild winter morning when 14 people as far away as Port Glasgow and Aylmer gathered for
one of Marg Hulls quarterly hikes for the EHTC. Their was a new bench to rest and view the valley below.
The hike was approximately 7.7 km with horses and ponies on the way.
Not many birds were seen, yet a Cedar Waxwing did make an appearance near the end of the hike. Our resident happy guy really bonded with the horse, even though he did not have an apple.
Everyone enjoyed the hike and the weather. Thanks to Marg for organizing.
Spirit Walk at Springwater
After a long covid induced hiatus we are pleased to announce the 2022 Spirit Walk is a go. With our partner Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and many volunteers the event will start at 6 p.m. and the last tour through the woods and school house leaves at 7:50 p.m. There will be the usual Christmas music and recently added story by the Grinch and the magician “Hoppy”. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and the children will get to visit Santa in this quaint forest setting.
A special thanks to this years organizing committee members Michelle Innes, Eileen Harrison, Dave Allen and of course Brian Wilsdon whose vision led to the Spirit Walk for over 20 years.
For more info please contact Brian at 519-633-3064.
Elevated Park
End2end Day 3 – 4 km
Due to the skies looking threatening, it was decided to venture onto the next leg of the journey. Construction is taking place on Sunset and the usual parking lot under the bridge is closed. Parking at the new lot on Centre St at the east side of the Elevated Park we ventured onto the Park which is over 30 metres above Kettle Creek. The bridge was built in 1929 during the times when rail was the best way to move large quantities of goods long distances.
The St Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre has installed some creative art on the approach to the bridge and further down the trail at Deer Ridge Farm and at Lyle Rd.
The New England Aster was in bloom and their seeds are a good source of food for the birds in winter.
At the west end of the bridge we venture north and follow a fence around the top of the trail near the Osage Orange tree, their are several in the area. This connects to the trail and we venture down the hill under the bridge to Fingal Line. Fifty metres up the road we venture into the woods and follow the top of the ravine. There are several up and downs until we come out on Sunset Drive. This
is the end of the wooded journey. Right on Sunset Drive takes us to a left turn onto Chester Street, turning right onto Henry’s St and walked the roadway on the north side of St Thomas Cemetery and exiting at the entrance onto West Ave. Turning right onto Ada St to Wilson Ave, following it a short distance to Elm St, turning right again take Elm St to traffic light and cross Sunset Dr. Two hundred metres south we are at our destination for today, Sunset Cafe.
Weather held off and had a great hike getting to see the Elevated Park.
Thanks to Jim for leading this hike.
Al Sharpe
End-2-end Day 2
Parsons Rd to Lyle Rd – 6.25 km
It was a foggy morning when 12 intrepid hikers gathered. First 3.6 km was all
road work. At the Red Barn on Hwy 3 we headed into the woods owned by Province of Ontario. The woods wind along the south side of Dodd Creek. When we get to a evergreen forest the roots of the trees make sure you keep looking down.
There are a few steep hills and would be quite slippery if recently rained.
We were very fortunate as everything was dry. Along the way we saw Azure Asters and Jewelweed also known as Spotted Touch-me-not, this plant likes damp soil and shade to really bloom. Ruby Throated Hummingbirds really
enjoy the Jewelweed.
The hike ended at Lyle Rd and on the way back to get car five American Kestrel were sitting on the wire, gathering for the fall migration.
Thanks Jim for another great hike;
Al Sharpe
Start of End-to-end – 7.5 km
Today we tried our first car pool since the beginning of Covid.
We began at the north end of our trail which links up with the Thames Valley Trail which goes to St. Mary’s, known as the stone town. The journey begins with a southward hike through McCaig’ bush. This part of the trail in the spring can be best described as a swamp. In this late summer morning it was quite enjoyable. Our intrepid hike leader Jim was leading and acting as a shield against all the cobwebs. Charlie suggested we tag him #spiderweb. Time will tell if the name sticks.
Upon leaving the bush we head along a farmers field of soybeans. We walk on the east end of the field account the other side of fence row is so overgrown. Exiting the field at the entrance for the tractor on Third Line heading west. Half way along this road we stop for a sugar fix supplied by Roseann.
Turning left onto Mill Rd allows us to safely pass over Hwy 401. Along this road are several seemingly healthy apple trees.
Turning left again onto Fourth Line for 3.6 km. This road really shows off the agricultural roots of Elgin. The hedgerow on this road is largely as it should be.
There are Choke Cherry trees, Gray and Stiff-leaved Goldenrod and Sweet Pea. There are an abundant supply of Monarch Butterflies and even Monarch Caterpillar visible.
This generation of caterpillar will be tasked with making the journey all the way to the mountains in Central Mexico. The Monarch population is down 26% last winter. The problems are illegal logging, drought, pine beetle infestation, lack of milkweed population in all three countries. They inhabited only 2.1 hectares in Mexico. Six hectares is the amount recommended to avoid extinction.
All in all another great hike.
Al Sharpe
Hwy 45 to Mellor Rd and return – 3 km – 2 hrs
This lovely morning saw 10 of us out for a hike. The rain last night made the hills a bit slippery. The entrance off Hwy 45 will need to be reworked to bring people in just east of the guard rail.
Tom and Joan joined us after several week vacation in the East Coast. The canopy overhead and moisture in the ground seems to be conducive to Puff Balls. Not really large but growing.
There was one bridge on trail which needs at least 4 planks replaced.
The hike is basically due south and up a hill to farmers roadway. This roadway will take us all the way to Mellor Rd. We then had a rest under the huge evergreens. There were many birds flying around, did manage to recognize Red-headed Woodpecker and Blue Jay. Need binoculars to see the birds that were way up high in the trees.
On the way back we spotted Pokeweed. This is a plant which is poisonous to humans, dogs and livestock. On the other hand, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, Mourning Dove and Cedar waxwings will eat the berries when they reach blackish purple. The berries start out green, turning white and then blackish purple.
Another great hike on the Elgin Hiking Trail.
Al Sharpe
Wednesday Morning in August
Southdale Line to Sunset Cafe 2 hour round trip
Today we had eight people out for the hike in warmish weather. Our hike leader is Jim Northey and he has been leading these Wednesday morning hikes for many years, through all four seasons. They always start at Sunset Café and each day is a new adventure.
We start with a zig-zag up the Southdale hill. The zig-zag was done my Rick Atchison, he has done a lot of maintenance on this piece of the trail and we owe him our gratitude. At the top we wander toward the creek then along the top ridge, crossing at the new Tilman Bridge. Tilman Joosten was the architect of this bridge and was able to get Thames Valley Trail Club to pay for the costs. It is a good solid design and should serve the hikers of Elgin County for a very long time. Our thanks to Tilman and the Thames Valley Trail Club.
The trail once again heads on top of the ridge towards Kettle Creek, veering north. The first lookout is mostly clay based and really suffering from erosion.
The second lookout is sand based. Both give a lovely view of Kettle Creek as it turns south towards Port Stanley. The trail then continues north along the ridge with a view of the subdivision backing right up to the trail. Then you venture down a fairly steep hill with a bridge to cross the ravine half way down.
At the bottom we circle around the west side of Shaw Valley Pond. It is teeming with life. Today, their were Belted Kingfisher, House and Carolina Wren, Purple Finch, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse and Gray Catbird.
The trail continues north along the west side of the pond, down a short hill and veers east for several hundred feet. We then head north again and come out at a field which we cross. Then a bridge and we turn west towards Kettle Creek. Follow it north and cross a group of bridges trying to stay in place battling the constant erosion, again.
This spot also sees the creek change direction and you can enjoy the view in both directions. The trail now goes through a damp area that is dry at this time of year. We cross over several bridges and can see how the rain waters are running following the trail. We exit at Sunset Café which is a great place to park the car and walk the trail both ways or take the road to Southdale and back via the trail. All in all, a lovely part of our Elgin Hiking Trail.
My thanks to Jim for taking the time to lead these Wednesday morning hikes.
Al Sharpe
Installation of Tilman Bridge
New bridge for Shaw Valley
Recently a work party built a bridge over an area that had washed out two previously installed bridges. This bridge is in a much safer area and was built with the help of Tilman Joosten. That is really an understatement as Tilman got the funds from Thames Valley Trail Association to build the bridge, he also designed and ordered the parts. So basically it is the Tilman Bridge.
We had a very good turnout for the work party, many club members and Tilman and Rick Bonsteel from Thames Valley Trail Association.
It took only three hours to build the frame and put it in place. Really a masterpiece of engineering and installing on Tilman’s part. He put many long hours into paying attention to every detail necessary to build the bridge.
This was the first part of the Elgin Trail created over 45 years ago and is in really good shape due to the outstanding work Rick Atchison has done in this area, including recently a zig-zag down the steep hill at Southdale that will make it easier to navigate for more people.
Thanks to all the volunteers who made today’s bridge assembly such a rewarding experience. A special thanks to Tilman and Rick for all they have done. Richard Wright and Loretta Vaughan were the initial planners for this bridge. No surprise there, as they are truly involved members of the club.
Enjoy the new bridge;
Al Sharpe and rest of EHTC executive
Notice of AGM Zoom Meeting change for tonight
Due to technical difficulties, the Zoom AGM posted in the Spring Edition of The Path Finder is no longer active.
The new personal meeting number is 711 1428 2203 and the passcode is still q6eS5b.
Hoping everyone finds this info in time to join us this evening at 7 p.m., also changed from the newsletter time.
Looking forward to connecting with many of you this evening during Covid lockdown in Ontario.
EHTC Executive