Most people that visit our website tell us stories of their trail trip and have suggestions that improve the site. Here are some things folks are sharing with us.
Hi I just checked some of your trail pages. I noticed you have listed some of our conservation areas – thank-you very much. I just wanted to note to you that some of the locations are incorrect. Perth Wildlife Reserve is in Perth, Mill Pond Conservation Area is near Lombardy. We also have Baxter Conservation Area in Kars and Chapman Mills Conservation Area in Ottawa. Meisel Woods is a new site near Crowe Lake. All of which offer great hiking and walking trails. Thanks again, Kristy - Thanks Kirsty we'll adjust those pages as you suggest - thanks alot for making the OTC site even better!
What a lovely surprise to find such a well kept park and picnic area. Washrooms were quite clean, grass was cut, and the trail was short enough for an elderly couple. We also met the lady and her husband who had grown up there when the fish hatchery was still in operation, she told us about the other buildings and the house that used to be there. It would be nice if you could include some more information about the history of the place ( I found it on the web) Also, where the trails curves right towards the river, there is a small path leading straight, following the river downstream. We were told to go there to see the falls, about a 10 minute walk from the main trail. It is a wonderful photo opportunity, although parts of the trail are pretty steep. Perhaps worthwhile mentioning in your park info, or perhaps some signage? Thanks again for adding this gem to my list of Trails in Muskoka, we will be back!
T.G. - Thanks TG for your comments on the Fish Hatchery Trail - OTC
Description of trails in Anten Mills - Trails in Anten Mills range from tight single track to trails wide enough for snowmobiles/atvs. Single track trails are not specifically marked with the exception of very few, but are easy to spot off to the side of the wider trunks. Single track trails will not be wide enough for ATV’s in most instances as the trail wiggles between trees/stumps. Most trails are sandy forest floor, without many water holes. Expect to cross roads (not necessarily traverse roads) to reach trails.Most trunk trails are logging roads and/or snowmobile trails. Sincerely, LB - Thanks LB - we'll modify the page thanks to your advice!
Hello, My name is S. and I am a university student enrolled in a natural history course. This course asks that each student visits a park and interviews a park naturalist to identify characteristics of the park, such as the flora and fauna, abiotic factors, etcetera. If there would be someone who could give a few minutes of their time to answer a few questions I have, that would be greatly appreciated. Or, if I could be pointed in the right direction on whom to contact, that would also be appreciated. Kind regards, S. - Sure - we e-mailed S. back with additional contact information and a few pointers of our own - OTC
Hi. We have included your website on http://www.festivalhost.com on the 'Trails and Adventures' page. Festivalhost.com is a site to promote the best of Peterborough and The Kawartha Lakes Region, I think this will help to have your site found by people searching the web as links add to your value on the web. Thanks for the wonderful resource you provide. It would be a pleasure to be included in your site. All the best. Marlis; King Bethune House, Guest House & Spa 270 King Street Peterborough, Ontario - Sure we appreciate the linkage, and we've been telling everyone we can to get integrated information on accommodation, trails, trail activity and services for years - hopefully we'll get this on our site like you suggest, just this week we asked Greg Sorbara for the very thing! OTC
Thanks so much Patrick! We know that there are more than 70 folks already registered to attend....and we'll certainly keep you posted on the outcome. Sylvia Cheuy, Project Director Headwaters Communities in Action - happy to post information about getting people out and active on trails!- OTC.
Dear OTC, I am planning the development of a new trail to be constructed in the City of Timmins, Ontario; I want to ensure that the trail is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities and assistive devices. I have already downloaded the Provincial Trail Standards, however, would like to know if there are any other resources, guidelines, or regulations that must be followed in order to comply with accessibility standards. Your guidance and feedback is much appreciated. Regards, Derek Raymond, Development Services City of Timmins - Thanks City of Timmins - we forwarded a list of plans, with accessibility guidelines from other towns and cities trails to Derek!
Hi, I teach xc skiing at the Nepean sports plex I often take my groups out in Pinhey Forest. on Jan.28 I was out with a few of my students and a wolf appeared about 20 feet in front of us. Not scared or running away it sat there for a while. For a joke I howled and the beast howled back a couple of times and barked! One of the people in my group was a little concerned so I skied towards it and only then did it run off. I spent the first 20 years of my life living in the Netherlands and grew up in a busy urban area where wildlife is virtually non-existent, now I live close to Gatineau Park and have seen (and heard) wolfs before from a very very far distance, to see one so close and howling was an experience that I won't forget for the rest of my life. We are lucky to live in a city that has forests with wildlife and the Greenbelt is a treasure that should be kept and guarded so that next generations can enjoy similar experiences. Attached a picture of last year on trail 30 wim... www.wimfoto.com
Thanks - we agree OTC
We recently hiked (October 18th) a portion of the Nimkee's Trail on the Sheshegwaning First Nation. The section we hiked was from the "lighthouse" (actually just a metal tower with light) up to the Eagle's Nest lookout then continued along the bluff where we were treated to many sites for viewing the North Channel. Then we descended back to the rocky shore and followed the shoreline back to our vehicle. It took us approximately 2.5 hours with many stops to enjoy the view. Ascending to the top of the bluff was the most difficult portion of the hike, but a large rope attached to the trees along the path helped. At the Eagle's Nest lookout there is a 6 foot tall weathered wood carving of an eagle. With binoculars we could see the town of Blind River (or so we believe it to be) across the North Channel. Spectacular views! Most of this section of the trail was in open meadow land on the top of the bluff with portions of hardwood and cedar bush.
The shoreline below the bluff is very rocky and somewhat hard on the ankles and feet as the rocks are loose. But it offers some interesting fossil treasures to see and views of the huge rock outcroppings above. Along the shoreline, we came across a large boulder about 3 feet tall with quartz pebbles embedded in it. Among the numerous white pebbles were a few of other colors with one that caught our attention in particular. It was a red pebble in the shape of a heart. Very unique. We didn't meet any other hikers on the trail and our drive into the trail along Cape Roberts Road was very picturesque through mostly hardwood bush with golden leaves glowing in the sunshine. Very pretty drive. We spotted a Northern Shrike at one point along the roadway in a clearing that overlooked the water.
This is the most peaceful trail we've found on Manitoulin Island to date. There were no sounds of human making during our full time hiking. The rest area where we had parked our jeep, not far from the lighthouse had a bench and picnic table. The only sound was the lapping of water against the smooth rocks of the shoreline. I see that M'Chigeeng is listed on the Ontario Trails web site as the nearest town to the Nimkee's Trail. In fact, M'Chigeeng is over an hour east of the Sheshegwaning First Nation. The closest town offering any services such as stores, medical center, marina, restaurants, schools, etc. would be Gore Bay about 45 minutes east. The very tiny village of Silver Water is directly south of the reserve. Evansville, about 20 minutes east, has a gas station and convenience store. The Sheshegwaning First Nation has a gas and convenience store as well, close to the start of the Cape Roberts Road that leads to the trail start. We plan on hiking the remainder of the Nimkee's Trail in the near future. Love the feeling of seclusion and primitive beauty! Have a great day! Lynda and Jack Chandler. Well now that's a trail story - and we adjusted the map representation as you suggested!-OTC
