Challenge Hike # 4

There is something about hiking in the fall that makes any hike wonderful. It could be the various colours that stand out against the dark green of the conifers or maybe it’s the crunch of fallen leaves beneath our feet as we march along, it could even be that woodsy smell, fresh and invigorating. I really do love hiking in the fall, even if it has to rain on us most of the time.

Yesterday was the fourth Challenge Hike and we changed it up a bit and joined Susan on her hike from Melwel road. This is a lovely bit of trail that follows the Mississagi River from Red Rock lake to Iron Bridge. Seven hearty souls from the Sault met four other hearty souls from Elliot Lake on a morning that promised rain. We met at Melwel road and made our way to where the trail first meets the road and dropped of the majority of the hikers. All the vehicles were driven to the end point, with one bringing the drivers back.

In the meantime, the hikers started slowly along the trail as there were quite a few black flies buzzing us at the beginning; unfortunately this is when the rain began. It was a nice soft rain but we had the some of the guys’ rain wear with us. Needless to say, they were a bit damp when they caught up to us. Once everyone got caught up and changed into the appropriate rain gear, Susan set a good pace figuring we might as well hike.

The trail meanders on and off the bush road that parallels the river. We were able to approach the river shortly after starting by way of a side road leading down to a beach. As we got closer a bald eagle flew off giving us a glimpse of its bright white tail feathers.  There is a fish migration at this time of the year where the eagles congregate on the Mississagi River as well as other birds the feed on the plentiful fish.

We eventually found ourselves in a lovely hemlock forest along the shores of Warnock Lake where we decided to have a break for lunch. The rain started letting up for the last little bit and ended completely during our break. You could hear the traffic from the highway and occasionaly see the vehicles travelling through a small break in the foliage at the end of the lake but otherwise you would believe you were miles from anywhere.

After lunch we climb back up the side of the hill the lake sits under to a lookout over the back. This is where the colours were most apparent to me. A sea of red, orange, gold and dark green greeted us as we climb up the short track. A couple of pictures and on we went.

The next little bit presented us with some challenges as the trail dropped down to a fast flowing creek which had just enough water in it to stop us from walking or jumping across. A few hikers went up stream to find a better crossing, which I found out later is where the trail actually goes. Chris had brought his high rubber boots which allowed him to cross with no problem. The rest of us tackled a small tree that grew sideways out of the bank over the creek. Each of us climbed onto one of the branches and was able to avoid the water that way. Chris, in the rubber boots stood safety in case anyone had any problems.

This was the last of the challenges for the day but not the last of interesting stuff to see. There were remarkable buildings, unusual mushrooms, majestic pines and turkey vultures along the way.

After another 45 minutes of walking along a well-worn track we made it back to the vehicles with no incidents other than a few admiring views of the colours along the way. We split up again once we got the end. We ended our hike with our friends from Elliot Lake heading home and the rest of us piling into the van to head back to the Sault after picking up the other vehicle on the way.