I've led this hike before. It was in the spring-time. Note to self: always choose the fall for this hike. There is a special beauty in these hills in the autumn.
So, if you are planning to join me on Sunday, be prepared for variable weather. Enough wind to blow the sumach leaves horizontal. Enough chill to want hats and mittens.
A lot of the soybean harvest is finished. And, some of the maples are at their colour peak.
The hike begins at the bottom of Eagleson Road>Beaver Meadow Road>Fisher Road North>Edgar Benson Road and back on Eagleson. More details at the end of the post.
This hike is rated EASY. There are a couple of short hills on Eagleson Road.
This morning, I started at 11 a.m. I was very happy to have my wool toque on. Thankfully, my jacket had pockets. It looks like the high tension towers have been feeling the weather change too. Look at their cosy green socks.
Aren't those reds stunning? We are so fortunate to be living in this part of the world where tree colours change in the fall.
This farmer must have finished their soybean harvest. If not, that equipment would be moving.
The hike took me 1 hour and 15 minutes. That accounts for being stopped in my tracks to take pictures like this one.
Some sumachs were practising graduated colour changing. This one did a good job of it. Well done, sumach!
White pines are getting ready for their annual needle drop.
Turning westward on Beaver Meadow Road, it's pretty flat. Every vehicle that passed me coming on went into the other lane as they approached me. Such polite drivers this morning! And, they all waved back!
Turning south on Fisher Road North, the trees were outdoing themselves. This is my favourite part of this hike. The road is quiet and narrow. It's hard to miss the beauty there.
Going eastward on Edgar Benson Road, we will find ourselves in a mature hardwood forest. This part of the hike is a little later to colour. But, you can still shuffle through the yellow maple leaves at the side of the road if you want to. Hmmmm..... our sponsor: the sound of dry maple leaves in the fall.
More signs of the season's changing. The edges of this field had been hit by frost recently.
If you look closely, you can see that the leaves look more papery. In a day or two this part of the cornfield will be almost white. White and almost ready for harvest.
When I turned the corner from Edgar Benson Road and headed back to the car, the sun was coming out. The clouds parted and allowed it to shine on this nice mix of maples. It's all about the light, isn't it?
A half kilometre later, the clouds gathered together and blocked the sun. Looking to the north east, the sky became quite leaden. Suddenly, it looked and felt like November.
And, another ¼ km and the sun found a break in the clouds. I hope our Sunday hikers will get to see these leaves in all their glory.
“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
What you Need to Know
Sunday, Oct 09 <EASY> 6 Km
Rural roads south of Gore’s Landing
9:30 am Leaving from the corner of Eagleson Rd and the 6th Line of Hamilton Twp. (Minifie Road)
Bring a snack and drink.
Good idea to dress in layers and bring a hat & mittens or gloves.
Alltrails map of route from the corner of Eagleson Rd and the 6th Line of Hamilton Twp. (Minifie Road)
What3Words co-ordinates. Click to get your parking co-ordinates.
コメント