A drive on backroads to a secondary track for a hand launch and paddle of Surrey Lake. I secured the boat and gear, then went for a hike to Sussex Lake, continuing on a loop route for a total of 9 km.
Category Archives: Hiking
McGillivray Lake
A smoky morning paddle on a hot day around McGillivray Lake, then a loop route on trails to Little McGillivray Lake. 
Pillar Lake
A paddle around Pillar Lake (about one hour), then a hike up to the Pillar and back on a sunny, calm day in the hills.
Exploring the Badger Lakes
I kayaked Badger and Spooney Lake, then hiked to Little Badger Lake, exploring lakes and marshes in the area. 
Uplands Ridge Hike
A sunny morning hike from the end of McLeod Drive where Uplands Road crosses out on trails bearing west, then up a steep trail to explore an open ridge (and back).
Tod Mountain
A hike to the top of Tod Mountain and a loop route back in about 4 hours total on a hot day.
Rossmoore Lake Kayak and Hike
A long drive out on backroads to Rossmoore Lake. First I kayaked around the lake, then I hiked a loop route on the east side of the lake.
Peterson Creek +
A hike to the East Rim in Peterson Creek, then some gardening, and finally some tennis at the end of the day. On the previous day I heard and spotted a ruby-crowned kinglet:
Lodgepole Lake Trails
A hike on trails near Lodgepole Lake. 
Trophy Mountain Hike
A 12.5 km hike on the Trophy Mountain Trails on a hot day. It is always the best hike in our area. 
Mesa Loop
A loop through through the hills on the northwest side of Kenna Cartwright Park.
Sage Trails
A loop route on the Bunker Road Trails on a windy day.
McQueen Lake to Isobel Lake
A 7 km hike from McQueen Lake to Isobel Lake on the Old Forest Capital Trail, then around the lake and back. 
Coal Hill Hike
A hike from Upper Aberdeen to the top of Coal Hill on a cloudy but warm day. 
Mount Thynne
A hike up Mt. Thynne (a long mountain road from Brookmere to the trailhead) on a pleasant summer day. 
Rough Hills
A hike while my truck was being serviced, up into the hills overlooking the Industrial Park, some off-trail, some steep game trails, and some single tracks. Wildflowers in bloom along the way and warblers, flickers, and finches in the trees. 
McQueen Lake Trails
A 2 hour hike on the McQueen Lake trails, through the forest and around the lakes. Many birds along the way – Song Sparrow.
Red Plateau Hike
We hiked trails and routes through the forest to the Red Plateau Escarpment from the Red Plateau Forest Service Road.
(black-capped chickadees)
Rattler Viewpoint
A 2.3 hour hike from Lac le Jeune to the hilltop called Rattler Viewpoint, on a series of snowshoe, off-piste, and cross-country ski trails.
Stony Lake Hills
A hike on the Stony Lake Track in the Lac du Bois Conservation Area and up the hills and ridges for a loop route back on a beautiful spring day.