Wolf Trail

THE WOLF TRAIL does double-time as one of my favourite snowshoeing spots in the winter.

Wolf Trail starts at Parking Lot 13, across the street from Blanchet Beach, which has washroom facilities for those feeling the need. The parking lot sits where the Blanchet farmhouse once stood, with the farm property extending uphill. According to a sign posted near the trail entrance, the property once belonged to a Vermont owner (coincidentally named Blanchet), who came to the area after encountering some hard times. The sign also alleges that some of the trees from his orchard are still producing fruit (apples, pears, plums). Unfortunately, I saw no evidence of this, and had to rely on the treats heating up inside my backpack.

Take along a good quantity of treats and water on this hike. The trail takes you on an 8.3 kilometre jaunt up the back of the Eardley Escarpment. It takes about four hours to complete.

What type of terrain will you encounter? It varies from fire road, to single track, to root and rock trail. In wet weather, count on mud.

The Blanchet portion of the trail gives your body the courtesy of a gradual, gentle warm-up with an easy walk

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Photo by Suzie Beaulieu.

uphill. After approximately 15 minutes, signs will present you with the choice of either continuing straight to the Tawinda Lookout (3 km), or heading right to the actual Wolf Trail. Both options will take you along the same loop, but I prefer heading right, and accepting the uphill hike. Somehow, I enjoy the lookouts more when I feel like I’ve really earned them.

After climbing a few smaller hills, one first-time hiker on this trail remarked, “Is that it? That wasn’t bad at all.” Her question was soon answered by a hilly climb that seemed to keep extending itself.

First Prize Winner

The prize awaiting hikers at the top, however, is well worth any effort. It offers not only a self-congratulatory moment to reflect on where you just came from (i.e. all the way down there), but also a nice opportunity to take a photograph of the Ottawa River Valley.

The next portion of the walk lets you continue along this ledge to a second lookout, which comes complete with a bench to sprawl out on while you drink in the breathtaking scenery. The man-made bench is somewhat of an accessory to the seating nature provides.

The first time I hiked along this portion of the trail I encountered something that truly caught me by surprise. Here, sitting on top of all this rock, which is sitting on top of a big hill, I found a beaver pond. Well, I’ll be… (I’ve got to say it) …dammed!

True to the Laws of Physics

You’ve heard the old saying, “What goes up, must come down?” The Wolf Trail does not contradict those words. The trail demands that you begin picking your way down through a path etched by roots and rocks, before you have an opportunity to head to the Tawinda Lookout. The Tawinda Lookout is one of my favourite places in Gatineau Park. This high, bald rock offers nearly 360 degrees of fabulous views. It’s the perfect place to put your butt down, feet up, contemplate life, and enjoy a picnic. (There I go mentioning picnic snacks again. Basically, I like taking any opportunity to enjoy food on a hike; everything just seems to taste better outdoors.)

Over the past couple of years (judging by the crowds I’ve encountered there recently), this lookout has become very popular. Today was no exception. Brought out in droves by a gorgeous sunny weekend morning, flock after flock of hikers arrived at Tawinda until the lookout (and when I say “the” lookout, deep inside I mean my lookout. Mine. Mine!) began to resemble a Dirty Sweaty Person Convention. And though it was obvious that none of us had planned to meet anyone there, we greeted each other pleasantly, and did our best to respect everyone else’s illusion of privacy. Besides, there was plenty of scenery for everyone to enjoy.

After a refreshing break, our group enjoyed a somewhat more relaxed hike back towards Blanchet. To our right lay large boulders and rock formations; to our left was a marsh that no doubt was home to many critters. Everywhere, trees filtered the sunlight into many shades of green.

It would have been so easy to forget that civilization was closing in on us again. Unfortunately, the constant sound of traffic intruded upon our reveries. Approximately three kilometres further, we found ourselves re-converging on

Ottawa Outdoors Fall

Take Highway 148 East, then Highway 5 North to Maniwaki. Exit 12 will take you to Old Chelsea. About another 10 km will get you to the trailhead. THE SPECS

Distance: 8.3 km Estimated duration: 3.5 to 4 hours Level of difficulty: Moderate Look forward to: Lookouts (including Tawinda), beaver pond, great snowshoeing in winter. Drawbacks: The crowds, but really, can you blame them? Ongoing traffic noises. Facilities: Unsupervised parking lot, washroom facilities and drink machine across the street from the trailhead at Blanchet Beach.

succumbed to crowds of people seeking to cool off. Dissuaded by the crowds (and by signs warning of “swimmer’s itch”), the promise of refreshing showers upon our return to the city held more appeal.

After this brief respite from life’s encounters and situations, I returned to work the following week feeling much refreshed. I had collected a little more sun on my face, had felt a little more wind blow through my hair,

that sign at the start of the hike that asks you to choose which direction to take on the loop. This time, it warned us that our woodlands vacation would come to an abrupt end in half a kilometre.

and felt that I could be a little bit nicer to people who bristled my patience. Why? Because even though I had left these favourite trails to return to routine, my favourite places would be waiting there whenever I needed them. And I’ll be back. Soon.

Swim Time? Perhaps Not

Before starting our walk, we had toyed with the notion of a post-hike plunge at Blanchet Beach. But as morning met afternoon, and the heat wave raised the temperatures, the beach had

Photo by Suzie Beaulieu.

Trail running: And you thought traffic was a pain

By Eric Martinat

Photo by Peggy Sarson.

THE THOUGHT process of a trail runner:

“Ok. I’m getting a little tired here. I’ll just relax my stride a bit. Oh look at the cute raccoon up in the (trip) uummph! [%$#@$&%]”

“Oh crap, that hurt. Down on my face again in the middle of the trail! I hope no one saw this one. Only a skinned knee and bruised ego. Ok. Let’s get up and try to concentrate this time! Pick up your feet–that’s it–good.”

There is so much to think about when running on a trail. Trail running is enjoying a surge in popularity these days. While mountain biking in the Gatineau hills, you’re as likely to be passed on a sharp uphill by a runner as you are by another biker. These days, it seems more and more people are including trail runs in their weekly running program. What’s up with that?

Trail running adds a new dimension to our sport. It can be an important training tool to cover the endurance aspect of your overall program. Going uphill and downhill, making quick turns, hopping obstacles, and moving side-to-side to traverse rocky sections all give a great workout to muscle groups that wouldn’t normally be used on the roads.

But there’s more to running on a trail than just a workout tool to help you achieve your goals. There’s something about running through the woods–just you and nature–that appeals to the deeper being. The smell of the forest, the sound of the wind in the trees and the sight of wildlife along the trail all make you feel like you are a part of nature, not just on the outside looking in. Running is natural, so it makes sense to run in nature–it’s food for the soul.

We’re very fortunate in Ottawa to have so many incredible trails at such close proximity to the city. Kanata Lakes and the Gatineau Park offer trail runners a great variety for every ability level.

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You can choose a loop or an out-andback route that can be an easy “jog in the park” or one that will test your limits of strength and endurance. Detailed trail maps are readily available and most areas have lots of free parking. Trail running groups offer regular outings. (Check out Rudy Hollywood’s Internet site or ask at some of our fine running stores in the city to find out more about these groups.)

Unlike a jog up and down the canal to see the latest rollerblader fashions or how small the bathing suits are in front of the University of Ottawa, trail running requires that you dedicate a small amount of thought to preparation. An ounce of prevention (blah blah blah)… The following are some points to consider.

Route Planning

Knowing where you’re going is très important! Get a map, give it a look before you head out and keep it with you. You would probably be able to find your way back without it if you lost your way, but it may take a long time. Try not to sweat all over the map. They tend to come apart and are generally hard to read when soaked. A little water-proofing might be a good idea.

Equipment

Trail running shoes are great to have but they aren’t an absolute necessity. However, shoes with a good tread are a necessity. After you’ve wiped out and skinned some part of your body because you lost your footing, you’ll know what I mean. Most major brands, and virtually all the running stores in Ottawa, have a great selection of trail running shoes. Wear non-cotton socks. You might well end up stepping in a puddle or slipping off a log into some mud, so you want a sock that is going to wick water away from your foot. You’ll avoid painful

blisters that way.

Fluid Intake

There aren’t many water fountains along the trail, so take some fluids along for the run. A nutritional bar of some sort wouldn’t hurt either.

Dry Clothes

Unless you’re fortunate (like me) and live near the trails, you’ll have to drive to them. Bring some dry clothes to slip into after your run so you won’t stink up your car seats on the drive home.

Optional Equipment

The chances are fairly slim, but you may encounter some wildlife on the trail. Animals have keen hearing but sometimes we surprise them. I sometimes wear a bear-bell. It’s irritating as hell, but the animals know I’m coming and if they want to hang around and laugh at me as I run by it’s entirely up to them. If it’s bug season, a small bug-repellent spray may be in order.

Leave a Note

If you’re heading out on your own, let someone know where you’re going and when you should be back. Injuries can happen to anyone. On the roads, there’s usually a passing motorist with a cell phone willing to help. In the woods, there’s less traffic, so getting injured can become an ordeal. Letting someone know just makes sense.

There are several races sprouting up around Ontario that cater to the trail

Ottawa Outdoors Fall

running crowd. The Ontario Ultra Series (www.ous.kw.net) has several longer trail races that will test your metal–from the Iroquois Trail Test on the Niagara Escarpment to the Haliburton Forest 100 Mile Trail Run (you get to listen to the wolves howling while you’re running the trails through the night. Yikes!). Even the Xerox 10K through the Arboretum will get you off the road and into a more natural setting.

It’s time to get out there and see what the fuss is about. When you decide you’ve sucked up enough car exhaust, dodged enough people on the sidewalk and are tired of the same-old-same-old, then it’s time to try trail running. Find a trail and just get out there. Remember to pick up your feet and run the way God intended–just you and the natural world. You’ll fill up your senses and become hooked like me.

See you on the trails.