Transition Time
As the snows melt in late February, we can start our hiking season, keeping in mind which areas dry out first. For about a month we need to think about elevation, aspect, tree cover, and slope to pick the right trails and routes. Lower elevations (the river valley at 1100 feet) clear up first so the Rivers Trail from the airport is a good choice. The sandy shelves of beaches clear earlier for winter beach walks too. In the hills, the south-facing treeless slopes see the first snowmelt. The lower Batchelor Hills are a good choice but there will be some mud and ice to deal with in the first phase. Trails across side slopes tend to do better than trails that cross hollows. While the ground is still frozen the meltwaters can’t penetrate into the ground so they sit as puddles then as mud holes. For 2 weeks even the lower trails will be a combination of dirt, mud, ice, and snow. Once the lower hills dry out, the best bets are the lower Batchelor Hills, the Moonscape Trail, the Valleyiew Nature Trails, the Dallas-Barnhartvale Trails, routes on the Dewdrop Range, the south side of Mt. Dufferin/Kenna Cartwright (not the north side), the Lower Rose Trails, Westsyde Bench, Deep Lake, and the Sage Trails.
For enthusiasts who want to go out hiking in the early season, some considerations are:
- expect to get muddy and wet
- gaiters help to keep your feet dry
- carry traction devices to get across icy areas
- bring a change of dry shoes, especially if you are carpooling
- poles help with stability in slippery conditions
- experienced hike leaders often know the best way to avoid the muddiest, iciest, and wettest spots so watch for their choices as you follow on a hike