Hiking in the Robert Graham Conservation Area

Hi Blog! Today is Tuesday, September 16, 2014. We had a great time biking into Ottawa yesterday, but boy are we tired today. The ride in was easy - only about six miles relatively flat and mostly downhill. The ride back was almost 9 miles - all uphill! We decided to take it easy today. We really didn't want to drive very far, either.  So, we poked around on the internet and found a small conservation area only a few miles away that had a couple miles of hiking paths. Just right for a short stroll and picnic lunch.

The Robert Graham Trail is dedicated to a past chair of the South Nation Conservation Authority. The 136 acre site was acquired in the early 1960s and features conifer plantations and natural hardwood forests. It provides habitat for deer, birds, and other wildlife in an area that features heavy agricultural use. Stepping onto the trail is like being transported back in time. It is just you, the soft earth under your feet, the warmth of the dappled sunlight and the wonderful smell of moist pine needles.

The South Nation Conservation Authority ("SNC") was established under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario in 1947. It has decades of practical experience in protecting the environment and engaging communities. Today, SNC maintains 4,200 square km of land in Eastern Ontario; employs more than 40 staff; and has lead hundreds of stewardship projects. Here we can see one of the projects. This log bridge is of unusual construction. Underneath is a PVC pipe which creates a channel for water to run under the bridge. Log are then piled up and over the pipe and secured with large timber cross beams.  Over time, earth has filled in between the logs, which made for an easy commute across the bridge.

We loved their little trail blazes.  It is a hiker dude on a blue background, complete with trekking pole.

The pine needles are a great medium for growing all sorts of mushrooms and fungi.  Here are just a couple of our favorites:

Hiking in a pine plantation is very surreal. The trees are so evenly spaced and all about the same size. The light can play tricks on your eye.  The rows can seem like they go on forever.

Once we entered the hardwood part of the forest, we could start to see some early fall color.  The shadows of the leaves make the bark of the tree look like a dalmatian puppy!

We found a particularly sunny spot for lunch, but forgot to take a photo. Peanut Butter and Jelly just isn't as photogenic as a tall frosty mug of local craft beer!