RASki Club - Trip Reports

LATEST TRIP REPORTS

HIKE
WED. APRIL 25 - HIKE MADAHOKI FARM TO LIME KILN RUINS
The 6 hikers who made it out for today's hike from Madahoki Farm to Lime Kiln Ruins came prepared with winter gloves and ear covers,but it quickly warmed up once we got to the wooded trail section. The trail out headed south into the sun and was in great condition. Passing by old homestead foundations and patches of cleared land from original settlements over 100 years old, we arrived at our destination - the Lime Kiln Ruins - a remnant of the late 1880's industrial era. Signs of spring were in the air and a few birds enjoyed some of our snacks that we held out for them. Our return trip was on the same path and we were back at the Madahoki Farm just in time to see a new horse foal out in the corral with her mom- very unique ponies called "spirit horses" descendant from wild horses who roamed this country before our ancestors arrived on the continent. A short tour of the farm and gift shop followed, and we departed in much warmer temperatures than when we arrived. Leader: Bob Cavan

HIKE
WED. APRIL 10 - HIKE TO DALTON FARM & THREE COVERED BRIDGES
The gloomy weather forecast turned out to be wrong and 6 hikers took advantage of warm weather and blue skies for a 6.5km hike on the Blanche River trail starting & ending at Dalton Farm in the east part of Gatineau. The farm is actually a recreated 19th century village with a school house, railway station and maple syrup shack and our hike started in the acreage of maple trees and on to urban streets to the Blanche river trailhead. Before long we arrived at the first of 3 covered bridges we would see and cross over on the trail. After a few pictures, we continued towards the shoreline trail where we saw a couple of deer out for a stroll. The 2nd covered bridge was a perfect stop for a snack break. The final trail section to the 3rd covered bridge had a few hills but the signs of wildlife, including a cluster of garter snakes and many chirping birds, distracted us enough that we didn't mind the last hill and soggy end of the trail. Overall, a great day to be outside. Leader: Bob Cavan

HIKE
SAT. APRIL 6 - HIKE TO CHIEF COMMANDA BRIDGE
Despite not going to Gatineau Park, we managed to walk almost 10km on our Urban hike today. Six of us found various points of interest, such as the Pumphouse Kayak course and redeveloped LeBreton Flats. We mediated for a time in the Holocaust Memorial. Enjoyed the boiling Chaudiere Falls. Had lunch at a Portuguese bakery in old Hull and finally found our way to the Chief William Commanda bridge. And the sun shone through part of the walk! Not a bad day at all. Leader: Louise Cameron

HIKE
THURS. MAR. 28 - HIKE, OTTAWA EAST & OTTAWA SOUTH
Eleven of us went for a great urban hike in Ottawa East and Ottawa South last Thursday. The weather cooperated with both sun and shade. We walked along the Rideau River, past 2 former beaches and flood control measures. In Windsor Park, we saw the Bellwood Boulder, before continuing on through Ottawa South to the Rideau Canal. This part of Ottawa has many historical highlights. Lunch was enjoyed at the Green Door Restaurant by 8 of us before we finished our walk through the Greystone Village development. (The last time that I led club members on a similiar walk, they had just announced this development. Much has happened since!)

HIKE
THURS. MAR. 21 - HIKE, LAURIAULT TRAIL
Five of us enjoyed a spring/winter walk in Gatineau Park on the Lauriault trail on Thursday. It was a bit windy at times, but surprisingly, quite calm at the lookout. There was still lots of snow on parts of the trail, but not much on the sunny part of the escarpment. Lots of water was going over the water fall. Instead of eating on the trail, we went to Roberto's restaurant in Old Chelsea, where we enjoyed Roman style pizza and pastries.

XC SKI
SAT. FEB. 24 - SKI FROM P20 (LAC PHILIPPE)
Six intrepid skiers met at P20 on Saturday, February 24th, at noon, despite the previous night's deep freeze, following a thaw cycle. We were pleased to welcome a new RA member who enjoyed the trails, the cabin and the comradery. The tracks had been well groomed overnight, but they were hard and fast and quite littered with debris, which was cause for some fancy foot work! Most skiers skied #50 to the end of Lac Philippe where the wind was gusty and frigid, having swooped the length of the lake, unimpeded. No long stops here despite the beautiful blue skies and strong sun! Some skiers had a cozy lunch break at Renaud Cabin, followed by a return to P20. Although the conditions were not ideal, I think all would say, it was a beautiful day to enjoy the great outdoors in Gatineau Park.
Leader: Wendy Cram

XC SKI
WED. FEB. 21 - LEITRIM ROAD, GREENBELT
Five RA Ski & Outdoor Club members took advantage of the nice sunny weather to ski Greenbelt trails. Starting at P19 on Leitrim Road, they skied the western loop. The track conditions were good. The skiers observed the damage caused by the May 2023 derecho. The NCC undertook cleanup last year, but the area will take years to recover. After two skiers left the group, the remaining skiers skied the loop in the other direction. Total distance was 6.3 km.
Leader:Michael Dewing

DH SKI
TUE. FEB. 20 - MEET'N'SKI AT MONT STE-MARIE
Three RAski members made the trip up to Mont Ste Marie on a chilly Tuesday to get some winter skiing in before the balmy weather arrived later in the week. The sunny skies turned to clouds as soon as we arrived and, after a few runs in the frosty air, we came in for a coffee warmup and ran into Sandy & Kelley, two former RAski members who are ski patrollers and hill guides at Mont Ste Marie. After sharing some stories and catching up on all the trips we shared, we went back out to tackle the steeper runs over at Cheval Blanc.

After a few icy runs in increasingly flat lighting, we made our way back to the gentler slopes on the Vanier side of the mountain where we finished out the day. Just as we got to the car, the sun finally came out...oh well, just another wacky end to the day to add to this year's wacky weather story.
Leader: Bob Cavan

XC MID-WEEK
WED.-FRI. FEB. 14-16 - FAR HILLS INN
25 participants.

Conditions were icy at Far Hills. Food is very much improved from last year.

Thursday morning after breakfast, participants split into groups, with a few staying and relaxing, another few going to Le Petit Train Du Nord, another couple going on their own hike, while 13 joined me in a fantastic winter hike (with spikes) on a snowshoe trail to Mount McMaster. There we saw a variety of animal tracks and a pileated woodpecker, a great view from the lookout and ice falls on a long rock face. After lunching at the chalet, a few went off to ski on a couple of different trails or went to relax back at the inn. Maybe even enjoy a Scrabble game or two. The trail that I was on was worse than the one the day before and the ski didn't last long. We all enjoyed another great meal Thursday evening.

Friday morning, we had to check out by 11, but we could keep our park passes until we were ready to leave. The Inn also let us leave clothing there to change into after our activities. I was in a group of 4 that went on another winter hike, this time to Lac Amigo. At that point we saw the difference that the 4 cm of snow received through the night had made and we were struck with ski-envy. At least 3 people went skiing that day.

A successful winter excursion, even if not much skiing was done.

Leader: Louise Cameron

XC SKI
TUE. FEB. 20 - MEET'N'SKI AT MONT STE-MARIE
Three RAski members made the trip up to Mont Ste Marie on a chilly Tuesday to get some winter skiing in before the balmy weather arrived later in the week. The sunny skies turned to clouds as soon as we arrived and, after a few runs in the frosty air, we came in for a coffee warmup and ran into Sandy & Kelley, two former RAski members who are ski patrollers and hill guides at Mont Ste Marie. After sharing some stories and catching up on all the trips we shared, we went back out to tackle the steeper runs over at Cheval Blanc.

DH SKI
JAN. 14/24 - 1ST XC SKI OF THE SEASON
Six skiers overcame the challenges of a wobbling start time to carpool and meet at P20 (Lac Philippe) for the ski trip to Taylor Lake. We ventured as far as the yurt on Taylor Lake, then stopped on our return leg to have lunch at Renaud cabin. Many of us were on our first ski outing of this winter, so the pace was relaxed.
Trip Leaders: James Brennan & Qun Yu