A new trail at Bonshaw

On a recent visit to Bonshaw Park, my husband and I walked the new trail called Howel’s Hallow. This trail is well constructed and a great addition to the trail system at Bonshaw where 20 kilometres of such trails await visitors.

It was a hot humid day but the breeze made it bearable. The new trail is great for mountain biking as well so in areas, it has waves and berms which make the walking interesting too. 

The trail crosses one stream, then  meanders down to the West River and loops back.

The new boardwalk made the going easy in some areas. 

Ferns were luscious, catching the light occasionally through windows in the trees. 

We noticed several types of mushrooms, the most obvious among them, the Orange-gilled Waxcap. 

Lungwort, a lichen, was well established on this tree 

while bunchberries were available for picking. These bland berries are a good addition to other berries for jam.

We sat on a bench by the West River and listened as the sound of the water-filled hollow created by nature. 

A few deep breaths later and we continued on the loop. 

Nature takes back what she gives as moss covers the fallen trees in one area. 

Though we didn’t see or hear them, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers had been busy along the way.

Headed back through a meadow to the car, we passed these beauties, 

smiling through the grasses into the glorious sun. Perfect.

 

Along the West River

The Bonshaw Hills provide some of our favourite hiking trails. On our second visit this year, we took the trail which lies between the West River and an equestrian park. The golden grand-dog, Georgie, was with us and we kept her on lead. Experience has taught us the water is too much of a temptation for her and she dives in any chance she gets.

This is a trail bed with many roots 

and occasional rocks, so we kept our eyes on the trail and stopped periodically to take in the scene. There are several hills on this trail which were less of a challenge for my husband and I than earlier this season.

From the trail, we could see equestrian jumps

through the trees on the left and the river on the right. 

The trail is often in the shade as the canopy is thick. Sometimes sunlight finds an opening and casts dancing shadows on the trail.

There are many maple and birch trees along the way. One tree trunk caught our attention because it looked to have been damaged by a fungus.

The tree above was unharmed.

Metal pieces from an unknown past were displayed at one location, sparking speculation as to their purpose. 

Woodpeckers were busy here as well as squirrels, 

who had little fear of Georgie. 

We returned the way we came and met a couple with two Biewer terriers, Pepperjack and Pepperjoy.

Pepperjoy is deaf since birth and understands sign language for traditional words used with dogs. Both terriers were unafraid of Georgie and not aggressive as some small dogs are around bigger dogs, so the meeting was friendly.

We had our picnic in the park under the gazebo where we cooled off and relaxed before heading home.

Answer to a question from a recent post:

John at https://john-s-island.blogspot.com/ asked if the Millman Road was close enough to home so we could walk there every day. The sad reality is that the road is about a twenty-five minute drive from our home so we don’t walk there regularly. My husband and I will go back there in the fall.