An Early Spring Hike

I do enjoy a good hike. This hike took place on April 7th, 2012 on a very nice early spring day.

I hike in the Rouge Park a lot. So much that I know the place like the back of my hand, or perhaps even better. Although I hadn't been for a hike there in a couple of months. But a bright, sunny and warm spring day is to enticing to pass up. So off I went for a short hike in the Rouge Park.

For those of you that do not know, the Rouge Park is the largest urban park in the world. It is an area of natural space on the Eastern border of Toronto and Pickering. It naturally follows the watercourse of the Rouge and the Little Rouge Rivers. It is also going to be the first urban National Park. The park is home to 762 plant species, 225 bird species, 55 fish species, 27 mammal species, and 19 reptile and amphibian species.

The hike that I took started at the Rouge Park campground along Highway 2. From there a trail runs through wooded meadows, then up onto a forested ridge and then down to follow the river. It loops back to the campground. It is a fairly easy hike with only a few steep sections. It really shouldn't be a problem for most people to do. In wet weather or winter it can be more of a challenge. I would recommend this trail to anyone visiting the park for the first time.

This day, I decided to document my hike on video (which you can see below). As on any nice day you will run into many other people enjoying the trail. There are sections that have been closed off due to erosion or because areas are being allowed to naturally regenerate. It is a good idea to respect these closures. For the most part, people do respect the park when they visit, although unfortunately I do often see people doing destructive things. Remember that this is a natural area that while there for your enjoyment is also there to be protected. Do not pick plants or catch wildlife. I do see people harvesting fiddle heads and catching crayfish for food. While these might be good to eat, the park cannot sustain constant pillaging of its resources. Also remember that the trails are there for you to hike on. The are not meant for mountain biking. Mountain biking is fun, but the bike severely damage the trails especially when it is wet. The tires create huge areas of mud forcing people to go around thus widening the trail and damaging the local environment.

So enjoy the park, but please respect it.


VIDEO:
A Spring Hike in the Rouge Park
(Warning: Video contains course language)