Beaver Tails Nordic Ski Club

Well we were off, yes the hiking season has started. Despite the forecast of rain fast approaching a good number of club members turned out for the walk. How many did you say , well your skill test for the day is look at the group photo, remember there is a photographer and there is always someone who is too late to be in the shot , right Glenn. The start was at the Sanctuary where our leader Christine BM had chosen knowing full well that the end of the walk would be down hill back to the cars , a god send for many tired legs. However before the downhill it is necessary to climb so we were soon climbing up broken wooden stairs and rocky trails. One aspect of this walk are the rocky trails so not only is your heart rate climbing steeply with no warm up walk but all those leg muscles used to correct ones balance suddenly were asked to do some work. Still never let it be said we are not up to a challenge and we managed to keep together or nearly so, following the directions of CBM who without hesitation led us down obscure little trails until we eventually reached the more distinct trails leading to the cross. A short diversion passed the downhill ski hill, strange isn’t it how some people cannot resist sitting in a chair lift even if it’s stationary, then on to the Cross. Nice view but cold wind so not a place to hang around for too long and still the rain had not arrived. Now it was downhill home, passing the potato fields and many wooden bridges in sad need of repair until we reached the parking lot. Well a good start to the season, about 9km,and not a Sunday stroll and we were still dry but as we relaxed the first few drops of rain was felt, so a retreat home was called with a fair number stopping for coffee and food, I will let you guess where.