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Past Outings

This version was saved 4 years ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Ron Prickett
on March 7, 2020 at 9:36:57 pm
 

Snowshoeing in Algoma - Val Walker

 

 

Current Outings and Opportunities

Go to Where We Meet for a map and directions to the meeting sites. 

 

2020 WINTER OUTINGS 

 

Point Pelee Birding in Early MayFour days of camping (or B&B) at the height of the songbird migration, in one of North America’s premier birding locations. Because camping is limited on the Point, this must be planned many months in advance. Dates cannot be finalized until early February. Limit of 20 campers. If you are interested please call the leaders by the end of January. All welcome. No experience necessary.

Don or Vivian Hall 705-248-1834 donandvivhall@sympatico.ca

 

Saturday, Feb 15                                   

Fort St. Joseph - Off Track XC Ski or Snowshoe - Fort St Joseph National Historic Site is located at the south end of St. Joseph Island. It is the site of the remnants of a British fort that was active during the war of 1812. Some of the ruins are still there today. For more information on the site: FortStJoes

 

We will drive from the Sault to the park gate (about 90 km/ 54mi). We will xc ski / snowshoe through the park bird sanctuary to the visitor centre (closed this time of year) and have lunch in the picnic area. There will then be some time to roam the ruins. We will head back on the ice of North Channel of Lake Huron to La Pointe Point and follow a trail through hardwood forest back to the park entrance. This excursion will cover a variety of forest types from cedar swamp to mature hardwoods to the North Channel coast.

 

The ice surface on Lake Huron had 1 inch of snow bound to its surface – ice was tested for thickness and in all locations tested exceeded the length on the 10-inch ice screw. In the forest there was also 1 inch of fresh snow over a firm crust that would support snowshoes and skis, the gated - access road had been plowed but was also covered with 1 to 2 inches of snow (ie all areas – very good snowshoe and ski conditions on Feb 9). Trails are wide but not designed for XC skiing.

Bring food, water, snowshoes or off track XC skis, poles and binoculars recommended. Distance 8-10 km / 4.8-6 mi on all flat terrain (no gently rolling hills). 

Trip may go in the reverse directions depending upon winds. Return time may be about 1 hour later than usual.

Leader: Chuck Miller 705-450-1050 cmlakehuron@gmail.com

Meet: 9 am @ Wellington Square Mall (near South Market St) to carpool

 

Saturday, Feb 22

Ila’s Trans Lake Snowshoe - Enjoy a multiple lake snowshoe trek across several lakes north of town. Bring lunch & water and dress for changing conditions.

Leader: Ila Aho 705-949-1097 ilaaho@hotmail.com

Meet: 10 am @ Pennington’s

 

Saturday, Feb 29     NEW OUTING DESTINATION   and MEETING PLACE

Dave's and Gail's Woodlot-

We will meet at Wellington Square Mall at 10:00 am, we will travel to Dave Euler and Gail Giuliani's woodlot and hike through the areas managed for wood and wildlife. We will have a 5 to 6 km hike on snowmobile and snowshoe trails reviewing areas of "old growth" never-harvest hardwood, firewood operations, wildlife sign and talk about how trees grow and die. Should be fun.

 As always, please let Dave know you are coming.

Meet: 10 am @ Wellington Square Mall (near South Market St) for carpooling.

Dress for the weather, bring snowshoes and lunch. We should finish by about 3:00 to 3:30.

Dave's contact info:  705 248 1494 home, 705 254 8796 mobile, davideuler838@gmail.com


  

 

Saturday, Mar 07

Gibboney Lake (Marsh) Snowshoe – We will explore the marshland associated with Gibboney Lake noting any wildlife. Gibboney Lake is a significant wetland in Johnson Township. This will be about a 4 km (2.4 mi) off trail snowshoe mainly on the lake surface. This wetland is located 6 km/ 3.6 mi northeast of Desbarats, ON on the Old Mill Road. Dress for conditions, bring a lunch and warm beverage.

Leader: Chuck Miller 705-450-1050 cmlakehuron@gmail.com

Meet: 10 am @ Wellington Square Mall (near South Market St)

 

Saturday, Mar 14  Change in Outing Destination  

Saturday Field Trip March 14 2020.docx Saturday Field Trip March 14 2020.docx  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Mar 21

Basswood Lake Conservation Reserve Snowshoe – We will explore gently rolling terrain by snowshoe along an 8 km/ 4.8 mi route – travelling mostly on trails - through mixed wood forests of white pine, poplar, sugar maple, red oak and hemlock. Saw a wolf on our March 2018 trip. The reserve is located approximately 16 km/ 9.5 mi northeast of the Town of Thessalon, in Day Township on the shores of Basswood Lake. Access is from the Melwel Road.

Leader: Chuck Miller 705-450-1050 cmlakehuron@gmail.com

Meet: 9 am @ Wellington Square Mall (near South Market St)

 

Saturday, Mar 28

 

Roach Point Shaffer Family Michigan Nature Association Preserve - This preserve now totals 763 acres and is described by the MNA as “remote, wondrous, and a fine example of how nature looks when spared from human interference.” The Preserve is east of Pickford and is about a 40 km (32 mi) drive from Sault Ste. Marie. The Sault Naturalists have helped clear the trail in the Preserve and we can enjoy a winter hike again this winter. The trail winds through the Preserve and the hike can be from 5-8 km/ 3-4.8 mi. The trail is not groomed, and either back-country skis or snowshoes will be appropriate. Dress for the weather, pack a lunch and prepare to enjoy a hike in Michigan wilderness.

Leader:  Dave Euler, 705 254 8796, davideuler838@gmail.com  

Meet: 10 am @ Michigan Welcome Center

 

Saturday, Apr 04

Snowshoe Mission Hill - Mission Hill is a local favorite with a fantastic view of Lake Superior and area lakes. It is a bit of a climb to the top so bring plenty of water and lunch for the 6.5 km (4 mi) trail. Depending on the interest we can explore the Mission Hill Cemetery as well. The trail head is located about 40 km (24 mi) west of Soo, Mi.

Leader: Will Scott 859-396-3162 will.barb.us@gmail.com

Meet: 10 am @ Michigan Welcome Center 

 

Saturday, Apr 11

To Be Determined - We’ll delay on making a decision now on where to go on this date in April. Keep an eye out on the club’s FaceBook and website for where we might go closer to the date. An email will be sent out as well.

Contact: Val Walker 705-542-5066 valwalker8@yahoo.ca

 

Saturday, Apr 18

Birding Outing - It's hard to predict the weather conditions of April, which will have a big influence on where the early migrating birds are being found. This outing will likely take place east of Sault Ste. Marie in the Echo Bay, Bar River Flats, and Pumpkin Point area. An updated outing description will be available closer to the date.

Contact:Carter Dorscht 705-297-0677carterdorscht@hotmail.com

Meet: TBD

 

Saturday, Apr 25

32nd Whitefish Point Bird Observatory Spring Fling - is an annual celebration of bird migration. Make your way to the Point to observe the impressive hawk migration as well as other feathered migrants. Hook up with the other Soo Nats there. Bring a lunch and snacks. Go to https://wpbo.org/spring-fling/ for special events scheduled for this weekend at the Point. More details to follow closer to the date. WPBO is approximately 112 km (70 mi) from the Soo.

Contact: Val Walker 705-542-5066 valwalker8@yahoo.ca for more information

Meet: @ Whitefish Point, Michigan

 

Important Notice to Outing Leaders 

 

Non-members need to sign a waiver form in order to participate in our outings, so it is the responsibility of each outing leader to take a copy of the Non_Member Field Trip Waiver_2020.pdf  on each outing, obtain the signatures of any nonmembers, and turn in the form to the Field Trips Coordinator. It is also the responsibility of the outing leader to determine that all participants understand the terms of the waiver and that they are physically able to participate.  The leader should exclude from participation persons who seems incapable of meeting the demands of a particular outing or are unable to take responsibility for themselves and their safety for the duration of the outing.

     If anything significant about your outing changes (date, destination, etc.) or if you need to cancel it, please make the changes to your outing's description below or contact Val Walker (705-253-7044; valwalker8@yahoo.ca) to post the changes.

 

Important Notice to Outing Participants

1) Please contact trip leaders before each outing. See the Outing Guidelines for more information about outing protocol. If carpooling, please consider assisting the driver with gas costs.

2) There have been cases in the past of outing participants picking wildflowers. Note that with rare exceptions, damaging living things is forbidden. See this Message for details

3) Please see the new Cycling Guidlines 2019.pdf for group cycling. Chuck Miller has composed a list of cycling tips to keep everyone safe on our club rides. 

 

Wanted! Outing Reports

ALL SAULT NATURALISTS MEMBERS are invited to contribute outing reports and photos for posting on the SooNats web site. Send your contributions to Val Walker at valwalker8@yahoo.ca. Other members enjoy hearing about our outing experiences, especially those members who can no longer participate in the club's outdoor activities.

 

Scheduled and Unscheduled Outings

Click on the following link to download a copy of the current Outing Schedule. For those weekends when no outing is scheduled, call Ron Prickett (705) 254-1533 or Val Walker (705) 253-7044 to see if an impromptu outing may be planned. Click here to submit your Ideas for Future Out 



 


 

 

 
 

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