Mon, Dec 27 2010 - Wye Marsh - Snowshoeing/XC skiing (View Original Event Details)
|  |
Winter wonderland: Snowshoeing + XC Skiing @ Wye Marsh
# participants: 11
Donations to the TOC: $4
The advance weather report for Dec 27 didn't sound too promising - it was going to be cold! Even so, a hardy group of 11 of us arrived at Wye Marsh the morning of Dec 27, ready to have some fun playing in the snow. Wye Marsh is renowned for its wildlife and is an important education centre and resource for the conservation of birds, their habitats, and biodiversity. It's home to an amazing diversity of species, including the Trumpeter swan and it's also not uncommon to see beavers, porcupines, minks and river otters. We certainly saw evidence of beaver dams along the trails and were surprised at how tame some of the birds were.
We found Wye Marsh is an excellent spot to try out snowshoeing or skiing for the first time. The rentals are inexpensive and the trails are fairly easy - although there are advanced sections to keep it interesting for those looking for a challenge. Some of us tried snowshoeing in the morning and then switched to cross country skiing after lunch. Helen rented traditional wooden snowshoes and found they were easier than metal. Bernadette and her sister Mary Ann spent the day snowshoeing, Erica had a good work out on some of the more advanced xc trails and Mike tried xc (meh!), before going for a trail run and taking lots of photos. Jean and I looked in on the cabins used by the scouts and girl guides - they were basic with just bunk beds but could be good for an overnight TOC event in the future. No toilets though! By 4pm we were all enjoyably exhausted and as we made our way back to the city we were treated to a gorgeous pink sunset on the way down the 400.
Many thanks to everyone who participated in this event, especially all those who offered to drive! Special thanks to Vicky, Jean and Ghanesh who advised me on running the event and stepped in where needed. Working with you guys was terrific and helped make volunteering a fun experience.
Caroline
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.