Winter in the Halifax Regional Municipality

When winter arrives in Nova Scotia, planning for outdoor activities can be more of a challenge than you might expect. In most of the country, winter means cold and snow, and that can be true of the HRM, but the problem is ... not always, and not necessarily everywhere.

Don't be confused, the explanation is quite simple, even if the implications are not. Nova Scotian weather is affected both by the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean and air currents that regularly push relatively warm air up the Atlantic coastline of North America from the Caribbean. As a result, there is a higher degree of variability in temperatures than normal in other parts of the continent, particularly along the coastline.

Snowfall amounts vary tremendously within the HRM. Annual accumulations at Dollar Lake Provincial Park are more than 100cm higher than those in Halifax. In addition, coastal winds scour headlands, keeping them nearly bare, while the continuous freeze/thaw/freeze cycle means that ground conditions are often icy.

Consequently, snowshoeing is the recommended mode of travel when visiting coastal parks such as Taylor Head. Although there are areas, sheltered from the wind, where the snow can be deep, usually it is fairly shallow and slippery. The metal grips of snowshoes are ideal in these circumstances. Cross-country skiers should head inland, to Oakfield and Dollar Lake parks. Here conditions are often superb, even if the tracks are not groomed.

In any case, whether visiting coastline or inland, be certain to check the weather forecast before you venture outdoors. Conditions can change rapidly, and it is vital for your safety that you be prepared for whatever a Nova Scotia winter can throw at you. Enjoy!

The Bluff Trail: Superb Wilderness Hiking

Residents of Halifax may not know it, but a trek into of one of Nova Scotia's most extensive wilderness hiking trails is only a Metro Transit ride away. The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail, featuring more than 30km of footpaths reaching deep into the interior of the St. Margarets Bay peninsula, can be accessed from the Route 21 stop on Forestglen Drive at its intersection with Fraser Road. Simply follow the Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Trail, in the direction of Hubbards, for about 1.5km, and you will reach The Bluff Trail's trailhead.

Organized as a series of four interconnected loops, The Bluff Trail provides routes of whatever distance is desired. The shorest, the Pot Lake Loop, is approximately 9km. The Indian Hill Loop requires almost double the walking.

Most of The Bluff Trail runs through ecologically sensitive barrens, with the path being quite narrow and winding as it negotiates the complicated contours of the rugged landscape. It is critical that hikers stay on the path, given the sensitivity of the area, and the trail has been carefully routed to avoid wet areas and especially vulnerable places. Walkers are expected to pack out what they carry in, to help preserve the pristine appearance of the district.

In order to complete the two furthest sections, The Bluff Loop and Hay Marsh Loop, more than one day may be required. As the trails are located on Crown Land, but not designated as park land, camping is permitted. However, the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization (WRWEO), an environmental group dedicated to preserving and enhancing environmental values, who developed the trail system, discourage camping because few people know how to how to camp without partly damaging the area in which they camp.

If you think you might want to stay overnight along the fragile and sensitive Bluff Trail, WRWEO - and I - encourage you to become familiar with, and practice Leave No Trace principles whenever and wherever you camp.

The purpose behind the construction of The Bluff Trail is to allow the Woodens River community and the public generally to become aware of the extraordinary natural assets of this area. Those who love the wilderness believe that awareness is the first step in protection, and that this awareness will help preserve the area from expanding and encroaching urban development.

The Pot Lake Loop, the first of the four stacked loops, is profiled in Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality. For more information about The Bluff Trail, see WRWEO. I encourage everyone to explore this this wonderful trail, superb wilderness hiking at your doorstep (or at least, at a nearby bus stop.)

New Information about Lyme Disease in Nova Scotia

On page 14 of the 2nd edition of Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality, I state that the American Dog Tick is present in Nova Scotia, but carries "no known dangerous diseases." Although this was apparently true when I wrote the manuscript in early 2010, a recently released study makes this now incorrect.

In an article published on August 11 in the Chronicle-Herald, it said: "Provincial records, kept since 2002, show that there have been 50 cases of Lyme disease treated in Nova Scotia, and 39 of those inflicted got the illness in this province."

"Lyme disease is an inflammatory illness causing swelling of the joints, fever, fatigue, headache and muscle aches. It can lead to heart problems and chronic joint trouble if left untreated", and symptoms may take years to appear. They are often difficult to correctly diagnose as Lyme Disease, due to their symptomatic similarity with other health problems and the fact that they arise long after the tick incident has been forgotten.

These cases of Lyme Disease are attributed to the blacklegged tick. This tick, according to the article, in confirmed to be established in Melmerby Beach, Kings Head, Pine Tree and Egerton in Pictou County, Admiral Cove in Bedford, Gunning Cove in Shelburne County and Heckmans Island, Blue Rocks, Garden Lots and First Peninsula in Lunenburg County.

Link to article : Chronicle Herald

Link to tick information: Public Health Agency of Canada

According to the article, "residents and visitors to Nova Scotia [are advised] to take precautions whenever they travel in wooded or grassy areas by staying on well-worn paths and tucking shirts into pants and pant legs into socks in order to avoid exposing skin."

Coastal Hiking #1

One of the best features of the outdoors of the Halifax Regional Municipality is its close proximity to excellent walking routes on the Atlantic Ocean's coastline. The possibilities are many, and there are options available for people of any fitness level. Here are just a few.

The most well-known to residents, with the possible exception of the harbour boardwalk in the downtown, must be Point Pleasant Park. Situated at the tip of the peninsula, this popular park faces the mouth of Halifax Harbour, and walkers on its trails often are treated to views of commercial traffic on its way to one of the city's container ports, or of Canadian navy ships heading to or from its principal port. Of course, you might also be lucky enough to see the Bluenose.

Few people realize that there are paths surrounding the York Redoubt National Historic Site. This fortress, sited on a ridge, faces McNabs Island at the narrowest point of Halifax Harbour, opposite the lighthouse at Hangman's Beach. The view from the ramparts is always impressive, both looking back towards the urban centre or outward into the Atlantic Ocean. However, if you exit through the Sally Port, you can follow the former road down the hillside to the water's edge near the North Shore Battery. Side trails provide access onto the rocky shoreline.

One of my favourite hikes, for almost 30 years now, is Pennant Point. Long before I thought of myself as a "hiker", I would head to this beautiful stretch of coastline, which offers both outstanding white sand beaches and rugged granite headlands, and spend an entire day relaxing to the every present sound of waves breaking against the rocks. A formal trail has been developed that connects all the beaches. After that, if you choose to continue, you must scramble over a jumble of rocks interspersed with areas of boggy vegetation. (But it's worth it!)

One of the "must see" locations near Halifax for any visitor is Peggys Cove. Its iconic lighthouse, perched on the massive, smooth rocks that protect the tiny fishing harbour, must be one of the most photographed structures in Canada. Those wishing to experience the coastal barrens around Peggys Cove, but without sharing the rocks with thousands of tourists, should consider a trip to nearby Polly Cove. Starting by following the old road from the highway to the ruins of a former fish plant, this route traces the harsh coastline along exposed rock and virtually treeless hillsides between the communities of Peggys Cove and West Dover. It is a gorgeous area, and you just might have it all to yourself.

Launch Week a Success!

If I do say so myself, all the launch week activities for Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality, 2nd edition, were a smashing success. From the launch at the Library at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, to the presentation at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History a week later, event after event was well-attended by friendly, enthusiastic people.

Frankly, despite it only being a few days after the last activity, the week passed in somewhat of a blur, and I am already forgetting some of the details. I visited Halifax for less than eight days, and with one exception - which I used to put together the final hour-long presentation - every day contained at least one scheduled event, several had three or more. There was the launch, of course, numerous signings at various stores and the Mountain Equipment Co-op, three presentations, and several newspaper, television, and radio interviews.

One of the highlights, from my perspective, was the walk on the Cole Harbour Salt Marsh Trail. This is a wonderful path to walk at any time, but it was especially so on this occasion because it was attended by so many friends. I cannot properly express how delighted I was to see so many familiar faces, and to share a few hours with them on such a beautiful trail. Regrettably, a scheduled hike on the Admiral Lake Loop, a somewhat more advanced trek, was rained out the following day.

There are many people to thank for making launch week happen. The publisher, Goose Lane, coordinated all the various activities and worked diligently to ensure that they were well advertised. The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History very kindly agreed, with exceptionally short notice. to host a presentation on July 14. Various Chapters and Coles book shops and Mountain Equipment Co-op arranged signings, and made me feel welcome while I was there. The Halifax Regional Municipality's trail groups let me speak at their meeting. In these and other activities, many people were involved.

My greatest thanks, however, must go to Hike Nova Scotia. This not-for-profit organization, only founded in 2007, is undertaking the ambitious task of improving hiking opportunities throughout the entire province. In my case, Hike Nova Scotia generously agreed to co-host the launch and other activities throughout the week, and their board and volunteers put in quite a bit of time to make everything work smoothly. Debra Ryan, Janet Barlow, and Brian Mrkonjic, in particular, stand out.

Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality is now available in stores throughout the region, and based on the comments I received during launch week, it is being well-received. I hope that you get the opportunity to look it over, and get out and hike some of the trails.

And, should you wish to make a comment about one or more of the trails, maybe submitting a photograph showing your hike, please send it in to the blog.

Until then, enjoy the summer and enjoy the trails in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Launch Scheduled - July 7

I have a slightly different list myself for what I think people should carry when they go out for a hike, but this one from Coast Mountain Sports is worthwhile considering.

What do you take?

Draft Cover!