Draft Cover!

Coyotes kill woman in Cape Breton

Something extremely rare in North America has happened in Nova Scotia: Coyotes have attacked and killed a hiker in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This happened on the popular Skyline Trail on October 27. Two coyotes were involved in the attack. One was killed shortly afterwards, and a search is being undertaken for the second.

In fact, coyote attacks of any kind are unusual, and most outdoor enthusiasts, myself included, have seen coyotes on dozens of occasions and have never felt threatened. The picture accompanying this article was taken be me in Arizona, and shows a typical western coyote. Eastern coyotes tend to be larger and darker, suggesting cross-breeding with eastern timber wolves. Coyotes only arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1970s, having spread across the continent from west to east.

There is considerable speculation on the reason for this nearly unprecedented attack, and further details about this story will be of interest to outdoor people as they become available. Additional information may be found at: Chronicle Herald.

October Hiking

For me, October is the best month for hiking around Ottawa. The stifling humidity of the summer is a distant memory, even the most hardy mosquitoes have succumbed to the cooler temperatures, and the days, while much shorter, crackle with a crisp freshness that invigorates both mind and body.

But best of all, by October the millions of hardwood trees that carpet the sheltered parks and interior of the HRM go through their annual transformation from the rich green of summer to the colourful quilt of yellow, orange, and red of fall. This natural tapestry generates wonder and curiousity from even those who never venture into the forest at any other time of the year, and local trails, especially in nearby Laurie and Oakfield parks, throng with walkers. So do not think of hiking as only a summer activity, but expand your range to include trips in October as well.

What is "Degree of Difficulty"

All the trails profiled in Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality are assigned a numerical rating from 1-3 that indicates my evaluation of their degree of difficulty. A trail with a rating of "1" indicates it as being suitable for all fitness and experience levels. A route listed as a "3" is recommended only for more experienced and fit outdoor people.

I assigned ratings based upon considerations of length, elevation change, condition of treadway, and signage. The base rating is founded on distance. Any trail up to 5-km is considered to be level "1", unless other characteristics, such as a steep climb, might increase its rating. Similarly, a trail from 5-10-km will be rated "2". No trail is rated "3" based only upon its length.

If the terrain over which the trail passes is rocky or difficult, or there is significant elevation change, the rating will be increased by one or even two levels. On the other hand, on level, paved or crushed stone covered routes such as rail-trails or municipal parks, the rating may be decreased by one level, even for longer routes.

Any hike rated as a "3" will include an indication of what qualifies them for this higher rating. And any route, regardless of distance, where more than basic navigation skills are required, will automatically receive a "3" rating.

Novices, or those wanting a family walk, should choose level "1" and "2" ranked hikes initially, and work up to higher rated routes as only they gain experience. This should ensure that the hiking experience you select is suitable for everyone.

Halifax/Dartmouth

When many think of hiking trails, they envisage remote wilderness trekking far from urban development. In fact, the most heavily used off-road walking routes may always be found in city parks. Residents in Halifax probably need only think about their last weekend visit to Point Pleasant Park to recognize the validity of this assertion. On a sunny summer day, the paths near the water have almost as much traffic as Quinpool Road during rush hour.

Some would even argue that paths in the city are even more important than wilderness routes, as they provide essential green preserves for nearby residents and safe walking/biking places for children and families.

So it should be no surprise that 1/3 of the routes profiled in "Trails of HRM", a book designed for visitors, families with children, and new walkers, are found within the urban core.

Many of these will be familiar to long-term residents: Point Pleasant Park, Sir Sanford Fleming, Hemlock Ravine, and Shubie. However, there are others, such as the Mainland Linear Path, the Dartmouth Multi-Use, and Cole Harbour Herritage Park, that might be less well-known.

In fact, there are a variety of great walks available either in areas surrounded by housing or at the fringe of the urban area. The fairly new trail from Shubie Park along the shore of Lake Charles, for example, is a thoroughly delightful route that should be enjoyable for everyone.

Wherever possible, I have provided an indication of the nearest Metro Transit stop to the trailhead. City routes, in particular, should be accessible by transit.