Register for the NS Hiking & Snowshoeing Summit Jan. 28

Hike Nova Scotia invites individuals and groups with an interest in hiking, walking and snowshoeing to the first annual Nova Scotia Hiking & Snowshoeing Summit.

This one-day event will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Maitland Bridge.

The Summit is a celebration of Nova Scotia 's hiking culture, which includes sharing best practices, stories and networking opportunities. It will help us grow a hiking, walking and snowshoeing culture in the province. Space is limited, so register early to reserve your spot.

Check out the Summit flyer for a draft agenda, registration link, directions and more here: http://tiny.cc/pn05f.

Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia Videos

While I am hiking I take many pictures, sometimes more than 100 on a particularly scenic trail. And on most trails I also take a short video, usually of between 30 sec. to one minute. I have been fortunate to visit some exceptionally beautiful locations, and for many of the trails I worry it might be the final time I will be able to hike them.

I have decided to post some of my videos - or who knows, maybe eventually all of them - on You Tube. Each video will be titled, "Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia", which will be followed by the trail's name. I am posting these under the name "hikerhaynes".

Not every trail is exciting or especially scenic, so neither are their videos. You might wonder why I have posted some those less dramatic films, but what you see will in every case be a fair representation of what you will encounter along the trail. And sometimes that is just a quiet walk through the forest - but that is ok too. Hope you enjoy whatever you view, and that it might inspire you to chose to hike a little more often.

Fall around the corner - Great Hiking!

Although the end of summer can never be celebrated in a country like Canada, where the winters too often seem endless, nevertheless fall is the time of year that many hikers consider the best time to be exploring. True, the days are much shorter, but by the end of October there are still more than 10 hours of daylight - usually enough for any hike. And although temperatures at night may fall below freezing, during the day, especially in September, temperatures rise above 15 - very comfortable.

So I wish to make a few suggestions for some great fall hiking in the HRM.

Coastal hiking is always wonderful along the Atlantic coastline near Halifax, and I could suggest any number of options. However, for those who might only have time for an afternoon's outing, or wish for a short walk, I suggest you consider Polly's Cove on the St. Margaret's Bay peninsula. This 3 km informal footpath meanders along the shoreline in the coastal barrens near more well-known Peggy's Cove. If the ocean is calm you may walk along the exposed rocks at water level; if it is stormy, you can stay on the tops of the granite ridges. [pg. 147-149]

Those looking for an east stroll where they may view the changing colour of the leaves might consider a visit to Dollar Lake Provincial Park, nestled in the interior of the HRM near the Halifax Airport. With the end of summer the park's gates are closed where it connects with Highway 212. As a result, an 8 km walk may be had by following the park's access roads from the highway to the picnic grounds and the camping areas. Along the way, you will pass through hillsides covered predominantly by hardwoods, and have access to the lakeside. [pg. 129-131]

And for those who would prefer a more rugged trek, the Admiral Lake loop near Musquodoboit Harbour should both exercise your legs and please your eyes. Starting and ending with a gentle stroll along a former railbed, this trail provides a middle passage filled with steep hills, commanding views, and rugged footing. At 10 km in length, with more than 5 km of backcountry footpath, you will probably need at least three hours to complete it. However, you will probably be more than satisfied that whatever effort was required was worthwhile. [pg. 71-74]

But whatever type of outdoor experience you enjoy - except, maybe, sunbathing - this is the best time of year for it. Enjoy!

Error Found - Old Annapolis Road

Well folks, it looks as if the first confirmed error in Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality has been found and communicated to me through this blog. It looks as if I made a huge mistake in the GPS coordinates for the Old Annapolis Road. Somehow, instead of its own latitude and longitude, I repeated those of the Charles MacDonald Sportspark - a considerable distance away!

Please accept my apologies; the error was mine in the writing and proof-reading phase of the book preparation.

The correct coordinates for the start of the Old Annapolis Road route are: N44° 45” 08.4’ N63° 56” 01.5’.

My thanks go to Tim Peach, who sent me notice of this on August 7, 2011.

Short Summer Coastal Walk - Pennant Point

Good weather has been scarce this spring, but that only makes us appreciate even more the few days that have been sunny and warm. Sometimes, in coastal Canada, the window of opportunity - the time between when the fog lifts and the when next storm rolls in - is measured in only hours. When the weather is like this, if we want to venture outdoors we need something a hike where we can drive in minutes, not hours.

Let me introduce you to Pennant Point: A slender finger of granite extending into the Atlantic Ocean, located near the mouth of Halifax Harbour close to the picturesque village of Sambro, Pennant Point features sandy beaches, a short managed trail, an extended coastal back country track - and it is barely a 30 minute drive from the Armdale Rotary on Highway 349.

A popular recreation spot for decades, the beach area is more well known as Crystal Crescent Beach, and is a provincial park. Most of the remainder of Pennant Point has been incorporated into the Terence Bay Wilderness Protected Area, and is protected from further development. A few pockets of private property remain, but most are close to the small community of East Pennant.

Long before I hiked anywhere else in the province, I walked the coastline at Pennant Point. This area enjoys so much: a gleaming white sand beach, rugged and rocky coastline, magnificent coastal scenery, and a sense of isolation and wilderness remarkable in an area so close to the city.

In Trails of Halifax Regional Municipality I profile only the developed trail from the parking area, behind the beaches, until it ends at the rocks bordering the small nude beach at Mackeral Cove. However, for those who do not mind wet feet and a little scrambling over granite rocks, an informal footpath continues along the rugged coastline to the very tip of Pennant Point. I could gush about the scenery, which has always captivated and inspired me, but I will leave you to discover that for yourself.

So this summer, whenever - if ever - the clouds part for a few hours and you feel the urge to venture outdoors, head for Pennant Point. Maybe, like me, you will discover a place that will draw you back for the rest of your life. And maybe even go when it is cloudy. The scenery is still affecting.