Elgin Hiking Trail Club

Tag: Elgin

  • Start of End-to-end – 7.5 km

    14 started the end-to-end

    Today we tried our first car pool since the beginning of Covid.
    We began at the north end of our trail which links up with the Thames Valley Trail which goes to St. Mary’s, known as the stone town. The journey begins with a southward hike through McCaig’ bush. This part of the trail in the spring can be best described as a swamp. In this late summer morning it was quite enjoyable. Our intrepid hike leader Jim was leading and acting as a shield against all the cobwebs. Charlie suggested we tag him #spiderweb. Time will tell if the name sticks.


    Upon leaving the bush we head along a farmers field of soybeans. We walk on the east end of the field account the other side of fence row is so overgrown. Exiting the field at the entrance for the tractor on Third Line heading west. Half way along this road we stop for a sugar fix supplied by Roseann.


    Turning left onto Mill Rd allows us to safely pass over Hwy 401. Along this road are several seemingly healthy apple trees.

    Apple Tree
    Apple Tree


    Turning left again onto Fourth Line for 3.6 km. This road really shows off the agricultural roots of Elgin. The hedgerow on this road is largely as it should be.

    Agricultural Elgin
    Choke Cherry


    There are Choke Cherry trees, Gray and Stiff-leaved Goldenrod and Sweet Pea. There are an abundant supply of Monarch Butterflies and even Monarch Caterpillar visible.

    Monarch caterpillar
    Monarch

    This generation of caterpillar will be tasked with making the journey all the way to the mountains in Central Mexico. The Monarch population is down 26% last winter. The problems are illegal logging, drought, pine beetle infestation, lack of milkweed population in all three countries. They inhabited only 2.1 hectares in Mexico. Six hectares is the amount recommended to avoid extinction.

    All in all another great hike.

    Al Sharpe

  • AGM – Wednesday April 19th

    Avril and DJ aka The Canadian Flowers in front of the Shrine to St. James.

    Be sure to attend our AGM and hear about the adventures of club members Avril and DJ as they relay the story of their journey to Santiago this January. The event is held in the Carnegie Room of the St. Thomas Public Library, 153 Curtis St. Doors open at 6:30pm and business meeting starts at 7pm, then the Way presentation. You will be able to renew your membership or new members may sign up at meeting. There are open positions on the executive available, talk to any current executive if you are interested in joining. Look forward to seeing you all their.

  • First day of fall end-to-end in Port Stanley

    Testing out the accommodations in 1870's era jail.
    Testing out the accommodations in 1870’s era jail.

    Six of us ventured out on the first leg of Elgin end-to-end on a overcast day in October. Wild turkeys were seen while hiking through the woods and cormorants have taken up home in the harbour. We were given a tour of the Lake Erie Trout club facilities by Kit Brown and got to see fingerlings in the holding tanks.
    The hike was cut short due to muddy conditions and will be continued on November 26th. Our newest member Joan was out as well as two ladies from London Doris and Jennifer. They all hope to continue with the end-to-end. Welcome. Fellowship followed at Harbour Merchant Coffee Company in Port Stanley.