We are planning a trip to one of the most interesting places in the Ottawa River Valley. This place is called a Geoheritage Trail Walk (where you can see not only geological but also fossil artifacts of the Ordovician period). We will start our hike at the Bonnechere Museum, in the town of Eganville, where we’ll have a chance to know about the geological history of Ottawa Valley. During our walk along the Geoheritage Trail, we’ll pay attention not only to geology and fossils but also to the environment: birds, insects, and plants in the area.
We have two meeting options: in the parking lot of the Hazeldean Mall in front of Eagleson Road at 8 am (drive to Eganville about 2 hours) or near the Bonnechere Museum in Eganville at 10 am. Please let us know if you intend to join the tour and at what location. We’ll visit first the Museum (admission fees are 5.00$ per adult and 2.5$ per kid). After hiking along the trail, those who wish can visit the famous Bonnechere caves that are located nearby. The one-hour tour to the caves costs from 14$ (children) to 22$ (adults). Excursions are organized by the staff of the caves every 20-30 minutes.
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
This is a new area to explore in Ottawa Valley. Please, register in advance. We’ll have an opportunity to move into the geological history of Ottawa Valley and know about marine creatures that inhabited this area 430-510 million years ago. We’ll talk about evolution and the current challenges of nature conservation in Canada and in the World.
There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa to Eganville (3-4 places).
Dress:
Watch for the weather forecast and be prepared accordingly: you need to have sports shoes to walk on the trails. If you plan to visit caves, you need to have a headlamp. Prepare sunscreen and mosquito spray. Take your sandwiches and water.
Mid of May is the most exciting time in Ottawa Valley. Most spring flowers are starting to bloom. Birds come back to nesting sites and occupy their individual territories. We organize a guided tour to Dewberry Trail and Mer Bleue area to observe spring flowers and other plants, and to see birds and other forest dwellers. In mid of May, tamarack at Mer Bleue is covered by fresh tender needles, we’ll explore the bog and talk about its history and ecological role. If you are interested to know more about plants and animals in spring, join our hike on Sunday, May 14 at 9 am. We meet at the Parking on Dolman Ridge Rd. of Ottawa Greenbelt. After a hike along Dewberry Trail, we will drive to Mer Bleue – Parking 22 that to explore the bog area.
How to dress?
Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. It is expected that it will be warm weather on Sunday, good for hiking. Perhaps, first mosquitoes will be already active. You will need comfortable clothes and good shoes for hiking.
What else might be needed?
It will be great to have your cameras and binoculars for nature observation. It is good also to take water and light snacks.
Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve protects an exceptional forest ecosystem in Quebec. It owes stands of mature trees that were not disturbed by human activities. It is also an area with a rich diversity of amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, plants, and mushrooms. The reserve was established in 2003. It contains 12 km of trails crossing forests and wetlands.
We’ll walk on the wooden trails with fascinating views of the wetlands. We’ll discover the variety of plant and animal species inhabiting different types of ecosystems in forests and wetlands. We’ll have a chance to spot turtles basking in the sun’s rays. At the end of April, we expect to find some of the first blooming spring flowers and first spring mushrooms called Scarlet Caps. We’ll try to explore and understand the life of the forest and wetland inhabitants during spring.
We’ll meet at 9:30 am on May 07 (Sunday) in the small parking lot near the Interpretation Center of the Ecological Reserve in Mayo. We’ll have an opportunity to explore several trails, walk in the forest and around lakes, and stop to observe interesting species of plants, amphibians, and birds. I have several spots in my car for carpooling for those who travel from Ottawa. Do not forget your cameras!
Dress:
Please, watch the weather forecast for the weekend so that you can prepare in accordance with the weather. It is better to wear waterproof shoes: there are many wet places in the forest. We recommend also taking water and a light snack.
This guided tour is for those who like to explore new places. We’ll meet in the center of Ottawa near Dow’s Lake at 8:30 am and we’ll go together to the Gatineau area from there. In Gatineau, we’ll visit several areas near Val-des-Bois, including the area adjacent to several lakes and a small waterfall.
Мы встретимся в центре Оттавы около
Dow’s Lake Parking в 8:30 утра (в воскресенье) и поедем отсюда вместе на Квебекскую сторону – в район местечка Вал-де-Буа, где мы посетим несколько лесных мест. Цель нашей поездки – оценить начало грибного сезона в этом году, а также посмотреть новые места для возможных будущих путешествий. В окрестностях местечка, куда мы едем – много озер, водопады, а также много разных кемпингов, мест для рыбалки и отдыха. Мы остановимся в нескольких точках, чтобы исследовать разные типы мест обитания, посмотреть флору и фауну, пройтись по лесу в поисках грибов и ягод. Для этой поездки лучше будет поехать небольшой кампанией на 2-3 машинах, желательно устроить карпулинг. В моей машине будет место для 2 пассажиров.
Что надо взять с собой?
В воскресенье возможен дождь, поэтому нужно взять с собой легкие плащики. День будет жарким, желательно одеть легкие рубашки с длинным рукавом для защиты от солнца и комаров. Обувь – легкая и надежная для ходьбы по тропинкам. С собой нужно взять крем от солнца, а также спрей от насекомых. Не забывайте о воде и легком перекусе, а также возьмите небольшие корзиночки и ножи для поиска грибов. Мы будем в местах с красивыми озерами, где можно будет искупаться, если вы захотите остановиться на озерах для купания, то желательно взять соответствующие принадлежности.