Tag: Gatineau Park

Guided Excursion to Lusk Cave in Gatineau Park

We invite families with kids for a guided tour of a Lusk Cave and the surrounding area in Gatineau Park. We’ll meet on Sunday, July 23, at the Parent Beach of the Philippe Lake section of the Park at 9:30 am. We’ll explore environmental things on the way to Lusk Cave. We’ll stop on our way to listen to birds and watch animal tracks. We’ll learn about the history of Gatineau Park, its biodiversity, animals, and plants that can be found here.  We’ll explore how to identify plants and listen to birds inhabiting Park in the breeding season. We’ll follow trails 50 and 54 to reach the Lusk Cave and explore the forest around. The total length of our hike is around 5-6 km.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

Gatineau Park is an amazing place to explore at any time of the year.  We select well-known trails for our excursion, which should be interesting for kids and parents. Its length is about 5-6 km from the Parent Beach. We’ll stop many times to explore trees and flowers, listen to birds, and watch for animals. We’ll talk about animals and plants inhabiting Gatineau Park. Kids will have a chance to play ecological games.

There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (3-4 places). You have to pay for the parking in Gatineau Park. Parking fees are 13 CAD.

Dress:

Watch for the weather forecast and be prepared accordingly. It is expected a sunny day. It will be good to have swimming suites and rubber shoes to walk in the cave and swim in the lake after the excursion. You need also to have a headlamp to walk in the cave. Prepare sunscreen and mosquito spray. Take your sandwiches and water with you.

 

Night creatures in Gatineau Park

Our last evening trips to see salamanders at night in Gatineau Park were successful. Therefore, we plan to have one more hike at the end of this week. This is a guided hike to explore Gatineau Park in the evening time for those who are interested to know more about dwellers of the forests and wetlands, tiny creatures, that just woke up after winter hibernation, and nocturnal bird species. We’ll meet at 7:30 pm on May 05 (Friday evening) at Parking 8 in Gatineau Park, which is located not too far from the Gatineau Park Visitor Center.

During our last excursion, we counted many spotted salamanders, one northern dusky salamander, and five species decided to move into other ponds after the evening chorus singing. In spring, salamanders rush to forest streams, ponds, and lakes to mate and lay their eggs there. At the larval stage, most salamanders from temperate regions are aquatic. Their tadpoles have three pairs of external gills and a long laterally flattened tail. Tadpoles breathe through their gills. At the end of the aquatic stage, they transform into adult salamanders through the metamorphosis process, becoming similar to small lizards. After the breeding season, adult salamanders will return back to the forest, where they will be almost invisible, as they lead a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle. During the day they hide in secluded recesses under the forest floor, stones, and trunks of fallen trees. The diversity of salamanders is rich in the eastern part of North America. So, we hope to see at least several different salamander species at night.

But not only salamanders will be the goal of our excursion. We will also listen to the voices of spring, which can be heard on the distance in the leafless forest. First of all, we will determine whether tiny tree frogs have already woken up – spring peepers, whose melodic whistle resembles the singing of invisible little birds. Also, we will be able to see in the evening dawn how Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks fly over the forest openings and over wetlands with the characteristic sound of a propeller. We will listen to see if the secretive American Bittern has already appeared near the reservoirs and hide in dry aquatic vegetation near the lakes. And also, we will be able to hear the night conversation of owls – the barred owls and eastern screech owls.

A year ago, during such an excursion, we also saw a bear mom with three cubs, who had just come out from their winter den and were looking for food under the oak trees. Having noticed our small group, the bears immediately tried to hide in the nearest ravine. We could spot three 3 species of salamanders that occur in Gatineau Park and heard the night call of the barred owls.

How to dress?

It is expected lots of rain in the next week. The rain will destroy the snow, but the forest will be damp.  Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. It can be also chilly in the evening time. So, it is better to have warm jackets and good shoes that are most comfortable for a trip on wet forest paths.

What else might be needed?

Do not forget the flashlight. It is great if you have your binoculars for bird observations, and your cameras, or telephones for photos. It would be also good to have light snacks and water.

Excursion to Waterfall and Escarpment in Gatineau Park

We invite families with kids for a spring hike in Gatineau Park. We’ll meet on Saturday, April 29, near the Visitor Center of the Park at 9:00 am at the address 33 Chem Scott., Chelsea, Quebec, J9B 1R5. If the Museum in the Visitor Center is open, we’ll explore its exposition and learn how to identify animals by calls, signs, and footprints. If the Museum is still closed, we’ll walk around the parking and explore the closest area looking for signs of spring: singing birds and other animal footprints.  From the Visitor Center, at approximately 9:30 – 9:45 am we’ll go to the P6 (Parking 6) near Mackenzie King Estate. There, kids will have a chance to explore the ruins and to know about the history of this place. And then, we’ll visit a waterfall at a distance of around 500-700 m from the parking, stopping that to listen to birds and watch animal tracks. After the observation of the spring waterfall, we’ll go on the trail along the escarpment with a scenic view of the Ottawa River and farmland fields. We’ll stop on the trail to find and identify the first spring flowers and listen to birds coming back to our forests after wintering. The total length of our hike is around 3.5 km.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

Gatineau Park is an amazing place to explore at any age.  We select the simple trail this time, which should be interesting for kids and parents. If we’ll be lucky, we’ll have a chance to see some interesting birds, salamanders, and frogs near the trail. Chipmunks have already come out after hibernation and will watch us with curiosity, staying at a safe distance along the path. American red squirrels are also numerous in this part of the forest. We’ll talk about animals and plants inhabiting Gatineau Park. Kids will have a chance to play ecological games.

We’ll meet near the Visitor Center of Gatineau Park in Chelsea at 9:00 am on April 22 (Saturday). There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (2-3 places).

Dress:

It is expected that the real spring It is expected that there will not be much rain on this day. However, after abundant rains in the last few days, it will be good to have waterproof shoes and rainy jackets. Prepare snacks for kids, do not forget some seeds to feed nuthatches and chickadees near the trail. Take your sandwiches and water with you.

 

Night Creatures in the Gatineau Park

We plan to repeat our evening hike to Gatineau Park the time when the snow is mostly melted on April 21 and April 29. This is a guided hike to explore Gatineau Park in the evening time for those who are interested to know more about dwellers of the forests and wetlands, tiny creatures, that just woke up after winter hibernation and nocturnal bird species. We’ll meet at 7:00 pm on April 21 (Friday evening) at Parking 8 in Gatineau Park, which is located not too far from the Gatineau Park Visitor Center.

The snow barely melts in the forest, and amazing creatures, hibernating soundly in the forest floor all winter, already appear on the thawed patches at night: these are small-tailed amphibians – salamanders. In spring, salamanders rush to forest streams, ponds, and lakes to mate and lay their eggs there. At the larval stage, most salamanders from temperate regions are aquatic. Their tadpoles have three pairs of external gills and a long laterally flattened tail. Tadpoles breathe through their gills. At the end of the aquatic stage, they transform into adult salamanders through the metamorphosis process, becoming similar to small lizards. After the breeding season, adult salamanders will return back to the forest, where they will be almost invisible, as they lead a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle. During the day they hide in secluded recesses under the forest floor, stones, and trunks of fallen trees. The diversity of salamanders is rich in the eastern part of North America. So, we hope to see at least several different salamander species at night.

But not only salamanders will be the goal of our excursion. We will also listen to the voices of spring, which can be heard on the distance in the leafless forest. First of all, we will determine whether tiny tree frogs have already woken up – spring peepers, whose melodic whistle resembles the singing of invisible little birds. Also, we will be able to see in the evening dawn how Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks fly over the forest openings and over wetlands with the characteristic sound of a propeller. We will listen to see if the secretive American Bittern has already appeared near the reservoirs and hide in dry aquatic vegetation near the lakes. And also, we will be able to hear the night conversation of owls – the barred owls and eastern screech owls.

A year ago, during such an excursion, we also saw a bear mom with three cubs, who had just come out from their winter den and were looking for food under the oak trees. Having noticed our small group, the bears immediately tried to hide in the nearest ravine. We could spot three 3 species of salamanders that occur in Gatineau Park and heard the night call of the barred owls.

How to dress?

It is expected lots of rain in the next week. The rain will destroy the snow, but the forest will be damp.  Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. It can be also chilly in the evening time. So, it is better to have warm jackets and good shoes that are most comfortable for a trip on wet forest paths.

What else might be needed?

Do not forget the flash-light. It is great if you have your binoculars for bird observations, and your cameras, or telephones for photos. It would be also good to have light snacks and water.

Fall colors along Wolf Trail in Gatineau Park

This is a trip to the famous Wolf Trail of Gatineau Park that starts beside Blanchet Beach. We’ll meet at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 15, at P13 near Meech Lake. This trail is interesting in any season of the year, but especially in fall. We’ll explore the environment along the trail, stopping in the lookout places that to admire the view of the Ottawa River and late-fall forests. We also will observe the park’s flora and fauna, and identify late fall mushrooms. We’ll have a chance to see several species of mammals, preparing for the long winter months. We’ll talk about Gatineau Park’s history and think about its future in the proximity of a large Capital City.

How to dress?

Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. This is a moderate complexity trail, but it is going up, therefore it is better to have light clothes suitable to the season and good shoes that are most comfortable for moving along the forest trail.

What else might be needed?

It is better to have a light backpack to put inside your clothes if it will become warm after moving up along the trail. You need to take also water and light snacks.

Это поход по знаменитой “Волчьей тропе” в парке Гатино, которая начинается рядом с пляжем Бланш у озера Мич. Мы встретимся в 9:00 в субботу, 15 октября, на P13 возле озера Мич. Эта тропа интересна в любое время года, но особенно осенью. Мы будем исследовать окрестности вдоль тропы, останавливаясь на смотровых площадках, чтобы полюбоваться видом на реку Оттава и лес в поздне-осеннем убранстве. Мы надеемся увидеть многих представителей флоры и фауны, а также мы будем определять поздние осенние грибы, которые в обилии встречаются вдоль этой тропы именно в это время. Кроме того, у нас будет возможность увидеть несколько видов млекопитающих, готовящихся к долгой зимовке. Мы поговорим об истории парка Гатино и подумаем о его будущем в опасном соседстве с миллионной столицей.

Как одеваться?

Пожалуйста, следите за прогнозом погоды, чтобы подготовиться к путешествию. Это тропа средней сложности, но она идет вверх, поэтому лучше иметь легкую одежду по сезону и хорошую обувь, максимально удобную для передвижения по лесной тропе.

Что еще может понадобиться?

Лучше иметь легкий рюкзак, чтобы спрятать в него лишнюю одежду, если станет тепло при движении вверх. Также необходимо взять воду и какой-то перекус, чтобы подкрепиться в местах отдыха.

 

Sunset in Gatineau Park: Evening hike around P8 (Chem. du Lac Meech)

This event is organized for those who like adventures. This is a guided hike to Gatineau Park for evening nature observation.  We invite amateurs to explore the evening life of Gatineau Park in the area near Meech Lake. We’ll meet on Friday evening, April 15, at 6:00 pm on the P8 in the Park.  This guided hike will be in English and Russian.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

We invite you to participate in a sunset adventure in Gatineau Park. We organize an evening hike to a small lake in Gatineau Park. The snow had just melted or still remained in some places in small clumps in shady places. But spring is rapidly approaching, and with it, migratory birds return to their breeding sites. In the evenings, silhouettes of flying Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks can be seen above the lakes at the edges of the forest. They fill the neighborhood with their characteristic sounds. The typical winnowing flight of Wilson’s snipe resembles the sound of an airplane. The sound of American woodcock flight is also very distinctive. Amphibians wake up and we hope to listen to the chorus of the first Spring Peepers. Spring peepers are “heralds” of the spring season. These tiny amphibians came out from ponds and sing from the branches of trees, where males climbed up quite high. Salamanders come out of their hibernation places on the forest floor – they rush to reservoirs and vernal pools to lay eggs and give rise to offspring. In the evenings, beavers become active, they leave their huts to feed and find construction materials for the renovation of their lodges after a long winter season. Later, in the forest, you can hear the dialogue of barred owls or calls of eastern screech owls. This is the time when owls are still very active and you can not only see them but also hear them.

We’ll meet at Parking 8 (P 8) at 6:00 pm, which is very close to the Visitor Center of Gatineau Park in Chelsea. There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (2 places).

Dress:

It can be humid after rains in the last few days. It is recommended to have waterproof shoes and rainy jackets. Prepare a flashlight or headlamp for observations in dark.

Mackenzie King Estate and Waterfall in Gatineau Park:

We invite families with kids for a spring hike in Gatineau Park. We’ll meet on Sunday, April 10, near the Visitor Center of the Park at 10:00 am at the address 33 Chem Scott., Chelsea, Quebec, J9B 1R5. If the Museum in the Visitor Center is open, we’ll explore its exposition and learn how to identify animals by calls, signs, and footprints. If the Museum is still closed, we’ll walk around parking and explore the closest area looking for signs of spring, animal footprints, and listening to bird calls. After the Visitor Center, approximately at 10:30 – 10:45 am we’ll go to the P6 (Parking 6) near Mackenzie King Estate, kids will have a chance to explore the ruins and to know about the history of this place. And then, we’ll visit a waterfall at a distance of around 500-700 m from parking, stopping that to listen to birds and watch animal tracks. This guided hike will be in English and Russian.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

Gatineau Park is an amazing place to explore at any age.  We select the simple trail this time, which should be interesting for kids and parents. If we’ll be lucky, we’ll have a chance to see some interesting birds, salamanders, and frogs near the trail. Chipmunks have already come out after hibernation and will watch us with curiosity, staying at a safe distance along the path. American red squirrels are also numerous in this part of the forest. We’ll talk about animals and plants inhabiting Gatineau Park. Kids will have a chance to play ecological games.

We’ll meet near the Visitor Center of Gatineau Park in Chelsea at 10:00 am on April 10 (Sunday). There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (2 places).

Dress:

It is expected that there will not be much rain on this day. However, after abundant rains in the last few days, it will be good to have waterproof shoes and rainy jackets. Prepare snacks for kids, do not forget some seeds to feed nuthatches and chickadees near the trail. Take your sandwiches and water with you.

 

 

Bright fall colors in Gatineau Park: guided tour

Autumn days fly very quickly. The last weeks continue to delight us with the brightness of colors and unique autumn landscapes. Maples are already crumbling. They are replaced by golden birches and aspens blazing with dark crimson. The guided tour is organized for those who like to explore the area of Gatineau Park and for those who want to admire the autumn trees in fall colors.

Location and the subject of excursion:

This Saturday, we will organize a hike for those who like the fall colors of Gatineau Park. We will meet at 9:30 am on Parking 13 in Gatineau Park near Meech Lake: google.com/maps/place/Wolf+Trail/@45.5433442,-75.9095088,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x1be81a7196f025f3!8m2!3d45.5433442!4d-75.909508

A parking ticket is 13CAD per day, therefore carpooling is welcoming.

We’ll walk to the escarpment along the trail and stop to look at various landscapes, plants, and fungi. The duration of the guided hike will be 4.5 – 5 hours.

Clothes and footwear:

Check the weather forecast and dress comfortably so you won’t be cold or hot. Prepare your cameras for stunning autumn landscapes and late fall fungi, which could be very interesting. Don’t forget water and sandwiches.

 

Wolf Trail in July, Gatineau Park

Wolf Trail 62 Loop via Blanchet is an 8.0 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Chelsea, Quebec, Canada that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and other activities.

Место проведения и предмет экскурсии

Этот тур организуется для любителей природы. Волчья тропа – известное место в парке Гатино. Тропа – средней степени сложности, она проходит через лес, пересекает несколько ручьев и выходит на высокий уступ, с которого открывается вид на долину реки Оттавы. Тропа – круговая. Общая ее длины – около 8 км. В это время мы сможем увидеть растения позднего лета, услышать птиц, которые уже вырастили своих птенцов и летают группами или семьями, но все еще многочисленны в лесах вокруг Оттавы. У многих растений, которые цвели весной образовались ягоды или плоды, но есть и поздне-цветущие растения. В связи с влажной погодой мы сможем увидеть разные виды грибов, но собирать их в Гатино парке нельзя. Мы попробуем определить те из них, которые найдем поблизости от тропы. Также в это время года появляются растения спрофиты – такие как подъельник одноцветковый или Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora). Конец июля – время созревания малины и черники, посмотрим, если этот год был урожайным для обоих видов.

Встреча на парковке – P13 (map) в 9 часов утра, 24 июля (воскресенье). Стоимость парковки для обычного автомобиля (до 8 мест) 13 д. Возможен карпулинг (место есть на 3 пассажиров). После прогулки по парку все желающие могут искупаться в озере. Тур может закончиться в 3-4 часа дня (вместе с купанием).

Форма одежды

Вероятность дождя невысокая, но в любом случае, будет довольно тепло. В легкой летней рубашке с длинными рукавами будет комфортно. Не забывайте крем от солнца и средства от комаров, ну и, конечно, свои камеры! Также обязательно возьмите воду и бутерброды, чтобы можно было перекусить после похода в лес. Не забывайте плавки и купальники! Озеро Мич – прекрасное место для купания.

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Hiking to Lusk cave in Gatineau Park (in Russian)

On Saturday, July 10, we organize a guiding tour to Lusk Cave in Gatineau Park. We’ll meet at the Parent Beach of the Phillipe Lake near the parking lot in the Park at 9:00 am and we are going by Cave Trail and Trail 50 to the Lusk Cave and back. We’ll have a chance to see the various landscapes, flora and fauna of Gatineau Park in July.

Место проведения и предмет экскурсии

В субботу 10 июля мы организуем экскурсии в пещеру Люск, которая расположена в Гатино парке. Мы встречаемся в 9 утра в самом парке на парковке, которая называется Parent Beach и по тропинке через лес пойдем к пещера.

Тропинка интересна тем, что она пересекает несколько типов леса и идет мимо озера. На этой тропе мы увидим деревья бука, по которым осенью американские черные медведи карабкаются наверх, чтобы полакомиться орешками.

Сами медведи – тоже не редкость в Гатино парке, но обычно днем они прячутся в чаше и вероятность их увидеть невелика. Тем не менее, вы узнаете, как нужно себя вести при встрече с черным медведем. У нас есть также шансы увидеть белохвостых оленей (у них сейчас примерно месячные оленята), много видов птиц, а также, возможно, найти несколько видов грибов.

Грибы в парке собирать нельзя, мы будем их учиться определять и фотографировать. Обычно на тропе встречаются желчные грибы – выглядят они очень аппетитно и достигают гигантских размеров, но совершенно несъедобны. Эти грибы несколько напоминают белые, мы посмотрим на их отличительные признаки.

Когда мы дойдем до пещеры, то можем спуститься в нее и освежиться. Обратный путь мы пройдем вниз к пляжу по крутым ступеням. Все желающие смогут остаться и искупаться на пляже. Пляж оборудован для купания взрослых и детей, рядом с ним есть игровая площадка. Этот поход может быть интересен для детей-подростков, он – средней тяжести.

Место встречи на карте

Форма одежды

Спортивная. Мы пройдем около 8 км. Желательно иметь при себе фонарики (в пещере темно), плавки и купальники, а также резиновую обувь – в самой пещере – дно может быть скользким и каменистым. Также, если день будет жарким, обязательно возьмите воду в поход, крем от солнца и средство от комаров.

Регистрация на экскурсию:

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