Woodland Woman

Hiking Wolf Trail in Gatineau Park

Its become a spring tradition for my partner and I to hike Wolf Trail. It’s one of my favourite trails in Gatineau Park. The trail is 7.9 kilometres and of moderate difficulty. You hike through a beautiful hardwood forest and get some great views of the Ottawa Valley.

If you hike this trail, I recommend reserving three hours to complete it. Of course, this will change with everyone’s fitness level and how often you stop for breaks. If you are hiking in the spring, bring bug spray or a bug jacket as the mosquitoes and black flies can be a nuisance. Keep in mind that ticks carrying Lyme inhabit this area but don’t let them deter you from visiting!

Getting There

Wolf Trail is in Gatineau Park, Québec. You can access the trail from parking lot 13 off Chemin du Lac Meech. The trail is popularly called Wolf Trail but you won’t find it marked that way. Instead, follow trail 62. It is well marked and forms a loop.

Weekends can get busy and the parking lot fills up quickly. My rule for hiking on weekends is to get up in the early morning and hit the trail before everyone else. You’ll be rewarded as it’s more likely you’ll see wildlife, hear the bird songs, and have the trail to yourself.

Wolf Trail

Near the beginning of the trail, you’ll face the choice to go right or left. People are of different minds about whether it is best to hike the trail clockwise (right) or counterclockwise (left). Going counterclockwise means you hike the most difficult part of the trail at the beginning. This difficult section includes a steep climb up a rocky area. Going clockwise means you face this difficult section at the end of your hike and you’ll be climbing down.

In the springtime, the trail can have high waters making three sections difficult to cross. This is why I fell in love with the trail in the first place. The high waters make the trail more of a challenge. In early spring, when flooding is bad, you’ll have to do some mental calculations on how to traverse the high waters. It’s important to stick to the trail as closely as possible to minimize your impact. Each year millions visit Gatineau and our combined impacts can be significant.

If you are worried about getting wet, you can visit the trail a bit later in the spring or in the summer when the waters have receded. Alternatively, wear or carry some rubber boots for these sections of the hike. We always hike clockwise because the last stream is the highest and we would rather get wet at the end of the hike than the beginning. If you are unsure and really don’t want to get wet, go counterclockwise so that you can check the water levels before committing yourself to hiking the whole trail.

Two yellow marsh marigolds on Wolf Trail

Terrain

Wolf Trail is a hike with some elevation. The trail has you climbing up part of the Eardley Escarpment. An escarpment is a steep slope which has formed from a fault or erosion. In this case, the Eardley Escarpment is a fault line that divides the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands. According to the National Capital Commission, the escarpment is 270 metres tall and extends over 30 kilometres. Its southern exposure produces an important microclimate which hosts 145 plant and animal species at risk. Over the years, restrictions have been place on activities in the escarpment to help protect this important ecosystem.

Flora and Fauna

Wolf Trail travels through a hardwood forest. Some of the trees you’ll see are American beech, sugar maple, eastern hemlock, yellow birch, and black ash. You’ll also encounter some white pine. 

Spring is an excellent time to see the wildflowers. Especially beautiful are the trilliums that line the trail. You’ll see white trilliums and red trilliums. You can also see pink lady’s slipper, clusters of purple violet, and some pink corydalis. In the wetland areas, there is yellow marsh marigold. In the summer months, I’ve seen goldenrod and aster. All the wildflowers are beautiful but can suffer when they are picked and stepped on. Some, like trillium and pink lady’s slipper, take years to recover from damage. It’s best to tread carefully and not pick flora in protected parks.

Along with wildflowers, there are also edible and medicinal plants like blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, and sensitive fern. We saw an assortment of fungi too, including turkey’s tail and dryad’s saddle.

Gatineau Park is home to several animals. There are white-tailed deer, black bear, wolf, snowshoe hare, red fox, coyote, beaver, and moose. When hiking alone it is wise to carry a bear bell. This will help alert bears to your presence as not to frighten them into a confrontation.

Mahingan and Tawadina Lookouts

The two lookouts on Wolf Trail are Mahingan and Tawadina. Mahingan is the Algonquin word for “wolf.” This is most likely how the trail got its popular name. This lookout has a bench where you can stop and rest and take in the view of the rest of the park.

Tawadina has a beautiful view of the Ottawa Valley. You’ll see farms and homes in the distance. You’ll also get a view of the Ottawa River. It’s my favourite place to rest and have a snack. Tawadina is the Algonquin word for “valley.”

Conclusion

If you live in the Ottawa/Gatineau area, I highly recommend this trail. You’ll get great views and see a lot of the flora native to this area. My advice is to visit mid-spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and the waters have receded but any time of year is great. The trail is also open in winter for those who want to snowshoe it.

 

Kejimkujik National Park: Canoeing Big Dam Lake, Still Brook, and Frozen Ocean

Map of Big Dam, Still Brook, and Frozen Lake Area

In late May, I returned from my first canoe camping trip at Kejimkujik National Park. The park is in the southern interior of Nova Scotia. I can’t say enough about what a great time I had. My friend and I paddled Big Dam Lake, Still Brook, and part of Frozen Ocean Lake. We stayed overnight at campsite 6 and returned the same route the next day.

As a novice canoeist, I really enjoyed paddling in Kejimkujik. Having RV and backcountry camped in the park many times before, I have to say that canoe camping was by far my favourite way to visit. These canoe routes are excellent and have been used for thousands of years. Originally by the Mi’kmaq in the area.

Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik National Park, or Keji as locals know it, was established in 1974. Being a National Park protects it from the lumber industry which has destroyed Nova Scotia’s old growth forests. Keji is one of the last places you can see old growth in the province. It’s 350-year old hemlock trees are one of the park’s big attractions. You can see them at the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail.

Late May and June are a great time to see the spring wildflowers. Keji has lady’s slipper, creeping dogwood, painted trillium, blue violet, pink rhodora, goldthread, and other beautiful flowers. The forest itself is a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. These include red maple, white pine, white birch, and red oak.

If you are lucky, you might also see some of the animals that live in the park. These include white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, beaver, turtles, snakes, mink, fox, and the occasional black bear.

The downside of spring camping in Nova Scotia is that the weather can be cold and wet. Evening frosts are common and can last well into June. But early spring is, in my opinion, the best time to visit because the mosquitos and black flies are not bad. We never saw any in the backcountry. You do have to watch out for ticks though.

Big Dam Lake

Our trip began at Big Dam Lake parking lot. Here you will find Portage Q (400m) to your left and the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail (5km) to your right. Portage Q is flat and easy going. A canoe rest is available around the mid-way point.

Big Dam Lake was a pleasure to canoe. The lake is divided into two sections that are connected by a narrow and rocky passage in the middle. It was one of my favourite parts of our canoe trip. It looks as if someone has placed a bunch of rocks in the middle of this lake. It’s beautiful and not difficult to navigate.

Big Dam Lake is home to campsites 1 – 3. They are clearly marked on the shore and easy to find. Campsites 1 and 2 are also accessible by trail.

Still Brook

From Big Dam Lake we took Portage R (800m). This portage is long but the terrain is easy going. It is slightly sloped with one canoe rest around the mid-way point. Here you will also find campsite 4. It’s a really nice site if you don’t mind camping close to the portage trail and seeing the occasional travellers. It’s a great place to camp if you want to rest before the portage.

Still Brook (4km) was by far the most breathtaking place to canoe on this trip. As the name suggests, the water was calm and easy to paddle. The brook travels through a bog and it’s a great place to see turtles basking in the sun. We saw a beautiful painted turtle but Keji is home to several species including the endangered blanding’s turtle.

Still Brook empties into Frozen Ocean but you must take Portage S (160m) to avoid shallow rapids at the end. This portage is short but it is riddled with rocks and tree roots making it easy to trip.

Frozen Ocean

We only saw a small part of Frozen Ocean Lake. We hugged the shoreline, avoiding numerous rocks, till campsite 6. Most of them were easy to spot but you have to be cautious. Keji has tea coloured waters. The brown hue is derived from the tannic acids of decaying peat. This can make rocks difficult to see.

Campsite 6, like most of the backcountry sites in Keji, has two tent pads, bear cables, picnic tables, firewood, a fire pit, and an outhouse. We were sharing a tent so we chose the site further from the water because we noticed some standing deadwood that might fall in high winds.

Conclusion

This was a great trip for novice canoeists. It was easier to navigate and paddle than Kejimkujik Lake would be. These lakes are small in comparison and they are partly sheltered from the wind.

The next time I canoe this park, I’ll begin the trip the same way at Big Dam Lake, paddle through Still Brook, Frozen Ocean and into Channel Lake. Finally, making my way to Jake’s Landing via Kejimkujik Lake. 

Before ending this post, I want to put in a good word for Why Not Adventures. We rented our canoe from them and they were fantastic. They answered all my questions promptly via email (even late night ones!) and were very accommodating. They provided us with foam blocks and straps to transport our canoe (free of charge) and taught us how to properly secure the canoe to our car.

If you’ve canoed in Keji, I’d love to hear about your experience! Let me know in the comments section.

References

Link to Kejimkujik backcountry map. 

More about the wildflowers and trees of Kejimkujik. 

Red Clover: Identification and Uses

Red clover flower grows in a lawn.

Red clover is often dismissed as a “weed” but this small plant has been used traditionally for years for its edible and medicinal qualities. It is a great plant to introduce to beginner foragers as it grows abundantly throughout the world and many people can readily identify it. I was first introduced to the edible properties of red clover when a market vendor was using the flower heads to brighten up salad mixes. I’ve been using them ever since.

Appearance and Location

The scientific name for red clover is trifolium pratense. The plant has compound leaves with three oval leaflets. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the leaves have a light v-mark pattern. Red clover flowers are pink and have round heads.

The plant is native to Europe, Western Asia, northwest Africa and has been naturalized in North America and South America. It is often found growing in lawns, fields, and along roadsides. Red clover grows from May to September.

Consumption and Nutrition

Both the flowers and leaves of red clover are edible but the flowers are more commonly used. You can eat them fresh or dried. They are high in protein and contain B vitamins and vitamin C. You should avoid eating the stems and any old or discoloured flowers.

To make the flowers more digestible, you can soak them in salty water or boil them. My favourite way to use the flowers is fresh as a garnish for salads and cakes. To help fresh flowers maintain their vibrant pink colour, it’s best to pick them early in the morning when they are still damp. 

You can also pound the dried flowers into a baking flour. Red clover flour contains no gluten so you need to use a binding agent or mix it with regular flour to ensure your baking holds shape. I also like using the dried flowers to make tea.

Red clover has been used traditionally in folk and herbal medicine. New studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that red clover could aid in the treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

Animals Use

Red clover is also an important food source for bumblebees, deer, groundhogs, rabbits, foxes, Canadian geese, partridge, some species of butterflies, moths, and insects. Animals, like deer, rely on the plant for its high protein content.

Precautions

Eating too much red clover can cause an upset stomach and consuming red clover on a regular basis could interfere with hormones. If you are pregnant or breast feeding you should not consume red clover. It has been linked to pregnancy complications in farm animals. Red clover can also cause complications if you are taking blood thinners. It is especially important that you do not ferment red clover as it becomes a potent blood thinner. Always consult a doctor when introducing new wild foods and herbs and take care to properly identify plants.

Conclusion

Red clover is more than a weed. It’s an important plant with edible and medicinal qualities and an excellent introductory plant for beginner foragers. If you’ve foraged for this plant, I’d love to hear what you have used it for. If you are interested in more posts about foraging check out my recent ‘10 Foods You Can Forage this Spring‘ and my foraging archives.

References

Foster, Steven and James Duke. 2014. Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Peterson, Lee. 1977. Edible Wild Plants: Eastern/Central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Lambert et. al. 2017. “Combined bioavailable isoflavones and probiotics improve bone status and estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal osteopenic women: a randomized controlled trial” in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 

Lambert et. al. 2017. “A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of isoflavone formulations against estrogen-deficient bone resorption in peri- and postmenopausal women” in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Ending Your Backcountry Trip the Right Way

You put a lot of thought into preparing for your backcountry trip but what about ending it? A long trip can take a toll on your body and leave you exhausted, sore, and hungry. Here are some tips to help you end your trip in a positive way. They include measures that will help you care for yourself, others, and your equipment. I’ve divided these tips into two sections; things you should do before you leave a park and things to do once you get home.

Black and white photo of a bow of a canoe on the Pacific Ocean. The shoreline is seen from a distance.

—– Before You Leave the Park —–

You’ve just arrived at your end destination and you’re exhausted. It can be tempting to jump into your vehicle and head home immediately. But there are some things you should do before you leave to protect other park visitors and make your trip home more comfortable.

Check-in with Emergency Contacts

First, it’s important that you touch base with your emergency contacts and let them know that you are okay and have arrived at your end destination. This will help relieve any anxieties they may feel waiting for you. If you are without a phone or without cell service, be sure to contact them as soon as possible. You should always give emergency contacts your estimated time of arrival and try to stick with it as closely as possible. It’s a good idea to leave a phone charger in your vehicle for this purpose.

Report Problems with Campsites or Animals

If you had any problem experiences with animals during the duration of your trip you should report them immediately. You should also report any issues with trails and campsites. You can notify the park of these issues at check-out. Some parks don’t require you to check-out but you should still report any problems. Doing this can help keep others safe from injury. It also gives staff time to address any issues with trails and campsites.

Rehydrate!

Leave a few bottles of water in your vehicle before you set off on your trip. You’ll be thankful that they are waiting for you when you get back. You’re probably a bit dehydrated and drinking more purified lake or river water can be unappealing. I leave a jug of water in my car trunk. I fill my water bottle with it and use the rest to wash up with.

If you aren’t camping in bear country, you can also keep a favourite snack in your vehicle. For me, that’s usually sour candy or mint chocolate. If someone is picking you up, leave them some water and a snack to bring to you.

Have a Change of Shoes and Clothes

You can also leave a change of shoes and clothes in your vehicle for the end of the trip. I exchange my heavy and often wet hiking boots for a comfy sandal or light sneaker. If I have a long trip home or need to run errands, I’ll leave some clothes in my car so I can get changed.

Stretch

Take a moment to stretch. I know, you’ve heard this about exercise before and it’s easy advice to ignore but it will help with recovery, stiffness, and soreness. This is especially important if you are not used to putting your body through a lot of physical exertion.

A woman's feet hang off the edge of a cliff. Below are many trees and a small town is barely visible.

—– At Home —–

When you get back home and back to your regular routine, don’t forget to care for your gear to maximize its lifespan and ensure that you are ready for the next trip.

Dry and Air Out Your Gear

First, unpack your gear and lay it out somewhere to dry and air out. It’s important to do this before packing things away in storage. If not dried out properly, camping materials can begin to mould. It can be unsafe to sleep in a mouldy tent or sleeping bag. Airing out your gear will also help remove lingering campfire smells.

If you are using a water filter, you should remove the filters and let them dry out. This is really important if you plan on using them again. Each filter will come with its own set of instructions for doing this. You can always check the owner’s manual if you are unsure. You should also remove batteries from any electronics like headlamps.

Check Your Equipment

When you are laying out your gear, check it for any damages and restock anything that you used up. It’s especially important to restock your First Aid Kit if you ended up using any of the contents. Other things that may need restocking are matches, lighters, stove fuel, batteries, soap, and toiletries.

Condition Leather Hiking Boots

Your hiking boots should be cleaned, conditioned, and waterproofed. This doesn’t have to happen every trip but doing it once per season is a good idea. Do this by removing dirt and debris and applying a conditioner. You’ll need to allow the conditioner to fully dry before using your boots again.

Conclusion

Do you have any tips for ending a backcountry trip? I’d love to hear about them! Happy camping!

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