People passionate about nature

July 2024

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Cycle Seven Sisters to Pinawa

Cycle Seven Sisters to Pinawa

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 3, 2024

Trip Rating: 

INTERMEDIATE

Contact / Registration: 

Abe Friesen -- register at abeexing@gmail.com

Location / Time: Meet at the Seven Sisters parking lot just below the Hydro dam (Seven Sisters Generating Station) at 9:45 for a 10:00 AM departure. Don’t expect a washroom at the parking lot, but we will stop at the port-a-potties by the parking lot at the start of the Pinawa Channel or the swinging bridge.

Description: We'll cycle to Pinawa along a section of the Pinawa Trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail. We'll stop at the port-a-potties, have lunch at the swinging bridge, and name some of the wild flowers and birds. The trail is mostly dirt and gravel. Approximately 20 to 30 km return.

Bring: Lunch, water, sunscreen, spare tube and repair kit, name tag, binoculars.

Activity Type: 

Jul 3 2024
 
 
 
 
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Boreal Explorations

Boreal Explorations

Monday, July 8, 2024 to Friday, July 12, 2024

Come on a tour of the Mantario Wilderness Zone with botanist and canoeist Charles Burchill and co-leader Gillian Brennan.  Spend 5 days exploring and learning about the boreal forest through paddling and hiking day trips. Get to know the ecology, edibility and uses of plants found in the area.  Just enjoy the wilderness with the comfortable Mantario Cabin as your home base.

Dedicated to the memory of Cam Stacey, a long-time Mantario volunteer who would have loved this trip.

Trip Leaders

Charles Burchill is an avid paddler and field botanist with a keen interest in exploring. He has been a leader with the Mantario program since the 1990s and has enjoyed paddling and exploring the region for many years.

Gillian Brennan loves to spend time in the wilderness doing a wide range of activities. She has been paddling to Mantario since 2007, when she first signed up for a summer program trip with her son. This beautiful and tranquil island has been a special place to her ever since.  She looks forward to sharing it with you this year!

 

 

 

 
Hike Stephenfield Provincial Park

Hike Stephenfield Provincial Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 13, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

 David Spector – Register at davidspector@shaw.ca

Location / Time:  Meet at Petro Canada Gas Station at McGillivray Road & the Perimeter Highway for a  9:30 AM departure.

Description:  Hike the scenic woodland and lakeside trails of Stephenfield Provincial Park.  Afterwards – option to hike the Boyne River Trail in Carman.

Total Distance:  About 8 KM for Stephenfield Park.  An additional 3 KM for Boyne River Trail.

Bring:  lunch, snacks and sufficient water. Contact David Spector email davidspector@shaw.ca to register

Activity Type: 

Jul 13 2024
 
 
 
Cycle from Assiniboine Park Duck Pond to Yellow Ribbon Greenway to Fort Whyte Alive (the sequel)

Cycle from Assiniboine Park Duck Pond to Yellow Ribbon Greenway to Fort Whyte Alive (the sequel)

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 10, 2024

Trip Rating: 

INTERMEDIATE

Contact / Registration: 

Yvette Berube -- register at yvettel3208@gmail.com .  The group size depends on a co-leader volunteering with Yvette. The co-leader would need to know the route. Yvette would offer a map and practice ride for the co-leader. Otherwise there is a maximum of 10 cyclists.

Location: Meet at Assiniboine Park Duck Pond.

Departure Time: 10:00 AM.

Route:
1st loop - 22km - Cycle the Yellow Ribbon Greenway and return to start
2nd loop - 20km - Cycle to Fort Whyte Alive and return to start.

Ride Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours.

Distance: 42 km.

Pace: 15 to 20 KPH.

Lunch: There will be a quick stop for lunch at Assiniboine Park Duck Pond between the 1st and 2nd loops.

Bring: Helmet, sunscreen, water, lunch, and your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Jul 10 2024
 
Paddle Seine River #3

Paddle Seine River #3

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 10, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Kevin & Anita Miller -- register at k.a.miller@mts.net .  19 people have registered as of July 9. One is a bow paddler who is hoping a canoe owner without a bow paddler will register.

Time: Meet before 9:30 AM. Launch before 10:00.

Launch location: Rue Dumoulin & Rue Maisonneuve. There is a large grassy area to launch from. This is point #40 on the Paddling the Seine map.

Description: We will paddle a completely different section of the river than we paddled on June 26, and mostly different from the section we paddled on May 29.
From the launch location, paddle upstream to Morier Park, have lunch, and then paddle downstream back to the launch location. 12K.  But the Red River (mouth of the Seine River) is only 700 metres further downstream, so the plan is to also do it out-and-back. We will pass under bridges 12 times.
This is section 1 plus the north third of section 2 on the Paddling the Seine map. During low water levels, the Tessa Rapids (point #39 on the Paddling the Seine map) is a difficult obstacle, but it won't be a problem at the current high water levels.
JP Brunet will be providing history interpretation. He is a past-president and long-time volunteer with Save Our Seine, and has led a Jane's Walk in the area of the Seine we will be paddling.

Boats: If you don’t have a canoe or kayak, we can try to partner you with a canoe owner who is looking for a bow paddler.

Rating: Novice (bow paddler in the canoe of an experienced stern paddler) to intermediate.

Bring: Lunch, water, sunscreen, your name tag, and extra warm clothes.

Activity Type: 

Jul 10 2024
 
 
 
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Cycle St Boniface to Bunn’s Creek

Cycle St Boniface to Bunn’s Creek

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 17, 2024

Trip Rating: 

INTERMEDIATE

Contact / Registration: 

Cheryl Chesney -- register at cherger@mymts.net . There will be two groups of 12 cyclists.

Location/Time: Meet at Norwood Community Centre parking lot, 87 Walmer Street (washrooms available) for a 9:45 AM departure.

Description: Cycle through St Boniface to the Northeast Pioneers Greenway to Bunn’s Creek. Return via Chief Peguis Greenway to Kildonan Drive, Disraeli foot bridge, along Waterfront Drive through The Forks, and back to Norwood. We will be riding on paved and gravel trails, and also on some roads. There will be a rest stop at Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park where washrooms are available, and a lunch stop at The Forks.

Total distance: ~35 km.

Bring: Helmet, later, lunch, sunscreen, and your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Jul 17 2024
 
 
Mantari-Yoga Weekend

Mantari-Yoga Weekend

Friday, July 19, 2024 to Monday, July 22, 2024

Canoe to the Mantario cabin and enjoy an extra-long weekend away from the internet, traffic and a busy to do list. We will enjoy swimming, hiking, observing boreal plants and wildlife, using the wood-fired sauna, eating well,  and of course doing some yoga. Beginner yogis are very welcome.

Trip Leaders 

Katrina Froese is an environmental educator who loves to canoe in the wilderness and share her curiosity and wonder about the natural world. She discovered her love for the Mantario wilderness on a cross country ski trip to the cabin in 2011 and has led trips in all seasons.

Lise Weatherby is a yoga instructor who draws inspiration for her classes from walking in the woods. She loves being in nature, whether that be canoeing, backcountry camping or cross-country skiing. She looks forward to connecting with you at Mantario.

 

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Mantari-Yoga Weekend

Mantari-Yoga Weekend

Friday, July 19, 2024 to Monday, July 22, 2024

Canoe to the Mantario cabin and enjoy an extra-long weekend away from the internet, traffic and a busy to do list. We will enjoy swimming, hiking, observing boreal plants and wildlife, using the wood-fired sauna, eating well,  and of course doing some yoga. Beginner yogis are very welcome.

Trip Leaders 

Katrina Froese is an environmental educator who loves to canoe in the wilderness and share her curiosity and wonder about the natural world. She discovered her love for the Mantario wilderness on a cross country ski trip to the cabin in 2011 and has led trips in all seasons.

Lise Weatherby is a yoga instructor who draws inspiration for her classes from walking in the woods. She loves being in nature, whether that be canoeing, backcountry camping or cross-country skiing. She looks forward to connecting with you at Mantario.

 

 
 
Falcon Lake hiking, cycling, or paddling ... and some beach time

Falcon Lake hiking, cycling, or paddling ... and some beach time

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 24, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Marilyn McLaren -- register at marilynmc60togo@gmail.com

Location: Falcon Lake. Marilyn will tell you the address of her cottage when you register.

Time: 10:00 AM.

Description: Paddling on Falcon Lake and/or many terrific cycling trails nearby (Trans Canada trail, Falcon South Shore), lots of good hiking trails nearby (Falcon Creek, Top of the World, Hunt Lake, McGillivray Falls)... and enjoy the Falcon Beach.

Bring: Your lunch, equipment for your chosen activities, swim suit / beach towel / chairs, and a dish for potluck dinner at Marilyn's cottage if the group would like to add that to the end of the day.
 

Activity Type: 

Jul 24 2024
 
 
 
Hike the Lakeside Trails on Hecla Island Provincial Park

Hike the Lakeside Trails on Hecla Island Provincial Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 27, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

David Spector – Register at davidspector@shaw.ca

Location / Time:  Meet in McDonald’s at Leila & McPhillips for a 9:15 AM departure.

Description:  Walk the interpretive trail through Hecla Village.  Hike the scenic lakeside trails to a lighthouse and lookouts.

Total Distance:  About 8 KM

Bring:  Lunch, snacks and sufficient water.  After the hike enjoy dinner at the Lakeview Hecla Resort.

email David Spector to register davidspector@shaw.ca

Activity Type: 

Jul 27 2024
 
 
 
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Elk Island hike

Elk Island hike

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

July 31, 2024

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Angela Kemp -- register at ahkemp@yahoo.com

Location / Time: Meet at the 59er (on highway 59, just south of Birds Hill Park) at 8:45 AM for carpooling. Depart at 9:00. Drive north on highway 59. Watch for the drop in the speed limit to 70 km/hr at Albert Beach. 59 makes a left turn into Victoria Beach, but don’t turn. Continue north and you will be on highway 504. Arrive at the dead end of highway 504 at 10:00. Turn round and park along road 504.
Travel route map

Description: The starting point for the hike is at the end of highway 504.
There are no washrooms at the start of the hike. There may be some at Sandy Bay Beach, which is a short distance into the hike. Angela will try to check this out beforehand.
The hike starts by walking west along Olafsson Blvd to Sandy Bay Beach. From there we will walk across the sand spit to Elk Island. Expect to be walking in about knee deep water part of the way across, so water shoes would be a good idea. Once on the island, we can stop so that people can change into dry shoes if they want. After walking along the beach for a bit, there is a trail leading into the woods. It is a not a rugged trail so any comfortable shoes will do. Eventually we will come out to a beautiful sandy beach where we can have lunch. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim. I have seen blueberry plants on the island, so we might find some if we are lucky. After lunch we follow the trail back into the woods and can return by a different trail depending on what people want to do.
In 2019 the Grey Hares' Elk Island hike was almost 20 km.
AllTrails
Photos from 2019

Bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, proper footwear and clothes, and your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Jul 31 2024