Spring
Hiking; The good and the bad
Hiking
is a relatively new hobby for me. My love for it started last summer with a few
small excursions to Cape George and Liscombe and all winter my passion has had
time to grow. Now I have a list of sites around Nova Scotia I want to hike this
year including Kejimkujik National Park, Five Islands and Cape Chignecto.
Just
recently I crossed one of the local sites off my list, a short trail in
Scotsburn, Nova Scotia called the Fitzpatrick Mountain Trail. Despite being so
early in the season the morning excursion was a pleasant escape from the house
and a good test of my stamina. The trail is entirely uphill until you reach
Stonehame Chalets. Stonehame is a rustic mountain retreat at the top of
Fitzpatrick Mountain that offers guests cozy chalets and beautiful scenery
without going too far from town. 
The
trail is eight kilometers long and travels up and slightly over the hill though
I only made it as far the lodge on my first trip. The trail is made up mostly
of footpaths and meanders through a variety of trees and brush. There is a
stream that occasionally parallels the path or crosses over it and an ancient
stone fence from
the early 1900’s when farmers used them to divide the land.
While
I trekked up the hill one thought began rolling around in my head. April is
pretty early in the season to be traipsing up a hill and as a beginner hiker I
am still learning the tricks of the trade. My question was when IS the best
time to hike in Nova Scotia?
Immediately
several pluses to hiking early came to mind; then of course the opposite side
of the argument began to reveal itself. Listed below are several of the
positives and negatives that I came up with during the hike. Please keep in
mind these are the views of a beginner and not a seasoned hiker.
Positives
Weather
is cooler
o
With the cool spring breezes it becomes
harder to overheat while hiking. During the summer months when the weather is
hot and muggy it can be difficult to maintain proper hydration while doing
physical activity especially something as strenuous as hiking. It is very
important to carry plenty of water with you or ensure there is ready source
nearby during a hike such as a fresh water spring. Cooler weather makes it much
easier to keep hydrated.
Few
to no bugs
o
I hate bugs, loathe them in fact.
Nothing is worse than walking face first into a spider web stretched across the
trail. Not only are bugs an annoyance, when hiking they can actually be
dangerous. Insects like ticks can carry harmful diseases and are often found in
the woods. In the early spring most insects are still hiding away from the cold
making it much easier (and far less annoying) to protect against them.
Less
people on the trail
o
Not everyone would consider this a bonus
but for me it’s a personal thing. The less people there are on the trail the
fewer people that see me ungracefully huff and puff my way up the hill. I can
be diplomatic though and have included this under negative as well.
Better
chance of seeing wildlife
o
Spring is the season when much of the
woodland wildlife is coming out of their hidey holes to forge for food or find
a mate. In the heat of the summer many of the animals you could see hiking are
hiding out in cool caves or shaded areas to chill out but in the spring they
are out and about. On our hike at Fitzpatrick Mountain we saw an abundance of
critters out looking for food.
Negatives
Unpredictable
weather
o
Spring weather can be erratic at the
best of times anywhere in the world but in Nova Scotia it can be particularly
moody switching from a lovely sunny day to a torrential downpour in seconds.
With a little preparation you can prevent your hike from being ruined by having
the right gear with you. Always check the weather prior to leaving and pack
appropriately, if there is a chance of rain (and sometimes even if there isn’t)
make sure to have waterproof equipment with you.
Muddy
or messy trails
o
The hike to the mountain was very nice
but there were a few extremely mucky patches and even a few ice covered hills
that made climbing a little treacherous. Many of the trails in Nova Scotia are
maintained by volunteers and they don’t often get out early to clean the trails
this can mean more debris on the trail or even washed out sections depending on
where you go. My best recommendation is to have proper footwear and if you see
debris or garbage on the trail move it aside or even pick it up and dispose of
it. A little help can go a long way with some of the volunteer organizations.
Less
people on the trail
o
As I mentioned above this can be a
positive or a negative. For me it was a personal positive but overall this can
actually be a negative. If you get injured while hiking during the early season
the chances of someone being nearby to assist you drastically decrease. Always
be sure to tell someone where you are going and how long you think you will be
gone. Even better always bring a buddy. We learned the buddy system from an
early age don’t let the lesson go to waste!
For
me the positives far outweigh the negatives but to each his own. The main goal
of hiking should be to have fun while doing something you love! If you would
like more information on hiking in Nova Scotia check out some of the great
resources below and remember have fun and be safe.
