Navigating fresh snow - Breaking Trail

by Peg Lariviere

What a winter storm!!

This past Saturday, March 21, Gord took me to Blind River so I could get some outdoor exercise by snowshoeing along the Youngfox and Mossy Rock loops. The combo is a good distance for me at this time in my life. When we arrived in the parking lot, I could see that hikers had created a nice, wide trail. I strapped on my shoes and started off. I reached the first junction of the Youngfox and Mossy Rock loops. Ahead, one person had continued on the Youngfox, while the Mossy Rock loop had been well used. What to do?

I felt a deep connection to whoever had laid the first tracks on the Youngfox. I added my tracks to theirs. Further along, the hiker had decided to turn around and head back. The snow was deep with a crust of freezing rain on top, so it was tough going. Now what to do? I continued on until I could see a large (high and wide) snowdrift across the trail, and then I, too, turned around.

Back at the junction, I turned right onto the Mossy Rock loop. It was easy going until just after I’d stopped for a snack. The track narrowed (fewer people) until again, only one hiker. And then that person had turned back, and what was left were tracks that were snowed-in. They looked like they belonged to a person with small feet and a short stride. At this point, I needed to make a decision. Did I want to challenge myself as I did last January, where I recorded 10 days with 10,000 steps, or this past summer when I kayaked from the mouth of the Mississagi River along Lake Huron, into the Serpent Harbour and up the Serpent River to a point on Riverview Rd opposite the junction of Hwys 17 and108 in 4 parts, a total of 38.5km?

Breaking trail had been in the back of my mind all winter, so why not?

I wasn’t far from the next 911 signpost, and when I got there, I let Gord know which signpost number I was at. I didn’t tell him what I was attempting to do because he wouldn’t be a happy camper! The small tracks I was following followed the trail for a fair distance, then veered to the left. I’d been following animal tracks - a fairly large animal.

I continued to contact Gord at each of the signposts that followed, and at number 7, I let him know I was back at the Youngfox loop and returning to the parking lot. Again, I didn’t tell him that I still had trail to break until I conquered the snowdrift. I was going uphill so I could see my tracks on the other side and knew I didn’t have too far to go.

I made it back to Gord - I was proud of myself, and I’d made it without serious consequences from Gord or someone else. :)

Finishing the trail someone else had initiated was more than just completing a physical path; it was teamwork and a shared passion. It gave me a good feeling knowing that others would benefit from these trails in the days to come, just as I had today. 

As we navigate through life, we often find ourselves walking paths originally forged by others. Whether it’s in outdoor adventures, career choices, or personal growth, recognizing those who came before us helps us appreciate the journey we’re on.

So, to whoever started breaking those trails in Blind River after that humongous snowstorm, thank you! Your efforts inspired me to keep going, and I hope to carry that spirit with me always.