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> This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. --Boundary_(ID_NVcSvFv9S1FsKq9srHSmpA) Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Daily News, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006 Sunday, September 3, 2006 Challenging, but satisfying New trail system passes through forest, lakes and sweeping views By Janet Barlow The Daily News It's a rugged, challenging system of trails that promises to leave you tired but satisfied at the end. The Crowbar Lake Hiking Trail, the newest addition to HRM's trail system, officially opened last Saturday. "It's a beautiful area," says Oliver Maass. "There's a mix of lakes and rivers and stillwater, and in between there's rugged, granite hills. It's a forest environment with a real mix of species and ages. So it's great variety on the trail system - great views." Maass is a regional protected areas co-ordinator with the province's Environment and Labour Department. The trail system falls mostly within the Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area in Porters Lake. It was built by the Porters Lake and Myra Road Wilderness Area Association through partnership agreements with the Environment and Labour and Natural Resources departments. Trail construction began in early 2004, after Hurricane Juan swept through. The felled trees presented a challenge, but trail builders made the most of the wood available. For example, a 30-foot pine tree brought down by the storm was used to build a bridge over a nearby stream. There are four trail loops. They allow you to hike as little as 2.4 or up to 20 kilometres return, depending on your energy and ambition. A rough footpath takes you over a challenging up-and-down trail. Perhaps the most challenging section is the first half-kilometre or so. It's an uphill climb aided by coarse stone steps. The trail passes through mixed forest highlighted by old red spruce and white pine. Jack pine barrens and rocky outcroppings punctuate the landscape. High hilltops offer sweeping views. Lakes, ponds and streams invite tired feet to take a soothing dip in their cool waters. You Are Here map signs are scattered along the trail, but you should bring a trail map with you. Find a map and trail description at www.trails. gov.ns.ca/SharedUse/hx122.html. Only hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed on the trail. Take care in the fall, though, because hunting is allowed here, as is fishing and trapping. "It's very accessible to a large population for their enjoyment," says Maass. "I'm expecting it will see a lot of use." j.barlow@ns.sympatico.ca Janet Barlow is an environmental educator and co-author of the trail activity book Earth Adventures in the Halifax Region: 25 Nature Trails for Fun and Discovery. She lives in Halifax. --Boundary_(ID_NVcSvFv9S1FsKq9srHSmpA) Content-type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT <HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>FW: Challenging, but satisfying -- New trail system passes through forest, lakes and sweeping views</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <BR> <FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial">Daily News, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006<BR> </FONT></FONT> <BR> Sunday, September 3, 2006<BR> <BR> <B>Challenging, but satisfying</B> <BR> <B>New trail system passes through forest, lakes and sweeping views</B> <BR> <FONT SIZE="5"> <BR> </FONT><B>By Janet Barlow<BR> The Daily News<BR> </B><FONT SIZE="5"><BR> </FONT>It's a rugged, challenging system of trails that promises to leave you tired but satisfied at the end. The Crowbar Lake Hiking Trail, the newest addition to HRM's trail system, officially opened last Saturday.<BR> <BR> "It's a beautiful area," says Oliver Maass. "There's a mix of lakes and rivers and stillwater, and in between there's rugged, granite hills. It's a forest environment with a real mix of species and ages. So it's great variety on the trail system - great views."<BR> <BR> Maass is a regional protected areas co-ordinator with the province's Environment and Labour Department. The trail system falls mostly within the Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area in Porters Lake.<BR> <BR> It was built by the Porters Lake and Myra Road Wilderness Area Association through partnership agreements with the Environment and Labour and Natural Resources departments.<BR> <BR> Trail construction began in early 2004, after Hurricane Juan swept through. The felled trees presented a challenge, but trail builders made the most of the wood available. For example, a 30-foot pine tree brought down by the storm was used to build a bridge over a nearby stream.<BR> <BR> There are four trail loops. They allow you to hike as little as 2.4 or up to 20 kilometres return, depending on your energy and ambition.<BR> <BR> A rough footpath takes you over a challenging up-and-down trail. Perhaps the most challenging section is the first half-kilometre or so. It's an uphill climb aided by coarse stone steps.<BR> <BR> The trail passes through mixed forest highlighted by old red spruce and white pine. Jack pine barrens and rocky outcroppings punctuate the landscape. High hilltops offer sweeping views. Lakes, ponds and streams invite tired feet to take a soothing dip in their cool waters.<BR> <BR> You Are Here map signs are scattered along the trail, but you should bring a trail map with you. Find a map and trail description at www.trails. gov.ns.ca/SharedUse/hx122.html. <BR> <BR> <BR> Only hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed on the trail. Take care in the fall, though, because hunting is allowed here, as is fishing and trapping.<BR> <BR> "It's very accessible to a large population for their enjoyment," says Maass. "I'm expecting it will see a lot of use."<BR> <BR> <I>j.barlow@ns.sympatico.ca<BR> </I><BR> <I>Janet Barlow is an environmental educator and co-author of the trail activity book Earth Adventures in the Halifax Region: 25 Nature Trails for Fun and Discovery. She lives in Halifax.</I> <BR> <BR> </BODY> </HTML> --Boundary_(ID_NVcSvFv9S1FsKq9srHSmpA)--
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