Stuck In The Mud

Like so many Canadian trails, the Bakers Brook Falls path has hundreds of yards of boardwalk designed to protect the environment and to keep feet dry across the bogs. I think they might create a false sense of security, lulling walkers into believing the coast is clear when in fact, muddy sinkholes await. An accidental slip sent Reg’s right foot three inches down into the goo while his left foot precariously balanced on a small root. He teetered for a moment and I thought he was going down. Thank goodness for all his morning yoga balance sessions. With a little teamwork, I was able to scoot out and pull his shoe from the muck and we continued on where more surprises awaited.

The moose sign directed us on a short detour leading to what was described as a Moose Enclosure. What!?! Would we finally see one of the giant creatures? Were they really corralled out here behind a fence? That seemed unlikely, but we pushed on, eventually opening a gate and entering the enclosure. An information board explained the purpose of the enclosure was not to see actual moose, but to view the detrimental effects the moose eating habits have on forest growth. We felt cheated!

What we did see plenty of were frogs. Around every bend they sat, one-by-one daring us to pass. Sometimes they jumped out of the way, but often simply expected us to walk around them.

This took us by surprise. The familiar blue sign was staked among the shrubbery about two miles along the trail. Canada really knows how to provide for its hikers. But how’d it look? Of course we had to see for ourselves, hesitantly peeking behind the door. I didn’t use it, but was impressed that there was an actual lift-up seat. In a pinch, this would be a real treat when nature calls in the wilderness.

In between all this excitement the trail meandered through fields and forests. Ferns and wildflowers lined the path as we continued toward Bakers Brook Falls.

At last we reached trails end and the falls. There was another stretch of falls below what is pictured above but with all the dense forest growth, I wasn’t able to get a photo of the entire scene. We had time for a quick lunch before the mosquitoes chased us all the way back to our car.