Welcome to all guests and travelers who enjoy Manitoba outdoors. Spring on the Canadian prairies is perhaps the most alive and sensory time of the year. From the early northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, swans and many waterfowl that come seeking nesting habitats, to the later warblers, spring migration is an ancient ritual for birds. However, it is also the very reason that we have had, for many years, birding groups come from the United States seeking opportunities to see boreal and migrant birds that are highly sought out by our "southern" guests. They come because our prairie potholes are pulsing with life, elk and moose and bison are birthing, and our rivers have lost their winter ice cover.

This is a time of year when it seems as if Manitoba's people and communities have awakened from a deep sleep. Seeding on the farms is taking place - you'll see lots of seeding equipment and long-tilled rows that extend to the horizon. Gardens are being planted, and in Manitoba that means lots of new produce for the season. Local, organic gardens are also being planted as we all take note of the need to include quality, local foods in our diets. We invite you to indulge in Manitoba regional cuisine that offers grazing animals native to our prairies (bison), fish from the large lakes (pickerel), and fresh local produce. We are proud of how the food and cuisine from "the Heartland of Canada" has become part of the outdoor experience. We begin our ritual "BBQ's" that last from spring to late fall in our backyards. Our outdoors is both big and small.

My name is Celes Davar, president of Earth Rhythms (http://www.earthrhythms.ca). I would like to welcome each of you to experience Manitoba's rites of spring - the increased hours of sunlight, the return of geese, swans and ducks to nest in the richest habitat region for waterfowl in North America, and to become more active as hikers, walkers, cyclists, or paddlers. From Winnipeg to The Pas, at Gimli, and in the Turtle Mountains, and along our country roads, make a pledge this year wherever you travel on business or for pleasure - Stay fit, get outdoors, and celebrate healthy bodies, healthy lives, and a healthy planet! Manitoba outdoors, naturally!

I invite you to take a look at the long list of summer festivals that are around the corner in many small corners of the province, and plan your outdoor getaways to coincide with these festivals.

Celes Davar

Does it seem a little early in the year to be thinking about next summer's hiking and biking adventures? Well, just like the avid gardeners who start poring over seed catalogues in January, those who enjoy exploring the great outdoors along our country's well-developed trail system are being prompted by the first hint of spring to pull out their dog-eared trail guides and tattered maps to start planning for the upcoming season.

With nearly 400 km of trails, Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) strives to be the premier destination of trail users of all persuasions, whether they prefer travel by foot, bike or horse. There is something for every interest and ability from the handicapped accessible boardwalk trail of Ominnik Marsh, to the spectacular experience of a mountain bike descent on the J.E.T. trail along the North Escarpment.

Park interpretive staff offer a wealth of information
Patrick McDermott is an Interpreter with RMNP. He and his fellow staff members are more than just tour guides. They help people access experiences that will open their eyes to the treasures awaiting them in all corners of RMNP. "If you want to take in a trail or two on your visit, we'll help you pick a hike that suits your needs," explains McDermott. "Come to the Visitor Centre. We have very capable staff who will offer several options for you to choose from because they want to make it a memorable experience for you."

McDermott suggests that timing can play a role in where you choose to go. Once the trails clear of snow, trekking along the escarpment is spectacular. The east side of the park offers breathtaking views of streams in full spring runoff. And if your timing is right, you will find many crocuses especially along the Gorge Creek trail. "When you go down to the Gorge Creek trail be sure to look out for the ‘snout' about midway down the trail," says McDermott. "It's a spit of land that juts out between two gorges and you can see the Manitoba plains in the distance. It's a really good example of how two ecological zones come together: there is oak savannah on the left, then a mixed wood forest of spruce and aspen on the right. Gorge Creek is a fairly challenging hike but your average hiker can make it. It's 13 km there and back."

A shorter and gentler but no less rewarding trail is Burls and Bitterweet located on the far east end of Highway #19.

"It's not hard to do and takes you into an idyllic forest setting," says McDermott. There the vegetation is surprisingly diverse due to the more temperate weather conditions on the lee side of the escarpment. There are huge cottonwoods, high bush cranberries, plums, and hawthorn trees to be found along the trail. The short loop is 1km long and the long loop is 2.2km long. The trail straddles Dead Ox Creek offering varied terrain, and several scenic pauses at the edge of the water. This is one of RMNP's self-guided interpretive experiences with information panels dotting the trail and providing many interesting facts about the flora and fauna of this ecosystem.

Trail Guide available
For those outdoor adventurers who need a of quick fix to tide them over until the trails dry up, there is a RMNP Trail Guide (published by Friends of RMNP, in 2005) available at the Friends office in the Administration Building in Wasagaming. Once the Townsite businesses open again in early May, the guide will also be available at the Nature Shop in the Visitor Centre in Wasagaming, as well as other locations in and around the park.

Community involvement in upcoming trail improvements
To understand the trail system in RMNP, it helps to understand the history of the park. In the early days, logging was permitted and even encouraged for relief workers during the Great Depression. This led to a series of roads being built to provide access to stands of timber. When logging was discontinued in the park, these wide level tracks were converted into what still makes up the backbone of the trail system today.

"All these trails were basically built for horse drawn wagons, trucks and equipment to move around efficiently. They were not designed with recreation in mind," explains Steve Cornelsen, Resource Management and Public Safety Specialist with RMNP. "There are some newer spur trails to the scenic vistas but no direct routes to such places as Bald Hill, arguably one of the most spectacular views in the park. An improvement there would include moving the J.E.T. over to the edge of the escarpment so that it follows that ridge for about 2 km of very dramatic views. This kind of trail would be suitable for biking, hiking and horses."

Also high on the "good idea" list, according to Cornelsen, is connecting the J.E.T. to the Bald Hill trail and the Bald Hill trail to the East Gate National Historic Site.

"It would be a rugged 'goat' trail but it would be suitable for the kind of challenging hike many visitors are looking for these days."

Through a series of community meetings, ideas like this are being brought forward to help develop a draft trail and backcountry use plan that people can have a look at this summer.

Horse and wagon trails
Horse and wagon enthusiasts were very well represented at these meetings and made known their wish to see better watering facilities at the campsites along these trails.

"We will be putting in wells over the next few years in the popular campsites where the public has identified a need for them," confirmed Cornelsen, himself an avid horseman.

(A word of caution though: these wells in the backcountry are not tested and the water is not considered potable. Campers will have to bring their own drinking water or be prepared to purify the water to ensure it is safe for human consumption. Information about how to do this is available when you pick up your backcountry camping permit.)

Given that the "Riding" in "Riding Mountain National Park" comes from the fact that at one time horses were the most efficient way to travel across the rugged landscape of the park, horse use is an important tradition along these trails. This activity is alive and well within the park and visitors are sometimes treated to the sight of an old fashioned wagon train or a group of riders out on the trails that accommodate these activities.

Hiking and biking
At the other end of the wilderness experience spectrum are the single-track primitive trails that accommodate foot and pedal powered transportation. Properly designed, this type of trail requires little in the way of maintenance and can also form the basis of partnerships between the public and the park. Several of these types of proposals are being considered at this time, especially on the Escarpment.

"If we ever got into a partnership with a mountain biking group I could see them building a set of single-track trails. We have to consider the plans carefully, especially in ecologically sensitive areas, but these sorts of arrangements will allow the trail system to grow because it won't create a big drain on existing trail personnel and resources." People who have notable and rewarding experiences in the park soon become very connected to it. They frequently come forward and ask about volunteer opportunities. The management of RMNP is receptive to proposals from individuals and groups whose interest has gradually shifted from visitation to stewardship.

Steve's favorite trail
What about Steve Cornelsen's most treasured site in RMNP? Bear in mind that this is a man who has covered nearly every single inch of trail out there. After some humming and hawing, he finally ‘fessed up that there is one spot that stands out from the rest for him. "Seech Prairie south of Whitewater Lake and Whitewater Lake itself. I'd like to see a primitive campsite built there some day. There are presently no public trails in that area. Right now you have to follow an old warden patrol trail from Long Lake to Whitewater. If you camp there at certain times of the year, you are practically guaranteed to see wolves, elk, moose, and all kinds of waterfowl. There are beautiful spots on the shores of Whitewater Lake that would make ideal campsites. There really are lots of stunning places in this park where we don't have trails, and we think we should share them with everybody."

For more information about trails, camping and special events, please call 204-848-7275, or email rmnp.info@pc.gc.ca.

By CATE WATROUS

"The majority of people who come to Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) don’t go past Clear Lake, but there is so much more to see out there," says Alf Stanley of Onanole. He is the membership and communications coordinator with the Westman Wilderness Club (WWC), an informal yet active group of outdoor enthusiasts who organize excursions all year round to explore western Manitoba’s natural treasures.

"If people went out on one of the trails outside the Townsite of Wasagaming just once, they would see how special it is and would go back again and again," explains Stanley who has been a club member since 1992. "About sixty percent of our events take place in RMNP."

WWC’s most popular outings take place at Gorge Creek, Moon Lake, Bald Hill and the North Escarpment. They also organize many canoe trips like the one from Whirlpool down Whirlpool River to Highway #19.

"We really work hard when we get new members to encourage them and help them with any advice they might be looking for," explains Stanley. "We try to give them the information they need to pick the events that are suitable to their skill level. And we never leave anyone behind on the trail! Experienced members will watch out for newcomers and make sure they are well looked after."

The WWC is always willing to accept new members, and they don’t have to be experienced. Anyone who is not yet a member is welcome to join the group on two events without charge. After that they are asked to choose whether or not to sign up. Membership fees are very reasonable: just $20 for a family, or $15 for a single person. Park entry fees and personal equipment are the responsibility of the individual members, and the large schedule of events means that there will be something to appeal to everyone’s tastes.

Some of this season’s events will include the popular Whirlpool Lake canoe trip, a hike along the park boundary west of Lake Audy, a weekend bike and camping trip to Kinnis Creek, a couple of hikes in the Agassiz Ski Hill area, and a hike around Moon Lake, just to name a few.

"Remember that even a bad day on the trail is better than a good day at work," concludes Stanley. For more information about the Westman Wilderness Club, including their upcoming event schedule, visit their website at: www.westmanwildernessclub.ca. Or you can call Alf at 729-1055, or Eldon 476-6434.

In the CAA article Road Trip: History comes alive in Manitoba, Michelle Sponagle writes: "Spruce Woods Provincial Park... you may wonder if you're still in Canada when you see the desert-like Spirit Sands area, complete with shifting sand dunes and cacti."

Next, in White Creatures of the North (Daily Herald, Chicago), Kathy Rodeghie shares her beluga whale kayaking experience: "One bold fellow torpedoes straight toward me, surfaces and sprays from his blowhole before diving under my kayak and swimming away".

And finally, for Snowshoe Magazine, Debbie McKeown tells of Stories in the Snow - Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba:

"Soon we pull out our snowshoes for a hike to Hyde Lake where we negotiate hawthorn and hazel bushes, once again reading the stories of the Park. We note where hazel has been freshly browsed by moose for nutrients provided by the new branches. We see indentations in the snow where elk bedded down for the night, and learn to differentiate between coyote and wolf tracks. The energy in the Park is palpable. There are tracks everywhere, and wildlife sightings are frequent. A herd of elk crosses the road in front of us as we leave Hyde Lake, and we continually see and hear jays, chickadees and snow buntings."

Our 2008 contest has closed, and we have a winner! Congratulations to Michelle Yanew, of Medicine Hat, Alberta! Her moment, "Roadtrip with my BFF," was randomly selected from all entries. Good news - her BFF Nicole is joining her this time around too! Don't worry, we're working on an amazing prize for 2009, so keep your unique Manitoba Outdoors Adventure moments coming! For example, here's a great moment from Lynne Ceeney:

MIDNIGHT EXPLORER
Someone tired after a wonderful day watching polar bears at close range on the tundra, I was fast asleep in my cozy single bed at Seal River Lodge, on a Churchill Wild trip. The exercise of walking in deep snow - and we Brits are not used to such cold! - by the Hudson Bay had resulted in a very deep sleep. Hearing the words "don't panic, wake up" whispered in my ear had a remarkably quick effect on my brain, I became fully conscious and upright rather faster than I would have thought possible! My partner, formerly sleeping in the bed on the other side of the room had "felt" the polar bear lean on the outside of the bedroom wall... READ MORE

READ MORE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE MOMENTS

Welcome to all guests and travelers who enjoy Manitoba outdoors. Spring on the Canadian prairies is perhaps the most alive and sensory time of the year. From the early northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, swans and many waterfowl that come seeking nesting habitats, to the later warblers, spring migration is an ancient ritual for birds. However, it is also the very reason that we have had, for many years, birding groups come from the United States seeking opportunities to see boreal and migrant birds that are highly sought out by our "southern" guests. They come because our prairie potholes are pulsing with life, elk and moose and bison are birthing, and our rivers have lost their winter ice cover.

This is a time of year when it seems as if Manitoba's people and communities have awakened from a deep sleep. Seeding on the farms is taking place - you'll see lots of seeding equipment and long-tilled rows that extend to the horizon. Gardens are being planted, and in Manitoba that means lots of new produce for the season. Local, organic gardens are also being planted as we all take note of the need to include quality, local foods in our diets. We invite you to indulge in Manitoba regional cuisine that offers grazing animals native to our prairies (bison), fish from the large lakes (pickerel), and fresh local produce. We are proud of how the food and cuisine from "the Heartland of Canada" has become part of the outdoor experience. We begin our ritual "BBQ's" that last from spring to late fall in our backyards. Our outdoors is both big and small.

My name is Celes Davar, president of Earth Rhythms (http://www.earthrhythms.ca). I would like to welcome each of you to experience Manitoba's rites of spring - the increased hours of sunlight, the return of geese, swans and ducks to nest in the richest habitat region for waterfowl in North America, and to become more active as hikers, walkers, cyclists, or paddlers. From Winnipeg to The Pas, at Gimli, and in the Turtle Mountains, and along our country roads, make a pledge this year wherever you travel on business or for pleasure - Stay fit, get outdoors, and celebrate healthy bodies, healthy lives, and a healthy planet! Manitoba outdoors, naturally!

I invite you to take a look at the long list of summer festivals that are around the corner in many small corners of the province, and plan your outdoor getaways to coincide with these festivals.

Celes Davar

Does it seem a little early in the year to be thinking about next summer's hiking and biking adventures? Well, just like the avid gardeners who start poring over seed catalogues in January, those who enjoy exploring the great outdoors along our country's well-developed trail system are being prompted by the first hint of spring to pull out their dog-eared trail guides and tattered maps to start planning for the upcoming season.

With nearly 400 km of trails, Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) strives to be the premier destination of trail users of all persuasions, whether they prefer travel by foot, bike or horse. There is something for every interest and ability from the handicapped accessible boardwalk trail of Ominnik Marsh, to the spectacular experience of a mountain bike descent on the J.E.T. trail along the North Escarpment.

Park interpretive staff offer a wealth of information
Patrick McDermott is an Interpreter with RMNP. He and his fellow staff members are more than just tour guides. They help people access experiences that will open their eyes to the treasures awaiting them in all corners of RMNP. "If you want to take in a trail or two on your visit, we'll help you pick a hike that suits your needs," explains McDermott. "Come to the Visitor Centre. We have very capable staff who will offer several options for you to choose from because they want to make it a memorable experience for you."

McDermott suggests that timing can play a role in where you choose to go. Once the trails clear of snow, trekking along the escarpment is spectacular. The east side of the park offers breathtaking views of streams in full spring runoff. And if your timing is right, you will find many crocuses especially along the Gorge Creek trail. "When you go down to the Gorge Creek trail be sure to look out for the ‘snout' about midway down the trail," says McDermott. "It's a spit of land that juts out between two gorges and you can see the Manitoba plains in the distance. It's a really good example of how two ecological zones come together: there is oak savannah on the left, then a mixed wood forest of spruce and aspen on the right. Gorge Creek is a fairly challenging hike but your average hiker can make it. It's 13 km there and back."

A shorter and gentler but no less rewarding trail is Burls and Bitterweet located on the far east end of Highway #19.

"It's not hard to do and takes you into an idyllic forest setting," says McDermott. There the vegetation is surprisingly diverse due to the more temperate weather conditions on the lee side of the escarpment. There are huge cottonwoods, high bush cranberries, plums, and hawthorn trees to be found along the trail. The short loop is 1km long and the long loop is 2.2km long. The trail straddles Dead Ox Creek offering varied terrain, and several scenic pauses at the edge of the water. This is one of RMNP's self-guided interpretive experiences with information panels dotting the trail and providing many interesting facts about the flora and fauna of this ecosystem.

Trail Guide available
For those outdoor adventurers who need a of quick fix to tide them over until the trails dry up, there is a RMNP Trail Guide (published by Friends of RMNP, in 2005) available at the Friends office in the Administration Building in Wasagaming. Once the Townsite businesses open again in early May, the guide will also be available at the Nature Shop in the Visitor Centre in Wasagaming, as well as other locations in and around the park.

Community involvement in upcoming trail improvements
To understand the trail system in RMNP, it helps to understand the history of the park. In the early days, logging was permitted and even encouraged for relief workers during the Great Depression. This led to a series of roads being built to provide access to stands of timber. When logging was discontinued in the park, these wide level tracks were converted into what still makes up the backbone of the trail system today.

"All these trails were basically built for horse drawn wagons, trucks and equipment to move around efficiently. They were not designed with recreation in mind," explains Steve Cornelsen, Resource Management and Public Safety Specialist with RMNP. "There are some newer spur trails to the scenic vistas but no direct routes to such places as Bald Hill, arguably one of the most spectacular views in the park. An improvement there would include moving the J.E.T. over to the edge of the escarpment so that it follows that ridge for about 2 km of very dramatic views. This kind of trail would be suitable for biking, hiking and horses."

Also high on the "good idea" list, according to Cornelsen, is connecting the J.E.T. to the Bald Hill trail and the Bald Hill trail to the East Gate National Historic Site.

"It would be a rugged 'goat' trail but it would be suitable for the kind of challenging hike many visitors are looking for these days."

Through a series of community meetings, ideas like this are being brought forward to help develop a draft trail and backcountry use plan that people can have a look at this summer.

Horse and wagon trails
Horse and wagon enthusiasts were very well represented at these meetings and made known their wish to see better watering facilities at the campsites along these trails.

"We will be putting in wells over the next few years in the popular campsites where the public has identified a need for them," confirmed Cornelsen, himself an avid horseman.

(A word of caution though: these wells in the backcountry are not tested and the water is not considered potable. Campers will have to bring their own drinking water or be prepared to purify the water to ensure it is safe for human consumption. Information about how to do this is available when you pick up your backcountry camping permit.)

Given that the "Riding" in "Riding Mountain National Park" comes from the fact that at one time horses were the most efficient way to travel across the rugged landscape of the park, horse use is an important tradition along these trails. This activity is alive and well within the park and visitors are sometimes treated to the sight of an old fashioned wagon train or a group of riders out on the trails that accommodate these activities.

Hiking and biking
At the other end of the wilderness experience spectrum are the single-track primitive trails that accommodate foot and pedal powered transportation. Properly designed, this type of trail requires little in the way of maintenance and can also form the basis of partnerships between the public and the park. Several of these types of proposals are being considered at this time, especially on the Escarpment.

"If we ever got into a partnership with a mountain biking group I could see them building a set of single-track trails. We have to consider the plans carefully, especially in ecologically sensitive areas, but these sorts of arrangements will allow the trail system to grow because it won't create a big drain on existing trail personnel and resources." People who have notable and rewarding experiences in the park soon become very connected to it. They frequently come forward and ask about volunteer opportunities. The management of RMNP is receptive to proposals from individuals and groups whose interest has gradually shifted from visitation to stewardship.

Steve's favorite trail
What about Steve Cornelsen's most treasured site in RMNP? Bear in mind that this is a man who has covered nearly every single inch of trail out there. After some humming and hawing, he finally ‘fessed up that there is one spot that stands out from the rest for him. "Seech Prairie south of Whitewater Lake and Whitewater Lake itself. I'd like to see a primitive campsite built there some day. There are presently no public trails in that area. Right now you have to follow an old warden patrol trail from Long Lake to Whitewater. If you camp there at certain times of the year, you are practically guaranteed to see wolves, elk, moose, and all kinds of waterfowl. There are beautiful spots on the shores of Whitewater Lake that would make ideal campsites. There really are lots of stunning places in this park where we don't have trails, and we think we should share them with everybody."

For more information about trails, camping and special events, please call 204-848-7275, or email rmnp.info@pc.gc.ca.

By CATE WATROUS

"The majority of people who come to Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) don’t go past Clear Lake, but there is so much more to see out there," says Alf Stanley of Onanole. He is the membership and communications coordinator with the Westman Wilderness Club (WWC), an informal yet active group of outdoor enthusiasts who organize excursions all year round to explore western Manitoba’s natural treasures.

"If people went out on one of the trails outside the Townsite of Wasagaming just once, they would see how special it is and would go back again and again," explains Stanley who has been a club member since 1992. "About sixty percent of our events take place in RMNP."

WWC’s most popular outings take place at Gorge Creek, Moon Lake, Bald Hill and the North Escarpment. They also organize many canoe trips like the one from Whirlpool down Whirlpool River to Highway #19.

"We really work hard when we get new members to encourage them and help them with any advice they might be looking for," explains Stanley. "We try to give them the information they need to pick the events that are suitable to their skill level. And we never leave anyone behind on the trail! Experienced members will watch out for newcomers and make sure they are well looked after."

The WWC is always willing to accept new members, and they don’t have to be experienced. Anyone who is not yet a member is welcome to join the group on two events without charge. After that they are asked to choose whether or not to sign up. Membership fees are very reasonable: just $20 for a family, or $15 for a single person. Park entry fees and personal equipment are the responsibility of the individual members, and the large schedule of events means that there will be something to appeal to everyone’s tastes.

Some of this season’s events will include the popular Whirlpool Lake canoe trip, a hike along the park boundary west of Lake Audy, a weekend bike and camping trip to Kinnis Creek, a couple of hikes in the Agassiz Ski Hill area, and a hike around Moon Lake, just to name a few.

"Remember that even a bad day on the trail is better than a good day at work," concludes Stanley. For more information about the Westman Wilderness Club, including their upcoming event schedule, visit their website at: www.westmanwildernessclub.ca. Or you can call Alf at 729-1055, or Eldon 476-6434.

In the CAA article Road Trip: History comes alive in Manitoba, Michelle Sponagle writes: "Spruce Woods Provincial Park... you may wonder if you're still in Canada when you see the desert-like Spirit Sands area, complete with shifting sand dunes and cacti."

Next, in White Creatures of the North (Daily Herald, Chicago), Kathy Rodeghie shares her beluga whale kayaking experience: "One bold fellow torpedoes straight toward me, surfaces and sprays from his blowhole before diving under my kayak and swimming away".

And finally, for Snowshoe Magazine, Debbie McKeown tells of Stories in the Snow - Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba:

"Soon we pull out our snowshoes for a hike to Hyde Lake where we negotiate hawthorn and hazel bushes, once again reading the stories of the Park. We note where hazel has been freshly browsed by moose for nutrients provided by the new branches. We see indentations in the snow where elk bedded down for the night, and learn to differentiate between coyote and wolf tracks. The energy in the Park is palpable. There are tracks everywhere, and wildlife sightings are frequent. A herd of elk crosses the road in front of us as we leave Hyde Lake, and we continually see and hear jays, chickadees and snow buntings."

Our 2008 contest has closed, and we have a winner! Congratulations to Michelle Yanew, of Medicine Hat, Alberta! Her moment, "Roadtrip with my BFF," was randomly selected from all entries. Good news - her BFF Nicole is joining her this time around too! Don't worry, we're working on an amazing prize for 2009, so keep your unique Manitoba Outdoors Adventure moments coming! For example, here's a great moment from Lynne Ceeney:

MIDNIGHT EXPLORER
Someone tired after a wonderful day watching polar bears at close range on the tundra, I was fast asleep in my cozy single bed at Seal River Lodge, on a Churchill Wild trip. The exercise of walking in deep snow - and we Brits are not used to such cold! - by the Hudson Bay had resulted in a very deep sleep. Hearing the words "don't panic, wake up" whispered in my ear had a remarkably quick effect on my brain, I became fully conscious and upright rather faster than I would have thought possible! My partner, formerly sleeping in the bed on the other side of the room had "felt" the polar bear lean on the outside of the bedroom wall... READ MORE

READ MORE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE MOMENTS