Top Shelf Angie

Blueberry Mountain

On Friday October 10th, I set out in search of the best local view of the Fall Colours.  I chose to hike Blueberry Mountain in the Lanark highlands.  I have never been to this trail before and it certainly did not disappoint.

Blueberry Mountain is listed as one of the seven wonders of Lanark County.  It is part of CliffLAND, owned by the Clifford family; this special piece of the Canadian Shield has been protected in perpetuity by a land trust and is accessible to the public for hiking year-round. 

Arriving at Blueberry Mountain there is a decent sized parking area with additional parking possible along the road.  You are then greeted by a large sign, with a guest book and box to deposit your signed waivers (the only requirement for land access), underneath.

Even with the many fallen leaves, the trail was well defined and easy to navigate.  I am a sucker for an informative plaque, to the point it drives my family a little batty as I will detour to read any tidbits of trivia or educational content.  So I was delighted to find beautiful etched plaques all along the trail.  There were also numerous benches with dedications on them.  It was a lovely way to feel connected to the many other people that have walked these paths before me.  Near the parking lot there is an outhouse, which I think is always a highlight feature in maintained outdoor areas.  A gratitude circle with names of sponsors and donors is a beautiful and unobtrusive tribute also located near the entrance.  

There is a fairly steady incline along the trail with some flat sections.  I crossed over some dried creekbeds and read there is a seasonal waterfall but did not see that this time around.  While I was enjoying the beautiful fall colours and relatively cool temperatures, I imagine this trail would be quite buggy during warmer months as there are several marshy areas and small ponds.  These served as picturesque viewpoints in otherwise well treed areas.  The whole trail to the lookouts at the top of the mountain is not long but it is steep enough (especially near the top) to feel like a workout.

There is a small loop off the main trail with a nice view of the pond and some interesting rock formations.  Based on reading their website it is my understanding that this space is intended for artists to find inspiration and a quiet place to produce their art.  With multiple benches planned for the path small groups will be able to utilise the space simultaneously.

When I broke through the treeline at the top of Blueberry Mountain and got my first glimpse of the views I exclaimed under my breath.  It is truly awe inspiring.  From the top of the mountain you can see an incredible view over the Lanark highlands and Madawaska highlands.  With the fall colours in full effect, the forests and waterways from that vantage point are absolutely breathtaking.  I can’t imagine a better spot to sit and have lunch.  The multiple benches at the two lookout points facilitate a perfect space for quiet reflection.

After spending some time appreciating the view I hiked back down the mountain.  I took my time, enjoying the soft rustle of wind through the trees.  I spotted a small garter snake but otherwise no other wildlife that day.  I truly enjoyed my time at Blueberry Mountain; the sights, sounds and smells; taking lots of photos and videos along the way.  I know I will revisit this trail, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short trail with a huge payoff.

Top Shelf Distillers to Murphy's Point PP

On Friday September 26th, I set out to hike from Top Shelf Distillers to Murphy’s Point Provincial Park via the Rideau Trail.  I have been a Rideau Trail Association (RTA) member since 2020, I thru-hiked the trail in 2021 and it was a life-changing experience.  On this hike I would be going the opposite direction from my thru-hike and was surprised by how unfamiliar many sections felt.

It was another beautiful fall day.  The leaves are in full colour now and you get the pleasant soft crunch of leaves underfoot as you hike. After a short walk down the road from the distillery I reached my first stile to enter private property and get on the Rideau Trail.  I will admit here, I really don’t like climbing stiles. I'm glad they’re there, I’m appreciative of the land access from private owners, I just don’t like climbing up and over a fence with a backpack on.  Conversely, I love a good bridge.  As such, I always have photos of both types of features along any of my hikes.

The grass was dewy and damp enough to soak through my shoes, but not unpleasantly cold.  I would later regret not wearing my waterproof socks as it ended up being damp all day with periodic drizzles.  The route started with some road sections but they were pleasant areas and not too long. I stopped for a lunch break about 7km in, sitting on a fence separating private property from a brief road section.

I encountered a large flock of what I’m assuming was migratory birds.  I had limited sightlines through the trees but the sound was incredible.  Like a scene from “The Birds”, a cacophony of countless black birds.

The scenery was spectacular.  I stopped briefly at a lovely viewpoint by a pond.  I was frequently in awe of the stunning colours.  Clouds rolled through throughout the day with the constantly changing light giving a fresh perspective on the landscape.  As I continued up and over stiles and through woods, I slowly started to see the evidence of the former Mica Mines in the area.  Flakes of shimmery mica on the ground and large craters make for an otherworldly scene.

I encountered a few small creatures along the way.  A tiny snake, a baby snapping turtle, and a startled, trundling porcupine, along with countless birds, ducks and geese.  The sights and sounds of nature filling my heart.

I did briefly lose the trail in the Mica Mines conservation area (about the worst place to get off trail), somehow managing to end up below the small ridge I should have been following rather than on it.  I pushed my way through the brush using game or usage paths and navigated my way back to the proper trail safely.  At this point in the hike I am getting fairly tired and the terrain is significantly less forgiving.  There were some steep and rocky sections, and parts of the trail were significantly overgrown.  I certainly don’t mind a little bushwhacking but the challenge was that the plants growing over the trail all seemed to be the type to fight back.  Thorny bushes and sharp trees that jabbed, snagged, and cut as you try to carefully duck through.  I am glad I knew enough to wear long sleeves and pants.

Entering into Murphy’s Point PP was a relief but I had set my goal for the Lally Homestead, with it’s easily accessible parking area.  The trail through the park was certainly easier to follow than the overgrown areas leading up to it.  The outhouses in the group camping area were a welcome feature as always, though I was disappointed to find the water spigot had been disconnected for the season.  I continued through the park, through the Silver Queen Mica Mines area and around the beaver pond.  At this point I can hear heavy rain not far off, the wind is picking up, and the clouds have gotten noticeably darker.  I only had a couple kilometres left and I tried to cover them quickly to not get caught in a downpour.  I was elated to arrive at the entrance to the Silver Queen Mine trail and make the quick hop across the road to the Lally homestead still dry.  Having been here multiple times before and with the threat of a downpour looming, I didn’t go exploring but rather took shelter under the sign and waited for my ride to pick me up.

It was a fantastic hike, on a beautiful fall day, in a stunning region.  I ended the day tired and a little sore in the most satisfying way.  Hiking is meditative for me, I don’t use earbuds or headphones, instead enjoying the sounds of nature and my own footsteps.  Alone with my thoughts, able to disconnect and just be present with the world around me.  Nature is healing, pushing our bodies is uplifting, and hiking is a sensory feast for the soul.

Great Canadian Hike: kickoff hike

On Saturday September 20th the Great Canadian Hike was officially underway.  I decided to start off easy.  A relatively short hike on relatively easy terrain.

I invited our team to join me at Mill Pond Conservation Area.  A local conservation area, part of the RVCA with a series of interconnected trails.  It ended up being perfect weather for our first hike of the endeavour.  I made a quick stop at Top Shelf Distillers and picked up lunch prepared by our on-staff chef Julian to pack in with me.  Mill Pond has a covered picnic space near the parking lot where I could enjoy my lunch.

I hiked a 5.2km route, sticking to the perimeter of the area to make the longest path possible without retracing my steps.  It was a beautiful, quiet fall day.  The leaves are just starting to change making for a spectacular mix of green and gold with splashes of vibrant red.  There were still a few wildflowers on trail as well.  

I got great views of the ponds and stopped briefly to watch a woodpecker working away noisily for its lunch.  I only passed a few other trail users including another member of the Top Shelf team.  

The conservation area trails are well maintained and marked, making for an easy user experience.  The picnic area, heritage log buildings, and outhouses are also welcomed features.  

It was a great experience to kick off the Great Canadian Hike.  I look forward to many more.

Introduction: Why I Hike

My name is Angie and I am the Naturalist for Top Shelf Distillers (more on that later).  I am the coordinator for the Top Shelf Distillers team in the Great Canadian Hike.  Let’s start with a little personal introduction.

I grew up camping with my family and through Girl Guides of Canada.  First, car camping with both my parents and older sister, and then as I was old enough to carry a (far too heavy) pack I started canoe-tripping with my dad.  These experiences really shaped the foundation for my love of nature and being outdoors.  I appreciated the quiet, remote places you could get to by paddling and portaging.

This love has never left me.  I now back-country camp with friends and my own children as often as possible.  I also have the personal bucket list challenge of trying to collect all of the Ontario Parks so I front-country camp in the shoulder seasons as I like to avoid crowds whenever possible.

In the pursuit of lowering my pack weight to make portaging easier, I discovered the world of backpacking and thru-hiking.  I was immediately drawn in as a way to solo camp in remote areas without the added logistics and inherent risks of paddling.  In 2021 I completed a thru-hike of the Rideau Trail and it was truly life changing.  I tracked a total of 360km over 14 days and the sense of accomplishment is indescribable.  I have other dream thru-hikes, but of course creating the time and resources while balancing “real life” can be a challenge so smaller adventures will suffice for now.

Hiking has become therapeutic in nature for me.  There are plenty of studies to show the benefits of time spent in nature, around trees and the colour green, in fresh air, etc. and I absolutely find this true in my own life.  I find time surrounded by nature, moving at foot speed, to be meditative.  Hiking gives me the opportunity to reset, recharge, unwind, and realign.  As such, I see the importance of preserving and expanding trail access for all, to ensure everyone can reap these benefits.   

I am so proud to be leading the Top Shelf Distillers team in the Great Canadian Hike and promoting the Trans Canada Trail as a multi-use trail for all Canadians of all ability levels.