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E-mailNew & Recent Postings / Active Advisories
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2025-03-15: Spring break-up 2025 is now underway. Due to snow melt and rainfall runoff ice conditions along ponds and lakes shoreline are unsafe. Print version (PDF).   |
2025-01-11: Ice has formed on the lakes and ponds in area encompassing the SLBM Trails 50-km network. Below chart is a guideline for when it is safe to travel on these bodies of water by type of activity and equipment. Print version (PDF) & large image version.  |
2025-01-10: The "Dead of Winter" is upon us in the Ottawa Valley & Madawaska Highlands. For at least the coming month, sub zero temperatures and wind are factors that combine to determine the risk of frostbite. Below is a quick guide of frostbite risk based on various combinations of temperature and wind speeds that form what is commonly known as "wind chill". The cold temperatures should not be a deterrent to enjoying winter in nature as long as proper preparations are undertaken to ward off frostbite. For such guidance refer to posting immediately below this one. Now you can prepare for an enjoyable snowshoe hike or cross-country ski on the SLBM Trails. Printable (PDF) version or downloadable image version available.  |
2025-01-10: The "Dead of Winter" is upon us in the Ottawa Valley & Madawaska Highlands on 19-20 January. This is the period of coldest of cold based on 30-year temperature average (see Climate Normals). The cold temperatures should not be a deterrent to enjoying winter in nature as long as proper preparations are undertaken, including warding off frostbite. Below is a quick tip sheet on how to prevent frostbite as you prepare for an enjoyable snowshoe hike or cross-country ski on the SLBM Trails. Printable (PDF) version or downloadable larger image version available.  |
2025-01-10: Winter 2024/2025 has begun to settle in on the SLBM Trails with significant snow coverage and cold temperatures. Below is a quick tip sheet to help you prepare for an enjoyable snowshoe hike and cross-country ski on the SLBM Trails. Click on images below to view larger version. For complete document (PDF, print version) Winter Sport Safety.   |
 Full Moons in Canada 2025 2024-11-29: Below graphic identifies the 12 full moons that will appear in Canada for 2025. See this briefing note for complete details (date, name & time) for each of the full moons.  |
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Why Do Leaves Change Colour in Autumn 2024-09-15: Briefing note beolow.   |
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Summer Hike Survival 2024-06-19: Below is document providing guidance on how to prepare for and survive summer hiking. Note: Do not exercise strenuously when the temperature is over 32 degrees Celsius or the humidity is over 75 per cent. It is especially important not to work hard when both the temperature and humidity are high. Your body cools off through perspiration. When humidity levels are high, sweat does not evaporate as quickly and your body's temperature can reach dangerous levels. PDF document "Summer Hike Survival". Other information on preparing for a hike here.  |
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Biting Insect Calendar and Preparations to Fend Them Off 2024-05-24: The biting insect season has begun. But, with some simple preparations to fend them off you can still get out and enjoy hiking on the SLBM Trails. Also, below is calendar indicating when each type of biting insects are active in the Algonquin region (which includes SLBM Trails). PDF version for printing.   |
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Trashed Trail Signs Replaced 2024-05-18: Over a dozen trail signs were wantonly trashed by irresponsible hunters last November and this past March.  |
2024 Hunting Season @ SLBM Trails
This notice is to help you plan timing of your visit to the SLBM Trails in autumn 2024. The Spectacle Lakes / Bear & Burnetts Mountains recreation trails lie within the Ontario Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 55A. PDF version of this notice for viewing, download & print.   Refer to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry 2024 hunting regulations for more detailed information. >> Website >> PDF copy |
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We are Pissed Off! - Trail Maintenance Team Message 2023-12-18: Wanton destruction of trail signs.  |
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Trail Marker Revision & Replacement 2023-11-06: As announced earlier this year, the SLBM Trails maintenance team has begun to replace trail markers that have reached an end-to-life state. See bulletin below.  |
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Trail Bridge Decommissioned 2023-09-13: The SLBM Trails multi-use bridge over Spectacle Lake Creek on the Spectacle Lake Tail has been decommissioned and removed as it was no longer usable. The MT Group volunteers were not prepared to spend the $100s to replace it. The foot bridge over the creek will continue to be maintained.  |
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Trail Signage Revisions & Maintenance 2023-05-29:  |
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Winter Parking Restrictions 2023-01-15: Winter parking restrictions affecting access to SLBM Trails are in effect. See bulletin below for parking options. PDF version of Bulletin 2023-01.   |
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Winter Parking Ban in Effect 2022-01-19: SLBM Trails is affected by the South Algonquin Township's complete, no exception, parking ban on all township roads for period 1 November - 15 April. As there is no off-road parking locations at the 4 trailheads that serve the SLBM Trails network, the trails are no longer accessible for winter use. See posting immediately below for reason why SLBM Trails are not accessible at trailheads along Hwy 60. South Algonquin Township notice of parking ban (print version PDF).  |
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Trail Sign Refurbishment 2021-09-29:  |
| YouTube Channel Launched 2021-05-04: Over the past several years the MT Group team has accumulated a substantial quantity of raw videos and photographs taken over the 4 seasons @ SLBM Trails. With travels to the trails curbed by COVID-19 emergency response measures, including Stay-at-home Orders, time has come to open the vault and process this pictorial treasure trove to create virtual hike videos to view from safety and comfort of an armchair. To carry out this mission an YouTube channel has been launched under "MT Group / SLBM Trails". Videos will be added to the channel as they are processed. To be notified when new video is posted hit the "Subscribe" button near top of the channel page. The videos are uploaded to YouTube in high definition resolution (1080p) format. However, the quality of the video YouTube automatically streams to your viewing device — desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone and large-screen digital TV — is dependent on speed of internet or mobile connection and type of device. YouTube recompresses the original uploaded video into various resolution formats, but the HD (1080p) format is still available if your device can handle it. Viewing the HD format video on a large screen digital TV gives you the sensation of being in person on the trail. Resources: 1) System requirements - YouTube Help - Google Support 2) Google Video Quality ReportBear Mountain Loop 3) YouTube Slashes Video Quality to Save Bandwidth 4) YouTube is reducing its default video quality to standard definition for the next month   (Screen capture of MT Group / SLBM Trails YouTube channel) |
| Burnetts Trail ~ 2 Sections Flooded 2020-08-14: An exploding beaver population has resulted in multiple beaver dams being constructed along Burnetts Creek, resulting in the flooding of two sections along Burnetts trail (see accompanying briefing note with map). With no feasable option for rerouting the flooded eastern section of the trail it will remain closed for an indeterminate period. (Note: It is possible to wade through flooded area using high-cut or calf-high rubber boots.) PDF version of briefing note for download & print.  |
(Top banner photo: Snowshoeing on Spectacle Lake, heading north.)
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