What's New | Spectacle Lakes / Bear & Burnetts Mtns. Recreation Trails

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*Date*	*New or Updated Item*
19 Jan 2025	Frostbite Risk Quick Guide A quick guide identifying risk of frostbite at various temperatures combined with wind speed.
19 Jan 2025	Frostbite Prevention Tips Winter hiking, skiing and snowshoe adventures leave a smaller margin for safety than three season hiking. Be prepared to avoid or spot frostbite with these 8 tips.
19 Jan 2025	Ice Safety Guidelines Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature, wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay, and more. A quick guide to help one determine safe ice surface conditions.
19 Jan 2025	Winter Sport Safety As Canadians, we like to make the most out of the winter. There are many winter activities that help make the snow and cold fun, but it's important to enjoy them safely. Here are some quick tips to play safe in the winter.
19 Jan 2025	Alpine Responsibility Code Code developed by the Canadian Ski Patrol Association and Canada's regional snow resorts associations.
19 Jan 2025	Cross Country Responsibility Code Cross-country ski code developed by the Canada West Ski Areas Association outlining rules-of-the-road to follow on groomed and backcountry cross-country ski trails.
29 Nov 2024	Full Moons in Canada 2025 & 2026 A graphic and note identifying the date, name and time for each of the full moons in Canada for 2025 and 2026. Also includes common names for each of the full moons along with a brief note of other names used over span of human history.
4 May 2021	Social Media Channels Facebook and YouTube channels have been added as information sources about SLBM Trails. These channels are under the "MT Group / SLBM Trails" name. ^Facebook ^YouTube
18 Feb 2020	Seasonal Trail Use Maps A set of maps indicating permitted trail-by-trail activity use by season has been prepared. The designated trail use activity is designed to conform with the land-use guidelines set out by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The permitted activity use is identified by symbols next to each individual trail. The "Spring to Fall Use" and "Winter Use" trail maps are accessed on the Trails and Maps pages of this website.
28 Sep 2018	Gems (Ancillary Information) Added: Why Do Leaves Change Colour In The Autumn? ~ Autumn is a time for leaves to turn dramatic bright colours. A briefing note (PDF) has been prepared on the science behind the chemical reactions that cause various species of leaves to change to a spectrum hues of colour. The briefing note also includes a graphic depicting timeline for leaf colour change in Algonquin Park and Upper Madawaska Basin.
11 Jun 2018	Virtual Hike Updated functionality so that photos appear in a popup window (modal) overlayed on map. Popup includes descriptive caption for the photo. To close popup click anywhere ouside the popup window or on the "X" at lower right corner.
11 Jun 2018	Photo Gallery Updated functionality so that photos appear in a popup window (modal) centered on screen in full view. Popup includes descriptive caption for the photo. To view next photo in grouping hover mouse pointer over right or left side of popup window and click on arrow. To close popup click anywhere ouside the popup window or on the "X" at lower right corner.
29 May 2018	Virtual Hike Updated map to reflect recent minor amendments to a number of trail routings and viewpoint locations. Added photos from 2017 & 2018.
18 Map 2018	Gems (Ancillary Information) Added: Black-flies – All You Wanted to Know...and More ~ Black-fly season (May – mid-June) is the bane of many who participate in activities outdoors, especially outside of urban centres. A briefing note (PDF) has been prepared that outlines the life-cycle of the black fly, it's activites during adult stage and how to fend off the biting insect.
12 Apr 2018	Gems (Ancillary Information) Added: Climate Normals – Madawaska Region ~ Are you curious as to the climate trends for the Madawaska Region, Ontario? What has been the monthly preciptration and daily average temperature norms over thirty year period 1961-2010? For the trivia buffs, what is record maximum precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) by month, maximum snow depth by month, and maximum and low temperature by month? The answers are compiled in easy to read graphic format.
3 Apr 2018	Gems (Ancillary Information) Added quick guide on Calendar of Natural Events – Algonquin Region.
23 Jan 2018	Gems (Ancillary Information) Added briefing note on the historic Wilno Tavern & Restaurant.
31 May 2017	Testimonials Added page featuring testimonials and comments from users of the 50 km SLBM Trails network.
9 Apr 2017	FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Updated with answers to additional questions.
25 Mar 2017	Weather Added charts on Canadian climate normals for Madawaska region — precipitation and temperature norms — derived from data for period 1981 to 2010.
19 Mar 2017	Gems (Ancillary Information) Updated with briefing note on proposed international A2A Trail being coordinated through the Algonquin to Adirondack Collaborative organization.
30 Oct 2016	Virtual Hike Updated with photos from autumn 2016.
24 Oct 2016	Photo Gallery Updated with extensive collection of autumn 2016 photos.
15 Sept 2016	Spectacle Lake & Plexman Mines Notes on the abandoned Spectacle Lake and Plexman mines posted under Gems.
2 Sept 2016	Virtual Hike facility launched. Wondering what awaits you on the 50 kilometre trail network centered around Spectacle Lakes / Bear & Burnetts Mountains? Take a self-directed virtual hike on the trails from the comfort your armchair! The Virtual Hike complements the quick Virtual Tour slideshow.

(Top banner photo: Sunset at Spectacle Lake.)

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