OFGAC's walk in Marlborough Forest

On 17 September, Craig Huff, Forester with the City of Ottawa, and Shaun Thompson, Natural Heritage Ecologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, led an OFGAC-sponsored hike along the Marlborough Forest’s Cedar Grove Trail.

	Left: The parking lot for the trail is on the south side of Roger Stevens Road.
	Above: New England Aster

	Left: A kiosk in the parking lot provides information about the trail, occasional displays on the wildlife of the forest, and safety notices.
	Above: Trembling Aspen

	Left: The trail itself is closed to most vehicles - a safety precaution to prevent vandalism.
	Above: Black-eyed Susan

	Left: The start of the trail is "paved" with large size gravel, making walking a bit difficult.
	Above: Native clematis, going to seed

	Left: Signs have been an issue for forest users. Hikers want to be warned about hunting season and know how to report problems.
	Above: Jewelweed (or Touch-me-not)

Hikers also want to avoid conflict with off-roaders and snowmobilers. Cedar Grove is strictly a hiking trail.

The Rideau Trail goes through part of Marlborough Forest and the club holds guided walks from time to time.

	Left: Roger's Pond lies in the centre of the trail loop. The view from the west side is spectacular.
	Above: Purple Loosestrife

	Left: Ducks, geese, herons, and other waterflowl can often be seen on the pond - especially during migration.
	Above: Ripening Nannyberries

	Left: A metal bridge spans the creek and forms a waterfall where fish gather.
	Above: Saint Johnswort

	Left: In the spring, orchids can be found in large numbers in this open field.
	Above: Queen Anne's Lace

	Left: This relic of earlier days is still used as a hunters' blind and by hikers as shelter from the rain.
	Above: Cedar cones

	Left: One reason to exclude vehicles from this beautiful nature trail is to prevent dumping of appliances, like this one, buidling material, garbage, etc.
	Above: Moss, lichens, and fungi abound in the damp, shady parts of the forest

This new bridge was built last year in response to complaints that the trail was extremely muddy in this area.

This and the following photos show some of the many faces of the trail as it winds through the cedar forest.