Autumn’s first flush had flamed the treetops when we hiked Durham Forest a couple of weeks ago. Imagine what a show we’ll see by mid-October, I told my daughter.

Autumn’s first flush had flamed the treetops when we hiked Durham Forest a couple of weeks ago. Imagine what a show we’ll see by mid-October, I told my daughter.
A century ago there’d have been no show, regardless of when we came, for Durham Forest is young – only about 70 years old. Pioneers in the 1800s clear-cut the land looking for fertile soil; they found only sand. In the 1930s, the provincial government started reforesting the area to stabilize the soil and stem serious erosion and flooding. Saplings and underbrush now obscure the arrow-straight rows but you can still trace the past in the sandy paths and straight lines of tall pines planted many years ago.
 The signs that blaze the trails make it easy to find your way around. We followed the Maple Loop’s cheery red maple leaf for a pleasant 2.4-kilometre jaunt. Moms and tots would enjoy this trail — its gentle undulations, and lone steep dip and rise, suit it perfectly to strollers and little legs.
My daughter delighted in reading the signs borne by some of the trees that identified songbirds and hinted at tree names. From time to time, we’d stop and listen to the birds call to one other or a chipmunk scolding crossly. Once, with an explosion of rustles, a trio of chipmunks dashed across the path at our feet. The fun-loving critters were easier to locate by ear than by sight, as they played their lively game of hide-and-seek in the leaves; my daughter and I watched with amusement.  
It appears that biking Durham Forest is a family affair. That sunny Saturday afternoon, we encountered just a handful of fellow hikers enjoying the trails but literally dozens of bikers! Far outnumbering the serious mountain bikers were moms and dads towing toddlers in gaily-coloured bike trailers or leading kids from four to 14 along the broad forest tracks and winding trails. I made a mental note to bring our own bikes next time.
To get to Durham Forest, take Lakeridge Rd. to Goodwood Rd. (Reg. Rd. 21). Drive west on Goodwood Rd for 2.25 km and turn left on Concession 7. The park entrance is 800 m south of Goodwood Rd.

WHICH WAY DO WE GO?
At the trailhead you’ll find a topographical map of the park. Show young ones the colour-coded trail markers you’ll be searching for and ask them to point them out along the way. School-aged children can trace the route you’ll follow on the map. Tell them that the contour lines on the map indicate changes in elevation – the closer the lines are spaced, the hillier the trail. Ask them to take note of the hilly sections you encounter; see if you can pick them out on the map when you return.

WHEN IS A PINECONE NOT A PINECONE?
You’ll find many different kinds of evergreen and leaf-bearing trees. Bring a bag for little ones to collect the cones, acorns and brightly coloured autumn leaves they find. Inform older children that not all cones are pinecones – fir, spruce, tamarack, larch, hemlock, cedars and other coniferous trees bear cones, too. Challenge your kids to see how many kinds they can find.

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
Try to guess which direction you’re taking by gauging the sun’s position in the sky and the shadows of the trees. Bring a compass to check if you guessed correctly. If you don’t have a compass, try downloading this free compass program to your cellphone before you go: http://qcontinuum.org/compass/index.htm
Trail Tales is a series to introduce you to Durham Region Trails, an inexpensive way to experience nature and an active lifestyle. Walk, run, hike, bike, ride, ski … ENJOY! To learn more, visit www.durhamtrails.ca.

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