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Post by Andreina on Aug 25, 2011 9:02:53 GMT -5
I am good with it being leashed but if we could find somewhere that has an off leash option I would enjoy that more. Or even being able to keep the long line on. So far I have googled things and have not found any off leash trails. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places? Im from Durham Region so really not familiar with the west end. We need some west ender suggestions lol!
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Post by dobermoms on Aug 25, 2011 17:17:57 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with it being a leashed area.....any trail that we walk the dogs here in London are always on leash. Just a thought though....we have leashes in different sized lengths...6ft, 8ft, 30ft. So technically our dogs are always on leash.
That being said, even with a restricted length of 6ft at this area, it will be no different for the dogs there than on the street, except that the surroundings will be more appealing for them. And change is good for them too. I don't mind going there (Bloor Street) also, but I'm just saying the change is also a nice idea.
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Post by toyzshopgary on Aug 25, 2011 21:20:41 GMT -5
Barb and Andrenia I'm sure pack some extra leads and something like a Flexi lead and once we are off and out on the trails the dogs could get some more freedom and with a flexi could be quickly reeled in if people came around or tight spaces etc.
I'm going to probably check out Rattlesnake Point myself on Sunday and then go from there. As far as I'm concerend unless I find out something negative on my scouting mission, we are going there for our 3rd meet and it's Sunday, Oct 30th. so mark your calendars.
It's a nice change, and Oct 30th in the bush and trails the trees will be amazing with fall colors!
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Post by Andreina on Aug 26, 2011 8:14:50 GMT -5
I think Rattlesnake point could be the winner. Looks like it could be a good time!
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Post by Carolyne on Aug 26, 2011 21:11:13 GMT -5
It will be nice to get out of the city and the hustle and bustle. The colors of the Fall season, great company and our kids - will be a great time! Looking forward to this meeting.
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Post by dobereyna on Aug 27, 2011 16:38:25 GMT -5
Awesome venue choice! Gary, wish we could come with you on Sunday... have fun with Zeus in the trails! I know the dogs are going to love it there.
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Post by Dobereich on Aug 28, 2011 1:08:09 GMT -5
I know it costs a bit to get in, but most conservation areas do charge these days. Perhaps we can do the 3k trail, bring a snack, drinks, stop 1/2 way and then resume. i don`t want to leave anyone out due to the distance, and this is where i realize that meetings at dog parks might bring a better turn out from those who cannot handle walking long trails. This is why it would be nice to set-up in an area for chat (maybe lunch) after the walk for those that might just want to come for the socializing. Maybe the person coming to the meet afterwards will bring the Timmies! LOL. i`m not naming any names here at all.
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Post by toyzshopgary on Aug 28, 2011 11:29:25 GMT -5
Damn board, I wrote a long detailed update and lost it all when I hit send Access - easy to get to....take 407 or QEW, north on Appley Line an it's just north of Derry road on left side. Quite the climb on the road north of derry. Cost - it's $6.25 a person for day but really it's reasonable and good value. The area is quite expansive and just as you go in great maintained park areas for picnic after the walk. Maps & Trails - The map is not to scale ( Attached to help you understand what I did) and confusing vs the trails and markings. I started at the parking going left from gate and the lowest marked parking on the map. I went to Trafalgar Lookout, Pinnacle Lookout, Nelson Lookout and the Vista Adevnture Trail (red) to the parking by the Canyon Lookout. Lots of that trail is off camber rocks, exposed tree roots, varying level terrain, and all dirt or exposed rock you need to be carefull walking in places to not trip or fall etc. That part of the walk was maybe 30 min, stopping and looking and taking some pictures etc. From that point I went up the Buffalo Crag trail ( yellow & orange) to what's marked in the park as Rattlesnake Point but it's not on the map? I THINK it's the Buffalo Craig lookout but it might be to the junction of the orange and blue trail on the top left of the map. The junction there posts a sign that lists the trail to Crawford Lake as up and back 7+K and 4 hours return so I took some pictures at that point and back the same way to the parking by Canyon Lookout and that was about 45 min to maybe 1 hour return. This was a much better walking trail for terrain vs the 1st part of my walk. From the parking I took the road back to my truck. overall I walked just under 2 hours. I was tired when I ws back at the truck and far more of a workout then a usual walk through Grimsby on sidewalks the same amount of time. I think most of us would not want to go any farther than I did. You need to be sure you have proper footwear for the terrain, no sandals or flipflops. Proper running shoes and if it rained prior to us being there maybe even hiking boots as I could see water laying in places and muddy in places. I had a backpack with water, and drank it all and poured a couple bottles on Zeus to cool him down. My t shirt was soaked with sweat and I would probably have a spare next time. I had various leashes and next time I'll bring a towel, and toilet paper in my backpack I ran into people that had a hand GPS and from them and their GPS they helped to make sense of the map. The views from the lookouts are quite spectacular. I took pictures but they don't do the views justice. The map they give shows a aerial drawing and with that you can pick out points from the lookouts and make sense of what you are seeing. Dogs on leash - there is no offleash anywhere in the park, they make that clear when you pay at the gate and I was checked on by a park guy at the Canyon Lookout before starting down the Yellow/Orange trail to be sure Zeus was leashed. I walked Zeus about 60% on a 6' lead and choke and the other 40% coming back on his retractable Flexi lead, reeling him in if someone was passing by or close on a side trail etc. Zeus usually walks pretty good in a heel position on his daily walks and does not tug and pull and go all over the place, but this was his 1st time really walking on bush trails and I gave up trying to have him beside me in a heel position and let him explore. I mention this because I suspect all the dogs will be the same in the bush trail environment. We won't be in a nice concentrated group with dogs on best behaviour in a heel by our sides. Intact males will have to be kept well apart and the group will be spread out far more than how we walked the sidewalks of High Park / Bloor West Village. Picnic - lots of maintained park area for us to gather after and relax and have some snacks, share stories, etc. If you are really an outdoor enthusiast you can rent sites and camp overnight! ( Not me) The park is also known for experienced rock climbing and ran into a large group of climbers all in gear as I was starting out. Pictures - I'll put up what I took in my photobucket account and post a link. Summary - after reading all this, look at the pictures and then post up your intentions for coming to D.O.G. 3rd event at Rattlesnake Point Sunday, Oct. 30th. We need to have an idea of a head count before making the final decisionAttachments:
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Post by Andreina on Aug 28, 2011 11:52:46 GMT -5
We are sooo in! probably just for the red trail though lol... We might do some camping depending how cold it is end of Oct.
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Post by Carolyne on Aug 28, 2011 12:23:21 GMT -5
Count the 3 of us in (as long as it is not raining). Ronin & I do about 3km every walk - he actually bugs me on the weekend at like 7am to get my butt in gear to go for the walk; no rest for the wicked I'm sure these trails will be more challenging than walking up/down Airport Road ;D
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Post by toyzshopgary on Aug 28, 2011 13:54:58 GMT -5
s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z473/ToyzShopGary/Rattlesnake%20Point%20scouting%20mission/Hopefully that works you can get a flavor of the trails and the lookouts. Honestly though my lookout shots don't do them any justice, they really were pretty awesome to see and then with the hand drawing on the map they gave when paying, you could place the lake, Mt.Nebo, the canyon the various roads etc and bring more meaning to what I was seeing. It's different for sure from a city walk, but I'm sure everyone will like the new venue and Oct 30th the fall colours should be amazing.
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Post by dobermoms on Aug 28, 2011 20:20:51 GMT -5
Well I'm quite confident that Kerrie and I will be there on the 30th with Dante and Kazi. Looking forward to it, as it is a tiring walk for the dogs as well. And I'm looking forward to walking thru the area while the leaves are turning for fall. So again, count us all in ........
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Post by hooligan on Aug 28, 2011 22:51:39 GMT -5
I love the idea of Rattlesnake Point. Have never been there, so hope we can join everyone.
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Post by swoosh66 on Oct 1, 2011 9:46:15 GMT -5
Gary et al;
I'm hoping to be able to make this on October 30th in one capacity or another... either with both dogs, or sans 1 or 2... depending.
I know I've been kind of absent lately from the board, but lots going on with me... hoping to be here more often in the coming months.
I will check back to see what's going on here... on a side note, Gary, email me if you want to chat or need any help setting anything up with this. ian.sprague@rogers.com
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Post by toyzshopgary on Oct 1, 2011 20:36:21 GMT -5
Thanks Ian. I'm going to be away mid Oct back the week before the event but I think it should be ok and not much needed for pre preparation.
Ian something I would like to pick your brain on.... do you know of a place around KW for a city walk or park walk etc something like we have done twice in Toronto or like we will do at Rattlesnake point? KW is pretty central in Ontario so if you have any ideas for an event location let us know.
Hope all is well ian drop me a PM or email gpotyok@cogeco.ca
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