North Bay Blooms
Heritage Trails. Because flowers don't just grow in gardens.
The Great Heritage Trails Photography Contest !
Yes, this is the competition where you could actually win something! (but don't count on it) To encourage people to get out and enjoy some of the great trails around town and give their camera a work out, starting early in the Spring and running through to October, entrants will have the opportunity take pictures including snow, spring flowers, full greens of summer and Fall colours.
Contest rules as outlined below, we reserve the right to change, add, or delete categories pretty much whenever we feel like it but the goal is to get some great pictures sent in and recognize them on Cogeco, our website and eventually to display them at Northgate Square for final judging.
At this point thanks to Dent's Camera Center for donating a $300 value digital Nikon camera as a prize, keep in touch, more more possible prizes as we can get them.
1. Photographs must be taken between March 20 and October 21, 2008
2. To qualify one picture must be submitted from each of the seven trails listed by North Bay Blooms, maximum 10 images per person.
3. Pictures can be submitted as prints or digitally
4. Once received images will be allowed to be displayed on the North Bay Blooms website, Cogeco TV and may be used in future North Bay Blooms graphics.
5. Categories at this time are
a) best overall series including each trail for a total of 7 images
b) best individual trail image
c) best individual floral image
6. Judges decision will be final.
7. Discovery Trails will be providing the top five entrants a copy of their Discovery Trails
book.
La Vase Portages.
If you would like to see marsh marigolds, wild purple irises, seas of white and yellow water lilies, bulrushes and towering stands of red and white pine, join Friends of la Vase Portages this summer, Saturday, July 26, as they retrace the footsteps of the Voyageurs. For more information on La Vase Portages go to www.lavaseportages.com
photo courtesy Chris Mayne
Duchesnay Falls and the Canadore Trails
Duchesnay Falls and the Canadore Trails are probably the most popular trails in the North Bay area. Starting from the base of the falls off of Highway 17, just west of North Bay, the trails run as either a short loop around the falls area or longer routes along the west and east banks of the creek. A lookout and day use picnic area has been built at the crest of the Rigormortis Hill on the main trail that connects Duchesnay Falls to the Canadore College and Nipissing University complex. A rare sighting of a timberwolf was made in March of 2008 atop the falls area, most likely the wolf had been stalking deer in the area.
photo courtesy Greg McGuinty and Greg's Northern Gallery
Laurier Woods
Spreading south from the Brule Street or Laurier Avenue access points, Laurier Woods is one of the most popular walking trails in the community especially for pet owners who can enjoy their favourite trails and let their dogs enjoy some needed exercise at the same time. Maintained by the Friends of Laurier Woods with the help of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority, Laurier Woods skirts the high ground of two large gneiss areas surrounded by marshes to the east and south and bordered by the old Callander Road to the west. Trail routes can vary from one to several hours depending on how ambitious you feel and is also a popular spot for seasonal bird watching.
photo courtesy Roy Summers
Otter Lake Trail
Otter Lake offers year round trails for hiking and snowshoeing aswell as canoe access on the North River or Nekik Waterway. Originally assembled towards becoming a Municipal Park, Otter Lake is a recreation area gem to be enjoyed by everyone in our community. Please contact Otter Lake Friends for trail information and conditions or go to www.venturenorth.com .
photo courtesy Jean Marc Filion
Laurentian Hill Trails
Starting in front of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority and running along the escarpment through a mix of pine, spruce and hardwood forest, the Laurentian Hill trails are some of the mosr extensive and most widely used trails in the community. The maples and oaks especially lend themselves to bright Fall colours overlooking City.
Image courtesy Greg McGuinty and Greg's Northern Gallery
North Bay Waterfront
While not as rustic as the other nature trails featured with Heritage Trails, the North Bay Waterfront is the most floral walkway in the City and a photgraphers paradise. People watching, flower beds or outstanding sunsets, the North Bay waterfront is the floral heart of the City.
Image courtesy Greg McGuinty and Greg's Northern Gallery
Northshore Road Trails
Also known as the Dave Bull trails, the Northshore Road trails are North Bay's best kept secret. So Secret we don't have a picture to post yet. If you have an image you can share from any of the lookout points looking down on High Lake or the Nordic Ski Trails, please send it to us.