A Fun Weekend In CHETICAMP, 7, 8 & 9 Of JULY 2006

NOTE:Louisbourg Sunday, 25th June

DUE TO SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HEADING DOWN TO THE VALLEY FRIDAY JUNE 23rd TO SUNDAY JUNE 25th, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH CLUB MEMBERS TO JUSTIFY OUR ANNUAL CLUB PICNIC IN LOUISBOURG ON SUNDAY 25 JUNE. BARB & CAL THISTLE SUGGEST THAT MEMBERS AND GUEST [depending on weather conditions] BRING THEIR OWN PICNIC LUNCHES TO HAVE AFTER THE WALK EVENT. (THE WALK EVENT REMAINS THE SAME, WE HAVE A NEW IVV STAMP FOR THIS GUIDED WALK)

CHETICAMP NEWS EVENT!

Checkout the following news:

3 walks, one Potluck/BBQ, One Club Dinner, lots of Fun & Friendship, Food and Fitness!

Cape Breton Island Hoppers July Weekend Walk Events

Come to Cheticamp the “sunset side” of Cape Breton Island July 7-9, 2006 for 3 walks with The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Friday July 07
Reg. 1:30pm ST 2pm
GW, 5-12k, 1B

Cheticamp Island
Plage St-Pierre
B0E 1H0

Cal Thistle/Barb Thistle 567-6702

Directions: From Hwy 19N turn left at the sign for Plage St-Pierre just before entering Cheticamp.

After this walk there will be a picnic/potluck.

Location: "THE THISTLE CAMPSITE" in Plage St-Pierre campgrounds on Cheticamp Island

CB Highlands National Park, West Gate

Meet at the Visitors Information Centre parking lot before going to the Start Point

Saturday July 08

Reg. 1:30pm ST 2pm

Rollie Coombes 849-0747
Elsie Buck 562-3117

Start Point is the Entrance to Skyline Trail, due to the fact that this trail is somewhat short for our needs we will continue the walk at Le Buttreau and for those wanting more Ks in their Distance Books we will continue along Le Chemin du Buttreu for a grand total of 15K.

Skyline Trail - 8k, 3B, Le Buttreau - 2k, Total 10k 1B
Le Chemin du Buttreu - 5k, 2B. Total GW 5-15k.

For more information on entrance and parking fees for Highlands National Park go to:

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

The Island Hoppers cannot be responsible for parking infraractions in the HNP.

Saturday evening a club dinner will take place at approx. 6:30, Le Gabriel Restaurant, please contact Barb Thistle if you would like to attend so that she can reserve enough tables for all.

CB Highlands National Park, West Gate

Sunday July 09

Reg. 9:30 ST 10am

Rollie Coombes/Ann Coombes 849-0747

For this walk event you have a choice of a river trail that is a bird watchers delight at:

Trous de Saumons - GW, 5-10k, 2B
OR
Old growth forest and a panoramic view of the coastline on
L’acadie Trail - GW, 10k only (5k will not be offered on this trail), 3B

If you are unable to come for the entire weekend! Why not try and plan a day trip around the trail and take in at least one walk with your club members and friends!

Notes: Canada Day Walk, Louisbourg Event & Pringle Mtn Fog

First I would like to welcome

Lee and Suzanne Lazaro
Grand Mira North, Marion Bridge

Who will be joining us in the near future.

Lee and Suzanne are Part time residents to Cape Breton and are ready to explore CB with The Island Hoppers.

Welcome Folks We hope you find us a friendly group of walkers.



"The views up here on Pringle Mtn are quite nice with views of St Peters and the ocean off in the distance, believe me!" Said Rollie! all morning while peering through the fog!

We had to abandon the original trail due to the many water obstacles that in other places would be considererd lakes.

However the rain held off and we had a nice cool day for a stroll along the Oban & Pringle Roads at the rear or North of St Peters.

After the walk we all headed forthe "Christmas Shop" and got in some early Xmas shopping then headed for a dinner at the local pub.

Overall despite the overcast weather we had a great day for walking and do what Island Hoppers like to do, "explore this great little island of ours".


Coming Events:

Please check your schedule for details:

June 25, Reg. 1:30pm Start 2pm

Louisbourg, Lighthouse Walk starting at the picnic area

On-line Map Directions: Directions,Louisbourg, Havenside Rd

& Picnic Park

Walk Leaders for this EVENT has changed, Barb & Cal Thistle have taken over the reins for this event. My personal thank you to Cal & Barb who will also org. a club picnic for this walk.

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, ONLY 20 MIN FROM SYDNEY.



Saturday 01 July, Reg. 9:30am Walk Time 10:00am

Coxheath Arena

On-Line Map:

Coxheath Arena

SPECIAL NOTE:

For this event we will meet on the Coxheath Road parking lot side of The Arena, watch for Barb & Cal Thistle.

We originally planned to walk in the Canada Day Parade, however the organizers of the parade do not expect to leave until 11am, therefore our walk leaders, Cal & Barb Thistle will begin our walk at the posted times as per our schedule

PRINGLE MOUNTAIN TRAIL EVENT

WALK INFO AND DIRECTIONS:

The next walk event for the CB Island Hoppers will be Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Registration begins at 1:30 and we start walking at 2:00PM.

Location: Pringle Mtn Road/Trail

When travelling From the CBRM take the #4 Hwy to St Peters and continue through the village to River Tillard Bridge,

This is the area where the #4 meets the 104 Hwy

Do not cross the River Tillard Bridge, Turn Right before crossing the bridge following the signs marked Oban Rd.

Anyone travelling from the Port Hawkesbury or west side of the island will have to cross the Bridge and turn LEFT.

You will pass under two main Power Lines, a short distance past the second Power Line take the Road to the Right and continue to our Start Point.

From the #4 to the Start Point is 7.5 Kms, a gravel road that is in almost better shape then the paved Hwy 4.

Our signs CBIH} will be posted along the route.



ONLINE MAP DIRECTIONS: DIRECTIONS PRINGLE MTN TRAIL

The Trail: We will only be using a small portion of this trail, the remainder of the walk will take place on back roads with some very nice views atop of the Mtn. This will be an easy walk and is suitable for walkers of all abilities. Please note some hills but WC accessible. Due to weather conditions the trail that we originally planned to use is unacceptable for our needs.
The pre-walkers encountered over 14 water obstacles before calling it quits and scouting out a new route.

THREE NEW TOPICS

[1] NEXT WALK EVENT

Walk Event is on International Trails Day in Georges River, Saturday 03 June @ 10:00AM, registration begins at 09:30AM. If the fire hall parking lot cannot accommodate all of us there is plenty of space on the Ross Rd. just across the street.



Due to the fact that this walk is on SATURDAY and not our usual Sunday Event, I am sending out a second reminder.



Also Checkout The Cape Breton Post Page A10, "Hiking Events Planned for International Trails Day". We have had some difficulties in getting our message out in the past through this media! I thought I should bring it to your attention.



However, for the past two seasons we have been members of "Cape Breton Pathways Association", looks like they can get the job done and my thanks to CB Pathways and Wilson Cameron for their support.

Lets get back on track for a Sunday walk at Pringle Mountain June 11 @ 2PM, more details to follow prior to this event.


[2] WALK PARTICIPATION

After a great start to our yearly walk events with an average of 21 per walk for the first seven events we have hit an almost record low of participants with only an average of 10 walkers at the last three events.

The walk in Catalone was the first we had done in that area and the small waterfall after the rain was very impressive and the Devils Trail was an easy wooded trail with great views of Catalone Lake and the Ocean in the far distance. Those who walked this trail were quite happy with the route and at least it was a true loop event that we try to strive for. It will be on the schedule for next year.

National Walking Weekend (NWW) and World Walking Day (WWD) will be on the schedule as well but closer to the CBRM area so that everyone can get an opportunity to participate. The rules for World Walking Day have changed so that we can do it on a weekend.


[3] LIGHTHOUSE EVENT IN BASS RIVER

LOCATION OF WALK BOX CHANGE

The Central Nova Volkssport Club is sponsoring the Bass River Lighthouse Walk as a Short Seasonal walk from June 2-Sept 30.

The walkbox location is currently listed as the Dominion Chair Co. Store in Bass River. Unfortunately, they have reneged on our agreement and a new walkbox location had to be established. The Masstown Market has agreed to keep it there.It will be located on the shelf under the Free Acess Computer in the restaurant section of the Market. The hours, parking and washroom availability are basicially the same as listed in previous information. The Masstown Market is a great place to visit, featuring a grocery market, bakery, greenhouse, gift shop and restaurant for light dining. The actual Bass River walk is about 15-20 minutes from the Market. Follow the same road directions, just stop at Masstown Market after coming off the ramp at Exit 12.

I hope this change does not cause any problems for walkers and that enjoy both the Masstown Market and their Bass River experience.

Tanya McNutt
Prsident-Central Nova Volkssport Club