Adventure Number Five: Moe's Misery and the Trent River trail.

Trailhead

(See our route here, on Google maps)

Fortunately for our en-devour, the weather changed overnight. When I went to bed Saturday evening, it was raining cats and dogs, including thunder and lightening. I was worried that we would have a potentially soggy adventure today. I guess that storm passed quickly in the night and today was mostly pleasant, warm and just the briefest of showers spitting down.

Two pals

We had the pleasure of Natalie's friend Hanna company for todays journey. Natalie and Hanna have been friends since they were born and Hanna has accompanied us on many other adventures over the years, including Raft Cove the summer of 2011. Unsure of what to do this week, I had talked to my chiropractor on Saturday and he had recommended this trail down in Royston that is snow-free and fun to explore. It is called Moe's Misery, and in turn connects with the Trent River trail, a multi-use path that roughly follows the ridge above the Trent River. I had been aware of the existence of this place, but had never checked it out. So I decided that this would be the spot and we would see a new place.

Mossy Maple

Moe's Misery travels in a previously logged block that was now re-generating with Big Leaf Maple,  Sitka Spruce, Grand Fir and Red Alder. Sword ferns abound and add a beautiful greenness to the path even on a dreary winters day. A couple of spots had decent views of the river, and it would be possible to access with a steep decent down to the banks. It was running fast from the rain the previous night. The whole trail had many flooded spots, good thing for rubber boots on the kids. I would like to ride on this path. It is not very well defined and I am in good standing to say that in the summer it would be very brushy with everything growing and leafed out.

A small rivulet, note the stacked cedar that filled in the creek bed. No culvert here. Never seen this before.

We arrived back on the main access road and a sign directed us to the Trent River trail. It is a wide single track that meanders in amongst some very large Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Red Alder, Big Leaf Maple and Black Cottonwood, and Western Hemlock. Oregon Grape, Salal, Huckleberries and Holly round out the plant species that we readily recognized and, so thrilling to me, Natalie was able to recognize and tell me what they were. Proud dad! I was impressed with this mystery trail and I look forward to exploring it more in the future with my mountain bike.

Turkey Tails

We walked 4.25k, stopping often for food breaks, plant investigation, and pictures. The two young ladies entertained themselves by singing pop songs and dancing around. It is fun to have another child along to entertain and give me some peace, not having to constantly talk. So far our weekly adventure has been quite easy to maintain and with spring getting closer every week, our options will get more varied and more educational with the annual plants sprouting. Hope you are enjoying our trips. Find Adventure!