MT Group / SLBM Trails

06/06/2026

*🍁* SUMMER OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SURVIVAL TIPS *🍁*

Now that summer weather is upon us there are some useful tips (outlined below) that can help you enjoy outdoor activities and survive. 🦯🙂🌸

05/29/2026

*🇨🇦* MISSING MAN *🇨🇦*

Story below.🦯🍁🌸

05/27/2026

*🇨🇦* ALGONQUIN PARK @ 133 ON 27 MAY *🇨🇦*

133 years ago on 27 May, Algonquin Park and the Ontario provincial park system came into being through legislation at Queen's Park.🌺🍁🌸

05/13/2026

*🇨🇦️* VICTORIA DAY (aka 2-4) HOLIDAY WEEKEND *🇨🇦️*

The coming holiday weekend, known as Victoria Day, had its origins in the 1841 uniting of Upper and Lower Canadas. Here is a brief history of its evolution to present day.

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The SLBM Trails are in tiptop shape for hiking following the spring maintenance blitz completed last week.

Info & trail maps at this link — www.slbmtrails.org

Virtual hikes posted on YouTube Channel — https://www.youtube.com/ 🌺🍁🌸🦯

05/13/2026

*🇨🇦️* BITING INSECT SEASON IS UPON US *🇨🇦️*

The first of biting insects for 2026 has made appearance in Madawaska and Algonquin regions as of 12 May. With temperatures expected to be in 20+ Celsius this coming long weekend, the blackfly season will be well underway.

Not to fret. There are preparations one can undertake to ward off the biting insects while enjoying the outdoors (see below).

The accompanying chart of time line for various biting insect seasons is for reference. Note that the dates are approximate as weather conditions and climate change has an influence. 🦟 🤔

05/10/2026

*🇨🇦️* 2026 TRAIL MAINTENANCE UPDATE *🇨🇦️*

A volunteer crew completed annual spring maintenance of SLBM Trails during period 3-8 May 2026. Trails are in tiptop shape for hiking season.

Beavers are active in expanding colonies at ponds & lakes along following trails.
> Spectacle Lake (between east & west Ramblers Way junctions)
> Maurice's Dream (south section above pond)
> Raven (south section between Moose trail & "Missing Man" View)
> Crossover (along west side of Loon Lake)
> Wolf & Eagles (southern end of Black Cat Lake)
They are cutting down large trees for dam and lodge building material, and food. Thus, there could be trees down on the trails in coming months as they step-up their activity.

Should you see a tree(s) down on the trail, it would be helpful if you could file a report via e-mail to [email protected] . Please identify location of incident – trail name & closest junction. A photo would be helpful.

For information on trail conditions go to this link — www.slbmtrails.org/notices.html 🌺🙂

05/08/2026

*🇨🇦️* MOTHER'S DAY 2026 *🇨🇦️*

Volunteer team spent past week completing the annual spring maintenance of the SLBM Trails to have them ready for Mother's Day weekend. The trails are now in top shape to enjoy. 🙂🌺

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Info & trail maps at www.slbmtrails.org

To take an armchair tour of the trails check out YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/

SLBM = Spectacle Lakes, Bear Mountain & Burenetts Mountain, the 3 sectors that comprise the 50-km trail network.

04/30/2026

*🇨🇦️* EARLY SPRING HIKE ~ GREG'S VIEW TRAIL *🇨🇦️*

Video presentation of early spring hike to Greg's View via Loon-Beaver trail from junction at Moose trail done on 23 April.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFYeCj6Cek

Video recorded in 4K-HD and rendered for presentation on Youtube. To enjoy full sensory atmosphere of being virtually on the trail it is recommended that video be watched on large computer monitor or smart screen TV.

Early Spring Hike - Bear Mountain Sector - Greg's View Trail (23 April 2026)

04/28/2026

** FOREST FIRE HEADS-UP **

Fire departments in the Madawaska region have responded to a number of forest fires in last few days.

SLBM Trails maintenance has been out inspecting the trails over the past 10 days and report that the forest is covered with a thick carpet of dry leaves and dead twigs/branches. New vegetation growth has yet to appear and thus fire risk is extremely high.

Be careful while out in the woods at this time of year.