Slip and Slide at Princess Louise Falls

My fourth season of hiking has begun and now I understand why it's the least popular: oh the mud! A friend of mine studied Russian literature, and she told me once: no classic Russian novel is set in the spring; there was too much mud and people were stuck at home; nothing interesting ever happened. Well, as I travel on Ottawa's unpaved trails, I can see firsthand why!

Despite the treacherous conditions, the Falls really are one of Ottawa's hidden gems. They are relatively easy to find, but there's no access from St-Joseph's Boulevard in Orleans which is their official address. It's better to approach them from the top and a take the short walk to the stream. A trail winds all the way to the bottom. While it's probably quite manageable in the summer and autumn, it's a tricky step on wet, muddy and icy terrain. My friend and I treaded carefully and called on the trees to ease our way down. I almost fell flat on my backside, and my friend did fall on all fours, despite our precautions. On the way back, we decided on a steeper less-travelled climb. This was not necessarily smarter. While we made it huffing and puffing without an incident, a slip would have been quite unpleasant.

As I've experienced first hand, here are a few tips for spring hiking:

1. Find paved paths or boardwalks; it's still the best way to avoid the mud.

2. If there is a muddy area, stick to the path. By going around, hikers widen paths which is destructive to the environment, especially in conversation areas.

3. Wear gators, bring an extra pair of shoes for the car (always a good idea), and hose down your boots when you get home!

4. Because we were in the city, I had my purse instead of a knapsack. A hike is a hike where ever you are; bring proper equipment! I regretted having a cumbersome strap getting in the way with my bag flopping back and forth.

In the end, we loved the Falls and they allowed us to reconnect with our inner child as we climbed back into the car laughing, with stained jeans, dirty hands and gooey shoes!