So, this past Sunday Joe and I decided to hit up the Credit River Valley, hiking trail in Mississauga. It's a beautiful winding path that spans the length of the Credit River, and just happens to have some accessible geocaches ripe for the picking. We began our trek in the early afternoon, just as the day was starting to heat up. Luckily, the majority of the trail is shadowed beneath gorgeous mature trees, making the hike much more comfortable for human and K9 alike. Tumbler in particular was thrilled to be in a new and interesting place ready to be explored.
Our first cache was described as a micro, but we were thrilled to see that someone had taken the time to build this little beauty:
A camouflaged birdhouse hanging from the branches of a coniferous tree. A truly inspired idea for such a lovely conservation area.
After logging our first find of the day, we continued down the path, making our way past cyclists, bird watchers and anglers. Suddenly, a sign on the side of the path caught my eye. "WARNING GIANT HOGWEED DETECTED IN THE AREA. STAY CLEAR."
Now, to those who often venture off the beaten path Giant Hogweed may not be a mystery. But, to the average Joe who enjoys a leisurely hike or two a year, Giant Hogweed is a plant that you must educate yourself about. My boyfriend and I only heard about this invasive, introduced specimen a year ago and have actually seen it growing in various parts of Southern Ontario. It closely resembles Queen Anne's Lace on steroids, with a size that ranges from 2-5 metres tall. It's indigenous to parts of Asia, and is suspected to have been smuggled in to the US and parts of Canada, to be used as a spice or as simply an ornamental plant.
Here's the problem with it: Giant Hogweed is a phototoxic plant. Meaning that if you come into contact with its sap and then to UV rays from the sun, you can suffer excruciating burns and blisters! They usually form within 48 hours, then they turn into black or purple scars which may last up to several years! So, do yourself a favour and steer clear.
As unfortunate as it is to see signs like that posted in such a lovely conservation area, it's the reality of a global community. As people immigrate, sometimes foreign flora can hitch a ride as well. It's inevitable, however, the Credit River Conservation area is doing a great job at identifying the species and identifying certain areas that are higher risk. So, stay aware and stay safe!
As we continued on our hike, we encountered another sign that warned us of Wild Parsnips. Apparently, they are also phototoxic, so do yourself a favour; if you get peckish during a hike, don't forage for food, eat some damn trail mix!
Despite all of the warnings, we had an incredible day, and found some inspired little geocaches. I would highly recommend the trail to any outdoor enthusiast, who needs to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It's beautiful, serene, and with the exception of some uninvited floral invaders, it's a perfect setting to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
With scenery like this, you can't go wrong! :)
