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Saulteaux September 2025 Bulletin

Saulteaux Club

📣 September 2025 Bulletin 📣

Planned Outings & Events🌲

Sunday, September 28, 2025 🥾

Join us for a community hike to launch the NEW Baffin Boot "Terrain Collection" in partnership with Great Lakes Outfitters!

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST

Meet at the parking lot at end Connor Road. Look for the Baffin tent for check-in.

  •  Boot Demo Out on the Trail: Try on the full run of the new Terrain Collection before the hike kicks off. Don’t just read the reviews—feel them under your feet.

  • Guided Community Hike on the Odena Trail: Lead by Voyageur Trail Saulteaux members, this easy-to-moderate route is beginner-friendly and perfect for connection.

  • Trailside Refreshments: Refuel and recharge with light snacks and drinks waiting at the finish line—because good company and good boots deserve a good break.

  • VTA Membership sign-ups: The membership secretary will be present and happy to register new members! Bring your interested friends or family members. 

What to Bring: Layered clothing, water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, and optional poles. 

More information at: https://www.baffin.com/pages/baffin-x-great-lakes-outfitters-x-voyageur-trail-saulteux-community-hike


Saturday, October 25, 2025 🪚

Tom Allinson Side Trail end to end trail maintenance outing. 

The TAST is about 10km one way. Ideally we'll have a big enough crowd that we can break into two groups and exchange car keys at the mid-point. We'll use loppers and saws to clear the trail and we'll also freshen up the blazes

Contact Mark at 705-254-2356 or mcrofts@shaw.ca


Early- to mid-September: Monitor the events calendar for a series of trail maintenance outings led by Steve Dominy. If you'd like to receive email notifications of these outings, contact sootrailmaster@voyageurtrail.ca to be added to the distribution list. Details are typically finalized a few days in advance.


🚨 Also watch the VTA calendar on the VTA website, or the Saulteaux Facebook page for upcoming outings

Sunday, September 28, 2025 🥾

Join us for a community hike to launch the NEW Baffin Boot "Terrain Collection" in partnership with Great Lakes Outfitters!

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST

Meet at the parking lot at end Connor Road. Look for the Baffin tent for check-in.

  •  Boot Demo Out on the Trail: Try on the full run of the new Terrain Collection before the hike kicks off. Don’t just read the reviews—feel them under your feet.

  • Guided Community Hike on the Odena Trail: Lead by Voyageur Trail Saulteaux members, this easy-to-moderate route is beginner-friendly and perfect for connection.

  • Trailside Refreshments: Refuel and recharge with light snacks and drinks waiting at the finish line—because good company and good boots deserve a good break.

  • VTA Membership sign-ups: The membership secretary will be present and happy to register new members! Bring your interested friends or family members. 

What to Bring: Layered clothing, water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, and optional poles. 

More information at: https://www.baffin.com/pages/baffin-x-great-lakes-outfitters-x-voyageur-trail-saulteux-community-hike


Saturday, October 25, 2025 🪚

Tom Allinson Side Trail end to end trail maintenance outing. 

The TAST is about 10km one way. Ideally we'll have a big enough crowd that we can break into two groups and exchange car keys at the mid-point. We'll use loppers and saws to clear the trail and we'll also freshen up the blazes

Contact Mark at 705-254-2356 or mcrofts@shaw.ca


Early- to mid-September: Monitor the events calendar for a series of trail maintenance outings led by Steve Dominy. If you'd like to receive email notifications of these outings, contact sootrailmaster@voyageurtrail.ca to be added to the distribution list. Details are typically finalized a few days in advance.


🚨 Also watch the VTA calendar on the VTA website, or the Saulteaux Facebook page for upcoming outings

Bear Awareness🐻🚨

(This bear awareness piece was actually drafted before the recent bear encounter. In the recent incident we hear that an off leash pet dog may have stirred up trouble with the mom bear and inadvertently brought the angry mom bear back to the humans)


Fall is around the corner, which means a black bear might be as well. At this time of year, the bears enter their hyperphagia stage and are focused on eating as many calories as possible to bulk up for their winter hibernation. They will be walking and foraging quite a bit for the next couple months, so it should come as no surprise if you meet one on our trails this fall. All those nuts and berries might make them thirsty, so take a good look around any water sources near the trail as well.


The first step, if you do meet a bear on the trail, is to stay calm. Let the bear know you're there and respect each other's presence. Wave and say hello. Your voice will let it know you're human. Retreat slowly, keeping the bear in view, but try not to make too much eye contact: no one likes being stared at. Let the bear walk away first. If it won't leave the area you must go through, try clapping, blowing a whistle, and yelling. The vast majority of bears will run away immediately upon meeting you, but you may consider carrying spray for that one, rare, curious bear.

Some bear mannerisms can seem scary, but it doesn't want a negative interaction with you, any more than you do. The bear might stand up to see you better. It might bare it's teeth a little to smell you. If a bear is surprised, it might make heavy breathing noises, huff, chuff, moan and clack it's teeth. Typically, as a last resort to scare you away, a bear might bluff charge at you, then will stop short and swat some dirt at you. It's not preying on you- it's defending itself. All that said, in the incredibly unlikely chance that a black bear does attack, fight back with all your conviction.

Some hikers may avoid the trails in fall due to fear of a scary bear encounter, but it's good to remember that the bears aren't really interested in meeting us on the trail either. The best way to avoid having a bad bear experience is to prevent any encounter at all. Let them know you're coming by making noise. Talk to yourself loudly, sing your favorite song, and whistle while you walk!

If you let them know, loud and clear, that you're coming, the bears may happily leave the trail for you. Don't miss out on a lovely fall hike - be there with bells on!

Things to Know ℹ️

Beaver makes for wet boots at 12.5km on the Saulteaux Section 🦫👟

A dam under construction on a creek between Crimson Ridge and the Wetzl Loop has made a dry crossing improbable.

See below. No re-route at present.


Avoid the "Where am I" feeling?😕🌎

Fall is an especially wonderful time to enjoy the trail. Trail use usually increases this time of year. The best way to avoid that "Where am I?" feeling is to use the ONDAGO app while you are on the trail. Be aware of the blazes. Standing at one blaze, you should be able to see the next blaze. Despite our best efforts blazes may fall off or may be hidden by foliage. A fresh fall of leaves may obscure the treadway. When in doubt, return from whence you came.


Hunting Season....be seen! 👀🦺

Small game (ruffed grouse etc.) hunting season starts September 15. Parts of the VT are open to hunting. Hikers should wear bright colours...ideally "hunter orange" and be aware of your surroundings


See you on the trails!


Your Saulteaux executive....

Mark C. (President), Ursula (Treasurer), Lise (Vice-President), Steve (Trailmaster)