1944-1945 Year Book - the Gatineau Valley Historical Society

68 Ottawa Ski Club Year Book 1944-45
cession, and a quick run across
the golf course to the road.
There is a short cut across
country from the road to the
Mica Mine Trail which. variously
is described as starting at
Kingsmere-shall we say at the
foot of Grimes' Hill-and across
the lake. Kingsmere lake has a
habit of acquiring about an inch
of slush between the ice and
snow, occ&sionally impeding
progress. The two trails, however,
meet just above the first
rise on the side toad, and after
some meandering, the trail
crosses the Prime Minister's
estate. Check at the bottom of
the first hill, and take the next
four long, smooth, swift runs
with confidence and pleasure.
Practically no up hill work,
. makes the downhill runs excellent
value for the train ride up
to Chelsea or Tenaga.
A quarter of a mile of easy
skiing across open country soon
brings the skier to the end of the
Mica Mine Trail and in sight of
beautiful "Pink Lake Lodge"
where a tasty morsel or a full
course meal, piping hot, is waiting
to tickle the palate of the
most fastidious or habitual
gourmand. Linger for a pleasant
time amongst congenial
friends and these enchanting
hills, but tarry not too long without
the polaroids, lest perchance
you emulate Ulysses without his
wax.
Taking the Pink Lake Trail
from here the last lap of the
jaunt from Camp Fortune to the
Wrightville car line may be accomplished
in a little more than
an hour of fairly easy skiing.
Except for about half a mile of
level terrain midway, and again
near the journey's end, the rert:lainder
of the four mile hike is
practically an down hill.
The Birch Valiey run is perhaps
the most beautiful and interesting
of the runs, and while
a few of the Night Riders may
try it at night, the average skier
should plan to take it before
afternoon shadows have faded
into twilight. Another short
slide, a bit of open country, and
wooded slopes again. Jus't about
at this point if your timing is
correct, and luck is with you,
you may thrill to a gorgeous sunset
and count the snow-capped
ridges on the rising moon. One
long look, and an equally long
run with perhaps a slight bump
half way down, and the welcome
lights indicate "Journey's End"
just over the little rise.
·The trip has certainly been
well worth the bit of effort it
took to get started; weather,
scenery, snow and trail cond'i-'
tions have been grand; and regardless
of whether you are ten
or three score and ten, you will
want to go back next week and
try it an over again.
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