Annual Trail Clean-up Day 2018 - Saturday, November 3, 2018 *Postponed to Saturday, November 24, 2018

Our Annual Trail Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than usual, on Saturday, November 3, starting at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 24.

As there is virtually no garbage on the trails, all the volunteers attending will be asked to do trail maintenance work which consists in trimming back small branches and seedlings along the trails and removing fallen branches. Please bring pruning shears, manual brush cutters, hedge trimmers, etc. We do not need chainsaws for this type of stuff. And don’t forget your work gloves. Even though the forest is very dry this year, wear appropriate footwear as there may be some wet spots on the trails.

Also, we will have a membership registration desk available from 10:00 to noon. If you want to just come out for a late Saturday morning walk in the forest, you can do so and take advantage of our registration desk while meeting other FOTST members.

Thanks for coming out to help!

Annual FOTST Members-only Birding Walk - May 12th and 16th

Birding Walk Report

On May 12 and 16, 2018 (7:00 a.m. to noon), fifteen members of the Friends of the Summerstown Trails participated in the annual bird walks led by Martin Bowman in the Summerstown Forest. Here is the cumulative list of the 50 bird species identified during the two walks.

Bold species signifies 22 species seen or heard on both walks. ** one species seen by Martin Bowman on his scouting walk (May 10) but not seen on members’ walks.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey**
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

5th Annual DION Summerstown Forest Snowshoe Race.

This is the 4th race of the 2018 Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series

DATE: Saturday, February 10, 2018

TIME: 10:00am (Race day registration on-site from 8:30am till 9:45am)

LOCATION: FOTST trails in the Summerstown Forest (10 minutes from Cornwall, ON). The trailhead and parking lot are in the Township of South Glengarry at 6150 County Road 27 (Summerstown Road) on the west side, 1.6km north of Exit 804 of Highway 401

DISTANCE: 7.55km – Dion Points Series Race (medals and prizes to the top 3 overall and top master for both Male and Female) 3.5km – Summerstown Forest Challenge (No Dion series points awarded. Prizes to top overall male and female only)

COURSE: Mostly single track with lots of possible passing areas. Packed rolling terrain making this a fast beautiful tree covered course.

FACILITIES: There will be a heated shelter on site (limited space) to change and warm up along with a port-o potty. Please bring warm clothes to change into following the race. Petro-Canada @ the 401 off ramp 1.7km from race site has offered their showers and change facilities before and after the race. Opening hours are from 9:30am till 2:00pm

PARKING: Free limited parking at race start for the early birds and the rest will be road side parking.

SNOWSHOE RENTAL: If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, we have a limited number of Dion Snowshoes for rent, and are available on a first come, first serve basis when you register online, so register early! Rental fee is $10/race. Other snowshoes may be available for rental at various outdoor clubs and/or stores.

WEATHER: In the unlikely event of no snow, the race will still take place as a trail run (without snowshoes). Since the race will take place with or without snow, we cannot offer refunds or race transfers.

ENTRY FEES: EARLY ENTRY FEE (before Jan 20, 2018): 7.55km race – $25.00 | 3.5km race – $15.00 REGULAR ENTRY FEE (Jan 20 – Feb 8, 2018): 7.55km race – $35.00 | 3.5km race – $20.00 LATE ENTRY FEE (Race day): 7.55km race – $45.00 | 3.5km race – $30.00 Race is capped at a maximum of 150 competitors. Race day registration only available if we haven’t reached 150 by race day. Please register early!

RACE SOUVENIR: Sign up early to guarantee your customized race souvenir. Available while supplies last to those who preregister.

REGISTRATION: Online registration available at Running Room.

POST RUN AWARDS: • Merchandise awards from our sponsors. • All participants are eligible for numerous draw prizes. • Post race hot and cold snacks will be provided after the race.

DION ONTARIO SNOWSHOE RUNNING SERIES: Each racers top three finishes will count towards the series with the lowest point total being declared the winner. The first place male and female winner of the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series will each win a pair of top-of-the-line Dion running snowshoes at the conclusion of the series. We will also be randomly drawing for a free pair of Dion Snowshoes and additional prizes at each race in the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series. You must be at awards ceremony to win!

Timing Company: Running by Design (RunCanada@gmail.com)

District 8 Nordic Ski Competition – Thursday, February 15

The District 8 of the Ontario Senior Games Association (55+) will hold a XC ski race at the Summerstown trails on Feb. 15.

Registration:9AM Race: 10AM

Categories: Classic Ski 5Km Prediction, men and women 5Km Timed race, men and women

Cost: $15 annual registration fee which permits participation in all OSGA event throughout the year.

To enter, call or email Stanley Fraser before Feb. 11th stanleyianfraser@yahoo.ca 613-525-3777

Family Day Activities at Summerstown Forest – Monday, February 19

The Friends of the Summerstown Trails will be hosting their annual Family Day activities at the Summerstown Forest on Monday, February 19, from 10am to 4pm. Come out and enjoy the trails and other outdoor fun activities. Free XC ski and snowshoe rentals for families throughout the day. Many other free activities and food offered. The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401. For more information, visit www.summerstowntrails.com.

2018 Moonlight Ski Outing (FOTST Members Event) CANCELLED

The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Ski outing on Wednesday evening, January 31, 7:15pm.

This event will take place even in the case of minimal cloud cover as enough light is still available. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the FOTST website and Facebook at 5pm at the latest.

For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.

2017-2018 Calendar of Events

Check out our list of events scheduled for this Winter - 2017-2018 Calendar of Events

Clean Up Day - Saturday, November 4, 2017

Our Annual Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than usual, on Saturday, November 4, at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 25.

Given the improved garbage situation at the trails (good news!), most of the volunteers attending will be asked to do trail maintenance work which consists in trimming back small branches and seedlings along the trails and removing fallen branches. Please bring pruning shears, manual brush cutters, hedge trimmers, etc. We do not need chainsaws for this type of work. And don’t forget your protective equipment and boots as there may be wet spots on the trails.

Any garbage clean-up will be concentrated in and around the parking lot and at specific areas on the trails. All you need are work gloves; we will provide the trash bags.

Please confirm your participation via email to summerstowntrails@gmail.com

Thanks for coming out to help!

Annual FOTST Members-only Birding Walk - Saturday, May 13th - Birding Walk Report attached below

Check out the birding report from May's walk - May 2017 Birding Walk Report

Come out and see the remarkable bird life of the forest in spring.

Date: Saturday, May 13, 2017

Time: 7:00 a.m.

Registration is required and limited.
UPDATE - the maximum number of participants for this walk has been reached. Unfortunately, we cannot accept anymore names for our waiting list either.

For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.

2017 Annual General Meeting (FOTST Members Event)

All members of the Friends of the Summerstown Trails [FOTST] are invited to join us for our Annual General Meeting. Come out and meet the folks who look after the trails and chat with the people who are planning the new parking lot and entrance way to Summerstown Forest.

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017

Time: 7:30 p.m. General Meeting followed by a social hour.

Place: Jack’s Pub, 19700 John Street, Williamstown, ON

RSVP by email if you are planning to attend so we can plan the social hour. For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.

2017 Moonlight Ski Outing (FOTST Members Event)

The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Ski outing on Friday evening, February 10, 7:15pm.

This event will take place even in the case of minimal cloud cover as enough light is still available. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the FOTST website to that effect at 5pm at the latest.

For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.

Family Day Activities at Summerstown Forest – Monday, February 20

The Friends of the Summerstown Trails will be hosting their annual Family Day activities at the Summerstown Forest on Monday, February 20, from 10am to 4pm. Come out and enjoy the trails and other outdoor fun activities. Free XC ski and snowshoe rentals for families throughout the day. Many other free activities and food offered. The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401. For more information, visit www.summerstowntrails.com.

5th Annual DION Summerstown Forest Snowshoe Race. This is the 4th race of the 2017 Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series

DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2017

TIME: 10:00am (Race day registration on-site from 8:30am till 9:45am)

LOCATION: FOTST trails in the Summerstown Forest (10 minutes from Cornwall, ON). The trailhead and parking lot are in the Township of South Glengarry at 6150 County Road 27 (Summerstown Road) on the west side, 1.6km north of Exit 804 of Highway 401

DISTANCE: 7.55km – Dion Points Series Race (medals and prizes to the top 3 overall and top master for both Male and Female) 3.5km – Summerstown Forest Challenge (No Dion series points awarded. Prizes to top overall male and female only)

COURSE: Mostly single track with lots of possible passing areas. Packed rolling terrain making this a fast beautiful tree covered course.

FACILITIES: There will be a heated shelter on site (limited space) to change and warm up along with a port-o potty. Please bring warm clothes to change into following the race. Petro-Canada @ the 401 off ramp 1.7km from race site has offered their showers and change facilities before and after the race. Opening hours are from 9:30am till 2:00pm

PARKING: Free limited parking at race start for the early birds and the rest will be road side parking.

SNOWSHOE RENTAL: If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, we have a limited number of Dion Snowshoes for rent, and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact us if you would like a pair reserved. Rental fee is $5/race and payable on race day at pickup. Email parisiengl@sympatico.ca to reserve.

WEATHER: In the event of no snow the race will be a trail race.

ENTRY FEES: EARLY ENTRY FEE (before Jan 31, 2017): 7.55km race – $25.00 | 3.5km race – $15.00 REGULAR ENTRY FEE (Feb 1 – Feb 10, 2017): 7.55km race – $35.00 | 3.5km race – $20.00 LATE ENTRY FEE (Race day): 7.55km race – $45.00 | 3.5km race – $30.00 Race is capped at a maximum of 150 competitors. Race day registration only available if we haven’t reached 150 by race day. Please register early!

RACE SOUVENIR: Sign up early to guarantee your customized race souvenir. Available while supplies last to those who preregister.

REGISTRATION: Register Now

POST RUN AWARDS: • Merchandise awards from our sponsors. • All participants are eligible for numerous draw prizes. • Post race hot and cold snacks will be provided after the race.

DION ONTARIO SNOWSHOE RUNNING SERIES: Each racers top three finishes will count towards the series with the lowest point total being declared the winner. The first place male and female winner of the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series will each win a pair of top-of-the-line Dion running snowshoes at the conclusion of the series. We will also be randomly drawing for a free pair of Dion Snowshoes and additional prizes at each race in the Dion Ontario Snowshoe Running Series. You must be at awards ceremony to win!

Timing Company: Running by Design (RunCanada@gmail.com)

2017 Moonlight Snowshoe Outing (FOTST Members Event)

Event Update: Given the adverse weather and snow conditions, the moonlight outing scheduled for Friday, will be a SNOWSHOE instead of a ski.

The Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is inviting all members and their guests to a Moonlight Snowshoe on Friday evening, January 13, 7:15pm.

This event will take place even in the case of minimal cloud cover as enough light is still available. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be cancelled. A notice will be posted on the FOTST website to that effect at 5pm at the latest.

For more information contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com.

2017 Calendar of Events

Check out our list of events scheduled for this Winter - 2017 Calendar of Events

2017 Summerstown Trails Season Opener - January 8th, 2017 10am - 3pm

FOTST are getting ready to celebrate the start of the 2017 season. Join us on January 8th for a day of family-friendly activities. We'll have free ski and snowshoe rentals, volunteers to show you around the trails and hot chocolate by the fire to warm up. Learn about events and lessons taking place this winter, meet other members of FOTST, find out about the perks of joining FOTST, and sign up to be a member. It's time to get excited about winter! For more information, contact us at summerstowntrails@gmail.com or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Summerstown-Trails-735390299864940/

Clean Up Day (Nov 2016)

Our Annual Clean-up Day at the Summerstown Trails will be held earlier than ususal, on Saturday, November 5, starting at 9 a.m. (‘till noon), starting in the trailhead parking lot. Please note that gun-hunting season will not have started, but we still recommend that you wear bright clothes. In case of rain, we will postpone to Saturday, November 26.

Given the improved garbage situation at the trails (Good news!), most of the volunteers attending will be asked to do trail maintenance work which consists in trimming back small branches and seedlings along the trails and removing fallen branches. Please bring pruning shears, manual brush cutters, hedge trimmers, etc. We do not need chainsaws for this type of work. And don’t forget your protective equipment and boots as there may be wet spots on the trails.

Garbage clean-up will be concentrated in and around the parking lot and at specific areas on the trails. All you need are work gloves; we will provide the trash bags.

Note: We will begin with a short ceremony for the unveiling of our new interpretive signs which will be installed on the trails.

Thanks for coming out to help!