The weather did not look promising for our first outing of 2026.  Most awoke to rain or drizzle which persisted until we arrived at Gleneagles Community Centre near Horseshoe Bay.  10 Loopers gathered for the starting selfie, while another joined us along the way. We started out by crossing Marine Drive and heading south and east along the Seaview Walk, which follows the old PGE rail bed.  There were pleasant views to the west, where skies were clearing, and down to Eagle Harbour.

Part way along we encountered a birder out participating in the annual New Year’s bird count.  Upon discovering that we were going to Whyte Lake, she promptly conscripted one of the crew to track birds along the way and report the findings. After brief instructions were given we carried on.

At the foot of Nelson Canyon there was a brief pause while a couple of the group checked out the portal of the railway tunnel – still there!  The tunnel was constructed in the 1970s to bypass the route along which we had walked. We ascended and crossed the old highway bridge, stopping to observe the rushing waters of Nelson Creek far below.  After following the road for another brief uphill stretch we plunged into the woods on the Nelson Creek Trail.

This portion of the trail was quite muddy.  After a steady climb, we reached the junction with the Whyte Lake trail where we paused again to regroup.  At this point one member of the group suffered a minor injury when bitten on the knee by a small but aggressive dog accompanying a group headed in the opposite direction.

The late-starting Looper caught up with the group along the Whyte Lake trail.  On reaching the lake we took the opportunity to take another selfie of the complete group.  We paused on the dock for a snack break, undeterred by a brief rain shower.

After passing the lake on a newly constructed walk-way we joined the Baden Powell trail for the descent to Horseshoe Bay.

Afters were enjoyed at the Orchard restaurant at Gleneagles Golf Glub, with a lone Looper choosing instead to stop for a cappuccino at Isetta. The final bird count was one duck observed swimming in Whyte Lake and one distant unidentified flying bird.  Loopers’ talents are clearly not ornithological!

Photo credits to: Adrienne, Angela, Carol, Jon, & Michael