Green Belt
Trails Skied: 44, 45, Glide Wax: , Grip Wax: -10 to -18
ROUTE: Most of 44 and about half of 45.
CONDITIONS: The amount of trail trash (pine needles, bark, leaves, pine cones and twigs) is unbelievable, probably because of the winds we have had. It is almost everywhere except the back side of 44. You could still make decent progress but there was considerable drag in many places. Going slower certainly made progress easier. The tracks on 44 are clear, but are falling apart. They are washed out in many places. The track set on 45 has made that trail much better to negotiate than 44. There is a lot of trail trash on 45 as well.
TRAFFIC: There were around 10 cars in the lot but there was very little traffic on the trails. I met 2 or 3 sets of people, but there was no problem passing.
The National Capital Greenbelt has over 100km of trails and another 25km of recreational pathways, most of which are suitable for cross-country skiing in the wintertime. All of the trails are suitable for beginner and family outings. Some are now maintained by volunteer groomers; OWWT, BWT, SHE, Kichi Sibi.
ONSC grooms The Hornet's Nest (Tauvette street to Montreal Rd), Mer Bleue and Pine Grove Forest (the section off Leitrum Rd). Trails are classic skiing ONLY, no skating is allowed on these trails. The Hornet's Nest is groomed at least weekly and the others as time permits. Updated trail conditions are available at the snow phone; 613-837-SNOW.
