Espanola hiking club looking for more members for Tuesday morning adventures

A northern Ontario woman is inviting others to join her weekly hiking club in Espanola after she captured the beauty of Mother Nature during a recent adventure.

Kathy Carre told CTV News in an email exchange her hiking club meets every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at Black Creek and Espanola, just less than an hour's drive west of Sudbury on Highway 17.

"All are invited to come out and enjoy the benefits of 'vitamin N' ... the best vitamin that only Mother Nature can provide," Carre said.

"So great for our physical and mental well-being. We hike and then we sit with our cups and thermoses and have a fun visit afterwards!"

She said she and a friend came up with the idea while walking the trail on a cold winter morning during one of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

"Going outside was something we could do during a time … when we were socially limited," Carre said.

"It has been such a gift for all of us."

The group size ranges from eight to 20 people each week and includes hikers with different abilities.

"Each of us do what we can based on our abilities. Some hikers walk the more rugged parts of our trail system and some do easier parts of it based on what they need on any given week," Carre said.

"Most of us are rock star seniors. That is part of the magic!"

Scenery from Espanola hiking trail

She said some of the members stay on the easier paths that take about 30 minutes, while the longest part of the hike is about 90 minutes.

"My fitness level has improved SO much due to being a part of this. As have others. Pure rock star magic," Carre said.

"It sure is good for the soul!"

During her hike on Oct. 24, she captured some breathtaking photos of the scenery.

Scenery on Black Creek hiking trail in Espanola (Kathy Carre)

Scenery on Black Creek hiking trail in Espanola

"The sparkles you see are all natural put there by Mother Nature and not me. It was the perfect morning for that. All the little circular prisms were like a million little rainbows. It is amazing to be out during the magical light hours of the morning," Carre said.

Scenery from Espanola hiking trail

Scenery from Espanola hiking trail

"I am not a technical photographer by any means and I don't have a sophisticated editing program so what I do is very basic. My camera does most of the work. I want to learn more about that side of things, but meanwhile, I just love what I see when I am out there with my camera chasing light, shadow and stillness. And then, I share it on my social media because we need all the positivity that we can get."

Scenery from Espanola hiking trail

Scenery on Black Creek hiking trail in Espanola