We started one of the Etienne Trails, called the Red Pine Loop, while we were visiting Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. It was an extremely hot day and we were hoping the shade would keep us cool and that there would be a cool breeze off of the water.

The Red Pine Loop was the shortest of the three trails that all started from the same trail head. The sign told us that the trail was of moderate difficulty with several lookouts over the Mattawa River and that it would take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Looking at the elevation map it was obvious that the trail was going to be going up and down two different times.

The trail was very well marked with three different coloured markers.

The trail started up hill and while the shade was definitely helping to keep us cooler than being in the sun, but it was still an extremely hot day (33°C, at least).

The trail continued uphill and was getting rockier as we ascended. Maya was having difficulty traversing the rocks. Her eye sight is impeded by ‘blobs’ and she is starting to develop glaucoma in both of her eyes.

There were some beautifully vibrant ferns along the trail.

The trail was pretty well maintained but it was also quite narrow at times, with ferns and other plant life covering the edges of the trail.

About a kilometre in we decided it was too hot and too rocky for Maya to safely hike the rest of the trail so we reluctantly decided to turn around and call it a day.