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| The woods without people around can be serene, but you need to be aware of surroundings |
Normally I enjoy the opportunity to hike without others crowding the trails. There's nobody slowing you down in front, and nobody pushing you along behind you.
However, during a recent trip to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, near Mono Hills, Ontario we had an experience that reminded us that sometimes it's better to be surrounded by people.
For anybody who has been to Mono Cliffs, it's usually a quiet spot for a walk even in the summer time. We drove into the main parking lot and found only one other car parked further down. What was unsettling was the lone man standing outside in the chilly wind. Inside his car were three other passengers that we couldn't see clearly from the distance and due to tinted windows.
Not knowing who was in the car and the fact that Mr. Lone Guy Outside was eying our car gave us what Frank likes to refer to as the "heebee-geebies".
We sat in our car for a good five minutes, sipping our Tim Horton's coffee, hoping that whoever this guy was waiting for would appear. Perhaps he was waiting for somebody using the public bathroom a bit further down? Or he was waiting for somebody to show up for a group winter hike?
Then we started thinking worst case scenario: perhaps this was a meet up to exchange drugs? Or for some other nefarious purpose.
We didn't want to find out the hard way. Nor did we want to walk away from our car and find it broken into or stolen.
We decided not to wait any longer and drove off. Although we enjoyed a short walk at Mono Cliffs from a different entrance, we continued to wonder what this fellow and the others in the car were doing in a deserted parking lot at a provincial park, in an isolated area. We'll never know.
Thinking more about this experience, we've come up with some personal safety rules for hiking on quiet trails:
- Before you head off on a trail, check to see if anybody is loitering around the parking lot. If they are doing so without any indication of leaving, it's quite possible they are up to no good. If there's another way you can access trails, do so.
- Always be aware of who is around you. If you spot somebody suspicious who is checking you out or steadily following you, make an effort to get away from them as soon as possible. Alert them to the fact that you are aware of their presence.
- A sturdy walking stick or trekking pole can act as a good weapon for self-defence if the need arises.You can purchase a proper trekking pole from Mountain Equipment Co-op for a range of prices (approximately $60 - $130), depending on the brand and quality. Not only do you get extra exercise but also a make-shift weapon.
Have you ever had a similar situation happen to you? Did you have anything strange happen on a trail?
It's too bad that something like that ruined your walk. Better safe than sorry.
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