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There are many interesting places to see and explore around Mantario. Usually, the program takes a hike along the Mantario Trail one day but there are lots of other options. The full length of the day hike is just over 10km. Since I very rarely hike the whole circuit I have only listed items normally seen (by me). The map shows the day hike with a purple line, and the cutoff between Spider and Moosehead in red.
The Day Hike
The Day Hike
Across the beaver dam and up the hill. Look at the changes the beaver has made. You will find Joe Pie Weed, Jewel Weed, and Cattails in this area. While climbing the hill note the change from moist lowland Mountain Maples to upland rock outcrops and Jack Pine. Look at and enjoy the wide variety of lichens and mosses, special interests of mine, throughout the area.
Near Spider Lake you are walking in Ontario - at the border marker there are a number of species that are more typical of the prairies, not the boreal forest. Look for Big Bluestem and Cut-leaved Anemone. In the pine stand just before the marker there is a lot of checker berry. Try some for a refreshing wintergreen taste.
Spider Lake is a nice stop for a rest and a swim. This location marks the typical cut-off that is usually taken during the botanical week. On the hill near here and on the trees look at the wide variety of lichens. In the bottom of the ravines near Spider Lake, around the feet of the aspens, look for Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora L.) and Striped Coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) in June and early July.
Moosehead Lake is great for a quick dip. Just down from the swimming hole, there is a small marsh. Look for stinging nettles and sour dock. While walking the Mantario trail near Moosehead look at the [trail] rush growing along the trail. This rush is often abundant on moderately used trails. There is also an abundance of wild strawberries along this section of the trail.
Near the end of the trail down to Mantario look for large tooth aspen. This tree looks similar to regular Aspen Poplar but it has very large leaves with large distinct teeth on the leaves. Through out the under-story bunchberry and twinflower (Linnaea borealis) can be seen.
Other Places to Visit
Other Places to Visit
On Hop Lake, in the bog to the right of the portage from Mantario, you will find bog cranberry and Labrador tea. While you are at it look for Kalanski's old cabin (NAD 83, 15U 343405 5541258, N50°00'10.97" W095°11'06.96") and see how nature reclaims what we leave behind. On your way back take a quick look at the plants and micro-habitats around the waterfall near the portage.
Vier Lake is a great place to see wild rice at the end of the summer. Getting into the lake can be tricky if you cross near the creek over the floating mat of vegetation. A better alternative is to land on the narrow sandy beach just west of the creek and walk in over a height of land - there is no trail but in 2007 it was quite open. While not uncommon I remember seeing Arnica lonchophylla (Spear-Leaved Arnica) in abundance near the creek. Over the summer of 2003 the water levels were quite low and everywhere mud flats were exposed this plant came up in profusion.
Look for blueberries on the island near the end of the portage from Hop Lake. There are not very many, just enough for a pie, but even in dry years they are quite plump and juicy. There are blueberries everywhere along the day hike so you don't have to count on a trip to Hop Lake.
Near the portage into Spider Lake there is a large marsh/bog area. You can, with some work, follow the creek into Skull Lake. This is a neat area to paddle and observe the aquatic and emergent vegetation. Mid-summer there are a number of small white and yellow flowers that grow out of the water along with the water lilies and other aquatic flowers. These two aquatic plants (Ranunculus aquatilis (Water Buttercup) and Bidens beckii (water beggar's-ticks)) are uncommon in Manitoba. During mid-July 2005 the Water Buttercup created a blanket of flowers across the west side of Skull Lake. Bidens beckii is also known as Megalondonta beckii or water marigold. Another aquatic carnivorous plant can also be found with yellow snapdragon-looking flowers (Utricularia vulgaris L. (Bladderwort)).
Sunset Hill is a great place to climb in the evening and watch the sunset over the lakes. Look for small patches of peat moss growing on the way up. This is also the first place I remember seeing Aralia hispida Vent. This is a close relative of Aralia nudicaulis or Wild Sarsaparilla. Canoe to a point before the narrows (southeast of the point) and look for a wide rock slope. Follow the markers across the top of the hill. Although it is best to canoe to the point it is possible to walk. If you are walking follow the Mantario trail to a clearing about 200m short of Hop Lake (15U 0343901N 5540922E) and then cross a small valley and up the hill (toward 15U 0344022N 5541111E) going almost directly north.
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