Earn Your FREE Hiking Patch!
SAFETY COMES FIRST
Being prepared for hiking is essential for ensuring safety, maintaining health and fitness, minimizing environmental impact, navigating effectively, responding to emergencies, and maximizing enjoyment of the outdoor experience.
The what3words CHALLENGE is an opportunity to learn and utilize a valuable FREE safety tool while hiking the Ausable River Valley and Mystery Falls Trails.
What is what3words?
What3words is an application that was created in 2013 in the United Kingdom to assist people to precisely identify their location, particularly in rural or remote areas where postal addresses are inadequate. The what3words application translates GPS coordinates for a 3-metre-square parcel of land into a unique 3-word combination. These addresses are easy to say and share. They are so precise that they have become a valuable tool for individuals, businesses and services.
What3words has been especially valuable for emergency services to locate and provide assistance quickly in a crisis – especially in remote areas. Because long number-based coordinates are converted to three words, it is easier (and less stressful) for users to share their location with emergency workers. Smart phones already use GPS so coordinates are available to the what3words app, even without a data plan!
For more information about the what3words app, click the button below.
Download the what3words App
The Challenge
1) Download the what3words app to your mobile device.
2) Download the what3words CHALLENGE flyer that includes instructions and a trail map.
3) Hike the Ausable River Valley and Mystery Falls Trails.
4) Find and stop at each of the eight (8) map signs along the Ausable River Valley and Mystery Falls Trails.
5) While standing in front of the numbered post for the map sign, use the what3words app to determine the unique three-word combination for this spot. Record in the appropriate space in your flyer.
You do NOT need to complete the challenge in a single hike. You may wish to hike the trail in sections in order to visit the eight (8) map signs.
Download the what3words CHALLENGE Flyer
The Trails
DESCRIPTION
Owned by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, this large property offers two distinct trails:
Ausable River Valley -- Difficult to Extremely Difficult – 6.8 km one-way – white blazes
You can start at the Elm Tree Drive parking lot to travel north, or at the end of MacDonald Drive to travel south. Elm Tree to MacDonald is 6.8 km with optional side trails to reduce the length.
Mystery Falls -- Moderate – 3.3 km loop – white and blue blazes
Starting from the parking lot on Elm Tree Drive, the direct route to the falls (east, then north) is just under 1 km. You can also hike the loop trail clockwise (west, then north, then south) to add an additional 2.4 km.
ACCESS
There are two access points, both of which have parking lots:
• from the west end of MacDonald Drive in North Middlesex (for the Ausable River Valley Trail from the north)
MacDonald Drive: https://w3w.co/headphone.sushi.veterinary
• from the west end of Elm Tree Drive in North Middlesex (for the Mystery Falls Trail or the Ausable River Valley Trail from the south)
Elm Tree Drive: https://w3w.co/annotated.tunes.lamest
Please note!
Parking is limited, especially at the end of MacDonald Drive. DO NOT PARK ON THE CROPS PLANTED BESIDE THE ROAD!
MacDonald Drive and Elm Tree Drive are NOT MAINTAINED in the winter. If you need roadside assistance, you will most certainly have to pay for it even if you have coverage.
WORDS OF CAUTION
This trail network is RUGGED and DIFFICULT, with numerous ascents and descents, and narrow passage in many spots. Slopes can be muddy and slippery, especially in spring and fall. Proper footwear is a must! Minors should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
STAY ON MARKED TRAILS. Trespassing will not be tolerated.
Please visit Parks and Recreation to learn more about the property, and permitted activities. Please share the area with other property visitors who wish to enjoy the outdoors. To learn more about when hunting may occur on this property, please visit: Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and follow safety tips for hiking during hunting season.
How to Claim Your Patch
Once you have collected the what3words for all eight (8) map signs you can claim your FREE patch. Mail your flyer, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
LSNT what3words
C/O Mary Lou Tasko
10158 Meadowlily Crescent
Grand Bend, Ontario
N0M 1T0
177 of 200 Patches Available
Some of our Award Recipients
From the communities of:
Forest, Camlachie, Sarnia, London
Feedback
"I just wanted to let you know that several hikers from the What3words hike were on a hike later in the week where a person with a preexisting knee injury started the hike but then felt that she couldn’t go on. It was decided that the paramedics would be called to get her out and the What3words location was given to them to assist. The hike was in London and the paramedics were impressed that the group was able to use the app! Maybe you can add this event to the instances where it was useful when you are talking to other groups!"
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