Up the Steps

The Steps-MARCY Woods, fort Erie, Ontario Earl Plato

New steps at Marcy Woods! Over fifty or so leading
steeply up the ridge. A secure railing supports us. Thanks to the DiCienzo family efforts for the complete restoration. I have slipped falling both up and down these steep steps. We have helped repair parts at time. After Dr. Marcy‘s death good maintenance was lost.. No longer now. My photo below shows the new steps that are greatly improved.
Where are you climbing to? You are on the Upper Trail. Turn left and you are heading east. There are secure railings all along. The deep holes that you had to climb in and out are all filled now. You walk on a much more level walkway. Soon you come to a path leading south to the old Marcy cabin. The DiCienzos have restored and cleared this pathway of fallen trees. Again old steps have been replaced. Great! However, we walk back and are taking the Upper Trail that I have called the Bird Trail. This narrow pathway follows the Lower Trail below in a horseshoe fashion. It too ends at the cabin. It is not an easy walk. You are up hill and dale. You eventually reach a ridge. Once you surmount this forested sand hill you are at the highest point. Below is Marcy pond and to the south you can see and hear Lake Erie. Time for a rest. Here each year we see and hear the Red bellied woodpeckers. On occasion we may hear the loud tapping of he huge Pileated woodpeckers in the wetlands to the north.. In spring you may see a variety of migratory birds, It was here we saw a Wilson’s warbler. Birders take some time to enjoy the Bird Trail. Each spring white trilliums border the walkway as they do on the Lower Trail. One year deep in a vale below we saw a fox vixen and two young pups frolicking. Shiny red coats on them all.
The Upper Trail is not an easy walk. Yet in 2009 armed with my trusty walking staff I will walk up the steps and venture on to the Bird Trail of the Upper Trail at Marcy Woods.