Girl Gone Good

08/29/2025

📍Chapman Mills Conservation Area

Trail management and info by : https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/chapman-mills

06/25/2025

A good read about a rescue during last weekend's storm:

The mother of an Ottawa boy seriously injured when a tree fell on their tent in Algonquin Park on Saturday is praising first responders and crediting wilderness training courses she took for helping them get through until help arrived.

05/25/2025

The plan? To catch as many sunrises and sunsets as possible! ☀️Tips to catch the best ones below!👇🏼

These are from Sunset Point Park in Collingwood, ON. Gorgeous views that you can easily walk to while staying at .inn’s newest boutique hotel in Collingwood.

✨ Tips for the best sunrise/sunset on the trail:

1. Trail

The sun rises in the East and sets in the west. You’ll want to find a lookout with 360’ views, a towers, or a view point in the right direction for sun exposure. You can trust me with the recommendations below, ha ha, or double check sun-direction for Ottawa. Safety tip: Pick a trail you’ve previously hiked.

2. Timing

Plan to arrive at your viewing location 45 minutes before the sun rises or 30 minutes before sun sets. This way your capture all aspects of the sun, like how it crests over the horizon in the mornings providing the opportunity for some incredible pictures.

3. Weather

For sunrise and sunset hikes, having a few clouds is actually a good thing! They make for incredible pictures and add diversity to the sky as the sun changes positions. Pick a day that has up to 50% cloud coverage and low humidity.

➡️ What to pack and recommended sunrise/sunset trails at: girlgonegood.com/blog/best-sunrise-sunset-hikes-ottawa

➡️ Read up on my stay on Collingwood here: girlgonegood.com/blog/somewhere-inn-collingwood

05/14/2025

It’s roadtrip season! Anyone have Collingwood on their getaway list? I got to stay at .inn and the first thing I want to share is their incredible outdoor space:

• sauna
• cold plunge
• lounge space
• hammocks
• and the perfect tables to get work or writing done!

Heaven. I love staying here. And even though I was overloaded with work during my stay this time, the outdoor space was EVERYTHING. Great spot to take meetings and then decompress.

I finish I could borrow them to design my backyard. 🫣

➡️ Book at somewhereinn.ca

➡️➡️ Want to know more like my experience, local trail recommendations, and cafes? The blog post is a quick read with all the details: girlgonegood.com/somewhere-inn-collingwood

I’ll be posting more about Somewhere Inn - keep an eye out 👀

Is .inn on your Ontario adventures list for this year? 10/10 recommended 🤘🏼

05/13/2025

The trilliums are in bloom! Snuck out to Oschmann Forest Conservation Area on Sunday before family brunch to check them out. Oschmann is a 1.2km loop through trilliums and maples, with maple production and information signs along the path.

There’s a picnic table at the trailhead, a kids playground at the far end of the parking lot, and the portapotty is accessible (and super clean).

Location: 12301 Ormond Rd, Wi******er ON K0C 2K0

ℹ️ More info: https://www.nation.on.ca/recreation/hikingwalking/oschmann-forest-conservation-area

04/20/2025

Have you walked Forest Trail Park in Tay Valley Township yet? It’s a beautiful and new 900m loop with outdoor exercise stations that’s perfect for a hell of a workout in nature or an easy going stroll.

It’s also accessible. The trail is flat, wide, and there are benches a lot along the route to rest.

ℹ️ trail info at www.tayvalleytwp.ca/en/discover-tay-valley/Trails-and-Routes.aspx

04/19/2025

🌲 Phiney Forest Trails! Enjoyed a walk in the woods, perhaps my favourite way to catch up with friends or clear the mind.

Some trails, or trail sections, are often closed in the spring for maintenance, safety, or for environmental reasons. Kindly abide by those closures.

Northern exposed or trails with heavy tree coverage will still have snow on the ground.

It’s FLOOD/ MUD season but you still need to stay on the trail, hike through, not around. And maybe, don’t wear white shoes. Ha ha. I got some good soakers (well worth it).

ℹ️ Phiney Forest trail info and maps: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/southern-farm-and-pinhey-forest #

👉🏼 Free seasonal considerations pdf and other resources at girlgonegood.com

04/07/2025

What better way to fuel your hiking season than with local 🇨🇦 and organic food boxes?! Check out who expended their delivery zone to include Almonte and Carleton Place. Swipe ➡️ for more!

They offer a “wide selection of organic certified produce, meat, dairy, eggs and vegan alternatives, delivered all year long to the Ottawa region”.

I met with owner Jennifer a few weeks ago and was thrilled with her, the food boxes, and the listed price/availability.

They have several different food box choices and price points.

On my side, I can attest that I eat better quality food, with more variety, than I normally do. The was delicious and filling. The produce were fresh. The mint dark chocolate was the perfect treat. I made stir fry’s and coleslaw and the best breakfasts.

And I swear it put an extra spring in my hiking step. ;)

➡️ visit goodfood2u.ca for more info and to place an order.

Give a follow!

03/10/2025

Did you know we have a rucking club in Ottawa?! It's led by my friend Patrick, we both participated in GORUCK events in Normandy last year. It's fun to see rucking in Ottawa! Follow on instagram or join their April 26th event. :)

Join the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/predator-ruck/3922692597988366/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=atdhb0ticxlPxlBa&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1N3ogTxnsB%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr

Send a message to learn more

03/10/2025

🌲🧖🏽‍♀️ .inn is your gateway to nature and wellness. We already know about the great trails, let’s chat great product lines, fire pits, and all things wellness.

Somewhere Inn Calabogie is keen to help us disconnect from the hustle and bustle, and reconnect with ourselves and nature with the following:

• Cold plunge
• Sauna
• Soaker tub and lounge chairs gas (select rooms)
• Gas fireplace (all rooms)
• Boardgames
• Hammocks (summer)
• Outdoor fire pit (all seasons) and lawn games
• SUP rentals

Both nights of my stay I was the first person out at the fire pit and the last one to leave. It’s a nice set up, perfect to bring out smores, hot drinks, and conversation. If you look up on a clear night, you’ll see the stars through the trees.

Recommendation: Bring a bathing suit and shower sandals to enjoy the spas and beaches when warm enough. Bathrobes are provided in room!

The Low Down

• Located in Calabogie, Ontario (1 hr drive from downtown Ottawa).
• Multiuse trails, hiking trails, downhill and cross-country skiing.
• Original motel renovated into a paradise with scandanvian styled rooms.
• Outdoor firepit, hammocks, sauna, cold plunge, and lounge area.
• Dogs are welcome.
• Complementary wi-fi, no tv (I promise, you don’t need it).
• Mini fridge, coffee bar, and treats for purchase in rooms.
• Centrally located and driving distance to cafes, restaurants, and trails.
• Incredible hosts and staff.

😎 Grab your trail maps and information before you go, along with my best sunrise/sunset hiking tips at girlgonegood.com

➡️ Book your stay: https://somewhereinn.ca

✨Follow Somewhere Inn: .inn

🤓 Read the full review with TRAIL INFO: https://www.girlgonegood.com/blog/somewhere-inn-calabogie

💡Don’t forget to download your free print out on what to wear hiking, safe solo hiking, and seasonal considerations at girlgonegood.com/wilderness

03/07/2025

🤩 Catching Sunset/Sunrise in Calabogie. Ready to catch the best ones while staying at .inn?! Here are my fave spots👇🏼

☀️ SUNSET: Right across the street at Barnet Park.

Before the sun sets, walk across the street to Barnet Park. There’s a small beach with nearby play structures, fairy forest, and fitness park. If it’s a clear or partially cloudy day, it’s at the beach where you’ll enjoy a fantastic view as the sun goes over the lake and sets behind Manitou Mountain.

☀️SUNRISE: The top of Manitou Mountain.

Before anyone else is aake, grab your headlamps, and hike up Manitou Mountain to Skywalk Loop for an incredible sun rise over Calabogie Lake (which looks like a bear from this view point). To get there, park at Calabogie Peaks Resort, hike up Bear Claw, then the steep Skywalk Trail all the way up to Skywalk Loop. Make sure you aim to be at the top about 30-40 mins before the official sunrise time showing on your weather app. You’ll have the chance to catch all the colours this way.

😎 Grab your trail maps and information before you go, along with my best sunrise/sunset hiking tips at girlgonegood.com

➡️ Book your stay: https://somewhereinn.ca

✨Follow Somewhere Inn: .inn

🤓 Read the full review with TRAIL INFO: https://www.girlgonegood.com/blog/somewhere-inn-calabogie

💡Don’t forget to download your free print out on what to wear hiking, safe solo hiking, and seasonal considerations at girlgonegood.com/wilderness

03/05/2025

🤩 Oh these Calabogie and area trails! Which have you hiked?

• Manitou Mountain, while Eagles Nest is the highlight for many, a greater challenge and less trafficked hike is to park at the Barrett Chute Rd lot and hike Manitou Mountain trail to enjoy five different lookouts.

• Blueberry Mountain is a 5km trail that is clearly marked, easy to hike, with the last 100m offering steep elevation gain to the lookout. The view over the valley is spectacular and you can even spot Manitou Mountain in the distance.

• K&P Trail is a multi-use, shared trail that runs from Kingston to Pembroke.

• Madawaska Nordic Trail is an 18km trail. You can access the trailhead from behind peaks village, across from the ski hill.

• Dacre Heights is an old ski hill that is now private land that’s open to the public. A fun options to hike up and ski down in the winter months.

• Limestone/Wabun Lake: Choose from either an under 4km out and back to the lookout or 18km full loop of Limestone and Wabun Lake. Access from Hydro Dam Rd then Wabun Lake Rd. This is a shared use trail (mountain bikers, motorsports, hunting), is mostly unmarked, but relatively easy to follow. ⚠️ Important info for this trail in article link below!

• Griffith Uplands is a 10kms trail with multiple peaks and view points. It’s loosely mark and just like Wabun Lake, this trail requires extra precautions. ⚠️ Important info for this trail in article link below!

Other activities in the area? Geocaching, fishing, cycling, skiing, motorsports, etc. More information available through the Township of Greater Madawaska.

➡️ Book your stay: https://somewhereinn.ca

✨Follow Somewhere Inn: .inn

🤓 Read the full review with TRAIL INFO: https://www.girlgonegood.com/blog/somewhere-inn-calabogie

💡Don’t forget to download your free print out on what to wear hiking, safe solo hiking, and seasonal considerations at girlgonegood.com/wilderness