I want to go for a walk in Cootes today, cause its such a nice day. Are there like paths or something? how do I get there? (I live in Bates, so the closest entrance to there would be great!) thanks! Also, is it easy to get lost? because I have a terrible sense of direction!!

i've been trying to find out who to get there for a while,
anyone know?

there's lots of trails that go down into coots.
i'm in north quad, there's one behind brandon and one behind les prince, those are the only ones i know about for sure.
there should be ones in west quad too though.

There's a peace hike this sunday:

Wouldn't it be a nice thing to do something on that day (however small)
so as to reflect on Peace, and to really celebrate the occasion?

I mean, we celebrate a lot of silly things for no reason (Does any of
us even know what Guy Fox day is about anymore? Do we wave our flags
proudly on Flag Day? I'm not really bothered that we don't, but *P*eace
Day. That is a something else!)

So, on Sunday September 21st Creativity Circle is organizing a Peace
Hike through Cootes (Paradise) from 1:00pm- 4:00pm. It will be a great
opportunity to meet with others, to experience the beautious nature
that exists here at home, to relax, and to exercise that broad,
peaceful perspective that I can see peaking out of you... (whup, there
it is!) Meet In MUSC at the Fireplace at 1pm (you know, the big tall
ceiling room next to Compass and the foodcourt).
Rain or shine!!

Nicole just posted a great article on Cootes! Check it out here.

There are lots of trails, yes, however there aren't many that are easily accessible from West Quad. There is one around the President's Residence, though, and also you may be able to join up to the main trail system from the bottom of Faculty Hollow. The main access points are all around North Quad - a major trailhead is right by Les Prince (there is a trail map posted here, too), and a smaller one by Brandon.

It is a rather confusing network of trails, but you will never get totally lost - eventually if you follow a trail long enough you'll pop out somewhere around campus or in Westdale - just don't go close to when it gets dark just in case it takes a bit longer than expected to find your way out. You can buy trail maps for $2 at the RBG centre in Burlington, but unfortunately there aren't any maps posted online (I've checked). I'll see if I can scan or take some pictures of the map that I have when I get home later, though.

Actually, you can't go through the president's residence path anymore. I went through cootes for my welcome week event and apparently this huge tree fell which blocked our path. I recommend the brandon entrance

There's also one between Hedden and Les Prince, an entrance that is.

Cootes is beautiful and a great place to go just make sure you go with a friend and bring a cell phone if you have one. If you're going in the evening/afternoon bring a flashlight as you loose sunlight quicker these days.

Well the best place in behind Brandon's res. I've been in Coot's many times, and really far in. If anyone ever wants a tour or is just bored msg me and I'll be glad to take you.

Forgot to add that there are animals sometimes which just makes the walk all the better.

The entrance behind the president's house is still walkable. It just isn't maintained at all so you'll be hopping over logs every now and then. I tried biking through the trail the other day and nearly died like four times. Fun stuff. Cootes is great though especially this time of year. Enjoy it before it gets too cold.