It's too early to tell yet, but it looks as though our ailing Corkscrew Hazel is putting out its early-spring catkins. My concern is whether those catkins will appear dangling from the upper branches of its far reaches. Last summer, battered by summer after summer of predatory Japanese beetles took its toll. Only the bottom half of the tree leafed out. We hesitate to cut those thick, heavy branches that were unproductive indicating the end of their lives. So we'll give them time to see if the tree is able to recover. Last year there was no invasion of the beetles, unlike the previous years. Perhaps the tree needed a rest. It's possible it will survive now that it's no longer challenged.

Other than that, not much sign of renewed life yet anywhere in the garden. I do see a little red colouration on some rose canes. It will be a time yet before anything emerges from the still-frozen soil. And there is still hard-packed snow and ice left in some areas of the garden and the backyard in general. Even though it's ahead, as it usually tends to be, of the melt occurring in the front of the house where the gardens remain buried in larger burdens of snow and ice.

Yet another overcast day dawned today. But no rain yet, although the forecast is for overnight rain that will turn to snow as the temperature plunges to -6C. Today though, the mid-afternoon high rose nicely enough to 8C. The damp atmosphere and wind made it seem much colder. And since there was threat of rain for the afternoon, Jackie and Jillie wore their rainjackets going out to the ravine this afternoon.

Yesterday's icy trails are somewhat more relaxed today. There's a lot more denaturized ice and slushy conditions on the trails. Which, though awkward for intentions of striding along the trails, is a lot safer as far as footing is concerned. In some places we sloshed along the trails. Uphill meant a bit of a struggle, since slipping backward becomes a constant, ascending a melting snowpack.

It's like plodding one's way through sand or a foot-sucking marsh. No problem for Jackie and Jillie; once they gain the top of a hill they look about, scrutinizing the lay of the land to make certain there are no lurking threats. They wait until we breach the conditions that make the climb a scrabble, and then we decide; short circuit or long circuit today?

The consensus decision went for a long circuit, since the ambiance was mild and there was nothing of any urgency awaiting our arrival back home. It's Saturday, after all, a day of rest and leisure! Once out of the ravined portion of the forest, attaining the upper flats, the extent of the snowmelt is far more pronounced. The air at that level tends to be somewhat less cool and melting of the snow is accelerated. It all runs downhill to the creek below.

And it's at that level, out of the ravine, that we tend to come across others out on the trails with their dogs. Where Jackie and Jillie renew their daily acquaintances with other forest-hiking dogs they've become familiar with. And we, in turn, stand and speak briefly with those dogs' people. Exchanging pleasantries, opinions and satisfaction with the timely departure of winter.