Friday 24 January 2020

Niagara #3 - Decew House (29.8 km) to Swayze Falls (40.5 km) - Jan. 23rd, 2020


15 hikers were out for this 12.6 km hike from Decew House to Swayze Falls which included a reroute in Short Hills Provincial Park.  The hikers were, Ken, Rhonda, Brian, Ron J., Marleen, Ron B., Catherine, Ann, Isaac, Arpi, Carol, Eric, Michael, Annette and Steve the photographer.

The Trail begins alongside Lake Moodie which is a reservoir for a Hydro Power Plant.  Icers were needed from the very start of the hike.


The geese were huddling along the frozen edge of the Lake as we approached.


We near the end of the reservoir with the start of the power plant penstocks visible at the end.

The trail enters the forest along the top of the escarpment.


A brief stop before we began the descent of the escarpment.


The descent continues.

Our Bridge picture at the Laura Secord Crossing of Twelve Mile Creek.  Thanks to the Bridge we stayed dry unlike Laura Secord in 1813.



As we moved up river, Twelve Mile Creek was frozen over.




 Just in time, a log is found for Elevensies.


A frozen waterfall by our Elevensies site.

Off we went again.

The Trail follows alongside Terrace Creek.

Terrace Creek Falls was largely Frozen.


Back on the Trail with a large descent and...

climb.  Luckily the cold weather froze the Short Hills mud and made hiking easy with our icers.


We finally arrived at Swayze Falls which was also frozen.

A final discussion, a viewing of the Falls, and we were off to the cars and onto Timmies.

Thursday 16 January 2020

Niagara #2 Woodend Rd 15.2 km to Decew House 29.7 km - Jan 16, 2020

 We hiked this from Decew, lower left, to Wamer Rd, upper right.
 Today's hikers; Case; Sandra; Ron B; Brian; Mike; Steve our leader; Ron J; and Ken; 
Peanut Gallery; Marlene; Carol; Annette; Arpi; Catherine and Eric.
 Some tried skirting the mud ... they were not very successful




It's easy ... we are right here !

 We came across a mysterious 'Dutch' shoe tree .....
 Yeah !! Timmy's
 Welland Canal #2 - apparently no longer in use.
 A bit more mud
 Welland Canal #4 during winter repairs.
 Welland Canal #3, also not in use ...
 although someone apparently wanted to drive in it.
 This was absolutely the last mud !

Sunday 12 January 2020

Queenston Cairn (0.0 km) to Woodend (15.2 km) - January 9th. 2020


Thirteen hikers braved the cold for a 16.7 km hike with a pose in front of the Cairn: Eric, Isaac, Marleen, Ron J., Ron B., Michael, Arpi, Brian, Annette, Sandra, Ken, Catherine, and Steve the photographer.

Ken, Arpi, and Brian wait for the others' pre-hike bio-break with Brock Monument in the background.

Off we go though Queenston Heights Park.  

Niagara river in the background below the Queenston Heights.  The Heights are the Lake Iroquois shoreline a predecessor to Lake Ontario.



Everyone checked it out but nobody knows what it is.


The Trail descends the Escarpment though a series of challenging switchbacks.


Our Bridge Picture

Back on the Trail

At km 7 the Trail has been re-routed on the old Fireman's Side Trail which adds about 1.5 km to the hike.



The re-routed Trail passes some vineyards.

The re-route crosses the railroad tracks via a new bridge.

Looking east down the tracks.

Lunch was later today given the long hike.


Off we go again.

Crossing the QEW

The Screaming Tunnel!

A boot Tree.

One final descent of the Escarpment.

The end is in sight.