Kilgorie Side trail - Dufferin Section - Oct. 1st, 2020

We started today's hike under bright clear skies with the Fall leaves looking spectacular.  Todays Hike was a 12 km or 18 km hike depending on whether you wanted to do an added E2E loop after the 3 Side trail hikes.  Hikers included Doug, David, Arpi, Brian, Nancy, Michael, Sandra, Annette, Marleen, Ken, Catherine and the photographer, Steve and lest I forget, Ron who got stuck in traffic and was a tad late.

We started by heading south on the main Trail which follows Prince of Wales Rd.  The weather soon turned cloudy with a few short showers.

The main trail turns west and climbs steeply and then breaks into a clearing.

The Trail comes to a small creek where the Melodonna Side Trail joins the Main Trail. We headed south on the Melodonna ST.

The Melodonna ST passes a small pond.

We passed a large white puff ball fungus and a huge Brown puff ball fungus that was way past its best before date.

Nancy spotted this salamander or is it?  Doug did some research and in fact it is a terrestrial juvenile form (called an Eft) of the Eastern Red Spotted Newt. Not sure how Nancy saw him but it made for a great pic by Brian.

Back on the Trail.

After hiking along the Kilgorie ST we rejoin the Main Trail and head North beside the Pine River.  Arpi looks like she wants to jump in.

The trail was covered with a multi-coloured carpet of fallen leaves.

The Trail was blocked by a large fallen tree that made a good spot to stop and regroup.

Only 540 Km to go!

The Trail climbs steeply to Pine River reservoir.

Bull rushes and cattails for Catherine.

Elevensies at Bell Lookout.

Back on the Trail

A final bit of road walking on Prince of Wales and part of our group of hikers stop at the cars while six of us continue on North on the main Trail which starts with a long steep hill.

Crossing one of many stiles as we entered a forest of young maple saplings.

An interesting fungus for Ron J.

Climbing up to a farmers field where cattle were grazing.

Looking back as we crest the hill.

Spectacular views down into the valley.

A well placed bench was welcomed by our hikers and cell service allowed Ron to check-in.

Back into the forest for a bit.

The wind was coming up as we crossed some more fields.  Note the windmills in the background.

The final stretch of field before we return to the road for a couple of kms to the cars.