Toronto - Pear Tree Park (10.8 Km) to Appleby Line (0.0 km) - April 14th, 2022.

Our Hiking with Friends group was back on the Bruce Trail this week with a hike in the Toronto Section that covered 10.8 km of the main trail and a little "return to the parking lot" jaunt for a total voyage of 11.9 km. Our starting point was the Pear Tree Parking Lot on 15 Side Road just west of Hwy 25 and we concluded our walk at the Hilton Falls Conservation Area main parking lot, having left the B.T at the end (well technically the start) of the Toronto Section. This hike would complete the Toronto Section for 3 hikers in our group. You'll have to scroll to the end (enjoying the ride along the way of course) to find out who those lucky folks were!

A bird's (likely a turkey vulture as you will see later) eye view of our route from the west looking eastward (always a bit disorientating in the west end of Lake Ontario but this trail section runs almost perfectly north to south). The elevation profile at the bottom indicates a fairly level playing field, if not slightly descending over the course of the day (thank you leader Steve). As such, we only climbed about 180 meters in the 3 hours and 45 minutes we were travelling. The real effort in this hike, as you will witness (I'm giving you a host of reasons to stick with this blog), was the extremely tricky footing that is prevalent along this part of the escarpment. It was truly a "watch your every step" kind of day, which ups the concentration factor, and certainly causes its own type of fatigue. But enough preamble...let's get on the trail!

An overcast, damp start at Pear Tree Parking Lot sees 11 hikers assembled to take up the challenge including myself, Muris, Sandra (sweep), Barbara, Steve (leader), Michael, Ron J, Arpi, Doug, Marleen, and Brian.

We are on our way, past the small pond with the only waterfall we will see today.

Rocks, roots, and a bit 'o mud...again, not technically challenging from a climbing perspective, but certainly a lot of "head down" action required to avoid a boot going awry (which happened several times to me)...

 

Our first pit stop of the morning to allow a stretched out line to reassemble...

Ron J has another botanical epiphany and secures a sample for transplant...

Some good examples of what this area exhibits for footing...the pace was definitely slowed a bit as everyone took their time...

But hey, a slower gait and staring at the ground means you might see something you might otherwise miss (or step on!)...this frog looks healthy and ready for spring!..

And what frog wouldn't enjoy living here?..

Another short break to grab a drink and catch our breath...

We reach the top of St. Helena Road...we are about to enter the Wildfred G. Crozier Nature Reserve (part of Halton Forest North), dominated by eastern hemlock with a scattering of sugar maple, paper birch, eastern white cedar, white ash, and red oak (source: Ontario Nature)

This point also marks the start of an International Friendship Trail, called "Kythera Hiking". In May 2017, this section of the B.T in the Toronto Club was twinned with the aforementioned trail in Greece. Kythera lies between Greece and Crete and is an island jewel in the Greek seas. (source: Bruce Trail.org)

The similarities between the two environments are clearly evident...we wish...

The day is brightening however, and we are afforded our first decent view of the morning...is that the Aegean Sea in the distance?..

We cross a small stream, and soon after find that it ends abruptly not far from the edge of the escarpment...the ripples suggest it is seeping into the rock and likely discharging somewhere below...

The terrain becomes a little more challenging with several short climbs to tackle...

We pass over Greystone Golf Club...a quick phone call and lo and behold, a chance to wave hello to my golf pro brother Greg from way up high!..he has just started his new position there...should have brought my clubs!..

Brian and Barbara spot some turkey vultures hanging out in the trees just off the ledge...a few pass by in flight as well...check out the wing span on the lower one...

We have reached the bridge over the entrance to the Dufferin Aggregates Milton Quarry...this had been my intended bridge picture location, but the fierce northwesterly wind and the resulting dust made conditions such that it was a "hold on to your hat and just get across" situation...certainly understand the need for building materials in this developed urban area, but the noise from, and sheer scope of, this operation is a bit perturbing...

We sought shelter from the 'pit'falls of the quarry and managed to enjoy our "Elevensie's"...

Back on the trail, and we are afforded a nice view of the Mississauga/Toronto skyline in the distance...

A little backed up at the exit to the road here...Doug continues his yeoman work of collecting and removing trash from the trail...

We eventually spill out the chute onto Sixth Line Nassagaweya...

A "ghost bike" marks the area where 65 year old Angelo Dametto lost his life in 2019 while out cycling...a grim reminder of why we need to be ever vigilant when road walking in our "car-centric" world...

We have now entered the Hilton Falls Conservation Area, heading south towards Campbellville Road...

 

A glimpse of Glen Eden Ski area across the 401 with just a trace of snow remaining from what I suspect was a banner year for them...hopefully they will open the trail over there soon; it's the last piece I need to complete the Iroquoia Section...

We pass under (through?) the hydro corridor and Brian and Arpi stop to assess our location...is there an end in sight?..

We tackle the stile and traverse Campbellville Road just east of Appleby Line...

Steve and I take a "bridge selfie" while crossing a small creek...not the group photo we normally strive for, but hikers often need to adapt to the conditions...we're just doing our part.

Our arrival at this sign denoting the start of the Iroquoia Section means that these three smiling hikers have just completed the Toronto Section of the Bruce Trail!..another feather in our cap (that reminds me, I need to buy a cap I can put feathers in because that seems to be how everyone refers to exhibiting their achievements)...

A quick stroll down Appleby Line returns us to the dropped cars at the Hilton Falls parking lot...

And the traditional celebratory honour guard is afforded to those of us who have earned another badge on this day...still a few (hundred) more kilometers to go for me before it's all done, but it's all about the journey, and that's the best part!..hope you enjoyed our day on the trail...see you again soon!

The End