Blue Mountain - km16.3 to 30.1 - 6 November, 2014

Hikers: Bob, Helgy and Steve

Leaders:  Karen and Richard

Section and Distance:  Blue Mountain - km16.3 to 30.1

Weather:  Rain with a few dry spells

Actual Distance hiked:  15.8 km

Starting the hike

We followed Concession 10 road allowance to a grove of maple and birch trees.  The trail then turned left and emerged from the woods to a field.  We then entered an immature cedar forest and took a logging road across a field and through some wet areas.  We turned right and entered a mature cedar forest with Escarpment cliffs on the left.  As we left the forest we passed the ruins of a lime kiln.  The kilns were used by the early settlers to burn the Escarpment’s dolostone rock to create lime.

We then entered a re-forestation area to an access road and followed an old logging road southward.

We then entered a mature hardwood bush and campground to the Keyhole Side Trail.  Even though it was raining we decided to take the side trail as most had not seen this before.

We hiked back to the trail and turned left past the Nottawasaga Lookout and Freedom rock, where we had our elevensies.  Because of the fog and rain the views were not that great.  We followed the Escarpment in an easterly direction before heading north away from the scarp edge. 

We then entered the Devil’s Glen Country Club property and hiked through a pine plantation before heading to the top of the ski slope.  The trail was very wet and slippery.  Once up at the top we followed a series of downhill switchbacks, before stopping for lunch under the ski lift at the bottom.  The trail was very wet and muddy making the footing very difficult.

After lunch, we turned right to follow the river to the country club bridge.

We continued along the road into the woods by the Mad River.  After following the river or a short distance we gently climbed up a series of natural steps and wooden stairs to Devil’s Glen Provincial Park were we had parked the car.

Despite the wet slippery conditions, most of us were able to stay on our feet.  Our leaders - well not so much.

We picked up the other car, stopped at Tim Hortons and headed home.