Niagara Km 70.6 to Km 55.0 - 4 December, 2014

Hikers: Helgy and Steve

Guest Hikers:  Cees, John G., Mike, Joanne, Annie, Shirley, Bob

Leader:  Karen

Section and Distance:  Niagara Km 70.6 to Km 55.0

Weather: Coldish, Sun and Cloud, no wind - Perfect hiking weather

Actual Distance hiked:  16.68 Km

Today seven pathfinder hikers joined us on our hike.  After parking a car at Balls Falls we drove to the Mountainview Conservation Area to start the hike.

We started on Mountainview Road to Locust Lane to a road allowance.  We crossed a creek onto the EastDell Estate Winery property and then climbed a steep hill on a road allowance to the escarpment.  We soon passed the Kinsmen Community Park.

We followed the slope to a gully and then followed a narrow entrance back up.  We saw several slabs of rocks left by glaciers atop the escarpment.  Walking through the bush we came to a well worn path to Quarry Road.  We crossed the road and followed farmer's fields for a while.  We passed through a mature stand of beach and maple trees with beautiful views of the vineyards and Cave Springs from the top.

We crossed Cherry St. along the top of the Escarpment.  We descended steeply over a ridge and large dolostone boulders from the escarpment crest.  We climbed a diagonal ascent of the escarpment, crossing several streambeds.  It was here that we had our lunch.

We continued along through meadows and woodlands to Fifth Avenue and Victoria Street.

We followed the escarpment to Balls Falls.

While the drivers picked up the cars, the hikers explored the Balls Falls Conservation area.