Iroquoia Km 23.2 to Km 34.1 - 28 January, 2016

We hiked this section from West to East starting at the Sam Lawrence Park Side Trail km 34.1 and finishing at the Felker's Falls Conservation Area.

The temperature hovered around 0c and it was mostly cloudy. No percipitation.

Today's Hikers; Richard; Ann; Andy; Micheal; John G; John N; Eric; Anita; 

Karen, our leader; Annette; Christine; Steve; Helgy and Case.

We parked the cars on the brow of the escarpment at the Sam Lawrence Park, popularly

 known as the Jolly Cut. WE followed the Side Trail down to km 34.1 of the Bruce Trail. 

From here we get a good view of Downtown Hamilton.

It soon became evident we would all have to wear our icers.

After a short hike we emerged from the woods and crossed the Sherman Access.

We descended the Wentworth Street steps to the Escarpment Rail Trail.

Lunch break ....

We cross the Red Hill Creek

Ice forming as water seeps out of the limestone.

Felker's Falls in January.

Back to the cars after a great hike ....

Iroquoia Km 11.1 to Km 23.2 - 21 January, 2016

This Section of the Bruce Trail starts at the Lewis Road Access Trail km 11.1 and ends at the Felker's Falls Conservation Area km 23.2.

The weather was overcast and the temperature was just below freezing. 
(most of us dressed too warm.)

Today's hikers; Andy, Steve; Annette; John G; Christine; Mike; Karen our leader; 

Eric; Helgy; Steve; John N and Case.

We left the cars and climbed the Lewis Access Trail to the Bruce Trail.

The Trail passes over rough and rugged terrain before reaching McNeilly Road.

The Trail drops below the brow of the escarpment and passes just above subdivisions.

constructed on the raised beach of old Lake Iroquois.

  

After crossing DeWitt Road at km 16.0 and shortly thereafter stop for elevensies.

A quiet lunch is disturbed by the passing of a long train of tanker cars above us.

The Trail ascends steps and crosses over New Mountain Road on the railway bridge..

The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (1894-1987) now CP Rail descends the

 escarpment from McNeilly Road to Highway 20 at Stoney Creek

The Trail has a steep descent into the Stoney Creek valley at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The lower falls at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The Trail crosses the Stoney Creek and then passes under the Centennial Parkway 

railway overpass.

The Trail has a long climb back up to the top of the escarpment and then follows the 

brow into the woodland of Felker's Falls Conservation Area

The cars are in the parking lot at Felker's Falls.

Iroquoia Km 00.0 to Km 11.1 - 14 January, 2016

We hiked this section from West to East, starting at the Lewis Road Access Trail and completed the section on the pedestrian bridge over Fourty Mile Creek in Grimsby.

Weather was crisp at -6C but the sun shone for at least half the hike when clouds rolled in.

Today's hikers: Richard, Andy, Anita, Christine; Mike; Annette, John G, Eric, Karen Nourse our leader

 and John Nourse. Case is our expedition photographer.

We welcome Annette and Eric as new Pathfinders.

We follow the  Lewis Road Access Trail and turn left onto the Bruce Trail at km 11.1.

The Trail stays below the edge of the escarpment and passes through predominantly 

hardwood forest until it reaches Fifty Road at km 9.1.

The Trail crosses Fifty Road and we climb some steps and continue east along the slope 

below the escarpment.

Looks a bit like the Chilkoot Trail

Elevensies

The Trail begins a long and gradual ascent to the top of the escarpment.

 The Trail travels along the brow for 1.6 km with spectacular views.

The Trail emerges onto Wolverton Road and we turn right, walk 400 m and turn left onto Ridge Road.

We hike along Ridge Road past several vineyards, turn north on Quarry Road 

and right into the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, The area is well known 

for observing the hawk migration in the Spring.

Grimsby and Lake Ontario

That's our car down there .....

The Niagara Escarpment looking east from Grimsby

The Trail heads down from the Escarpment crest into the valley of the Fourty Mile Creek

This is the end of the Niagara Section and km 00.0 of Iroquia Section

Andy and Christine need this section in their quest to complete their 'End to End'.
We collected the cars and headed back to Oakville.