Sydenham #5 - Corner of 22nd Sideroad and 2nd Concession to Bothwell's Corner, May 26th 2017

The weather was greatly improved from the previous day but still overcast skies and wet conditions.

We were at full strength today with 8 hikers being, Stefan, Eric, Rhonda, Fran, Lesley, David, Annette, and Steve.  We soon passed an attractive farmhouse as we began our initial 2 km of road walking of a total 15.2 km hike.

Soon we were entering the fields and the mist seemed to be getting lower.

The trail crosses a small stream.



And we all seemed to be standing around waiting to see if one of us would fall in.



Back to the misty fields.



I don't know what kind of flood has to happen to fill this dry creek bed but I would have thought it would have been flowing today.



This cedar tree certainly was popular with the woodpeckers.



The horses didn't seem to mind the weather but were a little disappointed when no one would share their apple.



We were soon back into a series of crevices.



Teamwork getting over a stile,



We decided to take a side trail that entered a large crevice.



The camera suffered from vertigo at one point in the crevice.



But onward we went with a few of us disappointed that it was a dead end and we had to climb back out the way we came.







As we exited the crevice there was a weathered log that looked like it was a large braided rope.  Any ideas what kind of tree?



The trail continued along the base of the escarpment and soon entered a field of tall ferns.





We finally found a bridge to have the mandatory bridge photo on.



More crevices but this time we managed to stay out of them.



Elevensies without the rain was so much more pleasant.



And off we went again.



I didn't understand why they were hustling out of the crevice until the Bug Hat appeared.



Across a marsh and then back to another 2 km of road walking and our hiking was nearing an end,







After returning to the forest, the trail passes the Polish Soldier Tree that was carved in 1942 by a soldier training near Owen Sound.

Sydenham #4 River Kwai Side trail to Corner of 22nd Sideroad and 2nd Concession - May 25, 2017

After a night in Owen Sound we met Rhonda at the start of our next hike in the midst of a steady drizzle which apparently was much better than the weather in Oakville.  The Main Trail diversion required us to hike the River Kwai Side Trail to access the Trail lengthening today's hike to 17.8 km.

Today's hikers were David, Eric, Annette, Fran, Rhonda, Stefan and Steve.  Lesley wisely chose to take a break today. Special thanks to Fran for risking her phone in the wet conditions for our pictures.

The Bridge over the River Kwai is considerably smaller than what I remember from the movie.  More Hollywood tricks I suppose.

The trail wanders through an abandoned farm with apple tees in blossom.

The mist and rain made the old growth forest even more special.

We finally reached the Main Trail which runs along the edge of the escarpment through this area.

The escarpment is high along this portion of the Trail but the mist eliminated any views.

Elevensies in the rain is just not the same but Stefan made the most of it.

We came across this tree that had what appeared to be foam coming out of its bark.  Anyone have an idea what this was?

Finally we exited the forest and began the final 5.5 km of road walking to the cars.

Then back to Owen Sound and warm showers for all and perhaps a hot toddie or two to warm up.

Sydenham #3 Bognor Marsh to River Kwai Side Trail - May 24th, 2017

The hike began at the south parking lot of the Bognor Marsh Conservation Area with the skies gray and threatening but the temperature was mild.  We were hoping the hike would be 14.7 km but would discover due to a trail closure, we had to hike 17. 3 km.

Our hikers today were, Lesley, Fran, Annette, David, Eric, Stefan and Steve the camera guy in the absence of Case and as enhanced by Fran.  The hike began with a crossing of a portion of the marsh on a floating bridge.

The boardwalk was in need of some repair but birds were every where.

The rain soon began but luckily it was only a light rainfall.  Unfortunately previous rains ensured muddy trails through the marsh not surprisingly.

The rain soon stopped and the trilliums were in bloom throughout the hike.

A fungus Ron?

Elevensies was a welcome break.

David found his son-in-laws homestead, maybe.

The trail passes some deep crevices but I couldn't get any volunteers to pose inside.  Where is Richard when you need him.

The trail makes several climbs up and down the escarpment along this route with some spectacular views from the top.

The trail also winds through some interesting crevices.









Some crevices were tougher than others.









Nearing the end of the hike we passed what looked like an old lime kiln.



We soon reached the cars but along the way, despite our best wishes, the Main trail was still on a major diversion so we continued on the road for an additional 2.6 km to the start of the River Kwai Side Trail where we would start the hike the next day.