We left from the Lavender Cemetery expecting a 16.5 km hike to 12/13 Sideroad but discovered through the course of the hike, that an additional 3.2 km was added to the route. The additions eliminated 1.7 km of road walking which was appreciated but it still made it an 18 km long hike.
It was a little chilly with a dusting of snow as Steve, Ann, Karen, Nancy, Marleen, Michael, Arpi and the cameraman, Stephen started the hike.
Even the chickens had abandoned the Muskoka chairs and ran for the barn with all the snow on the ground. We started with a bit of road walking but soon headed into the forest.
A clothing adjustment was soon required as we warmed up.
We came across a timeline from an old cedar tree which went back over a century.
A lookout over the Noisy River Valley with the contrast of leaves turning against the snow in the fields.
At least the small pond we passed along the trail wasn't frozen yet.
The Noisy River was crossed without incident this time despite Steve's best efforts
Someone swears this was a cougar track.
After a climb out of the Noisy River Valley we began one of the two trail additions that crossed several fields.
The Trail now crosses the road and down into a ravine.
Where a creek ran through it.
The Lunch stop wasn't the most scenic but several of the hikers threatened the Hike Leader with bodily harm unless we stopped. Something about a very early start and the time being well after noon.
After lunch we were soon crossing a long walk way across marshy land.
Looking back across the Valley from where we had started at the horizon.
I hope the BT have another tree in mind for this turning point.
Admiring the view from where the Hike Leader wanted to stop for Lunch.
The keeners smelled the cars and raced ahead of the pack.
