Beaver Valley - 3rd Line and 25 Sideroad (99.1 km) to Blantyre (114.3 km) - May 24th, 2019

We hiked 15.2 km to complete Stefan's Beaver Valley Section.  It was cooler this morning but there was no rain in the forecast.  Unfortunately, the black flies loved the weather as well.  Hikers included Stefan, Ron, Marleen, Nancy, Steve and our guest hiker Boyd.

We began with a little bit of road walking.  Luckily we were walking away from the black clouds.

Marsh Marigolds along the roadside.

A spectacular waterfall.

We crossed some wet fields.

After climbing up the escarpment we had a view to the east of Georgian Peaks.

We passed numerous crevices.

Purple flowers lining the trail.

The Trail was rocky

and plenty of tree roots

Cherry blossoms!

A pause to admire the view

Back on the trail.

Water coming out of the rock face.

Crossing Anthea's Falls

A massive tree root.

The flies were too bad to stop for our Bridge picture so a picture of a Bridge.

Amazing fungi.

And the car for our trip home away from the flies.

Beaver Valley - Metcalfe Rock (27.9 km) to Kimberley (44.9 km) - May 23rd, 2019

We hiked 17 km from Metcalfe Rock to Kimberley.  The weather was not promising as we assembled for the hike.

Hikers included Steve, Marleen, Ron as photographer, Nancy, and Stefan.  We were joined by Boyd who was a guest hiker for the next two days and kindly took this photograph.  The ground was wet and muddy and the rains that came down only made it worse.  The Marsh Marigolds were beautiful though.

Ron may have spotted the extremely rare Striped Trillium.

Descents were tricky given the wet conditions.

Rain gear on as we crossed our first stile of the day.

A break in the weather gave us the opportunity to have lunch by a converted church.

Some daffodils along the road.

And the rain began again!

Another climb to the top of the escarpment. 

A unique Cup Fungus (Peziza).

A bench along the way provides a welcome break and spectacular view.

The sun comes out for the walk down the hill into Kimberley for a drink and the car back to Meaford.

Beaver Valley - Eugenia Falls (56.2 km) to Kimberley (44.9 km) - May 22nd, 2019

We hiked 14 km from Eugenia Falls to Kimberley to avoid a long climb from Kimberley up to Old Baldy that has been introduced as a result of a trail reroute.

Hikers included Stefan, Ron, Marleen, and Nancy with Steve as photographer.  The weather was cool and grey but nominal rain was in the forecast.

The falls was in full flow but after a brief visit we were off on our hike.

The trail follows up the river and then returns along the other side.

The Trillium's were in full bloom.

A single Trillium growing out of a rock

Surprisingly a number of the creek beds were dry.

While others were still flowing.

Elevensies looking over the Beaver Valley by the surge towers.

Marsh marigolds.

Our bridge picture for the day.

Originally thought to be a rare fungi but proven to be someone's litter.

Cherry blossoms over the Beaver Valley.

4 km of road walking where we passed several farms in various states of repair.

Looking south west towards the Beaver Valley Ski Hill

Admiring the view from a well placed bench.

Looking north west towards Talisman Ski Hill.

More Trilliums!

Looking south down the Valley

The descent from Old Baldy begins.

This bridge appears to have suffered through the winter but it held us all,

Almost to the cars.

We were off for a night in Meaford where Ron, as always, had fun.

and we discovered a fish bait vending machine!