Blue Mountain - Devils Glen (31.7 km) to Pretty River (48.6 km) - Sept. 16th, 2021

It was a perfect day for hiking with temperature in the low teens when we began the hike.  We decided to do things a bit differently this time by starting in the Pretty River Valley and hiking from 48.6 km to 46.8 km where we parked our cars.  This allowed us to hike the toughest hill of the hike a t the beginning of the day when we were fresh.  We then drove to Devils Glen and began the rest of the Hike.  The Trail has been rerouted that added 1.5 km to the hike for a total of 18.5 km although some of the hikers insisted we hiked 21 km.

Hiking back down to Pretty River and the cars.

At Devil's Glen with Palma, Barbara, Steve (photographer), Marleen, Arpi, Sandra (special assignment cave photographer), Nancy and Ken our chief photographer.  This was Nancy and Marleen's final hike in the Blue Mountain Section.

The Trail leads through a woods on the south side of Hwy #124.

Crossing our first stile of the day.

Exiting the forest to field of clover.

The Trail follows along the edge of the field.

A short bit of road walking where we encountered two hikers that had been hiking from Tobermory for 23 days on their way to Niagara.

On the Trail reroute through Duntroon we found a great apple tree with sweet apples.

Climbing up the escarpment.  The Trail follows a series of cross country ski trails.

Elevensies at Noon.  The troops revolted and stopped for lunch despite what the hike leader suggested.

Back on the Trail and Marleen found a perfect tree horse.

 

Crossing a field with a beautiful old Maple.  A few weeks early for full colour.

A short break on the other side of the field.

 

An amazing tree and fungi for Ron J.

And a another short break before we encountered Standing Rock and the Caves.

Climbing down into the cave was challenging.

Arpi guides Barbara down into the cave.

Barbara guides Sandra down.

A little climb around an obstacle.

and back down the other side.

Which way do we go?

Maybe down here?

Arpi was mesmerized by the walls of moss.

Sandra in a crevice.

Arpi discovering the way out.

Barbara entering another room.

Is this the way out?

Barbara carefully exiting the final crevice.

We come across the Standing Rock and Arpi rushes to push it over or perhaps hold it up.

Back to the Trail and a bit of road walking.

The final 0.7 km along the Pretty River.

An amazing old gnarled cedar tree.

Our six pretty ladies celebrating by the Pretty River 

Nancy and Marleen get the honor guard treatment for completing the Blue Mountain Section.