Iroquoia - Sydenham Lookout (59.8 km) to Grindstone Falls (72.2 km) - Nov. 18, 2021

This week's E2E hike was in the Iroquoia Section and took us from the Sydenham Lookout to Grindstone Falls (Smokey Hollow) for a distance of 12.38 km.

The hike took us approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes on a fairly muddy, leave strewn track and involved 388 m of ascent primarily in two major valleys.

Our (soon to be dirty) dozen hikers on this overcast and cool November morning included Ann, Arpi, Michael, Laura, Brian (leader), Marleen, Doug (contributing photographer), Catherine, Barbara, Ron B. (contributing photographer), Alex (message checker), and Ken (photographer)...photo courtesy of a friendly passer-by.

A short walk up the hill, a right turn through a small residential area, and we entered the forest...

Power lines descending into Dundas Valley...we need to summon the energy for the trail ahead...

Catherine's colourful handmade headwear provides a cheerful beacon for those following her footsteps...

        

An information plaque attracts those who wish to gain a further understanding of the geology and ecology of this beautiful resource...

The Gurdwara Shaheedgarh Sahib looms in the distance...

Another informative (read "good excuse for a...") stop...unfortunately, the panels describing erosion have become victims of that same degrading process...

Borer's Falls...we are about to enter its namesake conservation area...

But first, more information is required!..

A decent descent awaits us...

A steep valley, however, often leads to a stream, which often means a bridge and our crew knows what to do...I presume Catherine is showing off her muddy backside, having just recently succumbed to the trail's often slippery surface...

Across Valley Road and entering Berry Tract, part of the RBG domain...

                                                           

Another descent...Brian, our dutiful leader, has picked up some of the trash off the trail (which was unfortunately quite plentiful)...special thanks to Doug who collected a very full bag...

This site appears to have been trashed for quite some time...a concrete playground adorned by youthful expressions (and apparently sponsored by Stelco?)...

As we continue to track Catherine's bright bonnet, we begin to drop down to Hwy 6...

18 wheelers rush overhead, oblivious to the hikers passing through the neon graffiti adorned tunnel below...

Our club president and VP pause in the tunnel...

Halfway there and a good spot to rest and enjoy Elevensies...leftover Halloween candy is apparently still available...

Back to the job at hand...

A rare bit of bright foliage to brighten the bleak November landscape...

Laura, one of our newest members, has quickly shown she is an adept trail enthusiast...

Crossing the rail line in Clappison Woods...a few steps without mud underfoot...

A pause to regroup before the final push to the end...Brian, Marleen and Michael perform the "lean to one side to remove backpack" dance...

Ann providing extra energy to my delight, a missing dog poster, and some "Marleen/Arpi-foolery" keep the day interesting...

Michael is adept at taking advantage of any potential resting spots...a reward for his strenuous pace.

The bridge over Grindstone Creek...and one long climb ahead...

The sun has appeared in the early afternoon...the long shadows a testament to its low, late November arc...

One last regroup before the big climb out of the valley...

(Insert babbling brook sound here)

Up, up, and away we go...

Barbara shows her relief at having reached the top...

It was a "Grind (stone)" to reach, but we arrived at the falls after a challenging, but rewarding day...

The End