Caledon --Chinguacousy Road (2.8 km) to Willoughby Road (16.1 km) --Dec. 9th, 2021.

Our "Hiking with Friends" adventure this week took us from the top end of Chinguacousy Drive in Caledon through the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and over to Willoughby Drive for a hike of 13.42 km.

The bird's eye view of our "trail of production" reveals that we climbed 396 meters over a route that took us roughly 4 and a quarter hours to complete for a pace of 3.3 km/hr (including stops)...this hike is known, however, more for its notorious descent than any of the climbing involved...

Who were the cast of characters in this week's episode of "Friends" you ask?...well, there was Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica...wait, wrong show...you should know us as myself, Ron B (contributing photographer), Doug, Arpi, Barbara, Brian (this week's leader), and Muris (contributing photographer)...

With our "icers" adjusted, we set off on an overcast December morning with temperatures sufficiently below zero to keep the ground frozen (read: no mud!), and the recent snowfall still freshly covering the forest floor...best of all, virtually no wind...

A quick pause to gaze at the entrance of an old, still working quarry, and then back on our way...

We climbed a small hill to reach The Grange and commenced a short stretch of road walking...

But this is no ordinary road...we are welcomed to an "equestrian neighbourhood"...we could hardly reign in our excitement...

Hired hands help clear the long driveway that leads into the domain of one of  Caledon's elite equestrian empires... 

We reach the corner at Creditview Road and turn right to head back into the woods...

Arpi has confirmed that we have clearance to proceed!..

"Crunch, crunch, crunch"...that distinctive winter hiking soundtrack...

The anticipation of the approaching technical descent looms as we get closer to the Devil's Pulpit...

Time to grab the rope and watch our step!..

A view from the top of the icy staircase...

So far, so good...

Never has "one step at a time" rang more true...

A fun "flashback" photo from the very first End to End blog of Sept. 9th, 2014 at this same location...without the snow and ice of course...featuring a familiar (younger) face leading the way...

We all made it down safely, but there was still a far bit of snow covered, technical terrain to cover...I have to say that this area is one of the most beautiful spots on the BT that I have experienced...well worth the effort.

A pause to rest and appreciate the scenery..

Our descent into the valley continued...

Sloooowly crossing the tracks of the Credit Valley Railway...

Hey...give us some credit...we reached the forks...this will, by the way, constitute the official bridge picture for the day...a bit more of a casual take...

Up the hill and into an historic hamlet...I'm pretty sure I smelled a "fire 'n Brimstone" burning...probably just someone's wood stove...

We officially enter the provincial park..

A favoured spot for "Elevensies" and some tasty treats provided by Arpi and Ron (sorry, I ate his cookies so fast I forgot to take a photo)...

Icy beauty abounds...

Recharged on the delicious sweets, we began our climb out of the valley...

We emerge onto Puckering Lane...

...and soon come across a team of craftsmen constructing a dry stone wall dyke...a fascinating example of old style masonry which looked amazing...

Brian and Doug discuss the art of the wall building with the project leader...

We continue on with our final crossing at McLaren Road and push for the cars...

Our hike for this day is done!..we all agreed that it was a fantastic day to be outdoors and sharing our common enjoyment of the Trail...see you next week!

The End.