Niagara - Kinsmen Park (69.8 km) to Glen Rd (56.6 km) - Mar. 17th, 2022

Today's hike on St. Paddy's Day was extra special with the luck of the Leprechauns helping us along. We started at Kinsmen Park and hiked 13 km East to Glen Rd.

There were 9 of us dressed in our green to the extent we could find some, with Steve, Rhonda, Arpi, Brian, Doug (photographer), Barbara, Annette (photographer), Marleen and Ron (photographer) all along for the hike.

The hike began along the top of the Escarpment with a lot of rock and mud to navigate.

The clouds gradually burned off and the day became spectacular with a mist hanging in the air and water sparkling on the trees, giving St. Paddy's Day a special feel.

About this time, Brian kept slipping off in pursuit of the fabled pot of gold I believe.  Behind this rock perhaps, or...?

Down here or in there?  He looked in all of them.

Brian may have found the pot of gold somewhere along the way but we didn't see any of it so I'm assuming not.

Meanwhile back on the Trail

The first descent begins.  The bit of snow was really ice and it became treacherous as we descended.

Almost there

Safely at the bottom.

The Trail follows along the bottom of the Escarpment before it gradually climbs back to the top.

Crossing Cherry Road and up the other side.

A regrouping next to a vineyard.

Stopping to admire the view out to Lake Ontario.

Passing a farm with goats and chickens and unbeknownst to them, a Bald Eagle, circling overhead.

Our Bridge picture.

Nearing the end.

Balls Falls

Historic church at Balls Falls.

The descent back into the gorge was aided by a set of stairs but icy conditions awaited us at the bottom with a full flowing Twenty Mile Creek.

We celebrate at last the completion of the Niagara Section by Doug and Ron!