Iroquoia - Sydenham Lookout (59.8 km) to Veterans Park (54.7 km) - March 31, 2022.

Our "Hiking with Friends" adventure this week took place in beautiful Dundas Valley and covered 5.01 km of the Bruce Trail (filling in a small but important section for several BT E2E hikers) but also incorporated a roughly 6 km "off grid" jaunt up to Dundas Peak and Tews Falls, for a trek of 11.8 km in total. 

The bird's eye view of our path (from the north) as provided by our friend "Garmin", shows our starting point in the lower left, continuing westward to the "T", an out and back portion in the lower right, and then the final leg up to the finish at the top right (south of the golf course). We spent just over 3 1/2 hours to complete the journey, and climbed a significant 320 meters in doing so.

Our sentries stand guard at Sydenham Lookout prior to the opening ceremonies...

A plaque dedicated to a Canadian sports icon and her achievements, garnered through much lonely, hard training on this famous stretch of road.

Missed this crew!..after several weeks absent, I have returned and am ready to get back on the trails along with Ron J, Frances, Michael, Muris (contributing photographer), Ron B (contributing photographer), Doug (contributing photographer), Sandra (sweep), Arpi, Barbara, Marleen, and Steve (Leader). The early morning rain had just passed, and we were expecting clearing skies with some intense winds as the day progressed. Let's commence the show!..

Over the rail and down the stairs...the hike begins...

The footing is tricky and we took care making our way down the steps...

We pass by Dyment Falls...nice, but we'll do better than this one today...

Through the woods and then back out onto Sydenham Road...

Here's where we branched off the main trail onto what was formerly a designated BT Side Trail (and still has the blue blazes) but which now falls under the jurisdiction of the local Conservation Authority.

We then pass by Lower Sydenham Falls, and head underneath the railway trestle above...

Who wants to head up the creek without a paddle?..we do!

 Where to cross, where do I cross?..when in doubt, look to your leader for guidance (make sure he doesn't have a "soaker" first)...

We spent a few minutes appreciating the beauty of Middle Sydenham Falls...

OK...time to head back to the side trail and continue our journey...the sun is starting to do its job and the day is brightening...

Our next mission is to climb the switchback up the escarpment...a little huffin' and puffin'...

Can I believe what I'm seeing?...did I really make it up to Dundas Peak?

We did!..and the view is amazing...also, the wind was really picking up from the south...hold on to your phone!..

"The Great Railway" stretches to the west...

Good advice...

The day has warmed and spirits are good...

Tews Falls appears in the distance...

The falling water pounds away at the last remaining ice creating a large and interesting cavity formation...

The falling water never fails to mesmerize us for a while...nature's never ceasing reshaping of the landscape...

Another hero of preservation...

A final glimpse before we start back eastward...

Ron J gets up to his usual botanical exploration and discovers some "skunk cabbage" growing in a marshy area by the trail...signs of spring!

We are back in full stride and ready to descend down to civilization again...

Trail conditions are less than ideal along this stretch...but we slog on through...as hikers do...with mud on our shoe...

We catch up to Michael who has reposed and enjoys some sunshine...

And everyone assembles for a bridge photo!..

Back in town to complete the urban portion of the hike...there has been a reroute of the trail due to construction on King St. West...

An outdoor "pew" serves as a good spot to have "elevensie's"...we just managed to finish before a brief but intense rain shower burst upon us...

We're not quite the Beatles, and this isn't Abbey Road, but hiking is like music to our ears...and bodies...

Lots of great architecture in this village...

A teacup and a teapot tree add a whimsical note to our day...is the favourite flavour here "Dundas Pekoe"?..

A stark reminder of how fortunate we are to spend our day freely wandering through nature while others struggle to survive...

If you look directly above Frances' head, you can make out Dundas Peak-o from "whence we came"...

A short stretch along Spencer Creek and we're almost done...

We reach the dropped cars in Veterans Park and say our good byes...it was a great day with lots to see and great companionship...so happy to be back and already looking forward to next week!...hope you enjoyed the walk together...

The End