Blue Mountains - Devil's Glen (31.7 km) to Nottawasaga 9/10 Sideroad (14.1 km) - July 14, 2022.

Our Hiking with Friends group took a trip up north this past Thursday to enjoy the great outdoors in the Blue Mountains Section of the Bruce Trail. We planned to cover 17.6 km of the main trail on a beautiful July day, starting at Devil's Glen and hiking southward to Sideroad 9/10 in Nottawasaga. 

A birds eye view of the route that took us a leisurely 6 hours to complete and involved a significant amount of climbing, 430 meters, to conquer the "ups"...there were also "downs" of course...the Mad River Valley (on the left side of the elevation profile) played a large role in this area. Interesting how the ski slopes are still covered in snow...hmmmm...

After dropping off some cars at the finish, we assembled at the parking lot of Devil's Glen Provincial Park in glorious sunshine for our group photo (I like this one!)...Eight hikers were present including myself, leader Steve, Ann (contributing photographer), Marlene, Sandra (sweep), Barbara, Doug (contributing photographer), and Catherine (on her "Birthday Eve")...

After passing through the starting gate, we soon encounter an info sign giving us some geological background of this area...always good to know a little bit about the ground you're walking on...

We begin the descent into the Mad River Valley...the morning sunlight filters through the forest to create the illusion that the trees are casting "sun shadows"...

After a quick examination of a well etched tree, we reach the river's edge...the Mad River seems rather content today...

The sign suggests this bridge is "narrow"...maybe for noisy, polluting vehicles, but for a group of hikers, it's wide and pleasant...we will eventually end up at the top of the ski hill in the distance...but without the aid of any "lift".

A chance for an early morning bridge picture is not wasted...that would be "Mad"-ness...

We set a good early pace knowing it's a long day ahead...but the weather is perfect and there's really no other place we would rather be...there is the other side of the valley ahead however...time to get the heart rate going...

A series of switchbacks leads us to the top and leaves us a little breathless...but, as the sign suggests, this was the most difficult  climb of the day and we have tackled it early...

The smiles are back as we enjoy a wide, smooth section of trail near the top of the ski hill...these are X-country trails in the winter...we get a friendly wave from a passing summer student in an ATV...

A quick regroup before we continue on...so far, the mosquitoes have been remarkably absent...that, unfortunately, was about to change...part of summer hiking that we accept, but still a nuisance that detracts from an otherwise perfect day.

A magnificent oak? tree graces the trail...a great example of where having hikers in the photo gives you a better perspective...I would estimate this tree to be over 100' tall...

We pass by some lovely pastures near McKinney's Hill before reaching the intersection of the Hamilton Bros. Side Trail...

Sure, the bugs are annoying, but the beauty of the surroundings is a perfect distraction...

Steve leaps over a rather deep, narrow crevice, having just checked out a potential lookout spot...what our leader will do for us...

Ann contributed this view of Barbara and Sandra enjoying that view!..maybe I should reassess my leader's review of the view...

More info boards to keep us well informed...

We establish a resting spot for our break near the Keyhole Side Trail intersection...a few of us are interested to visit this unique location after some refreshment...

Ann, Catherine and myself make our way down into the series of deep, narrow crevices...

I would liken the sensation of being in this surreal location as being in someone's million year old basement...at least 5-10 degrees cooler than above...damp and glorious...

I call fanciful areas like these, "Wish I was Ten Again" spots...

We all made it through "The Keyhole"...

Meanwhile...back at the rest stop...resting is taking place...zzzzzz...

Back on the trail...never pass up an opportunity to stop and smell the flowers...fragrant milkweed captured our olfactory senses...

The next area of interest we entered was the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area...to say that this part of the trail was lush with vegetation (and bugs) would be an understatement...

Believe it or not, these shots are actually on the trail itself!..talk about being "in nature"...quite literally...

We reach the intersection of the main trail with the Nottawasaga Bluffs Side Trail and take a short break before leaving the shade of the Conservation Area and tackling the upcoming, uphill, road walk...

After the long hill walk along Concession 10, the trail turns left into more fields...this next section of trail has been twinned with the Transcarioca Trail in Brazil...

We pause again at a prime spot overlooking the valley...a brilliant field of canola (a genetically modified version of the rapeseed plant) stands out in the distance...

There are only a few kilometers left to cover before our day is done...feet are starting to get a little sore and visions of ice cream are appearing like a mirage on the horizon...we must move on...

The last few steps and we arrive at the dropped cars...

But it seems that no hike would be complete lately with Barbara being recognized for having finished another section of the B.T...so here she is, looking rather good for someone who just hiked 18 km I have to say, being feted for completing the Blue Mountains Section...congratulations!..

It's been a great day...thanks for spending it with us, and see you again soon!

The End