Hikers: Bob, Helgy and Steve
Leaders: Karen and Richard
Section and Distance: Blue Mountain - km16.3 to 30.1
Weather: Rain with a few dry spells
Actual Distance hiked: 15.8 km
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| Starting the hike |
We followed Concession 10 road allowance to a grove of maple
and birch trees. The trail then turned
left and emerged from the woods to a field.
We then entered an immature cedar forest and took a logging road across
a field and through some wet areas. We
turned right and entered a mature cedar forest with Escarpment cliffs on the
left. As we left the forest we passed
the ruins of a lime kiln. The kilns were
used by the early settlers to burn the Escarpment’s dolostone rock to create
lime.
We then entered a re-forestation area to an access road and followed
an old logging road southward.
We then entered a mature hardwood bush and campground to
the Keyhole Side Trail. Even though it was raining we decided to take the side trail as most had not seen this before.
We hiked back to the trail and turned left
past the Nottawasaga Lookout and Freedom rock, where we had our elevensies. Because of the fog and rain the views were not that great. We followed the Escarpment in an
easterly direction before heading north away from the scarp edge.
We then entered the Devil’s Glen Country Club property and
hiked through a pine plantation before heading to the top of the ski slope. The trail was very wet and slippery. Once up at the top we followed a series of downhill
switchbacks, before stopping for lunch under the ski lift at the bottom. The trail was very wet and muddy making the footing very difficult.
Despite the wet slippery conditions, most of us were able to stay on our feet. Our leaders - well not so much.
After lunch, we turned right to follow the river to the country club bridge.
We continued along the road into the woods by the Mad
River. After following the river or a
short distance we gently climbed up a series of natural steps and wooden stairs
to Devil’s Glen Provincial Park were we had parked the car.
