Iroquoia Km 11.1 to Km 23.2 - 21 January, 2016

This Section of the Bruce Trail starts at the Lewis Road Access Trail km 11.1 and ends at the Felker's Falls Conservation Area km 23.2.

The weather was overcast and the temperature was just below freezing. 
(most of us dressed too warm.)

Today's hikers; Andy, Steve; Annette; John G; Christine; Mike; Karen our leader; 

Eric; Helgy; Steve; John N and Case.

We left the cars and climbed the Lewis Access Trail to the Bruce Trail.

The Trail passes over rough and rugged terrain before reaching McNeilly Road.

The Trail drops below the brow of the escarpment and passes just above subdivisions.

constructed on the raised beach of old Lake Iroquois.

  

After crossing DeWitt Road at km 16.0 and shortly thereafter stop for elevensies.

A quiet lunch is disturbed by the passing of a long train of tanker cars above us.

The Trail ascends steps and crosses over New Mountain Road on the railway bridge..

The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (1894-1987) now CP Rail descends the

 escarpment from McNeilly Road to Highway 20 at Stoney Creek

The Trail has a steep descent into the Stoney Creek valley at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The lower falls at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The Trail crosses the Stoney Creek and then passes under the Centennial Parkway 

railway overpass.

The Trail has a long climb back up to the top of the escarpment and then follows the 

brow into the woodland of Felker's Falls Conservation Area

The cars are in the parking lot at Felker's Falls.

Iroquoia Km 00.0 to Km 11.1 - 14 January, 2016

We hiked this section from West to East, starting at the Lewis Road Access Trail and completed the section on the pedestrian bridge over Fourty Mile Creek in Grimsby.

Weather was crisp at -6C but the sun shone for at least half the hike when clouds rolled in.

Today's hikers: Richard, Andy, Anita, Christine; Mike; Annette, John G, Eric, Karen Nourse our leader

 and John Nourse. Case is our expedition photographer.

We welcome Annette and Eric as new Pathfinders.

We follow the  Lewis Road Access Trail and turn left onto the Bruce Trail at km 11.1.

The Trail stays below the edge of the escarpment and passes through predominantly 

hardwood forest until it reaches Fifty Road at km 9.1.

The Trail crosses Fifty Road and we climb some steps and continue east along the slope 

below the escarpment.

Looks a bit like the Chilkoot Trail

Elevensies

The Trail begins a long and gradual ascent to the top of the escarpment.

 The Trail travels along the brow for 1.6 km with spectacular views.

The Trail emerges onto Wolverton Road and we turn right, walk 400 m and turn left onto Ridge Road.

We hike along Ridge Road past several vineyards, turn north on Quarry Road 

and right into the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, The area is well known 

for observing the hawk migration in the Spring.

Grimsby and Lake Ontario

That's our car down there .....

The Niagara Escarpment looking east from Grimsby

The Trail heads down from the Escarpment crest into the valley of the Fourty Mile Creek

This is the end of the Niagara Section and km 00.0 of Iroquia Section

Andy and Christine need this section in their quest to complete their 'End to End'.
We collected the cars and headed back to Oakville.

Niagara Km 55.0 to Km 70.6 - 6 January, 2016

This Section was started at the Ball's Falls Conservation Area parking lot to the Mountainview Conservation Area parking lot on Mountainview Road.

The weather was cool and sunny.

Today's hikers: Case; Ann;Andy; Karen our leader; Christine; Steve; Helgy and Richard

We left the parking lot at Ball's Falls and followed the west bank of the
Twelve Mile Creek south. where we got a good view of the falls.

The Trail turns west, crosses a stream to Fifth Line.

We cross Victoria Avenue, then follow a hedgerow through a couple of meadows
and into a wooded area.

The Trail passes the Vineland Estate Winery and crosses Moyer Road. At the crest
 of the hill, it enters the woods and begins a diagonal descent of the escarpment.

Elevensies .

The Trail climbs steeply over a ridge and dolstone boulders to the escarpment crest.
Icers were a definite advantage when traversing this climb.

"Wow, that's a big step"

Several interesting rock formations are found here. 

Large slabs, left by glaciers, sit atop the escarpment

Your guess is as good as mine  ??.
One of our party observed "It certainly isn't a bobcat."

After passing through the East Dell Estate Winery property the Trail goes along the road

 and passes the Mike Weir Winery. It then turns left onto Locust Lane and right onto 

Mountainview Road.....

We reached the car parked in the lot on Mountainview Road 

after another great hike in good weather.