Caledon Km 2.5 to Km 18.3 - 14 April, 2016

We hiked this section from North to South, starting at the intersection of Willoughby Road and Escarpment Sideroad, km 18.3, 
to the parking area at the north end of Chinguacousy Road at km 2.5.

The section of the Trail from km 11.3 to km 14.1 was closed requiring us to follow the Quarryman's Side Trail. 
The actual distance hiked would be about km 12.5.

The weather was perfect for hiking, sunny and about 4 -5 C. 

 Today's hikers; Case; Andy; Stefan; Anita; Karen our leader; John G; Micheal; Helgy; 

Christine; Liz; Annette; Eric and John Nourse.

 We parked the cars at the corner of Willoughby Road and hiked west through open forest..

 A Lama watched intently as we crossed McLaren Road.

 We followed Puckering Lane and eventually crossed a stile into 

The Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.

 We use the Quarryman's Side Trail to connect from the top of the valley to the river below.

 The Credit River.

" Hey, who brought the fishing pole?"

 The Forks of the Credit.

 We start the ascent to the Devil's Pulpit 

but not before donning our icers !

 The final "Push to the Top."

 And we are rewarded with a beautiful view across the Credit River Valley.

and stop for a well deserved lunch break.

 We come out of the forest onto Creditview Road, walk south and turn east onto 

The Grange Sideroad. We turn south off Grange into the forest along the 

unopended Chinguacousy Side Road.

After encountering a fair bit of mud on this part of the trail we come to the last slippery climb

 and are encouraged by the sight  of our the cars at the top.

Iroquoia Km 105.5 to Km 121.7 - 7 April, 2016

This section started at km 105.5 in The Crawford Lake/ Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area and was completed at the parking lot in the Kelso Conservation Area. Currently the Kelso Consevation Area has been closed by the BTC to some on-going work. Also the Hwy 401 underpass on Appleby Line is under construction and not accessible to hikers so at km 114.0 we continued north on Appleby Line and turned right into Kelso where we had parked the cars. The actual length of the hike was about 10 km.

Congratulations to Christine and Andy for completing the Iroquoia Section

The Weather was overcast and the temp was just below 0C.

 Today's hikers; Case; Andy; Anita; Karen, our leader; Annette; Christine; John G; Eric; 

and John Nourse.

 The rain stopped as we left the Crawford Lake Visitor's Center.

 The Trail follows the Conservation Area's Pine Ridges Trail through pine forests, across meadows and into deciduous woods.

 The Trail follows the Escarpment along the rim of the Nassagaweya Canyon 

where in season turkey vultures can be seen.

"Do you see any lunch ?"

"No but let's keep our eye out for a straggler." 

 Lookout across the Nassagaweya Canyon.

 At this point the Trail turns right and makes a short steep descent of the Escarpment

 Although mud was not as prevalent on this hike there was a lot of water on the trail.

 The Trail followed the Walker's Line road allowance and 

then turns left across the Limestone Creek.

 After climbing the east wall of the canyon we stop for elevensies

 The Trail leads out to Appleby Line and we follow the road north to the access to

 Kelso Conservation Area.

 "Hey guys, has anyone seen Karen?"

"I thought she was sweeping."

Iroquoia Km 91.7 to Km 105.5 - 5 April, 2016

Section from the Parking Lot at Mt. Nemo, km 91.7 to the Crawford Lake Side Trail at km 105.5.

Weather was perfect for hiking about -4C, sunny and a couple of cm's of snow on the trail.
SNOW on April 5th ??

 Hikers; Case; Karen, our leader; Christine; Eric; Andy; Stephan and our co-leader Richard.

 We leave the Mt.Nemo Conservation Area parking lot, cross Guelph Line and hike west 
along Colling Road. We turn right on to The Blind Line to Britannian Road where the 
Trail enters an unopened road allowance into the Bronte Creek Valley.

 The Trail crosses the Bronte Creek and we traverse a 100m boardwalk across a swamp.

 We do a steep climb up the north side of the valley and stop for an 'equipment adjustment'

 Lunch break behind the Killbride School

 We hike over a 150m boardwalk and follow the creek bank to Derry Road

 After crossing Twiss Road the Trail passes through rocky outcrops into the 

Crawford Forestry Tract.

 We approach a relatively difficult climb and some of us envision an easier method.

 After crossing Gueph Line the Trail enters the Crawford Lake Conservation Area

 Karen and Richard enjoy the interesting benches and sculptures throughout the area.

Richard, the snake seems to be eyeing you ......

 Richard ... quick,   throw us the car keys !!

On our way to the parking lot we pass more spectacular sculptures.