Beaver Valley Km 27.9 to Km 42.1 - 10 May, 2016

This section starts where the Trail crosses the 10th Line at km 27.9 and ends at the 

Old Baldy Conservation Area Parking Lot on Sideroad 7B, km 42.1.

Cool start in the morning but very pleasant later. No bugs !

 Today's hikers; Andy; Karen our leader, Christine and Case

 The Trail crosses the 10th Line and we strike out across an open field into a hardwood forest..

 The Dog tooth Violets (trout lily) are just starting to open up.

 We cross Mill Creek

 We encountered a few Red Trilliums along the Trail.

 These elusive yellow flowers are apparently very rare ....

 We enter the Pinmicle Rock Nature Reserve, a 130 acre farm donated to the BTC in 2013

 by the Richardson Family

 Pinnicle Rock

 Occasionally we would get separated from our leader .......

 We follow the 9th Line and in the Hamlet of Duncan turned right onto Townline Road.

 We follow the Townline, turn left onto Fox Ridge Road to 3rd Line.

4.2 km of road walking.

 We descend across a scree slope following the base of the escarpment.

 We ascend the escarpment through a spectacular natural pass.

 Spectacular view across the Beaver Valley with the former 

Talisman Ski Resort on the other side.

 Back to the cars and off to our cabin at The Cedars of Eugenia Resort 
After having dinner at 'Fire and Ice', a the renovated firehall in Markdale,

we spent a lot of time photographing the sunset across Lake Eugenia.

Karen sent her favourite sunset picture

 Andy couldn't make up his mind and sent two pictures

Caledon Km 33.8 to Km 46.6 - 28 April, 2016

We started at the intersection of  Finnerty Sideroad and Innes Lake Road km 33.8 and hiked to 5 Sideroad, km 46.6. 

The weather was cloudy with sunny intervals and cool.

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

Christine; Case; Michael; Anita and Eric

  The Trail goes north along Innes Road and follows the road allowance. It  turns left 

 following a series of bush paths through Toronto Conservation Authority lands

 We cross Coolihans Sideroad and take an 'equipment adjustment' break before entering

 the Glen Haffy Conservation Area.

 After crossing Highway #9 the Trail descends through a cedar bush into a private reserve.

 The Trail crosses the Humer River and passes a resevoir.

 We climb a hill along a bush road and at the top we skirt an open field. 

 The Trail contnues westerly along a restored gravel pit (now a homestead) 

and emerge at the Mono 7th Line EHS.

 The Trail emerges on an open hillside above the Mono 5 Sideroad where aour cars are parked. 

At this point the Bruce Trail is joined by the Oak .Rridges Trail which runs east along #5.

Caledon Km 61.6 to Km 72.3 - 27 April, 2016

We started this section at Hockley Road and completed it at 
Mono Centre Road, the end of the Caledon Hills section.

The weather was sunny and about 10C. Great for hiking !

 Today's hikers; Annette, Sefan; Helgy; Karen our leader; Anita; Steve; Christine; Andy; Eric and Case.

 From Hockley Road the Trail climbs to enter the Hockley Vally Nature Reserve.

 The Trail climbs to a hiker's rest bench with outstanding views of the valley
we them entered a hardwood forest

 "Anyone see any white blazes ?"

 Evidence of the last ice storm

 "I don't think we will get it started, see, there's a loose wire over there."

 The Trail crosses a tributary of the Nottawasaga River by a series of three bridges.

Oakville Pathfinders think bridges are for wimps ! 

The Trail climbs steeply on a switchback to the ridge. 

 "Elevensies"

Dutchman Breeches

The Trail follows Dunby Road and we turn left on to Third Line EHS 

The Trail turns left off the 3rd Line and climbs a steep and rocky path to the top of the escarpment. 

Trout Lily (Dogtooth Violet)

Must be a 'Hobbit ' staircase 

 The Trail descends through crevices and via steep steps to the 3rd Line.

We follow the Third Line back to the cars.