Sydenham - East Linton Side Trail (119.2 km) to Visitor Centre (105.3 km) - August 22nd. 2018

After driving up through heavy rain to reach the trailhead at East Linton Road, the rain stopped and it was cooler than it has been on our most recent hikes.  Catherine, Ron, David, Fran, and Steve the photographer started off  up the East Linton Access Trail.

After David clarified for us as to where the Trail was, we headed off through a land where we expected to encounter hobbits.

Despite passing some swampy areas the flies were not an issue on the hike.

The Trail soon exited the woods onto a narrow gravel road.

We passed what we believe was an old Ford Fairlane.

A road crossing with Owen Sound Harbour in the background.

A particularly steep descent...

and back to Hobbit Land.

A well placed picnic table courtesy of the local snowmobile club, served us well for lunch.

After lunch we headed down the escarpment along a rail trail that passes several farms.

After passing through a suburban part of Owen Sound, we climbed back up on the escarpment.

We knew we were nearing our destination when we reached Jones Falls.

A bridge picture by Jones Falls.

After a short Access Trail we were back to our car and off to the Knights Inn and dinner at Shorty's!

Niagara Glen Rd (53.7) to Kinsmen Park (66.9) - 16 August, 2018

We hiked this section from Glen Road to the Kinsmen Park

Today's hikers are Ron, Annette, John, Ann (our leader), Mike, Nancy, Eric, Karen, Fran and David.

The heat and humidity made this hike, which is usually relatively difficult that much more difficult.   

We did not have an official photographer, but we were able to take one mandatory bridge picture.

Caledon - 7th Line (42.2km) to 5th Line (50.7km) - August 9th, 2018

Given the forecast heat, we did a shorter but strenuous hike from 7th Line Access Trail to 5th Line in Hockley Valley

Our group included Nancy, David, Karen, Michael, Marleen, Anne and Steve the photographer along with an Inukshuk in the background.

After a bit of road walking and some forest we were soon crossing farmer's fields.

and back into the forest...

and out again.

A brief water break at a Sugar Bush operation (you can see the blue tubing between the trees if you look closely).

One of a series of stiles to be crossed.

Back into the forest with some relief from the sun.

A well placed log served as our bench for Elevensies.

One last climb!

One last descent on the access trail.

And the cars were waiting to take us home.

Iroquoia - Felker's Falls (23.2 km) to Jolley Cut (34.1 km) - August 2nd, 2018

It was another warm day as we started a 10.9 km hike through Hamilton.

The kids today included Karen, Ann, Ron, Fran, Sandra, Marleen, Nancy, David, Richard, Rob, and John with Steve as the photographer.  David was very brave to stand under the class practical jokers Marleen and Nancy.

Felker's Falls still had some water flowing over despite the lack of rain.

We kept moving as the day promised to only get hotter.

Richard ensuring everyone made it under the Red Hill Valley Parkway safely.

Mandatory bridge picture over Red Hill Creek.  Ann was hiding again for this pic.

The trail continues alongside Red Hill Creek within the forest until it crosses an abandoned ski hill.

The Trail did not go up these challenging stairs.  We were saving that for later when we were tired.

The day seemed to be getting very steamy.

A view of East Hamilton down a set of stairs we also did not climb.

Trail maintenance is clearly required in several spots on the trail.

A small patch of shade served as our elevensies stop.

Back on the Rail Trail with Ann continuing her personal clean up of the trail.

Rob and David contemplate the stairs behind them.  Do we really have to go up there?

The view from the top of the stairs with a ship in Burlington Bay.

The final steps up to the Trail end.  The cars can't be too much farther.

One final view of Hamilton and off home we go.