As a tentative start to our hiking season, we decided to do a loop hike in the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Apparently there are Side Trail Badges so to spice up the same old hikes we thought we would give it a try with a 13.4 km hike. Hiking in Covid times meant all nine of drove to the Mono Community Centre.
Hikers included Annette, Ken, Sandra, Fran (co-photographer and sweep), Marleen, Arpi, David, Mike, and Steve. Note the social distancing! We started with the Laidlaw Side Trail up a significant hill that got the heart going right away. It soon met up with the Main Trail which we followed north for 2.7 km where we descended to the Walter Tovell Side Trail.
A few views from the lookouts along the main trail which follows the escarpment edge.
Walter Tovell ST passes a few ponds.
We turned east onto the Carriage Trail which we followed to the Provincial Park parking lot and then reversed course.
Along the way we passed a few more ponds.
We turned onto the South Outlier Connector which began gently but soon became a steep series of switch backs with lots of wet slippery roots.
Our hike leader making sure he is still Covid 19 compliant and breathing.
After hiking south on the east side route to the south end of the Outlier, we walked north on the Walter Tovell ST to climb up the South Outlier Connector again (better than having to descent this trail). We then hiked south on the west side route of the Outlier to meet the Main Trail and shortly thereafter the Laidlaw Trail and back to our cars!
