Iroquoia - Dundas Trail Centre to Sydenham Lookout - Dec. 3rd, 2020

Our hike today was somewhat delayed as some of us couldn't seem to access the original parking lot at Merrick Orchard so we had to relocate to the Sulfur Springs lot.  Despite the delay, we did complete the 17 km hike to Sydenham and back which included 8.3 km of new main Trail hike for Ron B.  We hiked on the Main Trail through Dundas and up to the Lookout and then returned on the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail back to the Trail Centre.

Hikers included Brian, Alex, Ken, Catherine, Ron B., Nancy, Arpi, Marleen, Mike and Steve.  It was a clear cool day with a bit of snow but not enough for icers.

We passed by the Trail Centre on our way with a few hikers making a quick pit stop.

The Trail passes a farm with friendly horses.

and a small pond that had begun to freeze.

The Trail follows along the railroad tracks and a long train passed as we were hiking.

Ken getting a video of the train.

Marleen practicing her golf swing at the course. Note how she keeps her head down with her eyes on the ball.

Elevensies in Dundas.

While some of the hikers headed up to the Sydenham Lookout, the more savvy hikers sought out a coffee shop in Dundas and waited.

The view from the Lookout.

and the return down the hill to Dundas.

The Rail Trail seemed very long.

The final km back to the cars and home.

Iroquoia - Dundas Station (51.7km) to Iroquoia ST (42.8km) - November 26th, 2020

Due to ambiguous or some might call wrong driving instructions we ended up having our groups split up between the Artaban Parking Lot and the Merrick Lot at the end of Lions Club Rd.  As a result we split into three groups, one hiking back west along the Trail from Sherman Falls, the second hiking north on a side trail to join the Trail at km 51.7 and then east on the Trail towards Sherman Falls and the third, to minimize Group 1's hiking as a separate group, hiking south on a side trail to join the Trail at 49.8 km and east towards Sherman Falls.  Once Group 1 and 3 joined we headed east to Iroquoia ST where we turned back to head west on the same Trail.

There were a total of 14 hikers for todays 15 km hike.  Groups 2 and 3 consisted of Doug (photographer), Brian, Catherine, Michael, Marleen, Arpi, Sandra, Ken (photographer), Ron B., Alex as a guest hiker, Nancy and Steve one of today's photographers.  Group 1 consisted of Annette and Fran.

The weather was warm (for late November) and threatening to rain but we stayed dry for the entire hike.  Group 3 approaching the Main Trail where we turned east.

Passing a recently downed tree.

Group 1 and 3 meet up!

Meanwhile back in Group 2, a clothing adjustment and a quick visit to the Hermitage.

Brian returning from a exploratory trip with Sandra as sweep keeping a watchful eye.

Back on the Trail

Crossing Canterbury Falls

Crossing a creek.

Groups 1 and 2 at Sherman Falls for our bridge picture.  Some of us never grow up, Marleen.

Sherman Falls.

Approaching a major descent with slippery ground.

Some of us have reached the bottom successfully!

Group 2 appears on the Horizon! They begin their descent.

Elevensies!

Returning on the Trail

Cresting the Escarpment.  As Nancy said as she reached the top "That wasn't so bad at all".

Beginning the last major descent.

A final bit of road walking on Lions Club Rd. back to the cars and home again.