Beaver Valley Km 85.3 to Km 98.7 - 21 May, 2015

Hikers: Steve, Helgy, Christine and Case

Leader:  Karen

Section and Distance: Beaver Valley Km 85.3 to Km 98.7

Weather:  Sunny, cool and windy

Actual Distance hiked: 15.35 km

We left Oakville at 8:00 and stopped at Tim Horton's for a "bush" break before driving to Sideroad 25 and 3rd Line the end of the hike, where we met up with Case who had driven up from Paisley.  We then drove to Sideroad 13A to start the hike. 

Starting the Hike

We hiked along the Escarpment edge into a mature forest.  At Sideroad 16C we turned left and headed west for 800 m.  We then turned right into a field and passed through dense hardwood growth and open fields, with many apple trees in bloom.  We then reached Sideroad 19.  We turned right and hiked for 300 m before entering a field where we came upon a bridge.  Here we had our elevensies before entering a cedar bush.

Trillium

Apple tree in bloom

Elevensies

At the end of the cedar bush.  We took to 30 m trail to the beaver dam.

Cedar bush

We turned right and headed towards the Eric Winkler Parkway (Grey Rd. 7) and the Epping John Muir Lookout Side Trail.  We continued 1.25 km north on Grey Rd 7 to Sideroad 22B and turned right following the road allowance into the valley.  At the Siegerman Side Trail we followed it for 100 m to our lunch spot.

Lunch Spot

We continued east to the 3rd Line.  We turned left and followed the 3rd Line road allowance to Sideroad 25, the end of the hike.

Today was a great hike.  The cool weather was perfect for hiking and the brisk breeze kept the bugs away.

We picked up the other car and drove to the B&B.  After a rest and shower we drove to Meaford for dinner at the Leeky Canoe and retired early for the night.

Niagara Km 29.1 to Km 45.1 - 12 May, 2014

Hikers: Helgy, Christine, Case and Andy

Leader:  Karen

Section and Distance:  Niagara Km 29.1 to Km 45.1

Weather: Cool, cloudy with some sun, windy

Actual Distance hiked:  16.1 Km

Starting the hike

This is a makeup hike for Christine, Andy and Case.

After positioning the cars we started the hike at DeCew House.   We entered the bush and then followed the south shore of Lake Moodie for 1.2 km to the Hydro facility and then followed the trail to the Escarpment edge above Twelve Mile Creek.  Here we saw a good view of the dry DeCew Falls by the waterworks building.  Apparently there was a leak and the water had been dropped to avoid flooding. They are hoping to be up and running again in a few weeks.  We continued along the old roadway to Morningstar Mill.  We continued along DeCew Road before entering the woods.

Walking along Lake Moodie

Lake Moodie

Man made falls

Dry DeCew Falls

Morningstar Mill

After crossing several streams we descended steeply to a swampy area, followed by more fields.  These lands form part of the 700-hectare Short Hills Provincial Park.  The trail turned left through fields and forests to Wiley Rd.  We followed the old farm road and followed the north bank of Terrace Creek to Terrace Creek Falls.

Jack in a Pulpit

After crossing a bridge over a stream we reached an old roadbed (Gillign Rd.) and followed it up the hill.  We continued hiking through old farm pastures and fields and then climbed a steep ravine by the Swayze Falls and observation deck overlooking the falls.  The falls is known as "dry falls" because it is often dry; however, today there was a trickle of water with some ice buildup.  We had our lunch at the observation deck

Swayze Falls (dry)

We continued through the wooded area of Short Hills Provincial Park before we exited onto Effingham Road which we followed for a short distance and then entered a right of way near an old water-filled quarry.  We skirted a field and followed an old road allowance for a short distance. 

We then ascended steeply to the top of the Escarpment and continued through the woods to Rockway Road.  We followed Rockway Road and walked to the Rockway Community Centre to our parked car.

We picked up our second car, and drove home.