Niagara Km 55.0 to Km 70.6 - 6 January, 2016

This Section was started at the Ball's Falls Conservation Area parking lot to the Mountainview Conservation Area parking lot on Mountainview Road.

The weather was cool and sunny.

Today's hikers: Case; Ann;Andy; Karen our leader; Christine; Steve; Helgy and Richard

We left the parking lot at Ball's Falls and followed the west bank of the
Twelve Mile Creek south. where we got a good view of the falls.

The Trail turns west, crosses a stream to Fifth Line.

We cross Victoria Avenue, then follow a hedgerow through a couple of meadows
and into a wooded area.

The Trail passes the Vineland Estate Winery and crosses Moyer Road. At the crest
 of the hill, it enters the woods and begins a diagonal descent of the escarpment.

Elevensies .

The Trail climbs steeply over a ridge and dolstone boulders to the escarpment crest.
Icers were a definite advantage when traversing this climb.

"Wow, that's a big step"

Several interesting rock formations are found here. 

Large slabs, left by glaciers, sit atop the escarpment

Your guess is as good as mine  ??.
One of our party observed "It certainly isn't a bobcat."

After passing through the East Dell Estate Winery property the Trail goes along the road

 and passes the Mike Weir Winery. It then turns left onto Locust Lane and right onto 

Mountainview Road.....

We reached the car parked in the lot on Mountainview Road 

after another great hike in good weather.

Toronto km 21.3 to km 33.1 - 17 December, 2015

Section from the intersection of 22 Sideroad and 5th Line.in Limehouse to the intersection of 27 Sideroad and Eigth Line in the Silver Creek Conservation Area.

Sunny weather and approx. 12 C.

Today's hikers; Case; John; Carol; Anita; Michael; our leader Karen; Christine,; Andy; Steve 

and John N.

We started the hike in Limehouse.  We crossed over the railroad tracks 

and turned left onto Kirkpatrick Lane which we followed to Fifth Line

 and turned left. After 75 metres we left the road to the right.

We climbed a cliff on the right and hugged a field edge and passed through

 a young forest before climbing the side of a large drumlin.  

We climbed our first stile .....

and ducked under our first low hanging tree....

We trod over our first wet and slippery rocks ....

and then climbed our second stile .....

and our third .....

We followed a series of field edges to rejoin Fifth Line and turned north.

After 75 metres we left the road to the right, crossing our fourth stile. 

It was somewhat disconcerting to come across this sign 

after having just taken a much needed 'bush break'. 

We then crossed a creek and after skirting the edge of some open fields.

Crossed a swamp on a very wet and slippery boardwalk 

(the first of many)

Then climbed another stile (I've lost count)  at the Sixth Line,  and 

turned north towards Hwy 7.

Turned east and followed the road for 700 m and turned left into the bush.

We  passed through sections of wet and dry land and stopped for a 

snack break before crossing Trafalgar Road.  

After crossing Trafalgar Road we followed a 250 m board walk, still wet and

 very slippery, to the high ground of the Scotsdale Farm. 

Karen took this picture. which includes our location on the Trail,

 on her phone utilizing the Bruce Trail app. Love that technology !

We continued through a mature woods, crossed a bridge and headed into 

a pasture. 

We continued through a series of fields, woodlots and wet areas and crossed 

the Eight Line Road Allowance. We followed Snows Creek north 

to 27 Sideroad where the cars are parked.

"Ahhhhh"

more pictures to come ......