Iroquoia Km 34.1 to Km 46.4 - 4 February, 2016

Section from Sam Lawrence Park Side Trail km 34.1 and Sherman Falls km 46.4.

Great weather for hiking with temp at about +3C and the sun came out midmorning.
No snow and ice to speak of and couple of muddy areas.

Today's Hikers; Steve; Ann; Andy; Micheal; John G; John N; Eric; Anita;
 Karen, our leader; Annette; Christine; Steve; Helgy and Case.

From the Sam Lawrence Park (Jolly Cut) Hamilton we took the access side
 trail to the main trail. We followed the Jolly Cut down a paved sidewalk

 over Claremont Access to the underpass under Arkledun Avenue.

We came across a "Ghost Bike" on the Claremont Acess.
In memory of Jay Kennedy who was killed at this location.

We gradually ascended a wooded ridge parallel to the Claremont Acecess and
 reached the sidewalk along the elevated road at the end of the James St. steps.

A Hawk quietly observed us as we passed.

We continued along the the trail crossing Beckett Drive and continued

around Reservior Park and crossed the Dundurn Steps.

Everv wonder why we have never been attacked by the Bobcat 

when hiking with Steve?

We climbed back into the woods above the Chedoke Civic Golf
 Course before reaching a set of metal steps which we descended to
 the golf club parking lot. 

We followed the Chedoke Radial Trail.and entered the Iroquoia Heights
 Conservation Area and continued along the railway line

We continued along the railway line through woods and open
 meadows before crossing over Highway 403 on the paved footpath

 to Filman Road.

The Urban Artist.

After crossing a bridge we ascended to the escarpment brow and then
 descended sharply to Wilson Street.  We crossed the road and
 continued through a wooded and rocky area and descended to
 small creek before crossing Old Dundas Road.

We followed the trail along Ancaster Creek to Sherman Falls. 

We continued to Sherman Falls Access Trail and back to our
parked cars.

Iroquoia Km 23.2 to Km 34.1 - 28 January, 2016

We hiked this section from West to East starting at the Sam Lawrence Park Side Trail km 34.1 and finishing at the Felker's Falls Conservation Area.

The temperature hovered around 0c and it was mostly cloudy. No percipitation.

Today's Hikers; Richard; Ann; Andy; Micheal; John G; John N; Eric; Anita; 

Karen, our leader; Annette; Christine; Steve; Helgy and Case.

We parked the cars on the brow of the escarpment at the Sam Lawrence Park, popularly

 known as the Jolly Cut. WE followed the Side Trail down to km 34.1 of the Bruce Trail. 

From here we get a good view of Downtown Hamilton.

It soon became evident we would all have to wear our icers.

After a short hike we emerged from the woods and crossed the Sherman Access.

We descended the Wentworth Street steps to the Escarpment Rail Trail.

Lunch break ....

We cross the Red Hill Creek

Ice forming as water seeps out of the limestone.

Felker's Falls in January.

Back to the cars after a great hike ....

Iroquoia Km 11.1 to Km 23.2 - 21 January, 2016

This Section of the Bruce Trail starts at the Lewis Road Access Trail km 11.1 and ends at the Felker's Falls Conservation Area km 23.2.

The weather was overcast and the temperature was just below freezing. 
(most of us dressed too warm.)

Today's hikers; Andy, Steve; Annette; John G; Christine; Mike; Karen our leader; 

Eric; Helgy; Steve; John N and Case.

We left the cars and climbed the Lewis Access Trail to the Bruce Trail.

The Trail passes over rough and rugged terrain before reaching McNeilly Road.

The Trail drops below the brow of the escarpment and passes just above subdivisions.

constructed on the raised beach of old Lake Iroquois.

  

After crossing DeWitt Road at km 16.0 and shortly thereafter stop for elevensies.

A quiet lunch is disturbed by the passing of a long train of tanker cars above us.

The Trail ascends steps and crosses over New Mountain Road on the railway bridge..

The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (1894-1987) now CP Rail descends the

 escarpment from McNeilly Road to Highway 20 at Stoney Creek

The Trail has a steep descent into the Stoney Creek valley at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The lower falls at the Devil's Punch Bowl.

The Trail crosses the Stoney Creek and then passes under the Centennial Parkway 

railway overpass.

The Trail has a long climb back up to the top of the escarpment and then follows the 

brow into the woodland of Felker's Falls Conservation Area

The cars are in the parking lot at Felker's Falls.