Beaver Valley Km 85.3 to Km 98.7 - 18 May, 2016

This section starts at the Cul de Sac on Sideroad 13A, km 85.3 andends at the intersection of Sideroad 25 and 3rd Line D, km 98.7.

Weather was cool at the start and became very pleasant as the day wore on.

 Today our group of ten hikers split up. This group; Andy, David; Leslie and Steve, leading

 completed Beaver Valley Section 7 while the others hiked Section 1.

 When we completed this hike we returned to the Rocklyn Inn. 

They freshened up and drove into Meaford for a bit of sight-seeing.

 Beautiful Georgian Bay from Meaford Harbour.

Steve, having had stressful day leading his three cohorts just needed to sit and relax.

Beaver Valley Km 70.1 to Km 85.3 - 17 May, 2016

The section starts at the Johnston's Sideroad Parking Lot km 70.1 and ends at the 

Cul de Sac on Sideroad 13A, km 85.3.

The weather was cool in the morning warming up in full sunshine as the day went on,

very little in the way of bugs.

 Today's hikers; Case; Steve; Andy; Annette; Christine; Eric; Leslie; David; Karen our leader and Richard.

 We leave the Johnston's Sideroad Parking Lot, cross a hay field and enter a hardwood forest.

 We come across a lone Trillium .....

 Traverse some rocks ....

 and discover some more trilliums .....

 Look out !! Don't step on the damn trilliums !

 The Trail crosses Graham's Hill Road.

 We cross a creek that apparently come out of the escarpment under this house.

We reach Grey County Road 30 at the bottom of Bowles Hill.

 The Trail follows a Hydro Corridor and enters the Beaver Valley Ski Club property 

where there is a long uphill hike to the top of the ski runs. 

 Here we are rewarded with fantastic views across the Beaver Valley

 Bill's Creek as it bursts forth out of the rock face.

 View from the top of the former Talisman Ski Resort.

Jack in the Pulpit

 The Trail descends the rock face by way of a ladder.

We arrive at the cars and then check in at the Rocklyn Inn.

Beaver Valley Km 42.1 to Km 56.2 - 12 May, 2016

This section starts at the Old Baldy Conservation Area Parking Lot on Sideroad 7B, km 42.1 

and ends at Eugenia Falls. km 56.2

Warmer than yesterday, sunny with some cloud. Still no bugs!

 Today's hikers; Andy; Karen our leader; Christine and Case

 The Trail heads south along the escarpment edge past several excellent viewpoints.

 Old Baldy Lookout where the escarpment face is 150 m high.

 Violets rooted in the rock.

 Hiking through a field of trilliums

A Green Snake spotted by Karen.

 Rock fenceline along 4th Line A.

 Road walking west along Artemesia-Euphrasia Townline

 We hike 500 m south along County Road 13 and turn left cross the fence.

 The Trail follows the ridge of a high secondary escarpment with very deep 

vertical crevices. Note the snow in the bottom of this one.

 There are also spectacular vistas, although in a couple of weeks when the leaves are out 

 this vista will not be available.

 Marsh marigolds along the creek.

 The Trail enters the Ontario Power Generation property where it makes a steep climb 

beside the penstocks that carry water from Lake Eugenia to the turbines in the generating 

plant far below in the valley. The Trail turns south at the surge towers at the top.

 Picking a shady spot to have lunch.

 The Trail climbs to the heights above Eugenia Falls and Cuckoo Valley

 After making a steep descent to the Beaver River we stop at one of two stone arches

built 100 years ago in an aborted attempt to harness the river.

We enjoy another view of the Falls before we get into the cars and strike out for Oakville.