Blue Mountain - Swiss Meadows (65.9 km) to Pretty River (47.0 km) - June 6th, 2019

We began our 18.9 km hike on a bright and sunny day with Boyd, Marleen, Brian, Ron, Fran, Nancy, Steve, and Ann (photographer) out for the hike today.

Before we even got started, Ron found a treasure trove of Morels where we parked the car!

The trail was muddy at the start as a result of the rains the day before but soon dried out.

The views down the ski runs over Collingwood and Georgian Bay were spectacular.

The Trail winds through the Scenic Caves Cross-Country Ski Facility.

One of several tricky stream crossings today.

Our Bridge picture across Silver Creek.

A long road walk up an enormous hill.

What are they all looking at?

No one volunteered to kiss him.

The Trail follows a road easement for a ways.

We slowed for a tricky descent into what Brian accurately referred to prehistoric times.

We passed through an abandoned apple orchard where the trees were in full bloom.

and a little later Ron found this "Showy Orchid"

 

More spectacular views out to Georgian Bay.

and south to the Nottawasaga Nature Reserve.

We begin the 2 km descent down to the Pretty River.

The Trail follows alongside a tributary of the Pretty River.

Another tricky crossing.

The final half km through a dense cedar forest and we were back to the cars.

Beaver Valley - Eugenia Falls (56.2 km) to Johnston's Sideroad (70.2 km) - June 5th, 2019

We started our 14 km hike from Eugenia Falls Conservation Area with Nancy, Fran, Brian, Ron, Marleen (practicing her Captain's pose) and Steve the photographer.  This may have been the last time we smiled today as the weather was threatening as we started off.

Eugenia Falls was in full flood.

After viewing the Falls, we set off down the Trail.

The Trilliums were in their last stages of bloom but still beautiful.

The Trail passes through an extensive maple Syrup operation.

More hills and Trilliums but so far no rain!

Admiring the gnarled old tree still standing.  A metaphor for some hikers?

I don't see any fish.

More Trillium's.

and a Jack-in-the-Pulpit

An interesting tree shape.

Our bridge picture.

 

Rain wear was rapidly put on as the rain began.

there was alet up in the rain as we reached the south end of the BV Section.

But the rain returned with a vengence.

A collection of Fungi for Ron.

Hoggs Falls from the west side with Trilliums.  The rain made further pictures impossible.  Ron and Fran continued on with a friend to complete a further 15 km which apparently was a real slog through the mud but I'm sure they made memories.