Peninsula - Wiarton (0.0 km) to Puple Valley Access Trail (15.6 km) - June 26th, 2019

The hiking group was split into two groups with Fran (the leader and photographer), David, Ron J., and Ron B. hiking 15.6 km on the first leg of the Peninsula while the rest did a hike in Sydenham. The group pose by a statue of Wiarton Willie.  He definitely would see his shadow on this beautiful clear day.

The Trail follows the shoreline through Wiarton and beside a yacht club.

Flowers were in full bloom.

After climbing the Spiral Staircase the Trail enters a forest for a short distance before emerging into fields.

and then into the forest again.  David is in his camo gear so hard to see.

The Trail passes through Colpoy's Bay.

and then back though the fields.

A small waterfall.

Walking towards water and perhaps lunch!

After a short Mallory Beach Side Trail, the group arrives at the perfect lunch spot.

Of course boys will be boys and a stone skipping contest breaks out.

Meanwhile Fran was admiring the flowers on the beach.

and Ron found some Fungi, the first being an Urn Fungus of the Peziza group of fungi and as are the following fungi.

and some parasitic plants that have no chlorophyll so they live on the roots of other plants. These are called Cancer Root.  A hike with Ron J. is a learning experience.

A spectacular viewpoint.

Checking out the  Side Trail down the escarpment before finishing today's hike.

Sydenham - East Linton (119.7 km) to Visitor Centre (105.3 km) - June 28th, 2019

It was cloudy day with rain forecast for the afternoon when we started our 14.4 km hike.  Hikers were Mike, Arpi, Eric , Brian, Nancy, Marleen, Stefan and Steve the photographer.  Eric joined us for the last day of hiking as this was Stefan's last hike to complete his End to End.

After a short climb up the escarpment, the trail begins winding through crevices.

The Trail passes a small pond.

Soon we climbed to the top of the escarpment and crossed several fields.

The Trail crosses Indian Acres Rd.

The Trail heads back down the escarpment again for a ways and then back up top to the fields.

Unfortunately, a light rain began earlier than expected.

The Trail follows an abandoned rail bed and then through a series of streets in North Owen Sound.

The rain stopped long enough for lunch and then we were back on the trail straight up to the top of the escarpment.

A glimpse of Jones Falls as we neared the end of the hike.  

Unfortunately the rain began to come down heavily as we finished the hike with only two hikers willing to pose for the Bridge picture.

Stefan as he completes his E2E with his own unique way of combating the rain. Congratulations Stefan!

Stefan completes the traditional pole Gauntlet with the protection of the awning of the Visitor Centre, to mark his completion of the E2E.  A few glasses of champagne later and we were on the road to home after a great 3 days of hiking. 

Sydenham - Centennial Tower (90.1 km) to Visitors Centre (105.3 km) - June 27th, 2019

It was another sunny day when we started our second day of hiking which was shorter at 15.2 km but the first 5 km were very challenging through the Palisades section of the Trail.  Hikers were Mike, Nancy, Ann, Arpi, Steve, Marleen, Brian, Stefan and Boyd the photographer.

The view from Centennial Tower over Owen Sound.

The Trail quickly enters the Palisades with numerous crevices and very rocky footing.

Ann does her part to support the escarpment as we pass through.

Brian inspects the potential crevices for exploring.

Brian points to the hole we crawled out of.

Footing is challenging through this portion.

Climbing into a new crevice.

Maybe there is a way out?

Stefan is the last to squeeze out of the hole.

The Devil's Chimney with climbing anchors.

The Devil's Playground.

The Trail then enters a cedar forest with a much easier footing.

Our first glimpse of the Sydenham River.

We finally reached Inglis falls where we had our lunch by the river above the falls.

A viewpoint over Inglis Falls.

The Trail becomes much easier for the last 10 km of the hike winding through forests and fields.

We encountered some friendly pigs along the way.

Another snack close to the end of the hike.

A final descent.

Our bridge picture at the end of the hike.  Some people just refuse to use bridges.