Sydenham - Blantyre (0.0 km) to 2nd Concession (14.4 km) - Sept. 21st, 2021

The hike today began with threats of rain but we were prepared for the worst.  The hike has been rerouted since the 30th edition so though we still end at 2nd Concession, the hike distance has been shortened to 12.9 km.  Given the reduction, several of the hikers chose to do the Walters Falls ST later in the hike.

Hikers included, Barbara, Steve, Ron (photographer), Boyd, Marleen, Brian, Doug (photographer), Arpi, Nancy, Sandra, and Ken our primary photographer.

Blue skies appeared as we headed down the lane way that starts the hike.  Unfortunately in our excitement, we all missed a turn of the Trail and ended up having to backtrack adding kilometre to our hike.

We passed bee hives along the way.

We all noticed these beautiful fungi but not the right turn Blaze.

We continued on.

Maybe it was this strange fish like tree that distracted us from the Blazes.

Back on the Trail

A Cauliflower fungus for Ron!

Crossing Rocklyn Creek

A collection descending a hill.

A brief stop to check where we are.  Everyone seems happy!

Back on the Trail between massive old trees.

Checking out a crevice.

A recent victim of a storm.

Descending the escarpment.

Elevensies at last.

We met this couple from Oakville that were doing their last hike to complete their End to End!  They had started hiking the Bruce Trail as part of a Covid sanity mission and completed it today.  Congratulations!

Back on the Trail and all still happy.

A bit of road walking to climb back up the escarpment.

Map check and regroup before we head back into the fields and forest.

Several of the hikers proceed on the Walters Falls ST.

Walters Falls from above.

Arpi discovered a toy in the bush.

Back on the Main Trail.

Our final destination for the day...

Dinner at a nice restaurant.  Nancy's nails even matched the cups!  A great meal to end a great hiking day.

Blue Mountain - Devils Glen (31.7 km) to Pretty River (48.6 km) - Sept. 16th, 2021

It was a perfect day for hiking with temperature in the low teens when we began the hike.  We decided to do things a bit differently this time by starting in the Pretty River Valley and hiking from 48.6 km to 46.8 km where we parked our cars.  This allowed us to hike the toughest hill of the hike a t the beginning of the day when we were fresh.  We then drove to Devils Glen and began the rest of the Hike.  The Trail has been rerouted that added 1.5 km to the hike for a total of 18.5 km although some of the hikers insisted we hiked 21 km.

Hiking back down to Pretty River and the cars.

At Devil's Glen with Palma, Barbara, Steve (photographer), Marleen, Arpi, Sandra (special assignment cave photographer), Nancy and Ken our chief photographer.  This was Nancy and Marleen's final hike in the Blue Mountain Section.

The Trail leads through a woods on the south side of Hwy #124.

Crossing our first stile of the day.

Exiting the forest to field of clover.

The Trail follows along the edge of the field.

A short bit of road walking where we encountered two hikers that had been hiking from Tobermory for 23 days on their way to Niagara.

On the Trail reroute through Duntroon we found a great apple tree with sweet apples.

Climbing up the escarpment.  The Trail follows a series of cross country ski trails.

Elevensies at Noon.  The troops revolted and stopped for lunch despite what the hike leader suggested.

Back on the Trail and Marleen found a perfect tree horse.

 

Crossing a field with a beautiful old Maple.  A few weeks early for full colour.

A short break on the other side of the field.

 

An amazing tree and fungi for Ron J.

And a another short break before we encountered Standing Rock and the Caves.

Climbing down into the cave was challenging.

Arpi guides Barbara down into the cave.

Barbara guides Sandra down.

A little climb around an obstacle.

and back down the other side.

Which way do we go?

Maybe down here?

Arpi was mesmerized by the walls of moss.

Sandra in a crevice.

Arpi discovering the way out.

Barbara entering another room.

Is this the way out?

Barbara carefully exiting the final crevice.

We come across the Standing Rock and Arpi rushes to push it over or perhaps hold it up.

Back to the Trail and a bit of road walking.

The final 0.7 km along the Pretty River.

An amazing old gnarled cedar tree.

Our six pretty ladies celebrating by the Pretty River 

Nancy and Marleen get the honor guard treatment for completing the Blue Mountain Section.