Hike Schedule

Peninsula Blue Series - Hopeness, Jack Poste and Don Irish Side Trails

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Roadside Parking at the south end of Cathedral Dr, Lion’s Head, ON N0H 1W0, Canada

Hike Leader(s): Saabir Sohrab Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Easy, Moderate
Distance: 12 Approx.

Description

Mimico Creek Trail, Part 1 - Wayne Crockett's Frustrating Pre-hike from May 23, 2020

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Kipling Subway Station for 10 am, at the west end of bus platforms by the washrooms to catch the #111, The East Mall at 10:02. It is a 15-minute bus ride that will take us to the start of the hike at The East Mall & Eglinton Avenue West. If coming directly to the hike by car there is parking by trail access point at the end of West Deane Valley Road (curbside parking). West Deane Valley Road runs east from the East Mall. If you are exercising this option, please arrive by 10:15, walk down along the trail to the bridge and wait for the group to arrive. It is necessary to inform the hike leaders ahead of time or you may miss us.

Hike Leader(s): Andrew Proczek; Tom Swales Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat, Variable
Distance: 12.5 km

Description

In November we lost one of the most dedicated and personable hike leaders our club has ever seen in Wayne Crockett. As well as his impeccable leadership skills and knowledge of Canadian history, Wayne was known for his dry-wit humor. Attempting the Mimico Creek Trail, south of Bloor Street, on an early morning in Spring, during another Covid lockdown, Wayne posted on his Facebook page, “…based on someone once telling me that with a little perseverance, you can find a path along the Mimico Creek from Bloor to the lake shore (about 4 km in a straight line). They lied or I misremembered. I did find some nice stretches of natural path running within a metre or two of the creek but they always dead ended and I had to retrace and do some road walking to find another point of access… Not going to be added to my repertoire, there would be a mutiny for sure.” And commenting on his own picture of some ducks lounging in the creek he wrote, “They were laughing. Ha, this Hooman just walked by here going the other way five minutes ago….” I plan to keep a few of Wayne’s frustrations as part of the hike, with the group not knowing if we are passing through or having to double back. Let the ducks laugh! Little did you know, Wayne, that we would follow you anywhere.

Come join Tom Swales and I as we undertake to hike the Mimico Creek Trail in two parts. Part 2 will go in January 2023. Originally planned as one long hike, upon a second pre-hike we realized that because we are now in winter conditions with packed snow and icy patches that a longer hike will be too exhausting. Also we are waiting for the Berry St. footbridge to reopen so we can hike the preferred route and avoid any unnecessary road walking. Wayne’s prophecy of mutiny may well have come to pass!

Wayne began his hike at Tom Riley Park from Dundas Street and meandered his way to Humber Bay Park and then east along the waterfront trail towards home. We will begin Part 1 much further north from Eglington Avenue, walking on beautiful forest trails on the west side of the creek through West Deane Park as far as past Rathburn Road. Next doubling back on Martin Grove Road we will cross over and pick up the trail on the east side at Ravenscrest Park. Further on there will be a stretch of road walking along Burnhamthorpe Road (not too unpleasant) before we reach Tom Riley Park and then begin to follow Wayne’s route to his first frustration. Reaching the Van Dusen Blvd footbridge we will head in an easterly direction towards Park Lawn Cemetery, leaving south of Van Dusen for Part 2. Wayne loved to come to Park Lawn Cemetery in recent years to sight a group deer that make there home there during the winter months. With any luck we may spot them. Passing through the cemetery we will join up with the Humber River Trail and finish our hike at Old Mill Subway Station.

Dropouts at Bloor St. (at 8.3 km, Islington Subway Station is just steps west of there), Royal York Road (at 9.6 km, #76 Bus takes you to Royal York Station or you can walk up in 15 minutes.

The route: https://onthegomap.com/s/64r55jlm

Please pack a lunch and have your icers with you in case we need them.

Dundas Rail Trail to DVCA

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): MEET at Hamilton Rail Trail -Binkley Road parking lot
To find Binkley Road parking lot -Take Governor’s road heading west past the main entrance of DVCA to Binkley Road
Turn left onto Binkley road and quick right turn onto Old Highway 99
The parking lot is beside the rail trail entrance on the left

Hike Leader(s): Cathie Green Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Approximately 12 kms

Description

Winter hike on trails leading into Dundas Valley Conservation area. We will start on the Hamilton Rail Trail from the Binkley Road parking lot and follow that to Gravel Pit Road and onto the Headwaters trail  We will hike to the Lookout trail, have a break/lunch and head back via the Reforestation Trail, Mineral Spring Roads and back onto the rail trail to our parked cars. Suitable trail for dogs as long as leashed and friendly.  Please have water to hike and wear suitable clothing for the weather- Bring a snack/lunch, hiking boots, poles and ICERS -Dundas Valley trails can be quite icy depending on the weather

To find Binkley Road parking lot -Take Governor’s road heading west past the main entrance of DVCA to Binkley Road Turn left onto Binkley road and quick right turn onto Old Highway 99The parking lot is beside the rail trail entrance on the left

Any questions or concerns, please email me at cathiekygreen@gmail.com or text 416-931-2095

Iroquoia E2E-in-10 led by Steven White | Weekdays, Brisk

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Iroquoia E2E-in-Ten
Location (Google Maps): Various locations throughout the Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail

Hike Leader(s): Steven White Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 10-16 kms per hike

Description

This is a special series of 10 hikes with a new accomplishment badge. The registration fee includes the new special event badge, however, it will be up to a hiker who has not earned the badge in time to receive it on the last hike to arrange to pick up the badge or have it posted to them.

The fee goes towards supporting the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, which in turn supports the mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is: “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”

For the time being, registration for the Iroquoia E2E-in-Ten will be limited to members of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.  Hikers can belong to any section.

A maximum of 3 (of the 10) hikes can be self-completed as a result of scheduling challenges, but it is intended that this badge be earned while hiking as part of a group led by a certified hike leader.

Please note there are no refunds!

This particular set of 10 hikes is intended to be BRISK (4-5km/h) where conditions safely allow.  Please be honest about your degree of physical fitness prior to registration.

TRANSPORTATION

This series will be through hikes and will require car shuttling, you must be willing to drive or to be a passenger. Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Halton Conservation Areas will require reservations.  The fee for the E2E-in-Ten does not cover any parking/entry fees for hikers who are not members of the Halton CA and/or Hamilton CA.  If the group has enough hikers who are members of a CA, those will be the cars chosen to park in those areas so as to minimize costs.  At least one hike starts at one CA and ends at another, so parking fees are unavoidable for non-CA members.

Niagara Bruce Trail Benchlands Hike

Hosting Club: Niagara, Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): We are meeting at the first parking area but there are three parking areas for this hike altogether, as follows:
1. Mountainview Conservation Area – West side of Mountainview Rd between McLeod St and Locust Lane 43.157888, -79.497415
2. Jordan Hollow King St (Hwy 81) across from Boo’s Restaurant 3039 King St Jordan Station
43.142022, -79.372672
3. Jordan Main St Parking lot across from Jordan Art Gallery (43.1491405, -79.3698233)

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr, Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: Approx 15km in total

Description

This is a 3-part hike with 3 parking locations. Please carpool if you are able.

Part hike, part history, part viticulture, this outing explores the area referred to as the Niagara Bench.

Please bring enough snacks, water and your icers in case of icy trail conditions.
Requirements for the badge are found here:http://niagarabrucetrail.club/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Niagara-Benchlands-Badge.pdf
Badges will be available following the third hike. M$10/NM$15

An optional stop following the third hike for coffee and a treat.

9:00am NBTC Side Trail Challenge #5 - The Twelve

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps): Park off Glendale Avenue between Riverview Blvd & Twelve Mile Creek

Hike Leader(s): Robin Garrett Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 11 km

Description

This hike follows the east bank of Twelve Mile Creek to downtown then back and continues on the side trail towards Brock University until it meets the Main Trail and then back. Counts towards the NBTC Side Trail badge. Required photos include: Graffiti under the bridges, Twelve Mile Creek, Pedestrian bridge over Hwy 406.

8:30 am Hike and CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps):

Jordan Hollow Park 3039 King St Jordan

Hike Leader(s): Alan Laver Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 7k

Description

Join us for our annual Christmas Hike and Gathering. You can hike or join us at the end for snacks treats, fun and festivities.

Bring your favourite delicacy for the table

9:15 Hike and CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Jordan Hollow Park, Jordan

Hike Leader(s): Bill Russell Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Strenuous
Distance: 6 kms

Description

Join Us for our annual hike and Christmas gathering Either join the hike or join us at the the end. Bring a chair and something to share.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Urban
Location (Google Maps): Park on King St near Centre St (just outside of Veteran’s Memorial Park

Hike Leader(s): Margaret Northfield Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 5-6 km

Description

Each Friday we will explore different neighbourhoods, trails and parkland throughout Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Moderate pace with some weeks entirely on sidewalks and roads while others may include a mix of trails and paved pathways. Great way to build up endurance for longer more strenuous hikes.

Prepare for cooler windy conditions on open parkland and along Lake Ontario and Niagara River trails.

Plan to stay for conversation and a warm cup of coffee or tea at Sweets & Swirls, Community Centre, Niagara Stone Road, NOTL

CANCELLED Urban Walk - Rattray Marsh

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps):

Hike starts at Clarkson GO Station and ends at Port Credit GO Station.

Hike Leader(s): Ginny Giraudi Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 12 km

Description

THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE WINTER STORM WARNING.

Take a break from the busy holiday season:  This hike follows the waterfront trail through Rattray Marsh, Jack Darling and Saddington parks ending in Port Credit for lunch at the Archtop Coffee Bar and Market. Dress for the weather: hiking poles and boot icers may be recommended.

If you are taking the GO Train from Union Station, please board the 8:45 am Lakeshore Westbound train to Clarkson GO Station. Please try to sit in the railway car near the middle of the train on the raised platform. I will meet you on the same raised platform as the train pulls into Clarkson GO Station at 9:20 am. You may also drive to Clarkson GO station and park for free on a first come/first served basis. Please meet us at the same location, on the raised platform where the train from Union GO Station will pull in at 9:20 am.

CANCELED - Lunch time Loops - CANCELED

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Hike Leader(s): Robert House Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 6KM

Description

Dundas Valley Conservation Area is a magnificent outdoor area consisting of over 40km (about 24.85 mi) of trails located minutes from the downtown core of Hamilton. Join us Friday, December 23rd at 11:30 as we explore the Dear Run loop, the Main loop, and the Headwaters trail to the Homestead Trail loop.  

This will be a moderately paced hike totaling about 6KM. The hike should finish within 2 hours.  

We will meet at the picnic tables at the trail centre

The gatehouse will be closed, entry is free if you have your HCA card or $11 if you do not have a membership. Only credit cards are accepted at the gate. 

The trail is gravel or grass with some roots and rocks and some steep hills.  

Bring snacks, a warm beverage, and weather-appropriate clothing. Icers may be needed depending on the weather.

Please arrive at 11:15 so we can start promptly at 11:30

If the weather is stormy I will send out an email the morning of the hike letting you know if it’s canceled. If you need to cancel please send an email letting me know.