Overview
This is a special series of 10 hikes to complete the Peninsula section of the Bruce Trail. The organization, guidance, logistics and the Turkey Vulture stained glass badge is included in your fee which is non-refundable. Proceeds support the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club which in turn supports the Bruce Trail Conservancy mission to “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.” In addition to hiking the main trail, we will be collecting bird songs via the Merlin app for the Peninsula Birder Badge as well as the Fern Badge, Orchid Badge and the new Tree Badge as we see/hear them. If you choose, many other side trails can be done after we finish each day’s hike. This is an option for participants.
For this E2E in 10, we will be following the main trail northbound eventually finishing in Tobermory. Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of 10 hikes as a Group Hike. The Peninsula in 10 series is geared to experienced long distance hikers with the expectation of a 3 to 5.0 km/ hr. pace maintained over a 15km plus day. The section is approximately 165km so daily distances will be based on available parking. No dropout points have been established and therefore hikers who must drop out, will be responsible for their own transportation back to their vehicle. Please note that transportation back to your vehicle is very limited in this section. Please be honest about your hiking abilities. We will hike at a steady pace but there will be plenty of time to take pictures and to enjoy the flora and fauna of this beautiful but challenging section. This particular set of 10 hikes is intended to be Moderate/Brisk. Please be honest about your degree of physical fitness prior to registration. It is a group hike so it is important you are able to keep pace with the person in front of you.
Attire and Daily Hikes.
Hikers will be expected to be wearing proper hiking boots and layered clothing with the expectation of cool and possible wet weather. Sufficient food and water for a full day of hiking is required as well as hiking poles (if you use them), and wet weather gear is strongly recommended. Bug spray is also suggested. Clothing adjustments, bio-breaks are as needed. Please let the sweep person know and they will wait for you. A morning break around 10am and a 10-15 minute on-trail lunch break will be scheduled. An afternoon break will be based on our expected finish time. Depending on weather conditions, these times may vary. Everyone must carry a First Aid kit.
Missing Hikes/Making-up Hikes
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 to qualify for the Turkey Vulture badge. Since this is a car shuttle hike, please ensure your vehicle is car shuttle ready. All participants will be expected to take turns either driving to the start or driving the drivers back at the end of the day. Carpooling to our meeting spot with 2 people in the car is generally ok but we would like to minimize and equalize the driving/shuttling as much as possible so it is fair for all participants. Hikes that are completed on this series may go toward completion of an independent ETE for the regular Peninsula ETE flowerpot badge.
Parking Fees
Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Bruce Peninsula National Park. The fee for this E2E-in-10 does not include any parking/entry fees for hikers. These costs, where applicable, will be shared amongst all participants unless you have a parking or park pass.
Leave No Trace
Please remember, like all hikes, this is a Leave No Trace hike. Pack out whatever you pack in. Do not toss anything onto or into any sections of the trail. We will also try to leave the trail better than we found it so we will be collecting collectable garbage we might see along the way. Daily volunteers to collect trail trash will be supplied with a bag. Dogs will not be welcome on this hike.
Accommodations
It is strongly recommended you make reservations for accommodations as soon as you register for the hike. Accommodations can be made anywhere in the Peninsula but I recommend staying in Lion’s Head which is about mid-way of the section. There is a motel, a campground, a hostel, and several B&B’s. Moving from accommodation to accommodation, while in the Peninsula, is doable but generally not recommended. If you would like a roommate, I can share your email with any other registered participants who are also looking for shared accommodations. Please let me know.
Daily
We meet for each hike by at least 7:45am each day. A schedule for meeting and start locations will be sent to each participant in May. We will hike northerly each day. The schedule is subject to change.
