Hike Schedule

Urban Walk: Lynde Shores Conservation Area

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

Lynde Shores Conservation Area – New Parking Lot on Halls Road

Transit riders coming from Toronto can meet Tom Swales at Union Station in the Great Hall at 8.35 am. You will be taking the 8.50 GO Train to Whitby, taking a short bus ride, and will be walking down Halls Rd. to meet the drivers.

Parking Fee at the Conservation Area is $6.00 flat rate for the day

Hike Leader(s): Tom Swales, Lisa Lifshitz Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 10 km

Description

We will hike a couple of loops, including the Chickadee Bird Feeder Trail and the Lake Ontario Trail, around the lovely Lynde Shores Conservation Area, 1225 Victoria Street, Whitby. This is a great spot for birds and other wildlife. Optional refreshment stop at the “Oak and Ale Whitby Shores” after the hike.

Terrain and Speed – Flat, 3.5k, with stops for photos, viewing wildlife, or appreciating the beauty (approximately 4 hours)

Please let us know in the “Additional Information” field if you plan to take the GO Train or drive and park at the Lynde Shores Conservation Area.

Sydenham Fundraiser End to End in Eight Days for the new Hart's Tongue Stained Glass Badge - June 17 - June 24/24 - Please read all details for this hike before registering.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Sydenham
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): Bluewater Park across from the arena

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: The entire section is about 175km which will be split over 8 days. Approx. 20-25km per day

Description

Welcome to Sydenham Bruce Trail Club – This end to end will cover the entire section over 8 days. While the section is approx 175km in length, there are about 50km on road, mostly backroads.

Overview

This is a special series of 8  hikes to complete the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail.  The organization, guidance, logistics and the Hart’s Tongue stained glass badge, designed by Joe Borges is included in your fee which is non-refundable. A little bit about the Hart’s Tongue Fern: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asplenium_scolopendrium. Proceeds support the Sydenham 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 may hike some of the loops required for the latest book – Exploring Sydenham by Ron Savage. Hiking these loops may occur immediately after the day’s hike or during if it does not take us too far off the main trail. If this is something you wish to participate in, it is suggested you pick up a copy of this book.

For this E2E in 8, we will be following the main trail southbound from Wiarton eventually finishing in Blantyre. Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of 8 hikes as a Group Hike. The Sydenham in 8 ETE is geared to experienced long distance hikers with the expectation of a 3  to 5.0 km/ hr. pace maintained over a 20km plus day.  The section is approximately 175km 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.  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 section.  This particular set of 8 hikes is intended to be Moderate/Brisk.  Please be honest about your degree of physical fitness and abilities 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 or warm and possibly wet weather.  Sufficient food and at least 2l of 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

This is a group hike and it is intended that all participants plan to attend each day, however, if you only need a portion of this section of trail, you are welcome to join for the days or section you need. The cost is the same either way. If you intend to participate in the entire 8 days but absolutely must miss one or two days, you may self-complete these days on your own and still qualify for the stained glass 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 Sydenham ETE badge if you cannot finish all 8 days.

Parking Fees

Some parking locations might require paid parking.  The fee for this E2E-in-8 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 any trail trash along the way if there is any.

Dogs will not be welcome on this hike.

Accommodations

It is strongly recommended you make reservations for accommodations for this hike if you are participating from out of town. Accommodations can be made anywhere but Owen Sound has many motels to choose from as well as the KOA Campground. It is pretty central to the northern and the southern sections of the Sydenham section of trail. 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 southerly each day. The schedule is subject to change.

Summer Fen Series: Oliphant Fen & Petrel Point

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Sydenham, Peninsula
Category: Botany Hike
Location (Google Maps): Oliphant Fen – by North Entrance of the Lorraine Brown Boardwalk

Hike Leader(s): Jeannine Kralt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely: 3 km/h or less
Terrain: Easy: Mostly flat and good footing.
Distance: 3km

Description

Join the Sydenham and Peninsula Bruce Trail Clubs for a hike series focusing on fens. Fens are unique coastal wetlands occurring along the escarpment, meadow marshes that have conditions that are favourable for a variety of interesting species including orchids.

This easy hiking series will begin at Oliphant Fen, with a participant carpool to Petrel Point, returning to Oliphant thereafter. Observations count towards the PBTC Orchid Badge.

Come to one of the hikes or several to see how the fens change through the seasons. Carpooling encouraged – contact the hike leader if you are in need of a ride (no guarantees, but attempts will be made to help coordinate). Please plan to arrive 15 minutes in advance of the hike start time.

Please contact Jeannine, the hike leader, if you have any questions or concerns (link on this page).

Bronte Creek Ramble CANCELLED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT!

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Good Companions
Location (Google Maps): Oakville, Bronte Creek, East Bank

Hike Leader(s): Anne Armstrong Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing
Distance: Approx. 8 km.

Description

This area is usually rich in wildflowers and offers excellent views down to Bronte Creek and to the west side of the creek. The trail takes us into Bronte Creek Provincial Park via urban and abandoned farm field trails to the east bank of Bronte Creek. Meet in the playground parking lot on Valleyridge Rd., just south of Highway 5, at 9:45 am. for a 10:00 am. start. Bring water, a snack, sunscreen and insect repellent. I suggest wearing long pants due to the possibility of the presence of ticks.
Leader: Anne Armstrong. I will send out a message a couple of days before the hike to give my contact details in the event that you must cancel the morning of the hike.

Urban Walk: Toronto Islands Evening Walk

Hosting Club: Toronto

Location (Google Maps): Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, near the gates to Wards Island Ferry. Arrive 20 minutes prior to departure to check in with hike leader.

From Union Station take the LRT and get off at the stop Ferry Docks.Walk up to the Ferry Docks on Queens Quay West, street level. at the foot of Bay Street.

Hike Leader(s): Miriam Stevens Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 6-9 km

Description

After a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Toronto Islands free of fumes and traffic. Enjoy the view of the city skyline and Toronto’s beautiful island parkland.
Pack a dinner for a sit down picnic. Food is not available for purchase on the Islands early in the season. Also bring a warm jacket and flashlight.
Return fare ticket for the ferry $9.11, $5.86  for seniors.
Hikes will take place rain or shine.
Toronto Island evening hikes will take place every THURSDAY in MAY and JUNE 2024.
Same time and same meeting place. No preregistration is required – just show up at the ferry docks at 5:40 PM and sign with the hike leader.

9:00 am Niagara on the Lake Tour & Some Yoga

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Urban
Location (Google Maps): Veteran’s Memorial Park, park just outside the park on King St.

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6 km

Description

Enjoy the benefits of pausing for a yoga practice as we tour through the trails, parkland and Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. No mat required. Movement will focus on a flow of standing poses designed especially for hikers. Plan to stay for conversation and a warm cup of coffee or tea at Sweets & Swirls, Community Centre, Niagara Stone Road, NOTL.

Laura Secord Special Event Hike

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Event Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Niagara Region Office, 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON

Hike Leader(s): Debbie Demizio Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Distance: 32 kms

Description

This is a self-led hike. Hike along the Bruce Trail from Laura Secord’s Homestead in Queenston to Decew House in Thorold. Participants will be transported by bus from check in at Niagara Region office to the start of the hike and will hike at their own pace to the final checkpoint. There will be volunteer drivers available to drive you back to your car once the hike is over. You may be asked to wear a mask in the car.

Bring snacks, water and bug spray. We also recommend sunscreen, basic first aid supplies, spare socks and a cell phone. There will be 3 checkpoints (2 along the trail and one at the end) to replenish water and snacks and anyone wishing to drop out of the hike should do so at a checkpoint. Hikers are responsible for informing club volunteers of their intention to drop out.

You will receive a reminder email two days before the event with further details about the hike.