Car Hike: #6/7 Iroquoia Bruce Trail End-to-End -21 KM

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): KM83.5. Roadside parking on Guelph Line

Hike Leader(s): Alina Lin

Pace: Brisk (4-5 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot)
Distance: 21 km

Description

Let’s make this hike extra fun with a Halloween theme! You’re encouraged to dress up as whoever you want to be and enjoy a festive walk in the forest. Just remember — no matter what your costume is, sturdy hiking footwear is a must!

This is the 6th hike of an End-to-End series covering the entire Iroquoia Bruce Trail section. The full section stretches over 120 kilometers from Grimsby to Milton. I am using Map Edition 29 to plan the hikes, and so please note that kilometer markings may not be fully up to date, and actual hiking distances may vary slightly.

Meeting Point:
KM83.5. Roadside parking on Guelph Line, south of No. 1 Sideroad. GPS: 43.388387, -79.854327. Please arrive before 8:45am to allow time for car shuttle coordination.

We will car shuttle to 103.8KM Roadside Parking on Twiss Rd North of Derry Rd. GPS: 43.447743, -79.953436. From there to hike back to KM83.5.

All drivers are expected to participate in the car shuttle, either before or after the hike. All hikers are expected to chip in for parking fees, if applicable.

Important Notes:

• Wear sturdy hiking footwear and dress appropriately for the weather
• Bring snacks, and at least 1.5L of water
• No dropouts available.
• No pets.

9:00 From Mountainview CA to Beamer Memorial CA and Back

Hike open to BTC Members only.

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

Hike Leader(s): Karen Couch Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Strenuous
Distance: 20-22 km

Description

Meet in the Mountainview Conservation Area (CA) parking lot and hike to Grimsby Point Bluff (Beamer Memorial CA). After a short break, we will retrace our path.

This section of the trail has some steep, technical ascents and descents. We will be rewarded with some beautiful lookout points.

Consider your fitness level before registering. Everyone is expected to keep up with the person in front of them for the duration of the hike.

Dress for varying weather conditions. Hiking poles and boots are highly recommended. Bring fluids and a snack.

Plan to arrive at the start point by 8:45 as we will leave at 9:00 sharp.

RAINBOW HIKE: Smokey Hollow Waterfall to Waterdown Woods to Kerncliff Park & Beyond

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): Smokey Hollow Waterfall to Waterdown Woods & Beyond

Hike Leader(s): Doug O’Neill Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 14 km

Description

Come by car or transit for this all-inclusive 2SLGBTQI+ friendly Rainbow hike from Smokey Hollow Waterfall, Waterdown to Waterdown Woods and beyond.

Please arrive at the Smokey Hollow parking lot, 80 Mill St. South, by 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. start.

This is the same starting point as our October 13th hike—but we’ll be exploring in the opposite direction. (Ideal for anyone planning to complete their E2E).

Today’s 14 km in-and-out hike follows the Bruce Trail Main Trail with detours alongKing Side Trail, Ian Reid Side Trail, and if time allows we’ll aim for one of the International Friendship Trails.

By transit to the starting point. The easiest route is to take HSR transit or GO Bus (depending where you live) to Aldershot GO station, then hop on the 18 Leavitt Loop bus and get off at “Mill St. at Mountain Brow,” a 3-minute walk to the Smokey Hollows parking lot. The bus drivers on this route are accustomed to hikers.

By car: There is unpaid parking at Smokey Hollow, which can fill up early. If lot is full: There’s street parking on Flanders Drive, about a 15-minute walk to Smokey Hollows. PLEASE allow yourself enough time to sort out your parking so you can arrive at Smokey Hollows parking lot by 9:15 a.m latest.

Post-hike refreshments: The Royal Coachman in Waterdown has long been hiker-friendly.

Bring 1 litre of water and lunch. (Since it’s November, a thermos of something hot wouldn’t go amiss. Hiking boots or sturdy footwear are recommended. Dress in layers. Always bring some kind of rain gear. Yup, it’s that time of year 🙂

Get your complimentary Bruce Trail Rainbow badge and/or sticker at the end of the hike!

Feel free to reach out to the Hike Leader if you have any questions – “Click here to contact Hike Leader” on this form.

Forty Hills Sidewinder

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Bruce Trail Parking Area at Forty Hills (GPS: 45.020460, -81.283790).

Hike Leader(s): Marg and Owen Glendon Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium (3.0 – 4.5 km/h): A comfortable pace for most hikers with steady progress.
Terrain: Difficult: Steep ascents/descents, rocky scrambling, and some rugged escarpment paths., Moderate: Rolling hills, mild slopes and rocky paths.
Distance: ~11 km

Description

We invite you to join us for this fun “figure 8” hike which includes five side trails! We will hike on the sidetrails of White Bluff Provincial Nature Reserve and along the beautiful escarpment overlooking Georgian Bay and Lion’s Head Harbour.  This hike twists and turns like a sidewinder through quiet meadow, mixed forest and rocky ups-and-downs!

Bring your lunch or snack for a brief stop at Reed’s Dump. Duration of the hike will be ~ 3 1/2 hr. Portapottie available at the Forty Hills parking lot and basic outdoor toilet available at Reed’s Dump.

Sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended. Good balance and endurance are required.

Free coffee and muffin for hike participants arriving by 9:15 a.m.

Car Hike: A hike to celebrate Halloween!

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at the larger parking lot in Woodend Conservation Area, 1 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 (coordinates: 43.150276, -79.155092).

Hike Leader(s): Monica Pasquali Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 1 (Easy – mostly on flat, well maintained trails with hard-packed surface), Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot)
Distance: 8 km total, divided into two hikes of 4 km each

Description

Calling all hikers who love Halloween and working on badge requirements!

Today we will complete two of the three required hikes for the Niagara Bruce Trail Club’s Screaming Tunnel Badge.  First, we’ll complete a 4 km out-and-back hike along the main Bruce Trail from Woodend Conservation Area to the “Screaming Tunnel” – please wear/bring your Halloween costume/hat for a photo op which is one of the requirements for the badge.  Then we’ll all hop into our cars and drive about 11 km west to DeCew House Heritage Park, stopping for lunch along the way.  After parking at DeCew House Heritage Park (address: 2370 DeCew Rd, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6; coordinates: 43.107568, -79.249598) we’ll complete another 4 km out-and-back hike, but this time along the Bert Lowe Side Trail in order to visit another tunnel which is another requirement for the badge.

Youth who are 15 years of age and under are encouraged to join their parents/guardians on this hike so they can also fulfill the requirements for the Niagara Bruce Trail Club’s Youth Hiking Badges.  The Young Trail Blazer Badge simply requires the completion of one hike on the Niagara Bruce Trail, which our young participants will earn by completing today’s hikes.  The Young Nature Blazer’s Badge requires our young participants to pay attention to what they see and hear during today’s hikes and then complete a write-up describing what they observed.  Please note that all family members who are planning on joining us should register for the hike, including children.

All hikers who register for today’s outing should bring water and snacks, comfortable hiking shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather, and payment for lunch if you intend to join us for lunch at a restaurant (e.g., Harvey’s).

Information about all Niagara Bruce Trail Club badges can be found here: https://niagarabrucetrail.club/badges/   Please note that you will have to complete the third hike required for the Screaming Tunnel Badge by joining a “Witch of Cave Springs Hike” organized by the Niagara Bruce Trail Club in October/November, so keep an eye on the BTC hike schedule so you don’t miss your opportunity to do this: https://hikes.brucetrail.org/