Awenda Provincial Park and Saint-Marie among the Hurons

Trip Information
Departure Time: 08:00
Return to City Time: 18:30
Departure Point: York Mills Bus Pickup

Optional Items
Admission to Saint-Marie among the Hurons ($12.00)

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Bus Hike
Location (Google Maps): Awenda Provincial Park

Hike Leader(s): Robin Crombie, George Lennon Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot)
Distance: 10-12 km

Description

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Join us to celebrate both on this trip to beautiful Awenda Provincial Park, on the shores of Georgian Bay, where we’ll enjoy a lovely circular route, the Bluff Trail, and make a detour down the staircase to the beach for lunch. Afterwards, we’ll make the short drive to Saint-Marie among the Hurons, an historic site and Huronia education centre. Hikers are welcome to take a self-guided tour and also take advantage of special National Indigenous Peoples’ Day programming: Legends of Lacrosse.  See the website for more information on timed presentations and skills sessions. https://saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/

In advance of our visit, Saint-Marie is also offering a full day of free online Indigenous-led learning on Friday, June 20. Register early and log in on June 20 to view videos live or on demand through until June 30.

Admission to Saint-Marie is a flat $12 each. Payment will be collected on the bus (exact change please) or if you’d like to save time, you can purchase your ticket online.

9:00 am Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Tai Chi at Woodend

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps):

Woodend Conservation Area – km 15.5; Enter from Taylor Rd., 140 north of Warner Rd.

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 6 km

Description

Make the most of the first full day of summer 2025 ! Join in a hike that includes intermittent simple Tai Chi movement breaks led by Mike VanNatter.

Hydration, sunscreen, insect deterrent(s), and/or hiking poles are recommended, depending on the conditions.

RAINBOW PRIDE HIKE: Downtown Dundas to Dundas Peak/Spencer Gorge

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): We’ll meet in the parking lot at Shawn & Ed’s Craft Brewery, 65 Hatt St., Dundas

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: 10 kms (with optional 3 km extension to Webster’s Falls)

Description

Join us for a Pride Hike!

Come by car or HSR transit for this all-inclusive/LGBTQ-friendly hike from downtown Dundas to the top of Dundas Peak/Spencer Gorge with time to explore both Tew and, possibly, Webster’s Falls. FYI: Dundas Peak is an estimated 340 metres (1,100 feet) above sea level. Awesome views.

We’ll rendezvous no later than 9:20 a.m. beside the parking lot at Ed & Shawn’s Brewery (65 Hatt St., off Sydenham.) Look for me in olive-green Bruce Trail cap near the benches outside the TD Bank (far end of the parking lot). Bonus for drivers: Parking is free in Dundas on Saturdays.

Tip: If you arrive early or need to use the loo before hiking, Starbucks (45 King St. W., downtown Dundas) is a 2-minute walk around the corner from parking lot.

Coming by bus? There are two options: 05-HEAD STREET via DOWNTOWN DUNDAS and 5B -PIRIE AT GOVERNORS, depending where you are coming from. Ensure you arrive no later than 9:20 a.m.)

Bus fares: $2.50-3.50.

The hike: From the parking lot at Ed and Shawn’s Brewery, we’ll head up Sydenham Street to Cascade Park and follow the Tew Fall Lookout Trail all the way up to the top of the escarpment, with stops at the Dundas Peak and Tew Falls lookouts.

You have two options of hike lengths: For those who would like to hike an extra 3 km to Webster Falls and back (1.5 km each way), we’ll do so via Harvest Road & Short Road, and have lunch at Webster’s Falls (for a 13 km hike). Your other option is to explore longer and have your lunch at Tew Falls. The “Webster’s” group will rejoin you on their way back.

We’ll partially retrace our route back along the top of the peak with a detour via Glen Ferguson Trail before we head back down to Dundas, where we can reward ourselves with a pint or other post-hike beverage. It’ll be relatively easy to take one of two bus routes to return to downtown Hamilton.

Please bring at least 2 litres of water, energizing snacks and lunch. Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent. Hiking boots or sturdy footwear are recommended—as well a cap.

Complimentary Bruce Trail Rainbow badges and/or stickers to all participants! Email any questions to the Hike Leader – “Click here to contact Hike Leader” on this form.

Geology Hike # 12 Bass Lake loop

Hosting Club: Sydenham
Category: Geology Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet and carpool at the Kemble Arena, 319897 Kemble Rock Road, Kemble. We will drive a short distance to the trailhead.

Hike Leader(s): Carol Graham-Mullin Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely: 3 km/h or less
Terrain: Easy: Mostly flat and good footing., Moderate: Some hills and/or poor footing, Strenuous: Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing.
Distance: 3.8 km

Description

This hike is Geology Hike # 12 following Beth Gilhespy’s book, “Walking Through Time Exploring Niagara Escarpment Geology in the Sydenham Section”. During this hike you will observe three fascinating layers of the Niagara Escarpment along with prime examples of cambering, crevices and fossils. The open view over Bass Lake at the halfway point is the perfect stop for our snack lunch.

The  hike leader may add in an OPTIONAL short hike to Indian Falls (Geo Hike # 8) at the end of this hike if it has been re-opened by The Grey Sauble Conservation Authority.. This will be decided on the day of the hike and dependent on the trail conditions.

Please bring water, snacks and poles as needed. The hike leader will have copies of Beth Gilhespy’s book for sale (cash, cheque or e-transfer). A Sydenham Bruce Trail Geology Badge has been developed. Details can be shared from hike leader during hike.

Urban Walk: Black Creek Trail

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

Hike Leader(s): Brian Rideout Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat, Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot)
Distance: 10.2 km

Description

Please join me at the south entrance of Pioneer Village subway station at York University by 10 AM.  We will hike south south on Black Creek Trail to Sheppard.  Here is an online map https://onthegomap.com/s/7kn33a91

Please make sure you bring at least 2 liters of water, a lunch, bug spray and sunscreen.

Urban Walk: Don Valley to The Distillery District

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Cancelled
Location (Google Maps): Don River – Steeles to Distillery District

Hike Leader(s): Brian Rideout Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Terrain: Flat
Distance: 27.5 km

Description

Regrettably this hike is cancelled and will be rescheduled in the fall.

This hike follows the Don River south from Steeles Ave East at Leslie St through Toronto to the Distillery District, through a series of ravines and several parks.  We will detour to street level when we cross the 401 (trail closed due to construction) and again south of Pottery Rd where we take the Bayview Ave Extension (trail closed due to construction).  Those who register will receive an itinerary.

Please bring a lunch and at least two liters of water.  Be prepared for cool / wet weather.  Pub stop after at The Spaghetti Factory.

Here is an online map of our route:  Don Valley to The Distillery

Learn to Identify Flora and Fauna

Hosting Club: Dufferin Hi-Land
Category: Special Events
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Prince of Wales and 15 Sideroad.

Hike Leader(s): Tom Thayer Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Easy, Moderate

Description

Join us for a hike through Pine River Nature Reserve and learn how to use the iNaturalist App to help the Bruce Trail protect endangered/at-risk species, monitor existing species, identify invasive species that need to be removed, and learn about the plans to enhance and enrich biodiversity.

Interact with the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Conservation and Ecology specialists, meet some of our new trail ambassadors, and learn more about how the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club is working with the BTC to provide a sustainable and healthy future for generations to come.

Please Note: You will need a mobile device with the iNaturalist App installed and updated in order to take part in this event. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.  More information about the iNaturalist program is available here: https://brucetrail.org/what-we-do/#iNaturalist

Everyone is welcome, member and non-member alike.