Sydenham Fundraiser End to End in Eight Days Sept 17 - Badge Hike - Sept 24/25 7:45am Please read all details for this hike before registering.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Sydenham
Category: Stained Glass Badge End to End Fundraiser Hike
Location (Google Maps): Bruce Trail Parking Lot on East side of Grey Rd 12

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

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 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 continuous 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. 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.”

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. If you intend to participate in the entire 8 days but absolutely must miss one day,  you may self-complete this day on your own and still qualify for the stained glass badge. You must make the day up prior to finishing the hike.  Since this is a car shuttle hike, please ensure your vehicle is car shuttle ready for 4 other passengers. 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.

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.

First day of hiking is Sept 17 – last day is Sept 24.

To the Pits and Back

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Good Companions
Location (Google Maps): Kilbride

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

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Approx. 7 km.

Description

Join us in hiking this lovely section of trail between Kilbride Park and the Calcium Pits on Twiss Rd. The trail goes through pleasant woodland, past the remains of rock fences left from pioneer times, through some rocky areas and past the old calcium pits. Meet behind Kilbride Public School near the tennis courts at 9:45 am. for a 10:00 am. start. Bring water, a snack, sunscreen and insect repellent. I will send out an email a few days before with my cell number.