Iroquoia

Good Companions - Dundas Valley from Sanctuary Park

Hike open to BTC Members only.

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

Parking lot for Sanctuary Park – See map and address below (if parking lot is full, park on adjacent side streets)

Hike Leader(s): Ted Bossence Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 8 km

Description

From Sanctuary Park we will hike the Spring Creek trail and parts of the Sawmill trail to the Trail Centre.  After a break, (washrooms “should” be available at the trail centre) we will walk to the south side of the rail trail and take the Main Loop, Sulphur Creek, local access trails and rail trail back to the parking lot.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.  I will be leaving at 10:00 am sharp.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, a first aid kit and a snack.  Poles are highly recommended due to the number of hills and some hills may be slippery if it has rained recently.  I will cancel the hike in case of rain.  Please check your email the evening before the hike in case of a cancellation.  If you must cancel after the 4:00 pm Tuesday cut-off time I will be sending contact info on the Tuesday.

Wildflowers at Scotsdale Farm

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Wildflowers and Spring Ephemerals
Location (Google Maps): Scotsdale Farm13807 Trafalgar Rd.

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: Apprx. 9 km.

Description

Spring is a wonderful time to hike especially if you are a wildflower enthusiast. Please join us to hike the lovely trails of this area as we continue our search for wildflowers or Spring Ephemerals as they are know. Please meet in the main parking lot of Scotsdale Farm at 9:45 am. for a 10:00 am. start. (If the main lot is closed due to filming there is another parking lot on your right as you drive in. This sometimes happens. ) Be prepared for some rocky sections with difficult footing. Bring water, a snack, sunscreen and insect repellent. Our snack  will be beside a lovely creek. Poles would be useful.

Rucking for Beginners Series

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rucking: Hikes/Walks with Weight
Location (Google Maps): Meet up at 9:30am SHARP at Kilbride Public School (6611 Panton St., North Burlington) in back parking by tennis club (ignore one-way arrows).

Hike Leader(s): Karen Capindale-Smith Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Slippery and Steep Sections, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: +/- 6 km

Description

This is a progressive rucking series – starting off slow and building as you are able. I will be starting with a village street route as you learn the subtle skills of rucking and progressing from there to close by main and side hiking trails of the Bruce Trail.

Information covered over the 4 weeks will include: the uses of rucking, its health benefits, proper posture and “stability” when rucking, tips on how to safely progress your rucking.

Prerequisite of participants: Please sign up for this fun and encouraging rucking series ONLY IF: 1) YOU CAN MAKE ALL 4 WEEKS OF THE SERIES 2) You have (or can borrow) a backpack with both a hip (padded is recommended) and chest strap. A cover for your pack is optional but recommended for wet conditions; 3) you walk or hike 6km+ regularly (2-3 times a week) and can maintain a moderate pace (3-4km/hr); and, 4) you have NO unresolved joint issues (especially hip, knee, ankle and feet joints).

What to Bring: your backpack ;), water and a snack. Please dress according to the weather (layers are best). Note: wearing a backpack (especially with weight) will keep you warmer than without. I will be contacting you closer to the first week with any other information you may need to know.

This series will run RAIN OR SHINE. Extreme weather will always be a consideration.

The continuation and expansion of this series will be dependent on its success. Hope to see you there!

Afternoon Hike - Hilton Falls (reservation required)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Afternoon/Evening Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Parking lot at Hilton Falls Conservation Area

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

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 7 kms

Description

We will hike around the main and side trails and see the Falls.   Reserve your time at conservationhalton.ca   Bring your camera as I expect we’ll see some spring wildflowers.

Peninsula End to End - Stained Glass Badge

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Peninsula
Category: Stained Glass Badge End to End Fundraiser Hike
Location (Google Maps): Coveney’s Rd and Crooked Toe Rd, Wiarton

Hike Leader(s): Anita Bergsma Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Slippery and Steep Sections, Slippery Sections Likely, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 165kms

Description

Pace: 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: 165km over 8 days ~ 20km – 25 km+ per day.

Description

Overview

Important – Please do not register for this hike unless you can attend all 8 days. You may only miss 1 day if you have to but you will need to make it up prior to our last date.
This is a special series of 8  hikes to complete the Peninsula section of the Bruce Trail.  The organization, guidance, logistics and Turkey Vulture stained glass badge are included in your fee which is non-refundable. (You may swap out the stained-glass badge for the regular end-to-end flowerpot badge) Proceeds support the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club which in turn supports the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s mission to “Preserve a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”

Along with the stained glass badge, we will explore the Birder 100 Badge, Fern Badge, Orchid Adventurer Badge and the new Tree Badge.  These are optional and hikers can collect photos and submit directly to the club.

For this E2E in 8, we will be following the main trail northbound, eventually finishing in Tobermory. Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of 8 hikes as a Group Hike. The Peninsula in 8 series is geared toward experienced long-distance hikers with the expectation of a 3  to 4 km/ hr. pace maintained over a 20km 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 transportation back to their vehicle. Please note that public transportation back to your car is pretty much non-existent 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 enjoy the flora and fauna of this beautiful but challenging section.  This particular set of 8 hikes is intended to be Moderate.  It is a group hike, so you must be 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/warm 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 and bio-breaks are as needed. Please let the sweep person know and they will wait for you. A morning break around 10 am 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.

Since this is an end-to-end that would normally be held over 10 days, please do not sign up for this hike if you need to miss any of the days. Your attendance is needed on each of the days for sharing of car shuttling. One day may be made up if you absolutely must miss a day but please try to do this before the last day so that a badge can be given to you.

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 require paid parking, and hikes that enter Bruce Peninsula National Park.  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 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 if you need them. 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 7:30 am 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.

Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club Pre-AGM / Waterfall Hike

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): St. James United Church (Parking Lot)
306 Parkside Drive, Waterdown (Hamilton)

Hike Leader(s): Joe Borges Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Slippery and Steep Sections, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 8 km

Description

Please join us for a pre-AGM hike to and from the location of the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club AGM.

The hike route will be:

1) St. James to Smokey Hollows (1.7 km)
2) Smokey Hollow to Norman Pearson Side Trail (0.8 km)
3) Norman Pearson ST (1.4km) – tough hills for some
4) McNally ST (.5) to Donor Wall + Seed Garden
5) Return to Smokey Hollow (1 km)
6) Return to St. James (1.7 km)

We should be back just in time for the Meet and Greet, before Lunch and AGM.

Please bring enough water and snacks for your hike. Trails may be muddy, so gaiters would be useful.

We encourage Hikers to register and stay for the AGM after our Hike. Connect with other members, help commemorate a wonderful year for the Club and to celebrate all our amazing volunteers.
Full AGM Details and Agenda below.

AGM LOCATION:
St. James United Church, 306 Parkside Drive, Waterdown

11:00 AM-12:00 PM
MEET-AND-GREET
NEW THIS YEAR! CONNECT WITH YOUR TRAIL COMMUNITY

12:00 1:00 PM
LUNCH
ENJOY A DELICIOUS MEAL TOGETHER

1:00-1:45 PM
AGM & VOLUNTEER AWARDS
CELEBRATE THE HEART OF OUR CLUB

1:45-2:15 PM
GUEST SPEAKER MARK HARRIS
AUTHOR OF WATERFALLS OF ONTARIO

Mark Harris is a professional geoscientist and a leading authority on Ontario’s waterfalls—with over 20 years of dedicated work in this field. He holds a BSc and a Master’s Degree in Physical Geography and is licensed as a professional geoscientist in Ontario. His academic background, combined with his passion for field exploration, has driven him to study the geomorphology and hydrology behind these natural wonders.

In addition to his professional work in water resources management and environmental protection, Mark has channeled his expertise and enthusiasm into the “Waterfalls of Ontario” project. This project not only documents hundreds of waterfalls across the province but also educates the public on their geological and historical significance. His book, Waterfalls of Ontario: Revised Edition (published May 10, 2022, ISBN: 9780228103615), co-authored with photographer George Fischer, is a comprehensive travel guide and pictorial celebration of Ontario’s waterfalls. The book features full-page colour photographs, detailed descriptions, driving directions with GPS coordinates, and insights into the history and natural characteristics of each fall. This blend of scientific insight and practical guidance has made Mark Harris a trusted figure among outdoor enthusiasts, nature photographers, and anyone interested in exploring the natural beauty of Ontario.