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Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): Red Hill Valley South Parking Lot, Mud Street
Hike Leader(s): Doug O’Neill Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)
Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less, Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 10-11 km
Description
NOTE: This was scheduled for July 18 but now on July 25.
Join this 2SLGBTQIA+ Rainbow hike from Devil’s Punch Bowl to Red Hill Parking lot. PLEASE NOTE: after you’ve completed registration for this hike, click “Contact the Hike Leader” and let us know if (a) you’re a car driver willing to shuttle a few fellow hikers at the start of the hike, or (b) if you need a ride for the shuttle. Read below for details.
Note: While the hike begins at Devil’s Punch Bowl, we’ll actually meet at Red Hill Parking Lot. This hike involves a short car shuttle. If you’re arriving without a car, don’t worry—we’ll arrange rides for everyone. We’ll ask a number of drivers (in advance) if they would conisder volunteering for the shuttle.
The Route: We plan to explore Devil’s Punchbowl, a geological treasure formed in the last Ice Age, after which we’ll hike westward along the main trail and a few sidetrails—passing a couple waterfalls-—ending up at Red Hill Parking Lot.
Terrain: Expect a few hills, some paved (unused) roadway, and dirt paths along the Bruce Trail (main trail) overlooking the east branch of Red Hill Creek.
“The Wonders of Devil’s Punchbowl in 10”
Upon arrival at Devil’s Punchbowl, Hike Leader and Geologist Ann Grindall will unravel some of the mysteries of this amazing 37-metre “ribbon waterfall” formation:
• Learn how this massive amphitheatre-shaped gorge was carved into the Niagara Escarpment, exposing over 40 million years of geological history
• The visible rock strata: why it looks like a natural “layer cake” of shale, dolostone, sandstone, and limestone
• How it’s two waterfalls, not one—both formed in the last Ice Age
• Ann will be pleased to answer any questions!
WHERE TO MEET: The Red Hill South Parking Lot at the corner of Mud Street and Pritchard. We’ll depart at 9:15 a.m. sharp
COMING BY PUBLIC TRANSITt: Take the No. 21 Heritage Green Terminal Bus (which you can catch downtown and up on the mountain) and get off at Mud & Pritchard. You’ll see the parking lot entrance across the street.
Parking: Free at Red Hill South Parking Lot (at Mud & Pritchard), where we’ll meet; but $8.50 per vehicle at Devil’s Punchbowl. Passengers will split the parking costs, about $2 or $3 each (drivers shouldn’t pay).
PLEASE READ: HOW THE CAR SHUTTLE WORKS
Some of you may be unfamiliar with the magic of car shuttles.
Three benefits of car shuttles:
A) We minimize the number of cars — thereby reducing our footprint, which is central our Bruce Trail approach
B) It allows non-car owners to join the hike
C) Saves money on the parking lot fees.
Morning plan
• All hikers will meet at Red Hill South Parking Lot (Mud & Pritchard) by 8:45 a.m. (There’s a bus stop at the intersection.)
• We’ll quickly group ourselves into as few vehicles as possible (about 4–5 hikers per car). We’ll sort this out the week before. If you are able to drive hikers for the shuttle, let the Hike Leader know now–see “Contact” button on this page
• A small number of volunteer drivers will shuttle everyone to Devil’s Punch Bowl, where we’ll start hiking
• We ask that you don’t independently drive your own car to Devil’s Punch Bowl unless helping with the shuttle, as you could end up separated from your vehicle at the end of the hike.
• We depart Red Hill promptly at 9:00 a.m. and should arrive at Devil’s Punch Bowl by 9:15 a.m.-ish.
• Start hiking after Ann’s geological talk.
At the end of the hike
• Our hike finishes back at Red Hill South
• We’ll ask for one additional volunteer driver to shuttle the morning drivers back to Devil’s Punch Bowl to retrieve their vehicles.
• Everyone else can hop into their cars or grab the bus (a 4-minute walk from the parking lot at Mud & Prichard).
Complimentary Bruce Trail Rainbow badges to all participants!
PLEASE CANCEL your registration if you change your mind: This is especially important if the hike has a waitlist, since your cancellation opens a spot for someone else.
Online
To Cancel:
1. Log in to the Bruce Trail hike site with the same account you used to register.
2, Go to “My Hikes” (under your profile menu).
3, You’ll see a list of the hikes you’re registered for.
4. Click “Cancel” beside the hike you want to withdraw from.
5. You should receive a confirmation email showing your spot has been released.
What to bring: 2 litres of water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, hiking poles if you have them. NOTE: we strongly advise hikers not to wear shorts. Long pants (light coloured) are best to avoid ticks.
“Contact the hike leader” link. Similarly, use that link if you have any questions whatsoever about our Rainbow hikes.
