Hike Schedule

Nature Seekers - Friends of CHBTC

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: Nature Walks
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the Hockley Road Parking Lot: Located on the north side of Hockley Road at the Hockley Road Side Trail. Google Map Coordinates: 43.972857, -80.056330
Directions: From ON-10, turn east onto Hockley Road/Dufferin County Road 7. Drive for 5 kilometres. The parking lot is on the lefthand side.

Hike Leader(s): Sandy Green Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3 km/hour or less
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 5.5 km

Description

Plan to enjoy the fall colours and good company on this leisurely exploration of a section of the Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve. Our route will take us along the Hockley Road Side Trail, sections of the main Trail, and the Tom East Side Trail. Bring your choice of hydration and snacks. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended.

Niagara-On-The-Lake Tour

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Urban
Location (Google Maps): Park on King St near Centre St, just outside of Veteran’s Memorial Park, NOTL

Hike Leader(s): Margaret Northfield Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 5-6km

Description

Tour around Old Town.

Stay afterwards for some social time at Sweets and Swirls cafe

Iroquoia E2E in 10 – Butternut Tree Badge (Oct 21-22, Nov 4-5, Nov 18-19, Dec 2-3, Dec 16-17)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Iroquoia E2E-in-Ten
Location (Google Maps): Iroquoia section – hike schedule will be sent out in advance

Hike Leader(s): Freddy Wang 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: 11-15 km

Description

This is a special series of 10 hikes to complete the entire Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail over five weekends.  There is an accomplishment badge, included in the registration fee – which was designed by Joe Borges and features the butternut tree.

We will be following the main trail southbound starting in Milton and finishing in Grimsby. Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of ten hikes as a Group Hike. The Iroquoia in 10 series is geared to experienced hikers with the expectation of a 3.5 to 5.0 km/hr pace maintained over an 11 to 15 km hike.

Hikers will be expected to wear proper hiking footwear and have layered clothing. Sufficient snacks, water, hiking poles, and wet weather gear (if necessary) are recommended.

The fee goes towards supporting the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, which in turn supports the mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is: “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”

A maximum of 2 of the 10 hikes can be self-completed as a result of scheduling challenges, but it is intended that this badge be earned while hiking as part of a group led by a certified hike leader. Car shuttles are shared amongst the hikers.

Please note there are no refunds!

TRANSPORTATION

This series will be through hikes and will require car shuttling, you must be willing to drive or to be a passenger. Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Conservation Areas (CA) will require reservations.  The fee for the E2E-in-Ten does not cover any parking/entry fees for hikers who are not members of the Halton CA and/or Hamilton CA.  If the group has enough hikers who are members of a CA, those will be the cars chosen to park in those areas so as to minimize costs but since conservation passes are not free, please consider nominal compensation to the pass holder. At least one hike starts at one CA and possibly ends at another, so parking fees are unavoidable for non-CA members.

Remember, you can only miss two hikes to qualify for this special Butternut Tree badge. You must still complete the distance you have missed.  If you miss more than two but still complete the distances on your own, you may apply for the regular club End to End badge.

9:00 Cave Spring Witch Hunt

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps):

Parking lot Quarry Road Beamsville

Hike Leader(s): Bill Russell Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely, Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 6k

Description

Discover the history of the 19th Century Quarry Pioneers and the Cave Spring Witch. Complete this hike and count it towards the Screaming Tunnel Badge.

Bring poles and wear good hikers as the terrain is rocky and hilly in parts.

New Badge! Beaver Valley Geology Hike #5

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Meet in the Hogg’s Falls parking lot, km 67.5 to shuttle to Johnston’s Side Road, km 74.3

Hike Leader(s): Glenda Collings Click here to contact the hike leader.

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate, Some rocky footing, Some steep sections, Strenuous
Length of Hike: 6.8 km

Description

This is a series of 7 hikes to earn the Beaver Valley Geology badge.  We will use the criteria listed in Beth Gilhespy’s book, Walking Through Time, Exploring Niagara Escarpment Geology in the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Section.  We’ll boost our knowledge of the local geology along the way as we take the required photos.  Hikers are welcome to join any or all of the hikes, however, they must complete all 7 hikes to earn the badge.  Bring sufficient water and snacks.

Hike Five:  Falling Waters Trail

COVID-19 Precautions Before, During and After your Hike

1. Each hiker joining a Bruce Trail Club organized hike must perform a self-screening check before hiking.
   Find Ontario’s self-assessment tool here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
2. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, stay home.
3. Personal Protective Equipment:
   • Hikers may choose to wear masks

Transportation

It is the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s current policy that car shuttles are allowed.  It is at the discrepancy of individual hike leaders to make that decision.

Other Guidelines

1. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
2. Wear sturdy footwear and appropriate attire for the weather and the terrain.
   Hiking poles are a good idea in any season, especially if the terrain is rocky or slippery. In winter, snowshoes or icers/crampons are needed when conditions dictate.
   Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear prevents injuries and shows consideration for a safe and positive group hiking experience.
3. Always carry I.D. and your health card.
4. Bring sufficient water and snacks (or lunch if indicated). A minimum of 1L of water is recommended on all hikes, and 3L is recommended for long, challenging hikes in the heat of the summer.
5. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent (for spring and summer hikes).
6. Bring your own first aid kit.
7. Please leave dogs at home.

Urban Walk; Don Valley to The Distillery District

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

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

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 27.5 km

Description

This hike follows the Don River south 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).

Please bring a lunch and at least two liters of water.  Be prepared for cool / wet weather.

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

Urban Walk: Coote's Paradise/Hamilton Waterfront Trail

Hike open to BTC Members only.

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

Hike will start from McMaster University GO Bus Terminal. We will meet at Toronto’s Union Station 8:30 AM to take the 8:44 AM Train to Aldershot where we will transfer to the GO Bus for a short ride to McMaster University. On the return we take the GO Train to Toronto from West Harbour GO Train Station. If you have a smart phone then the return fare is just $10 with GO’s Weekend Pass. Seniors fare return from Union is $11.44. Hikers without a smartphone may purchase pass from Hike Leader at Union Station. If meeting us at McMaster you will have to make your way back to start by local transit or Uber and parking fee would apply.

Hike Leader(s): Tom Swales, Tiffany & Steve Harding Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 12-13 km

Description

This will be a one way hike through the trails of the RBG’s (Royal Botanical Gardens) South Shore Cootes Paradise Trails to Princess Point and then continuing on Hamilton’s Waterfront Trail along Burlington Bay to Bayfront Park which is a 7 minute walk to the West Harbour GO Station. Cootes Paradise is the largest and most diverse of RBG’s sanctuaries. Nestled between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario the picturesque area is significant as a migratory bird flyover zone and home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There will be a few hills including one steeper one. Come and enjoy the last part of the fall colour season in the Hamilton area with me and hike leader apprentices Tiffany and Steve Harding.

Just For Fun - Friends of CHBTC

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: General
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the Hockley Road Parking Lot: Located on the north side of Hockley Road at the Hockley Road Side Trail. Google Map Coordinates: 43.972857, -80.056330
Directions: From ON-10, turn east onto Hockley Road/Dufferin County Road 7. Drive for 5 kilometres. The parking lot is on the lefthand side.

Hike Leader(s): Sandy Green and Roopa Dindigal Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hour
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 11.5 km

Description

Plan to enjoy the fall colours and explore a section of the Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve. Our route will take us along the Hockley Road Side Trail, sections of the main Trail, and the Glen Cross, Isabel East, and Tom East Side Trails. Bring your choice of hydration and snacks. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended.

Car Hike: Promenading plus Pumpkin-picking

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at the Artaban Road parking lot of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area – coordinates are 43.240974, -79.975582. (Map 8 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 30).

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

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 5 km

Description

Enjoy two terrific things in one day: promenading along the beautiful trails within the Dundas Valley Conservation Area followed by a visit to Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm for lunch and to pick out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween!  First we’ll do a loop hike that incorporates Artaban Road Side Trail, Canterbury Falls Side Trail, and the main Bruce Trail within the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, stopping to admire a couple of waterfalls along the way.  After returning to our cars, those who would like to join me in extending their day of fun will make the 15-minute drive to reach Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm for their annual “Pumpkin Patch Festival.”  Before departing the farm, you might also want to purchase some delicious baked goods to enjoy at home.

Children under 13 years of age are encouraged to join their parents/guardians on this hike so they can fulfill the requirements for the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club’s Fall Junior Hiker Badge (https://www.iroquoia.on.ca/index.php/hiking/junior-hiker-program/) – all family members who are planning on joining us should register for the hike, including children.  You should bring enough water and food for a 2-hour hike, comfortable hiking shoes, sun and bug protection, appropriate clothing for the weather, and money if you intend to join us at Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm after the hike (please note that the farm only accepts cash as a form of payment).

Note that there is a pay-and-display cost associated with parking at the Artaban Road parking lot within the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.  The cost is $11 per vehicle.

Also note that there is a fee to visit the “Pumpkin Patch Festival” at Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm (http://www.dyments.com/pumpkin-patch/pumpkins.aspx).  This year’s entrance fee has not yet been advertised, but last year’s entrance fee was $16 (HST included) per person aged 2 years and older.  These fees can only be paid in cash upon entering the farm.

Urban Walk: Mississauga: Meadowvale - Churchville Pumpkin Pie Hike/Tour

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Meet me Kipling Terminal for a 9:02 am departure on MiWay bus #11. Or drive direct to Credit Valley Conservation Authority Parking.

Hike Leader(s): Andrew Proczek Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely, Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 12.5 km

Description

Come join me for our annual pumpkin pie hike/tour with gifted storyteller, Terry Wilson. Take in the fall colors and be charmed by Terry’s stories. This year we will once again visit Terry’s little pioneer village that he constructed with his mother, Rosemary, over two decades. This will be followed with a highlights tour of Meadowvale Village and a trek to the pioneer cemetery of Churchville to the north. Pumpkin pie and hot chocolate will be offered at the cemetery where we will stop for lunch. Copies of Terry’s latest book of short stories will be raffled for 1 dollar a ticket. Bring your loonies or better yet a fiver for a greater chance to win. Most importantly we will honor the memory of Rosemary Wilson. You will get to know this gentle soul, who had such a welcoming heart.