Hike Schedule

Coach Trip: Saugeen Peninsula Sept 22 to 24

Trip Information
Departure Time: 07:00
Return to City Time: 20:00
Departure Point: York Mills Bus Pickup

Trip Activities
Pick up at 10 York Mills Rd ($0.01)
Pick up at 400 & Major Mac ($0.01)

Optional Items

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Coach Trips
Location (Google Maps): Evergreen Resort, Red Bay

Hike Leader(s): Martina Furrer, Brenda Dalglish, Nijole Mockevicius, Kadhim Taki Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Challenging, Hilly, Rocky
Distance: Moderate group: around 12 km, faster group: around 15 km

Description

Join us for three days of guided hiking on the beautiful Saugeen Peninsula. Spend your days on the Bruce Trail and your evenings at Evergreen Resort overlooking Lake Huron.

We will explore the Skinner’s Bluff, Cape Crocker, Hope Bay, Lion’s Head, and/or Cape Chin areas. Hikes will be up to 15 km (dropouts will not be possible) with lots of awesome views. Expect some strenuous climbs, some challenging footing over boulders and crevasses, and some exposed sections. These hikes are not suitable for people who are afraid of heights. All fit, experienced hikers comfortable walking on this type or terrain are welcome. There will be a moderate group and a slightly faster group; both will do full day hikes with no dropouts. Please note: there will not be a sight seeing group or other activities for non-hikers.

Accommodation is in one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages (linens, bedding, and towels provided). Each cottage has a full bathroom, fridge, and heater. The resort has a hot tub and a private beach perfect for viewing sunsets. Cost is $352.04 per person (including all taxes, gratuity extra). This includes two nights’ accommodation, two dinners, two breakfasts, and two boxed lunches.

Coach fare is $140 for members, $150 for non-members, and $80 for children.

Registration instructions:

Please reserve your cottage and your seat on the coach at the same time.

1. Call Evergreen Resort at 519-534-1868 to book your cottage. You will need to find roommates/cottagemates. There are no single hotel rooms.

2. To reserve your seat on the bus, register here starting on Saturday June 10 at 8 PM.

Cancellation policy: While we are hoping for sunshine, the trip cannot be cancelled due to weather. Coach fare is nonrefundable after July 28, 2023. If you cancel before this date you will be charged a $25 service fee.

Our coach will depart at 7 AM on Friday September 22. We plan to be back in Toronto between 7 and 8 PM on Sunday September 24. Departure locations: 10 York Mills Rd and the HWY 400 and Major Mackenzie Park and Ride.

9:00 Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

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

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6-7km

Description

These weekly hikes will take various routes around beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We may take in history or just enjoy the ambiance of the area.  Urban hikes are mostly paved with some trail walking

Plan to stay for conversation and a warm cup of coffee or tea at Sweets & Swirls, Community Centre, Niagara Stone Road, NOTL

9:00 Twelve Mile Creek Loop

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

Welland Vale Rd. (Pump Station) & Sawmill Rd., St. Catharines

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 15 kms

Description

Hike along both sides of 12 Mile Creek through St. Catharines.

Urban Walk: 16 Mile Creek, Oakville

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

Starts and ends at Oakville GO Station

Hike Leader(s): Ginny Giraudi Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Other (Refer to Description)
Distance: 15 km

Description

If you are planning to travel by GO train to Oakville from Union Station, you can meet apprentice hike leader Tim Wainwright at 8:30 am by the information desk with the clock over it in Union Station in the Great Hall (off Front Street.) Tim will be wearing the blue Bruce Trail shirt. From Union you will be taking the 8:44 am  westbound train. Please use the bathroom while on the GO train as there is little time for it at the Oakville GO station. You can also drive to the Oakville Station and meet us there. Parking is free on the weekends.

We will all meet at 9:25 am at the Oakville Transit Bus Platform 27 at the Oakville GO Station (click here for station diagram.) From here we will board Bus 13 at 9:40 am and take a short bus ride to the start point of our hike. Oakville Transit buses accept Presto, and if you have paid for the GO train, the fare for the Oakville bus will register as zero. We will walk a 15 km looping trail through the 16-Mile Creek ravine (click here for route map), stopping at the halfway point for lunch (port-a-potties only; bring hand sanitizer and tp) and return to the Oakville GO Station. The trail is stone dust gravel or asphalt and mostly flat except for two steep declines and two long climbs. There is one long set of stairs to descend. The after-hike pub stop is at the Beertown Public House (click here for menu) near the Oakville GO Station.

New Badge! Beaver Valley Geology Hike #1

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Meet on the shoulder of 21st Sideroad, near the road allowance leading to the trail, TBM parking area, Map 24. This is paid parking and we will shuttle as many cars as possible to the corner of 21st Sideroad & 4th Line to walk to the start of the hike.

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: 7.1 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 One:  Loree Forest and the Loree Forest Side 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.

Dyer's Bay Cliffs - A Geology Hike with Beth Gilhespy

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Meet up at the Borchardt Road Parking Lot (Bruce Trail Reference Guide Edition 30 – Map 40 ). Parking fees apply to non-residents of Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

Hike Leader(s): Marg Glendon Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely, Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Moderate
Distance: ~8 KM

Description

Join Beth Gilhespy on this hike to explore the clifftop shoreline of Dyer’s Bay to see the Devil’s Monument flowerpot, potholes, alvars, caves, natural arches and stunning views!  Sturdy footwear is a must on this spectacular but rugged hike. The pace will be slow but steady and exploratory, as participants will be helping scout a route that will be included in Beth’s Saugeen Peninsula Geology Hike book, due to be completed in 2024. While about 8 km, hikers can expect to be out for 5 or 6 hours. Bring lunch, snacks, water and your curiosity!

Visiting BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (a Hindu temple) & afternoon walk to HUMBER ARBORETUM.

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

Hike Leader(s): Marlon Chen Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 9 km

Description

Take TTC Bus and get off at 90 Claireville Dr., then walk 2 min to the temple.

Free parking is available, please drive to the main entrance and wait for a while the gate will open for you.

In the morning, We will have a tour to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (a Hindu temple).

After lunch, walk to visiting HUMBER ARBORETUM.

The Mandir is a house of God. Being a very sacred place, all visitors are required to abide by the following rules and regulations applicable to all areas including the Mandir, Haveli and the Museum.

1. Shoes: Visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering the Mandir or any part of the Haveli complex. (Shoe racks provided within the Haveli)
2. Dress Code: Casual attire. No sleeveless tops. No shorts. No skirts shorter than knee length. Sarong will be provided upon request at the reception desk.
3. Conduct: Please do not touch any of the carvings within the Mandir, Exhibition or Haveli. To maintain the spiritual atmosphere observe silence inside the Mandir and the Museum.

We will have lunch at the temple, then around 1:00 pm we walk to visiting the HUMBER ARBORETUM.

If you don’t drive, then you don’t have to go back to the temple. There are buses for you at the HOMBER COLLEGE BUS TERMINAL.

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A short 3 min introductory video, which will help you understand the BAPS prior to the visit of the mandir.  
BAPS Toronto – A Brief Background – YouTube

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Sydenham End to End in Eight Days - Moderate/Brisk pace Up to 25km per day - Please read all details for the hike before registering.

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Sydenham Section

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

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr, 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: Up to 25km per day approximately.

Description

Sydenham End to End. We will hike everyday for 8 days straight starting in Blantyre and making our way to Wiarton.  Please note, you are signing up for all 8 days when you register for this hike. Sydenham section has approximately 50km of road and totals about 170km over all so we will break it into 8 days of varying distances depending on appropriate parking locations. The schedule will be sent to all registered hikers within a month of the start.

If you do not live locally, I highly recommend you book accommodations somewhere in Owen Sound which is approximately mid-way of the entire section.

This hike is rated as moderate/brisk – 3-5km per hour depending on terrain.  Please be honest about your physical abilities when signing up for this hike. Upon completion of the 8 days, you will be entitled to apply for the new Sydenham ETE badge.

This hike is open to members only. We will hike rain or shine. Please check daily forecast and dress appropriately for the weather. Please carry your own first aid kit, 2 litres of water and enough food and snacks to provide enough energy for a long day of hiking.

We will hike at a steady pace but will break at around 10am, noon and for an afternoon break if we are hiking past 2pm. Everyone will be expected to take turns either being the driver to the start of the hike or driving the drivers back to their vehicles at the end of the day. There will always be time to stop and take photos and enjoy the flora, fauna and scenery along the way.

Completion of all 8 days will qualify you for a new ETE badge, released this year. (see image) Current cost is $10 for members. I will try to make the badges available on our last day.

Please, no dogs.