Hike Schedule

Barrow Bay - Rush Cove Loop - PBTC Trail Running Pilot #2

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Meet up at the BTC Parking Lot in Barrow Bay, on the east side of #2461 Bruce County Road 9. (Map 37).

Hike Leader(s): Margie Gloade Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Fast
Terrain: Difficult
Distance: ~7km or ~14km

Description

The PBTC is excited to pilot two trail runs as part of their hiking series. These fall 2024 pilot trail runs will help with preliminary plans for a Peninsula E2E trail running series in 2025. The second trail run on Saturday, Oct.19, 2024, will offer two loops starting in the PBTC Parking Lot in Barrow Bay, on the east side of #2461 Bruce County Road 9. [PLEASE NOTE: this start location and route have been updated since the original website post.]  Trail runners will connect to the Main Trail from the short Hawthorn ST at the parking lot. Both loops will then follow the Main Trail east for about 2.5 km to the staircase. Trail runners interested in the 7km loop will then follow the Beth Gilhespy ST, to the John Appleton ST, and back to the parking lot.

Trail runners interested in the longer distance can enjoy the newly configured trails in this area since BTC secured the Sunrise Shores Nature Reserve this summer. The 14k loop will continue east on the Main Trail until about 4.5km, then turn up the escarpment following the Ivan Lemcke ST, to the Rush Cove ST, until it meets the new Main Trail in Rush Cove, following the Main Trail back (west) to the parking lot.

This is not a race. Trail runners will be expected to stay together – plan for about 2-3 hours. This is technical and challenging terrain for running. You should have some experience running trails, proper footwear, carry your own water/fuel, and fitness to maintain a jogging pace. Car pool if possible. Please join this run and share your feedback for future PBTC trail running events!

9:00 Woodend to Firemens Loop

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the entrance to Woodend Conservation Area, Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 14km

Description

Hike through Woodend Conservation area through the Screaming Tunnel and into Fireman’s Park, Niagara Falls.  We will loop around Fireman’s and head back to Woodend.  Bring water and a snack.  Poles recommended.

Geology Hike # 4 Woodford Escarpment

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Sydenham
Category: Geology Hike
Location (Google Maps): Woodford Community, 107 Woodford Crescent, Owen Sound ON N4K 5W4. Please park behind the building. Loop hike from here.

Hike Leader(s): Carol Graham-Mullin Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely: 3 km/h or less
Terrain: Easy: Mostly flat and good footing., Moderate: Some hills and/or poor footing, Strenuous: Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing.
Distance: 3.5 km.

Description

This is Geology Series # 4 following Beth Gilhespy’s book “Walking Through Time” in the Sydenham Bruce Trail Section. We will be exploring an industrial oddity, a disappearing waterfall, fossils, deep crevices and a rich forest of towering trees. Copies of Beth’s book will be available for purchase. Special member’s only price of $37.00 . Cash, cheque or etransfer. If paying with cash, please bring exact change. A special guest may join us ! Please bring water and a snack if  you wish. Proper hiking footwear and hiking poles are recommended.

Urban Walk: Historical Hike - Old Georgetown and Glen Williams

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

Hike Leader(s): Tom Swales and David Rowney Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 10K

Description

Come join us for a 10K urban hike on Saturday Oct. 19 starting in Georgetown and learn about the area’s unique history in Glen Williams. Those leaving from Toronto can hop on the “Kitchener Line” Go Train at Union Station (at 9:51 am) or Bloor Go Station (at 10:01 a.m.). or Weston Go Station (10:07 a.m.) to arrive in Georgetown Go Train Station at 11:19 am (you’ll transfer to bus at Mt Pleasant Station in Brampton – a 20 minute stopover – for the rest of your journey). The return bus/train from Georgetown leaves at 3:00p.m. There is a 20-minute stopover at Mount Pleasant Station on the return trip. You’ll be back at Union Station at 4:36 p.m.

If you wish, you can also drive to the Georgetown Go Station (north parking lot) for the hike. GPS: 43.656030, -79.919159.

The 2.5 hour hike will take us to the ruins of the historic Barber Mill (first site of hydro power in Ontario), then we will follow along the Credit Valley Footpath to the quaint town of Glen Wiliams (established 1825), with a chance to see artisan workshops and purchase sweets at Kits Kitchen or tea at the Main Street Market. After viewing some historic homes in the village, we will make our way back to Georgetown, following an abandoned rail line that takes us to the Georgetown Train Station, built in 1885. We’ll wander past more historic homes and finish (depending on timing) with a stop at Furnace Room craft brewery (across from the Station), or the Norval Pancake Factory nearby.

This is a Level 1 (easy) hike with a easy/moderate pace, suitable for “fit” beginners. There are some hills and depending on the weather, there could be wet areas along the Credit River footpath. Dress for the time of year, bring hiking boots, poles if you wish, water, sunscreen and lunch/snacks. Go Transit weekend day passes are available online for $10.

RESCHEDULED Bruce Trail Day: The Big Loop Bruce Trail Hike

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Peninsula Blue Series
Location (Google Maps): Hope Bay Parking (next to Hope Bay Campground): 10 Hope Bay Rd, Wiarton, ON N0H 2T0

Hike Leader(s): Kathleen Stahlbaum Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely, Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Moderate
Distance: 9.5 km

Description

THIS HIKE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Everyone’s invited to join us in celebrating the Bruce Trail with the Big Loop Bruce Trail Hike where we’ll hike the Boundary Bluff and Hart’s Tongue side trails as well as some of Sydney Bay’s main trail through Neyaashiinigmiing. We’ll meander through the rich green woods and along steep, rocky talus slope interspersed with extraordinary vistas overlooking Sydney Bay and scenic views of the Bluffs from below. The fall views are sure to bring about a sense of wonder and awe!

In order to reduce the cost of parking at Cape Croker Park ($15 per vehicle), we will be meeting in the parking lot next to the Hope Bay Campground and carpooling to the Park to begin our hike. Depending on the group size & vehicle capacity, your individual cost for parking will be approximately $5.

This hike is for those looking for a more challenging trek in duration, distance and difficulty. Bring lots of water and a snack or light lunch as we’ll be out for 3-4 hours. Hiking boots and trekking poles are advised due to rocky, uneven, and sometimes-slippery terrain. This hike will run rain or shine.

10:00 Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Hike and Wine Tasting Experience

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps): Park at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery 3210 Staff Avenue, Jordan

Hike Leader(s): Sam Rutherford Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 6k

Description

We will hike on the main trail from Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery through Louth Conservation Area and return back to Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery by 11:30. Upon return we will enjoy a private structured wine tasting led by one of the knowledgeable and friendly winery staff from 11:30 to 12:00 noon. The cost for the tasting experience is $12.00 per person. Please bring your $12.00 with you as I will collect it prior to the tasting to simplify the payment to Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. Thank you.

Urban Walk; Bartley Smith Greenway

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

Bartley Smith Greenway

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

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr), Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 8.8 km

Description

Please join me Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Finch Station by 9:20 am at the turnstiles at the main entrance.  Note there is extended travel time to get to the trail head.

We will walk to the YRT terminal where we will take the VIVA Blue bus north to 16th Ave (departs 9:33 am).  At 16th Ave we will change to the YRT Rutherford 85 westbound.  The ETA for our destination at Keel St is 10:14 am.  VIVA / YRT takes the presto card.  For VIVA, scan the card before boarding the bus.  For YRT you can scan on the bus.

We will hike from Keele and Rutherford to Dufferin and Steeles for an estimated distance of 8.8 km. This includes Keffer Marsh.  The terrain is flat except for entering and leaving the ravines.
Please bring at least two liters of water and a light snack.  The trail can be muddy so waterproof footwear is recommended.  If the possibility of wet feet is an issue for you then you might want to sit this one out.

The pub stop after is at Montana’s west of Dufferin on Steeles.
Here is an online map of our route: Bartley Smith Greenway – https://onthegomap.com/s/vjskof0f

Note: Registration closes 48 hours before the start of the hike.

Hike 6 of 7 - Caledon Hills E2E

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: End-to-End
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:15 at the Parking Lot at Hockley Road.
Shuttle to 5th Line EHS

Hike Leader(s): Jennie Greenfield Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hour
Terrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 10.0 km

Description

Hike 6 of 7 – Caledon Hills E2E

More ups and downs throughout this hike. A quick ascent via Hockley Heights Side Trail to the main trail, climbing to Dave’s Pinnacle, across 5th Line to enter a former ski area, crossing through Hockley Valley Resort, through open grasslands, and a conifer plantation, then north on 2nd Line EHS to Hockley Road.

51.8 to 61.1  + 0.25 + 0.45 sidetrails = 10.0 km (Edition 31)

This hike can be logged towards the “60 for 60th Anniversary” badge

CANCELLED - Woolverton to Jones Rd (E2E)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:15 at the end of Jones Rd, off Hwy 8 just past Stoney Creek.

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: 9 kms

Description

This is an end-to-end hike.  Meeting at the end of Jones Rd, we will carpool to Woolverton Rd and hike back. There are plenty of rocks and roots and a few hills.

Beaver Bites #7 of 8

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Meet at Eugenia Falls CA parking lot (parking fees) located off County Rd 13 on Pallisier St.
Map 26, ED 31

Hike Leader(s): Kristina Rettie Click here to contact the hike leader.

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate, Some rocky footing, Some steep sections, Strenuous
Length of Hike: 12km

Description

This beautiful hike will take in the fall colors of the west and east side of the Valley. This will be a shuttle hike meeting at Eugenia Falls and shuttling to Johnston’s Side Road (km71.7) We will hike south taking in Stew Hilts Side Trail, Uplands Meadow Side Trail, Upper Valley Side Trail, Boyne River Crossover Side Trail and Eugenia Side Trail.

Add on – Mushroom Hunter Badge. Let’s go hunting for mushrooms and other fungi. The magic of the search is in the slowing down and noticing. From the forest floor to trunks of trees, keep a keen eye out as you search for a minimum of 20 different varieties of fungi.

Bring a snack and water

Please no dogs

Text Kristina @ 519-410-9077 for morning of cancellations.

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.