Hike Schedule

A Day in Niagara Falls - Earthstar Mushroom Hike/Floral Showcase Niagara Falls - Carpool Hike

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): Grimsby – Casablanca Carpool – GoBus Parking Lot

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

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing
Distance: 5-8km

Description

Have you ever seen an Earthstar mushroom? Have you ever seen a fairy ring of them? Hopefully, depending on the growing conditions this fall, we will see both on this special tour of Niagara Falls.

Please join Karen B and I for this magical outing.
We will meet in the carpool parking lot in Grimsby at 8:45am and proceed in one vehicle to Niagara Falls. From there, we will proceed to the Niagara Parks Floral Showcase https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/floral-showhouse/ where we will tour the gardens and search for the elusive and seldom seen Earthstar mushrooms. The Art of Mosaïculture in the outdoor garden is on and we will tour the greenhouse, as well. Afterwards we can proceed to view the falls and walk along the promenade then make our way back. There is a fee to enter the Floral Showcase and shared expense for gas. Parking is arranged.  If enough people would also like to tour the tunnel, we could also take that in. https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/niagara-parks-power-station/the-tunnel-niagara-falls

We may also head over to https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/dufferin-islands/

Depending on interest, we will increase the number of participants for this outing. Parking for the second vehicle would be a shared expense.
Please arrive 15 minutes early at the carpool parking lot. Please bring enough water and snacks for a leisurely hike. Bring your lunch, too, and we will find a spot for a picnic.

If anyone would like to meet us in the Parking lot at Niagara Falls, please register for the hike but let me know you will meet us there. I know there are many people who have the annual parking passes.
Photo of an Earthstar mushroom  by L. O’Shea used with permission.

SWANS Leisurely Hike at Cape Chin

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Park at 388 Cape Chin Rd N. We will leave some cars at the gate and carpool to the Cape Chin House. On the way, we will make stops to discuss the restoration activities on the Maple Cross Nature Reserve at Cape Chin. We will do participant photos at the Cape Chin point. At this point, SWANS that are up for it will hike 3 km back o the cars parked at the road (about 1 hr). The carpool cars, for those that are not up for the 3km hike, will return to the road and leave the property. The SWANS is a locally active women’s charity that was formerly known as The Lionesses of Lions Head.

Hike Leader(s): Tamara Wilson Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Easy

Description

This is a fair weather hike. Participants will meet at the Cape Chin Gate at 9:45 am and head to the Cape Chin house at 10am.  The carpool group will stop along the way discussing restoration activities on Maple Cross Nature Reserve at Cape Chin. After photos at the overhang, members who are not able to hike, will drive back to the road and leave the property. Members who are able, will be lead by Tamara for a hike back to their vehicles. The hike back is around 3 km and we will use a leisurely pace.

Old Baldy and McCluskey's Rock

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: Tuesday Hikers
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the start of the Old Baldy Side Trail at the south edge of Kimberley. There is a blue gate on the east side of Grey Rd. 13.

Hike Leader(s): Barbara Euler 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

A steep climb up Old Baldy with great views as we explore the top and then climb back down. Fall colours should be at their peak. We will stop along the trail for lunch.

Car Hike: Nature Appreciation - Rockside Side Trail

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps):

Parking is at the end of Boston Mills Road, just west of the intersection with Mississauga Road. Take care not to block the private driveway.
Driving directions: From Highway 410 north, continue on Highway 10, left on King Street, right on Mississauga Rd., left on Boston Mills Rd. to parking at the dead end.

Hike Leader(s): Janet Patterson Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Variable
Distance: approximately 6 km

Description

We’ll take a slower pace to allow time to observe and identify the ferns, fungi, birds, dragonflies, etc. that we encounter along the trail. Using the iNaturalist app, participants will be encouraged to take photos with their smartphones and contribute observations to the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s iNaturalist Project. Of course anyone who simply wants to take in the wonders of nature while we walk is also welcome to come along! Note: Limit of 10 hikers, and registration is mandatory.

https://development.brucetrail.org/pages/get-involved/volunteering/citizen-science

This is a perfect opportunity to accumulate sightings towards earning your Naturalist badge!

Bring your curiosity, nature guidebooks, binoculars, camera, smartphone, lunch and water. Please wear proper hiking shoes or boots, and consider poles. There are a few steep sections. Difficulty Level: 1-2 (Easy/Moderate)

Niagara ETE in Seven - New Stained Glass badge

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Event Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Hike 1, 13k: Meet at Kinsmen Park Frost Road Beamsville (43.146108n, 79.475609w) Carpool to Grimsby Lions Club Pool 1 Elm St (43.193201, -79.565301). Hike Leader Karen Limardi

Hike 2, October 16th, 13k: Meet at 3640 Glen Rd Jordan (43.139030, -79.373893) Carpool to Kinsmen Park Frost Road Beamsville (43.146108n, 79.475609w) Hike Leader Lauren Doig

Hike 3, October 23rd, 13k: Meet at Roland Rd parking lot east of Effingham St 43.090278, -79.305073. Carpool to 3640 Glen Rd Jordan (43.139030, -79.373893) Hike Leader Karen Limardi

Hike 4 October 30th, 14k: Meet at Decew House, Decew Rd Thorold. 43.1078074, -79.2498458. Carpool to Roland Rd parking lot east of Effingham St 43.090278, -79.305073. Hike Leader Sam Rutherford

Hike 5, November 6th, 14k, Meet at Woodend Conservation Area, Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.1432995, -79.1672588, Carpool to Decew House, Decew Rd Thorold. 43.1078074, -79.2498458. Hike Leader Sam Rutherford

Hike 6: November 13th, 9k, Meet at Fireman’s Park Dorchester road,Niagara on the Lake, (43.146105, 79.113375), Carpool to Woodend Conservation Area, Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, (43.1432995, -79.1672588). Hike Leader Sam Rutherford

Hike 7: November 20th 8k, Meet at the BTC Southern Terminus 14184 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.1602848, -79.052315. Carpool to Fireman’s Park Dorchester road,Niagara on the Lake, (43.146105, 79.113375). Hike Leader Lauren Doig.

Hike Leader(s): Alan Laver Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 12 – 15k per day

Description

Meet time is 8:15 for 8:30 start. . This is a special series of 7 hikes to complete the Niagara section of the Bruce Trail. There will be a new accomplishment badge, included in the registration fee featuring the White-tailed deer – which has been designed by Joe Borges and will be made available on our last day. The White-tailed deer is common throughout Niagara. For this E2E in 7, we will be following the main trail from Grimsby to the BTC Southern Terminus at Queenston.  Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of 7 hikes as a Group Hike. The section is approximately 85km 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 own transportation back to their vehicle. We will hike at a steady pace but there will be plenty of time to take pictures and to enjoy the flora and fauna of this beautiful but challenging section.

Again, this particular set of 7 hikes is intended to be Moderate/Brisk.

Hikers will be expected to be wearing proper hiking boots and layered clothing. Sufficient food and 2 litres of water for a full day of hiking is required as well as hiking poles (if you use them). Check the daily forcast and prepare for wet weather, as well.  Clothing adjustments, bio-breaks are as needed. Please let the sweep person know and they will wait for you. A morning break around 10am and a 10-15 minute on-trail lunch break will be scheduled.

Car Shuttles and Missing Hikes

A maximum of 2 (of the 7) 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.
Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Niagara Parks. The fee for this E2E-in-7 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.

Urban Walk: Bronte Village

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the Bronte Athletic Park parking lot. The baseball diamond will be on your right as you enter.

Hike Leader(s): Roger Harris Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 1 (Easy – mostly on flat, well maintained trails with hard-packed surface)
Distance: 8 km

Description

We will follow the Donovan Bailey Trail to Bronte Road, then take Heritage Trail to Bronte Harbour. After a short break, we will continue along Waterfront Trail to Water’s Edge Drive, then walk southwest along Marine Drive to return to our starting point. The route is on a mixture of paved and packed gravel paths.

If you would like to read up on this walk, it is described as Hike No. 11 (‘Donovan Bailey/Bronte Village Loop’) in Nicola Ross’ book ”Halton Hikes” (2016).

Please dress appropriately for the weather, and bring water and snacks. Hiking boots and poles will not be necessary.

Walk and Talk Rocks: Mono Cliffs

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: General
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:30 am at the parking lot at Mono Community Centre. The centre is located at 754483 Mono Centre Rd. Please park in the gravel surface lot.

Hike Leader(s): Elizabeth Ganong Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3 km/hour or less
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Approximately 9.5 km

Description

Let’s rock it out and explore the geology of Mono Cliffs. (This is a repeat of the geology hike offered on August 29th.) We’ll hike mainly at a leisurely pace over the approximately 9.5 km route as we cover many of the highlights of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Dr. Kathy Wallace will provide an introductory-level look at the geology of the park that welcomes your curiosity. Plan on a lunch break at a spectacular look-out, a total time out around four or four and a half hours, and having your way of engaging with the trail expanded. This interactive hike was created for a small group. No dogs please.

Note: This hike was originally scheduled for September 26th.

Halton Agreement Forest Mushroom Hike

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet roadside on 4th Line. Up Guelph Line from the 401, turn right on 10 Side Road and follow the curve as it becomes 4th Line.

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: 8 kms

Description

We will hike around the bike trails in this lovely Forest, including The Den and The Pines, looking for mushrooms along the way. No foraging, just photographing.

Car Hike: Caledon E2E in 5 sections - 1 of 5

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Caledon Hills
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet and park at the Mono Community Centre (200 m south of Mono Centre (County Road 8)) near the end of the Caledon section, we carpool to km 61.3.

Hike Leader(s): Susan Glofcheskie Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 14 km

Description

Join us for this Caledon E2E in 5 sections.  Sign up for all 5 sections (to be entitled to the badge) or only the ones you are available for.

Please bring 2 litres of water, a snack, bug spray, sunscreen, a personal first-aid kit and appropriate clothing.  Hiking boots/shoes are mandatory and poles are suggested.

Please arrive by 8 am, so we can leave at 8:15 am to shuttle to our starting point.

Click on the Google link for directions to the meeting place.

9:00 am Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

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

Veterans Memorial Park, park just outside the park on King Street

Hike Leader(s): Robin Garrett Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

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

Description

Each Friday we will explore different neighbourhoods, trails and parkland throughout Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Moderate pace with some weeks entirely on sidewalks and roads while others may include a mix of trails and paved pathways. Great way to build up endurance for longer more strenuous hikes.

Prepare for cooler windy conditions on open parkland and along Lake Ontario and Niagara River trails.

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