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.

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.

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.

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)