Hike Schedule

9:00 Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Meet on King St near Centre St, Niagara-on-the-Lake

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

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

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

Spring & Migration Monitor Hike

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): km 180.7 Borchardt Parking Lot

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

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Difficult
Distance: 6km

Description

Starting on the Borchardt Rd parking lot (km 108.7), we will follow the Minhinnik ST to the Lillie Family parking area on Britain Lk Rd at the Cotrill Lake ST (110.8 km) we will loop around the Cotrill Lk ST spending time on the shores looking for the arrival of water fowl.  On the return trip to the cars, we will follow the Main Trail South, looking for grebes, loons and other shoreline birds that frequent Dyers Bay.  We will visit the Devil’s Monument viewing platform, and check out the waterfall before heading back to the parking lot along Devil’s Monument ST and the Minhinnik to Borchardt Rd. Throughout our hike, we will keep an eye out for the arrival of spring flowers and other harbingers of spring.  This route is quite rocky in places with stairs.  The Trail may be wet and muddy around Cotrill Lake. We will be taking stairs down to the viewing platform and the waterfall. Total distance is around 8 km.  This hike may take 3 hours to complete.  Pack snacks and drinks accordingly.

Hike Leaders Hike/Social

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at the Calcium Pits roadside parking on Twiss Rd, Milton (just south of Camp Manitou- Boy Scout camp and just north of Derry Rd.) at 9am sharp. See link below for directions.
We encourage carpooling, where possible, as this roadside parking area has limited room for cars. There is plenty of parking at nearby Kilbride Park, behind Kilbride School at the end of Panton St. If you would like to meet there, a vehicle for 7 + the driver will be leaving at 8:30am.

Hike Leader(s): Karen Capindale-Smith 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 km

Description

This is an in and out hike intended for all Iroquoia Hike Leaders whether you are currently a Hike Leader or are interested in becoming one. Everyone is welcome and this is a great hike to ask questions. We will have an optional social afterwards at a local restaurant/cafe or a tailgate lunch if the weather is nice.
From the parking lot we will proceed past the calcium pits toward Guelph Line (GL). We will cross GL and enter Crawford Lake Conservation Area and make our way to the Info Centre via Crawford Lake for a snack/bio break. Then we will proceed to the Nassagawaya Canyon Look Out before making our way back to the cars.

You may very well need your icers as April can bring any type of conditions. Please dress for the weather. Bring water and snacks in addition to all the other backpack essentials.

Toronto Urban Badge Hike - 1 of 7

Hosting Club: Toronto

Location (Google Maps):

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 11 km

Description

Please join me at the south west corner of Finch and Weston by 10 AM.  We will hike south on the Humber Recreational Trail to Scarlet and Eglinton (km 30.2 to km 19.2).  Here is an online map with km markings of our route for all 7 hikes for the Toronto Urban Badge.

Please make sure you bring at least 2 liters of water, a lunch, bug spray and sunscreen.

Car Hike: Short Hills Provincial Park Hike - 11KM

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): Short Hills Roland Rd Parking lot

Hike Leader(s): Alina Lin

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Challenging, Hilly, Rocky
Distance: 11km

Description

Meet at the parking lot off of Roland Rd, south west area of Short Hills Provincial Park. GPS 43.090278, -79.305073.

• Sturdy hiking boots are required as the terrain will be rocky and hilly;
• Bring at least 1L water;
• Bring snacks
• Wear for the weather
• No dogs. No drop out.

CANCELLED! 10:00 GARLIC MUSTARD HIKE - HELP US FILL THE CRIB!

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

We will meet at gravel parking lot on Park Road South, Grimsby just down the hill from Ridge Road.

Hike Leader(s): Alicia Aitchison Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Easy
Distance: ~4 km

Description

GARLIC MUSTARD HIKES – Join us & HELP US FILL THE CRIB!  We will hike in from Ridge Road – picking the invasive garlic mustard & greater celandine along the trail side along the way – bring a bag to fill (reusable grocery bag or garbage bag work well).  Once we hike into the crib location we will dump our bags into the crib and pick garlic mustard in that area for a while & then hike back out.  There are lots of spring ephemerals along the way to admire – mayapples, trout lilies, wild ginger and many others – reducing the invasive species will give these natives a chance to thrive!

Long sleeves are recommended & don’t forget your work gloves.

If parking fills up at the bottom of the hill there is room for a couple of cars to park at the trail head at Ridge Road.

We are only hosting two work parties this year at this location so we need as many volunteers as possible!

• you must register and submit a completed waiver for this hike
• Students under 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian on this hike (please refer to the BTC link https://brucetrailorg.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/VOL.05.01_Minors_Volunteering_Policy_-_Approved_February_2016.pdf )
• 16 or more but under 18? Bring a waiver signed by a guardian.
• students wishing to receive community service hours (4Hours) MUST bring service forms from school
• Please wear clothes for work – long pants tucked into socks, appropriate footwear (no sandals), long sleeves and work gloves

Urban Walk: Waterfront Trail - Ajax GO to Pickering GO

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

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

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 11 km

Description

Please join me under the clock in the Great Hall at Union Station by 9:05 am.  We will take the eastbound Lakeshore Train departing Union Station GO at 9:20 am, arriving Ajax GO at 10:15 am.  You may choose to join the group at Ajax GO Station.

We will hike south to Lake Ontario (washrooms in the park), west to Sandy Beach Rd, and north to Bayly St with a pub stop at Irish Times adjacent to Pickering GO. Trains to Toronto depart at 25 minutes and 55 minutes after the hour.

Here is an online map of our route (please click on the link): Ajax to Pickering

You can buy a GO Transit day pass for $10.

Peninsula Bruce Trail Club: End-to-End 8-Day Hiking Series - Please read description before registering

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Hike 1 – Meeting Location Wiarton Bluewater Park

Hike Leader(s): Caley Doran Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Moderate
Distance: Varies by hike

Description

Event Type: Multi-Day Hike

Open to Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) Members Only.

Non-members can join by signing up for a one-year BTC membership [$75] before registering at Bruce Trail Conservancy Memberships.

Participant Limit: Maximum of 17 participants, including the hike leader and sweep.

Scheduled Dates:

• April 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 2024
• May 6, 7, 2024

Registration Fees:

• BTC Members: $50
  • Includes Badge Fee
• To Confirm Your Registration E-transfer $50 to HikeWithPBTC@gmail.com
• Note: No refunds, hiker substitutions, or guest hikers. Registration fee does not include BPNP entry fee. Parking charges will be shared equally among participants.

Hike Leadership:

• Led by PBTC Certified Hike Leader Caley Doran.
• Pace: Medium
• Terrain: Moderate/Difficult
• Average Hike Distance: Approximately 19-25 KM per day

Hike Overview:

• Complete the Peninsula section of the Bruce Trail over 8 hikes.
• Direction: Northbound from Wiarton to Tobermory.
• Group Hike Format: Participants commit to the entire series.
• Intermediate/experienced hikers comfortable with challenges, including longer distances and elevation gains.
• Expected Pace: 3 – 4 km/hr over 19-25 km
• Total Distance: Approximately 165km with no dropout points.
• Time allocated for photography and appreciating the local flora and fauna.

  Participant Requirements:

• Assess and ensure physical fitness for group hiking.
• Attire: Proper hiking boots, layered clothing for varying weather, and wet weather gear. Hiking poles recommended.
• Essentials: Sufficient food [lunch], snacks and water for a full day, bug spray.
• Breaks: Morning, 15-30 minute on-trail lunch, and afternoon breaks, weather-dependent.
• Participant is required to sign a BTC Waiver of Liability

Fee:

• Covers badge fee.
• Surplus supports Peninsula Bruce Trail Club’s hike program

Transportation:

• Each hike in this series will involve a car shuttle, and all participants will take their turn as a shuttle driver. Ensure your vehicle is passenger ready for the shuttle.
• Typical Meeting Time: 8 AM
• Schedule will be based on daily hiking distance

Environmental Responsibility:

• Adherence to Leave No Trace principles.
• Collective effort in trail cleanliness.
• Note: Dogs are not permitted on this hike.

Accommodations:

• Early reservations recommended.
• Suggested locations: Near meeting points or centrally in Lion’s Head.
• Options include motels, campgrounds, hostels, and B&Bs.

Schedule and Communication:

• Detailed itinerary sent prior to each hike.
• Schedule subject to change.

Join us for this memorable hiking adventure and be part of a community dedicated to preserving and enjoying the natural beauty of the Bruce Trail.

Afternoon Hike - Silver Creek area

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Afternoon/Evening Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 4:15 roadside on Fallbrook Trail at Silver Creek Conservation Area.

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: 7 kms

Description

We will hike around the Roberts ST and Irwin Quarry ST and then cross the road to the main trail and around a couple of side trails that you may not have known were there.