Hike Schedule

LETCHWORTH STATE PARK, FLT LETCHWORTH BRANCH TRAIL

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Car Pool
Location (Google Maps): Parking lot on Lakeshore Road at corner of Beatrice St., Fort Erie, Ontario

Hike Leader(s): Marion Hanover Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Fast
Terrain: Strenuous
Distance: 35 KM

Description

NOTE:  THIS HIKE IS EXTREME IN TERMS OF DISTANCE AND PACE.  Another Letchworth State Park hike will be hosted in September which will be moderate in pace and distance, thereby appealing to the average interest of this hiking community.

Letchworth State Park, renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs–as high as 600 feet in some places–surrounded by lush forests.

The plan is to meeting in Fort Erie at 6am and carpool 1.5 hours to Letchworth State Park.  At that point we will need to spot cars at either end of the park, taking approximately 1 hour.  Hikers must be able to hike 4.5 km/hour to cover 35 km over a 8-8.5 hour period.  There is an overall 1820 feet elevation gain along the trail.   The Letchworth Trail is a branch of the FLT.  For more about FLT (Finger Lakes Trail) https://fingerlakestrail.org/plan-hikes-finger-lakes-trail/about-the-finger-lakes-trail/

Proper documentation for travel to the USA is required.   Costs for gas, tolls and park entrance will be shared amongst participants in the vehicle that you will be car pooling in.

Barrow Bay Staircase, Peninsula

Hosting Club: Blue Mountains
Category: Organized Hike
Location (Google Maps): Tim Horton’s, First Street Collingwood

Hike Leader(s): Dick Edwards Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 7 km

Description

This has a short shuttle. We will drive from Collingwood to Lions Head (2 hours) and follow Cty. Rd. 9 to km 67.9 at the junction of the Barrow Bay Side Trail which has now become the white blazed trail after printing Edition 31. We follow this NEW trail to a very steep descent down the Escarpment to the Georgian Bay shore. We then follow a moderately rugged path just inside the tree line for 2km along an unspoiled rocky shoreline. We then head back up via a steep zig zag among huge boulders until we meet a formerly impassable cliff, now conquered by a spectacular wooden staircase built in 2020 by volunteers from the Peninsula BTC. We will take a moment to appreciate the hard work and beautiful views before continuing on an easy peasy walk to our end point. The trail features cliffs, spectacular lookouts, and dense forests. A long drive home but what a spectacular new section of our fabulous footpath to have experienced. Bring snacks, lunch and water. Available parking: S Shore Rd.

Good Companions - Dundas Valley from Sanctuary Park (Note: 9:30 Start Time)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Good Companions
Location (Google Maps):

Parking lot for Sanctuary Park – See map and address below (if parking lot is full, park on adjacent side streets)

Hike Leader(s): Ted Bossence Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 8 km

Description

From Sanctuary Park we will hike the Spring Creek trail and parts of the Sawmill trail to the Trail Centre.  After a break, (washrooms “should” be available at the trail centre) we will walk to the south side of the rail trail and take the Main Loop, Sulphur Creek, local access trails and rail trail back to the parking lot.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time.  I will be leaving at 9:30 am.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, a first aid kit and a snack.  Poles are highly recommended due to the number of hills and some hills may be slippery if it has rained recently.  I will cancel the hike in case of rain.  Please check your email the evening before the hike in case of a cancellation.  If you must cancel after the 3:30pm Tuesday cut-off time I will be sending contact info on the Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS -Kolapore to Metcalfe

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Meet in the Metcalfe Rock parking lot, just south of km 27.9, Map 25, Edition 31

Hike Leader(s): Margaret Yaraskavitch Click here to contact the hike leader.

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Length of Hike: 5.5kms

Description

We will meet in the Metcalfe Rock parking lot and then arrange ourselves to shuttle to the Kolapore Parking lot.  The hike starts by getting some road walking out of the way. Then it’s a varied walk past pasture/field/meadow, through cedar stands and under deciduous forest canopy to the base of Metcalfe Rock. Please bring water and a snack.

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.

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.