Hike Schedule

New Badge! Niagara E2E Hike #4

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Car Pool
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Woodend Conservation Area. Carpool back to Decew House Heritage Park

Hike Leader(s): Lauren Doig Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 14.4 km

Description

Bring snacks and plenty of water and electrolytes.  Poles are recommended.  Be prepared for the weather.

Fabulous Fern Hike

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Botany Hike
Location (Google Maps): South end of Cathedral Drive at entrance to Jack Poste Sidetrail

Hike Leader(s): Marg Glendon Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely, Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Moderate
Distance: ~5-7 km

Description

Ferns can tell you a lot about the forest habitat. They are considered an “eco-indicator” – telling us about the type, moisture, nutrients and temperature of soil. The type of fern can also tell you about what kind of wildflowers to look for in the same area. Ferns are one of the oldest plants on earth. Did you know they existed at the time of dinosaurs, some growing to over 100 feet tall! While you won’t see ferns that tall,  PBTC Trail Ambassador Rhiannon Carruthers will help us learn how to identify ferns  on this hike. Ferns identified on this hike will contribute toward the PBTC Fern Badge. If time allows, we will  see the Hope Bay Glacial Potholes located here, too. This hike is a hike-stop-talk paced hike over uneven and at times more demanding terrain. Good balance is required.

Scotsdale Farm Great Esker

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Scotsdale Farm 8th Line parking lot

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: 10 kms

Description

Meet in the parking lot off 8 Line at 9:15 am. We’ll hike the Maureen Smith Side Trail to the main trail and around the Great Esker Side Trail, back to the main trail and the Bennet Heritage Side Trail for a total of about 10 kms.  There are some hills.  Bring bug spray/bug net, water and a snack.

Rainbow Hike: Summer in Woodford

Hosting Club: Sydenham
Category: Health & Nature Hike
Location (Google Maps):

Hike Leader(s): Margaret O’Dell Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely: 3 km/h or less
Terrain: Moderate: Some hills and/or poor footing, Strenuous: Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing.
Distance: 4.8 km

Description

Join us on a Rainbow Hike for 2SLGBTQ+ folx and allies, while we explore the Woodford Escarpment.

This hike begins at the Woodford Community Hall in the hamlet of Woodford.

We will enter a mixed hardwood forest, passing the stone foundation of a Pioneer Church, then the remnants of an old limestone kiln ingeniously constructed from a glacial pothole. The trail continues through the forest, passing over a “disappearing waterfall” (dry at this time of year), then alongside the foundation of a settler’s barn and cabin, before reaching a narrow crevice.

Woodford crevices are exciting to explore slowly. It is a short, very narrow passage through the escarpment with strenuous terrain. In the summer the passage walls are cool. You’ll feel the air-conditioning emitting from the rocks of the crevice. At the same time, its a short but adventurous exploration! If anyone is claustrophobic or chooses not to follow the narrow crevice, there is a By-Pass trail to follow instead. At the end of the first section of crevices, the trail climbs up to the top of the escarpment where hikers can visual follow the passage from above. Once through both sections of crevices, the trail reaches the Woodford Escarpment Side Trail which will will follow to return to the parking area. Together with the main trail, this forms a 3 km loop hike.

Once back to Woodford Community Hall, we’ll continue south, crossing Hwy 26 and following the main trail for about 500 metres before reaching the Crevice Springs Side Trail. This trail descends the talus slope and continues northward through a mature cedar forest, crossing numerous springs before ascending through an interesting crevice, known locally as “the hole-in-the-wall”. Together with the main trail, this forms a 1.4 km hike.

What to Bring: Please carry a backpack with snacks and at least one litre of water and/or electrolytes. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.

What to wear: Light sweat-wicking clothing is best in summer to keep you cool. Sturdy shoes with a good tread on rocky surfaces with socks. No open-toed shoes or “croc” style please.

10:00 Malivoire Wine Co Hike and Wine Tasting Experience

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Park at Malivoire Wine Co 4260 King St, Lincoln ON

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 5 kms

Description

We will hike a loop on the main trail from Malivoire Wine Co to the Margaret Reed Side Trail at Cave Springs Conservation Area and back to Malivoire Wine Co 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 Malivoire Wine Co. Thank you.

Car Hike: Hike #7 to earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Youth and/or Side Trails Badge!

Hosting Club: Toronto, Dufferin Hi-Land
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at roadside parking on Prince of Wales Road/County Road 19 south of 5 Sideroad – where the Primrose Loop ST crosses the road (Map 20 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 31).

Hike Leader(s): Monica Pasquali Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 6.6 km

Description

Calling all families with children who love hiking and earning badges!!!

This is the seventh in a series of ten hikes that will be offered throughout 2024 on a roughly monthly basis so that children who are 15 years of age and younger can earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Adventurer Youth Badge and their parents/guardians can earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Side Trails Badge at the same time!!!  Details regarding the requirements for each badge can be found here: https://dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/dufferin-bruce-trail-club-badges/  Each of the ten hikes will be a loop hike so no car shuttles will be needed, and each hike will cover a distance of approximately 6-9 km hiked at a leisurely pace (2-3 km/h) so children and adults alike can participate.

This seventh hike will be a summer hike to continue exploring some side trails within Boyne Valley Provincial Park, specifically the Primrose Loop Side Trail and the Prince of Wales Side Trail.  Please dress appropriately for a summer hike by dressing in lightweight and breathable clothing, wearing a sunhat, and wearing comfortable footwear that has good traction.  It is also advised that you bring sunscreen, bug spray, a light sweater, and suitable rain apparel in case conditions require their use.  As well, make sure you bring enough water and food for a 2-3 hour hike since we’ll be covering a total distance of approximately 6.6 km.

Hopefully you’ll be able to join me on Sunday, July 21st!  Until then, happy hiking, everyone!

Lambton Shores “What 3 Words”

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): Lambton Shores Nature Trails – Ausable River Valley Trail

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

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr, Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: About 10-12km

Description

Occasionally hikes are put on the schedule for hikes outside of the Bruce Trail. This one is near Grand Bend, Ontario and involves a 2 hour drive there and a 2 hour drive back, possible closer to 3 depending on road construction and traffic.

This hike is limited to 6 participants in one vehicle. We will travel from Niagara making a pick up at the carpool parking lot in Grimsby (sw corner of the QEW/Casablanca) in the Go Bus parking lot and another stop at the carpool lot on Wilson St West, Ancaster

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5na64ayjFoBckPRz9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

From there we will travel to Parkhill, as above.
More hikers can come if someone else wishes to drive or you can meet us there. Just let me know through contact on this form. Registration is still necessary but the number of hikers can be increased if need be.
We will hike the two required trails in the Ausable River Valley https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/72882546-4158-474e-bfd0-32a9f78441a3/downloads/Ausable%20River%20Valley%20%26%20Mystery%20Falls.pdf?ver=1720533688263

The badge is free but donations would be gratefully accepted by the Lambton Shores Nature Trails. Please bring the printed log with you which will need to be completed and submitted to the club.  Someone from the club will be meeting us with the badges at the turnaround spot.
Gas expense will be shared amongst the passengers. Please bring enough supplies in your backpack for a full day of hiking – 2l of water, lunch, snacks, first aid kit etc.

Check for weather conditions and bring appropriate gear for the weather. If there is extreme weather forecast, the hike will be cancelled.

Niagara E2E #2- New Badge

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Car Pool
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the entrance to DeCew House Heritage Park, Thorold

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 14.4km

Description

Earn the new E2E badge by completing the Niagara Section of the Bruce Trail in 5 hikes.    This series will run each Tuesday morning for 5 consecutive weeks.  If you are unable to attend all the hikes you can keep a log and complete the missed hikes at another time.  You will still be able to earn the badge once all the sections are complete.  Badges will be available for purchase at the end of the 5th hike. $10 for members, $15 for non members.

This is a carpool hike.  Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can arrange carpooling.  Driving is voluntary but we encourage all hikers to take their turn to help out.  Bring water and a snack.  The hikes go rain or shine. Poles, weather appropriate clothing, sturdy hiking shoes and bug spray are recommended.

We will carpool to Woodend Conservation and hike back to the cars at DeCew House.