Hike Schedule

Rail Trail and Mountain Brow (with Albion Falls)

Hike open to BTC Members only.

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

Red Hill Valley Trail South Parking Lot – Mud Street Just beyond where Mountain Brow Blvd meets Pritchard Rd on the east mountain area of Hamilton See map below

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

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing
Distance: 8 km

Description

After traversing the south side of Albion Falls we will follow the rail trail until we reach the Margate stairs.  We will Ascend the 159 stairs to the top of the escarpment and then follow the paved path and then the blue side trail past Buttermilk Falls and Albion Falls and arriving back at the parking lot.

Please arrive by 9:45 am as we will be on the trail by 10:00 am sharp. Bring water and a snack.  Icers if necessary (hopefully not!)

If cancelled due to rain (snow?), I will notify you by email the evening prior to the hike.  If you cancel after 4:00 pm on the day prior to the hike, use the contact information I will send you by email a day or two before the hike.

End-to-End Makeup Hike in 8: Wiarton Bluewater Park to Jones Bluff ST parking area

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Peninsula E2E
Location (Google Maps): Jones Bluff ST parking area

Hike Leader(s): Shawn Radcliffe Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium (3.0 – 4.5 km/h): A comfortable pace for most hikers with steady progress.
Terrain: Difficult: Steep ascents/descents, rocky scrambling, and some rugged escarpment paths., Moderate: Rolling hills, mild slopes and rocky paths.
Distance: 25.1

Description

Expectations: Expect to be on-trail for 7-9 hours each day, depending on the daily distance. Time on the trail may vary based on terrain, conditions, and the pace of the group. Breaks will be taken for lunch, snacks, photography, and to appreciate the scenery.

Meeting Time: Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Participant Requirements:

• Intermediate/experienced hikers, comfortable with longer distances and elevation gains.
• Must be physically fit for group hiking.
• Proper hiking boots, layered clothing, and wet weather gear required. Hiking poles recommended.
• Essentials: Lunch, snacks, water, bug spray.
• Breaks for photography and appreciation of local flora and fauna.

Car Shuttle: Ensure your vehicle is passenger-ready.

Accommodations: Early reservations recommended, especially near meeting points or in Lion’s Head. Suggested options: motels, campgrounds, hostels, and B&Bs.

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

Cityview Park

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Cityview Park, 2nd parking lot on Kerns Road

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

Hiking the bike trails, side trails and main trail to Waterdown and back for a good loop.  Mostly good footing with some rocky sections on the main trail.  Bring icers.  Hike is dependent on weather.

End-to-End Makeup Hike in 8: Jones Bluff ST parking area to Hope Bay

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Peninsula E2E
Location (Google Maps): Hope Bay

Hike Leader(s): Kathleen Stahlbaum Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium (3.0 – 4.5 km/h): A comfortable pace for most hikers with steady progress.
Terrain: Difficult: Steep ascents/descents, rocky scrambling, and some rugged escarpment paths., Moderate: Rolling hills, mild slopes and rocky paths.
Distance: 19.2

Description

Expectations: Expect to be on-trail for 7-9 hours each day, depending on the daily distance. Time on the trail may vary based on terrain, conditions, and the pace of the group. Breaks will be taken for lunch, snacks, photography, and to appreciate the scenery.

Meeting Time: Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Participant Requirements:

• Intermediate/experienced hikers, comfortable with longer distances and elevation gains.
• Must be physically fit for group hiking.
• Proper hiking boots, layered clothing, and wet weather gear required. Hiking poles recommended.
• Essentials: Lunch, snacks, water, bug spray.
• Breaks for photography and appreciation of local flora and fauna.

Car Shuttle: Ensure your vehicle is passenger-ready.

Accommodations: Early reservations recommended, especially near meeting points or in Lion’s Head. Suggested options: motels, campgrounds, hostels, and B&Bs.

School Bus Hike: Niagara E2E #1 of 6

Trip Information
Departure Time: 08:30
Return to City Time: 18:00
Departure Point: Kipling Departure Point

Optional Items

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Bus Hike
Location (Google Maps): Niagara Section Kms 0.0 to 13.3

Hike Leader(s): Tim Wainwright, Felix Wan Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot), Variable
Distance: 13.3 km

Description

Join us for the kick-off hike of a 6 part end-to-end of the Niagara section. Our route starts at the cairn marking the southern terminus of the Bruce Trail (km 0.0, only 900 kms more to Tobermory!), in Queenston Heights Park. After passing through the park, we’ll walk along the brow of the escarpment and then follow the trail to our drop-out point at Firemen’s Park at km 7.0. Further along the way we’ll encounter the “Screaming Tunnel” underpass on our way to our ending point in the Woodend Conservation Area at km 13.3.

Bring icers, a packed lunch, 2 litres of water, and sun/rain/bug protection as needed.

This hike is covered on Maps #1-2 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide.

We will have a refreshment stop before heading back to Toronto.

The other dates for the Niagara End to End will be
2. April 19
3. May 10
4. May 17
5. May 24
6. June 7

Saturday Shorts: Hockley Valley South Citizen Scientist Nature Walk

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: Nature Walks
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the BTC parking lot on the east side of the 5th Line EHS, just south of Hockley Road, 43.993572, -80.014057.

Driving Directions:
From ON-10, turn east onto Hockley Road/Dufferin County Road 7. Drive for 9.5 kilometres. Turn south/right onto 5 Line E/5th Line EHS. The parking lot is on the left in 100 metres.

Hike Leader(s): Sandy Green Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3 km/hour or less
Terrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 5.5 km

Description

Pique your curiosity about the awakening forest in the Hockley Valley south area. Learn to use nature identification apps Merlin, Seek and iNaturalist to collect biodiversity data along the Bruce Trail for the BTC’s iNaturalist Project. Badge seekers can work towards earning the CHBTC Citizen Scientist badge.