Hike Schedule

Birding at Otter Lake and Maple Cross Nature Reserve at Cape Chin

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Birding
Location (Google Maps): Use the driveway at 388 Cape Chin Road North to park.

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

Pace: Leisurely (2.0 – 3.0 km/h): A relaxed pace with frequent breaks and a focus on enjoyment.
Terrain: Easy: Flat forested sections or lowland trails., Moderate: Rolling hills, mild slopes and rocky paths.
Distance: ~3 1/2 km

Description

This is a “tandem” birding hike – Otter Lake Nature Reserve and nearby Maple Cross Nature Reserve at Cape Chin. Brian Popelier, BTC Ecologist, will introduce us to the wonders of Otter Lake’s Spring birding season, then at MCNRCC for more birding and to learn about habitat restoration here.

The Otter Lake property is part of a larger provincially significant wetland complex. It is comprised of a variety of wetland habitats including meadow marsh, thicket swamp, deciduous treed swamp, Graminoid fen and the properties namesake, the shallow calcareous Otter Lake. The wetlands support water loving plants and host a variety of wetland and marsh birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles. introduce you to the wonders of Otter Lake’s spring birding season.

With 523 acres of iconic Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula landscape, a breathtaking 270-degree view of Georgian Bay, and 1.8 kilometers of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route, the Maple Cross Nature Reserve at Cape Chin is a natural masterpiece and a true conservation gem.

Finish your morning with a picnic lunch at Maple Cross Nature Reserve (optional).

In total, this hike will take about 3 hours. Bring binoculars, insect repellent, lunch, water and snacks. Wear sunscreen, hat, and sun protective clothing. We may encounter some wet spots, so wear water proof hiking boots and gators.

This is a perfect opportunity to work on your PBTC Birding Badge: https://pbtc.ca/badges/

9:00 Fireman’s Park Circuit

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

Fireman’s Park, Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls

Hike Leader(s): Suzanne Gourluck Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 10 km

Description

We will weave around Fireman’s Park on various trails eventually making our way over to the Main Trail and returning to the parking lot.
Dress for the weather and bring poles, water and a snack if you wish.  Note the Brisk pace.

Whitetail Refuge Citizen Scientist Nature Walk

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: Nature Walks
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Mono Community Centre, 200 m south of Mono Centre (County Road 8). 44.026195, -80.071516

Directions:  From ON-10, head east onto Dufferin Rd8/Mono Centre Rd. for 6.0 km. The Community Centre is on the right.

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

Pace: Leisurely – 3 km/hour or less
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 5 km

Description

Pique your curiosity about the awakening forest at the Whitetail Refuge Nature Reserve. 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.

Grindstone Creek to Hopkins Corner (E2E)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:15 am in the dog park parking lot on York Rd (Hopkins Corner)

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

Meeting in the parking lot at Hopkins Corner, we will carpool to Grindstone Creek (Waterdown) and hike back along the main trail to the Ray Lowes Side Trail and back to the cars. Hiking along Grindstone Creek in the spring is amazing, as the water flows heavy and fast.

Bluebell/Wildflower Hike

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Thursday Group
Location (Google Maps): Sixteen Mile Creek Valley, Oakville

Hike Leader(s): Anne Armstrong Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Aprox. 9 km.

Description

This hike will take in the beautiful Sixteen Mile Creek Valley which is a natural area of paths above the Sixteen Mile Creek and paths down into the valley to walk beside the creek. Our goal is to see the Virginia Bluebells but we should see many other varieties as well. Meet at the southeast corner of Neyagawa Blvd and River Glen Blvd., beside the baseball fields at 9:45 am. for a 10:00 am. start. Bring water, a snack, poles might be useful.
Leader: Anne Armstrong

Urban Walk: Toronto Islands Evening Walk

Hosting Club: Toronto

Location (Google Maps):

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, near the gates to Wards Island Ferry. Arrive 20 minutes prior to departure to check in with hike leader.

From Union Station take the LRT and get off at the stop Ferry Docks.Walk up to the Ferry Docks on Queens Quay West, street level. at the foot of Bay Street.

Hike Leader(s): Miriam Stevens Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 6-9 km

Description

After a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Toronto Islands free of fumes and traffic. Enjoy the view of the city skyline and Toronto’s beautiful island parkland.
Pack a dinner for a sit down picnic. Food is not available for purchase on the Islands early in the season. Also bring a warm jacket and flashlight.
Return fare ticket for the ferry is $9.11 adults and $5.86 seniors.
Hikes will take place rain or shine.
Toronto Island evening hikes will take place every Thursday in May and June 2025.
Same time and same meeting place. No preregistration is required – just show up at the ferry docks at 5:40 PM and sign in with the hike leader.