Hike #13 - Bruce trail Toronto section 0-19.6

total hiked: 245.1
total time: 49:00

 A tough Friday that I barely finished before sunset. The bike back was as long as the hike was since the trail followed a straight line north, so I started off a little tired. The official start is under the 401 on Appleby, which is a dumb place to put it since there is no parking, and in this case was completely closed off and under construction anyway! So I started from the Hilton Falls parking lot, which is the same distance and an actual place to park.

Its definitely spring now, the Trilliums are out, the ground is green, and the trees are all starting to bud. Unfortunately the trees do not provide much shade yet, but its starting to feel like they are alive again.

The trail felt less used in some sections along here, its a pretty long and straight part with no options for loops so the only people that would use it probably are doing this. There was a big bridge across the quarry about halfway in though

The trail gets pretty deep in the woods after crossing highway 25, and its a lot of swampy areas. I had to detour in a few places and ended up on a side trail that didn't make sense on my map (likely because mine are a few years old). They tend to reroute trails to let an area regenerate and I think that's where I was. I found my way to a 'road' that ran through the woods. I say road, but you would have a hard time with anything but an ATV through it. But it was on my map and gave me some reference. I eventually found my way out and back on the trail through farmers fields

I ended the day and went back to get my bike before dark, quite tired. 20km hike with a 20km ride after work might be pushing it and I should save those for weekends.

Hike #12 - Bruce trail Iroquoia section 86.8-102.3

total hiked: 225.5
total time: 45:30


Starting at the bottom of Mt. Nemo there is a steep and rocky climb to get you up the escarpment, but it is well worth it at the top. This is the only climbing for a while and the top has some great views of Milton and farmland around. Can even see the Velodrome here!

Leaving the park there is a long stretch of road to get you North to more trails near Britannia. Its at least a quiet road as most of the traffic stays on the major road of Guelph line and Appleby.

There is a really nice set 4-5km of trail near Twiss road that felt like a perfect example of what trails in Ontario are like. Large oak trees, a few ponds, lots of small birds and squirrels, and even a fat ground hog ran by me. Its not a loop trail and there were no lookouts, but for some reason stood out to me as my favourite trail so far.

Another trip out and I should be done with the Iroquoia section, and have hit 1/4 of the entire Bruce trail done. Only 650km to go...

Hike #11 - Bruce trail peninsula section 125.3-167.4

total hiked: 210
total time: 43:00


It looks like I skipped to the end, but I usually do this hike a couple of times a year anyway, and this weekend was a good time to do it. A little cold, but no bugs and not a lot of people make for a good time of year to visit the northern Bruce. I did this section backwards for a change, but its probably easier to do the other direction normally.

Starting with lunch in Tobermory, this side of the trail feels more official as the start of the Bruce trail. The visitor center is here and a big lookout tower beside it

It then follows some snowmobile trails south. Unfortunately there is a section that has recently be closed off, and you end up on highway 6 for about 4km. Its not a fun way to start a hike, and if you don't care about sticking to every km of the trail, you might as well skip this and start/end your hike at Little Cove.

The trail gets tough from here on. My pace was about half what I usually do, and its a constant up and over rocks and walls. There is rarely a flat wide trail and there are few spots to grab water from the bay.

You go through the top of Cypress park, and right through the famous Grotto and Indian cove. I didn't bother to stop as I was running out of daylight and frankly there are enough pictures of these places. They are great if you have never been, but otherwise they are a tourist trap. They have made the trails from the parking lot even easier so I find even more people are out at these spots now.

Another hour and the stairs to Storm Haven backcountry sites. There are about 8 platforms here that you can reserve, as well as a compost toilet. I was getting in just as the sun set, and enjoyed a perfect view for dinner.

I was spent. It was only 20km but with my pack and the terrain it felt more like 40. I was in bed shortly after to wake up with sunrise.

The hike from Storm to High dump is notoriously difficult as well. It took me nearly 4 hours to cover the 9km. The guide says its the hardest part of the Bruce trail and rightfully so, there are a lot of rock walls to get over and can be difficult when they are wet. The edges of the rocks get very smooth and 'greasy' from the hundreds of hikers using them so the trail is actually getting harder over time.

High dump down Crane lake is a nice break. Its another snowmobile trail, so its flat and wide, and it goes by quick. Then the road out of Crane lake is nearly a trail itself, its single lane track that floods in the spring (like now!). I ended my day here and happily took my pack and wet shoes off.

Hike #10 - Bruce trail Iroquoia section 70.8-86.8

total hiked: 167.9
total time: 32:00


An evening hike from where I left off in Waterdown (starting with some apple fritters of course), to Mt. Nemo. Its a very flat section, and I had a pretty brisk pace.

There is probably the worst road crossing of the entire Bruce trail however over Dundas. This is a 4 lane highway, very busy, and the east goes down a hill so you cannot see far.

On the other side I made another friend. His name is Trailcat

The last section up to the Mt. Nemo access is all road, about 5km along 1 side rd, and Walker. This part is scary as you are walking with zero shoulder, and cars are flying over blind hills at about 80kmh. If there was any part of the entire trail to skip so far, this would be it. Absolutely would not recommend to a group or family to walk these roads, outside of maybe 7am on a Sunday.

Anyway, it left me feeling like a need to get away from roads this weekend, and I know exactly where to go.

Hike #9 - Iroquoia section 15.6-51.6

total hiked: 151.9
total time: 29:20



This was a long day. With the reroutes it was 38km and 8 hours of hiking. This section was almost all Hamilton and Ancaster, finishing just near Dundas.

Starting around 8am was cold, but quiet enough until I got more into the city. The Bruce Trail map talks about how even though you are in the middle of the city you would hardly know it. I'm not quite sold, as even though you are on a trail or path, you are always in ear shot of the highways and the path is mostly asphalt, especially near downtown. Add to that all the garbage (granted it was trail clean up day) that a city trail gets, it is a big contrast from the isolated provincial parks.

The trail gets better as it heads towards the 403 and over Ancaster. A lot of people in this section as its a nice wide flat path, lots of kids and strollers out on a Sunday

Eventually it leads down to some of the falls in Ancaster. Tiffany falls is a side trail out of the way, but the main trail goes right past Sherman Falls under the old mill

It wasn't even that hot out, but after 30km I was definitely soaking my feet here for a few minutes.

After Ancaster it went through the main Dundas Valley Conservation area, which has a lot of large loops to get lost in. There is a recent reroute that adds another 2km through the park, but its easy walking.

I ended the day close to 6pm and 54000 steps later. I was glad I pushed a long day as I wanted to see what it was like. Granted I didn't have a lot of weight on my back and the trails were easy, but I would like to do some backpacking trips that require 20mile days. Shaving a day or two off of a week long trip can save a lot in the amount of food you have to carry, and time off work.

Hike #8 - Iroquoia section 57.4-70.8
total hiked: 115.9
total time: 21:20


A little out of order on the hike still, picking up from the side trail to Webster's falls. The trail heads up the escarpment with some great views of Hamilton and you can even start to see the sky bridge in the distance. The trail runs though the botanical gardens for the most part and avoids roads except for crossings

 

After crossing the tracks I walked the last few KM along the river up to Waterdown. Lots of people out on a Friday night and it was an easy walk along the river to the falls at the parking lot.

I finished the day in Waterdown with some apple turnovers at the Brown Dog/Copper Kettle Cafe. The way all hikes should end!

Hike #7 - Iroquoia section 0-15.6
total hiked: 102.5
total time: 18:50

The start of the Iroquoia section is fantastic. An easy climb up to the top of the escarpment to overlook Grimsby reminded me of a trail through the mountains. Tall trees and a path made out of rocks along a small river. The top had some designated look out platforms and even a tower built to watch the spring hawk migration which was full of people today.

Sadly the trail then is on Ridge road for like 3km. It was quiet for traffic but its never fun walking on the shoulder of a road when you are out for a hike.

I made some friends at least

After the road section the trail follows about halfway up the escarpment the rest of the way. This is the best way to do it as everyone wants to build on the top and bottom of the ridge, but the trail goes through the middle so it was 10km of fully secluded trail. I didn't see a house or building nearly the entire time and this is in Hamilton limits at this point.

So far Iroquoia section has delivered nicely. I ended my day in Stoney Creek suburbs and had a windy ride back to the car.