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.

Hike #6 - Iroquoia section 51.6-57.4
total hiked:86.9
total time: 15:50


A beautiful day brought a lot of people to the trails, including my mom! We wanted to do a spring hike and the day was perfect for it. We did part of the Bruce through Dundas, with the side trail up to Webster falls where we left a 2nd car.

From Governors road its a nice easy hike through the woods. Unfortunately the trail does a good 2.5km on the streets instead of passing through the falls. I don't get it, as there clearly was a trail over the tracks that would connect up to Webster falls and meet back on the trail where the loop starts. Perhaps crossing the tracks is the concern since the way we took went under them? Either way, its a shame they don't take advantage of it somehow, as the falls end up 5km out of the way off the trail and are a must see detour.

In any case, spring run off means great waterfalls!

 

  

Hike #5 - Niagara section 68.1-81.1
total hiked:81.1
total time: 14:30


A quick run through the last of the Niagara section. Some pretty technical rocky sections closer to Grimsby, but its a nice change of pace.

Coming into Grimsby there seems to be a reroute compared to my maps (rev 26). Instead of keeping in the woods, the trail literally cuts up through someone's backyard and onto the road. After a while the white markers disappear and I think I missed a drop in, but even on my ride back I took the same way and didn't see anything. Then all of the sudden I see a blaze into the last KM of woods on mountain rd. Its fine, just don't be discouraged as long as you are going the right direction.

Spring time

Its good getting a section done, but daunting as its not even 10% of the trail at this point. I will be glad to get done with QEW soon, not sure how people put up with that everyday.

Hike #4 - Niagara section 56.2-68.1
total hiked: 68.1
total time: 12:20


A quick weekday hike, from Balls' to Beams'. Its a good section, almost all trail with lots of rocky sections to negotiate. From the start there was one last look at the falls and into the woods. It follows the top of the escarpment with some good views of the water, and its actually the first time you can even really see Lake Ontario. It was clear enough to even see the Toronto skyline.

This area has really only 2 things you will see, one after another. Trail, and vineyards. Over and over.

Halfway through I came across this sign, marking the first blaze of the trail in 1962

She is still young. On a side note, I was just reading about a hiker named Doug Sloan, who last year finished his 50th end-to-end hike of the bruce trail, totaling over 40,000km of this trail.


The trail follows under the escarpment for a few km, and eventually there is a steep climb to bring you back to the top. You walk along the top of cave springs, but I couldn't help by take a small detour down into the rocks. It looked like a trail, and seemed to follow the same direction, so why not.

The cave spring

The trail quickly disappeared and I was into the bush for a bit, walking along the wall. I decided to try and find a place to climb up instead of turn around. There was a massive overhang and lots of rocks than had come down. I eventually found a place I could climb out out of and found the bruce again.

I finished shortly after and in Kinsmen park and was greeted by a large deer. My ride back to the car I realized I look like like a hiker, and probably more like a working from vineyards covered in mud.