Winter 2018 THE QUARTERLY OF THE TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Vol. LV No. 4
www.torontobrucetrailclub.org | [email protected]
2019 Cross-country ski and snowshoe program
Enjoy the outdoors this winter. From January 5 to March 16, 2019 join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club for Saturday trips to some of Ontario’s best nordic ski centres. Glide through forests and dunes on trails groomed for classic and skate skiing, or make fresh tracks on guided or self- guided snowshoe hikes. Leave the driving to professionals and travel with us in luxury highway coaches.
Beginners are welcome on all trips. Some guided snowshoe hikes are for fit, experienced snowshoers. On these trips beginner snowshoers are welcome to explore resort trails on their own. Our certified instructor is happy to offer 45-minute complimentary beginner classic ski lessons on some trips. If you enjoy your lesson and your day on the snow, we encourage donations to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
See page five for our program schedule and details regarding registration, cancellation policy, departure location, and fares.
Photo provided by Martina Furrer www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Table of Contents Footnotes Toronto Bruce Trail Club is published quarterly by the Board of Directors (as of Novemberl 1st, 2018) Front Page P1 President: Toronto Bruce Trail Club John Grandy Hiking Director’s Notes P3 P.O. Box 597 [email protected] E-notes Reminder P3 2938 Dundas Street West Vice-President; Volunteer Co-ordinator: Toronto, Ontario M6P 4E7 Camino Preparation On the Bruce Trail Graham Allen P4 [email protected] [email protected] Past President; Land Stewardship: Ski & Snowshoe Program Listings P5 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Peter Leeney Interview With A Queen P6 ISSN 0380-9354 905-822-1877 A member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy [email protected] No Show Policy for Bus Hikes P7 BTC Director; Trail Director: General Information P8 Many thanks to all the volunteers who Marlis Butcher Hike Program (Dec. to Feb.) P9 helped in the production of this issue. [email protected] Secretary: Looking Ahead P20 Send address changes to: Robert Gillespie How Many Trees Are On The Bruce Trail The Bruce Trail Conservancy [email protected] PO Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 P22 Treasurer: www.brucetrail.org Karim Mishriki James Forster at 100 P23 1-800-665-4453 Ext 0 416-543-6107 [email protected] For missing copies of Footnotes Public Relations & Education; call 1-800-665-4453 Ext 0 Communications Director: Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm vacant Land Management Committee Chair; Opinions expressed in Footnotes are not BTC Land Securement Secretariat Rep. necessarily the views of the TBTC unless David Tyson stated as such. Advertising does not imply Log in to the Members section of 416-966-1379 endorsement by the TBTC. the Club website using your BTC [email protected] Membership: membership number and your Footnotes Resource Support own password. Alina Lin [email protected] Footnotes Editor: Orest Nahacziwec Hiking Director Proofreaders: Marilyn MacKellar Lucy Leung Kathryn Emirzian [email protected] Advertising & Mail Coordinator: Directors at Large: Publication Deadlines Jude Keast Orest Nahacziwec ISSUE: ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL Activities Editor: Victor Ramautar [email protected] Webmaster: Stephen Kamnitzer David Royle Spring 2019: January 15, 2019 E-Notes Editor: Brent Michaluk [email protected] Summer 2019: March 23, 2019 Archivist: vacant Malcolm Sanderson Fall 2019: June 28, 2019 City of Toronto Liaison: [email protected] Winter 2019: Sept. 30, 2019 Nick Teramura Kevin Warburton Halton Hills Chapter: [email protected] Send advertisements to: Janet Le Lievre [email protected] vacancies - volunteers needed: Social Director Fundraising The Toronto Bruce Trail Club is one of nine clubs Archivist making up the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is dedicated to the conservation of the Niagara Escarpment. You are invited to visit the Toronto Club’s website at www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
2 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Hiking Director’s Notes
by Lucy Leung
Grab that jacket, mitts and beanie, venture outside into the refreshingly crisp air and enjoy the great outdoors. The trails blanketed in snow offer some of the most impressive natural landscapes around. Lacking the crowds of summer, the winter world is magnificent in its quiet solitude.
Snowshoeing is winter’s equivalent to hiking and anyone who is in good physical condition can do it. Notwithstanding, the adjusted way of walking to accommodate a bigger footprint can take a little getting used to and may leave you a little more weary, albeit very much invigorated at the end of the day. There are many options for routes and trails ranging from short, easy walks around town to backcountry epics. On snowshoes you can explore places that are off the beaten path and may not be possible to access in summer.
Remember when gearing up for winter day hiking, you want footwear, clothing and traction aids that can be used across a fairly wide range of temperatures, wind speeds, sun, precipitation types, and surface conditions. The recommended approach for winter dressing is to add clothing layers when you get cold and take off layers when you start to sweat. Layers or no layers, always remember to avoid cotton. Once wet, cotton no longer insulates you from the cold. Moreover cotton wicks heat away from your body and puts you at risk for hypothermia.
There is something magical about hiking; snowshoeing or cross country skiing in a world draped in white and it feels great to get outside after being cooped up indoors all week. Besides, few places are as magically still as a forest covered in snow. So remember to check the Club’s online calendar for the up-to-date events our dedicated hike leaders have arranged for you and come join us.
On a different subject, the Club has implemented a new No Show Policy for Bus Hikes that will take effect on January 1, 2019. Please review the No Show Policy on page seven of this Footnotes. It has also been posted on the Club’s website.
The Club is requesting members and non-members alike to be considerate hiking enthusiasts by attending events for which you have pre- registered. Please be ready to commit to attending each event for which you sign up.
If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please cancel your online pre-registration in a timely manner and before the cut-off deadline to give someone else a chance to enjoy the hike. The cancellation deadline for bus hikes is 48 hours in advance of the event departure time. For non-members please contact the hike leader to cancel before the deadline. Similarly if you are on the waiting list and will not be available, take yourself off the waiting list.
The Club recognizes that even the best laid plans can change unexpectedly. If that happens to you and it is close to the hike meeting time, contact the hike leader as soon as you can. The Club understands there may be extenuating reasons for a no-show on occasion, and individual cases may be reviewed.
We sincerely hope we do not ever have to prevent a frequent no-show from joining our bus events and we hope that just having the No Show Policy in place will be sufficient.
* * * E-notes Reminder
Don’t miss out! Get the latest news from your Club. By signing up for E-notes, you will ensure you are kept up-to-date on our new hike listings. You will learn well in advance about our popular overnight hiking trips. And you will also learn about other important Club activities and events for members.
How to sign up? It’s easy! Go to our website, www.torontobrucetrailclub.org, and click on the “Newsletter Signup” tab. Type in your email address and tick the “Subscribe” box. Your email address will remain completely confidential and will never be shared with a third party.
Questions? Write to [email protected]. e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 3 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Camino preparation – on the Bruce Trail By Magdalena Vander Kooy
If you’ve ever walked the Camino in Spain, or even if you’ve only contemplated it, you know it’s a big deal. There’s a lot to prepare for both mentally and physically before you embark on an 800 km walk on the other side of the ocean. On the one hand your body needs to be ready to walk day after day with a loaded pack, and on the other hand you need to figure out all those unknowns: What should I bring? Is it safe to go alone as a woman? Will it be hard to find a bed? How bad is that snoring in the albergues? What is an albergue anyway?
For those who are not familiar with it, the Camino is an ancient pilgrimage route in Spain that leads to the Cathedral of St James in Santiago. There are in fact many Camino routes but the most Photos provided by Magdalena Vander Kooy well known is the 800 km long Camino Frances. The Camino has become very popular of late – in 2017 over 250,000 pilgrims from around the world reached the Cathedral. It has inspired books and films and blogs, including the feature film starring Martin Sheen called The Way and an excellent documentary, Walking the Camino: six ways to Santiago (both available through Toronto Public Library).
A few years ago, having finished my End to End of the Bruce Trail and my first Camino, it occurred to me that the Bruce Trail could be an excellent platform for pilgrims to combine some physical training with opportunities to learn about all the other aspects of preparing for a Camino. All I had to do was bring together some seasoned pilgrims (we know they love to walk, and we know they LOVE to talk about the Camino) with people who would like to go in the future. The magic will happen on its own.
I tried it, and it worked even better than I imagined. The picture shows the group that hiked at Rattlesnake Point on Aug 26 2018.
By now the hikes are a standard part of my annual calendar. I schedule them in early April and in late August, kind of a launch for the most popular times to walk the Camino. Each “series” consists of three separate but consecutive day hikes in easy driving distance from Toronto. I suggest people walk with their loaded backpacks and if they can, walk all three of the days to experience what it’s like to walk long distances day after day. On the middle day we include a pack demonstration, in which I show what I carried on the Camino and how I organized it.
Along the way when we take breaks we talk about things like foot care and poles and how to best use them. It’s sort of like a classroom on the trail, but better, because there is so much Camino chatter that takes place as we walk. Everyone is ready to share their best advice and tell their own stories.
Look for more of these preparation hikes in 2019. And if you want to know more about the Camino and the local Toronto Camino community, check out these Facebook pages: Toronto Camino Pilgrims and Toronto Camino Pilgrim Walkers.
Here’s one more picture, this one of the Monday Aug 27 walk in Boyne Valley. Can you beat that beauty and those happy faces?
4 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org 2019 Cross-country ski and snowshoe program
From January 5 to March 16, 2019 join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club for Saturday trips to some of Ontario’s best nordic ski centres.
Please read the descriptions in the online calendar carefully before you register.
Registration Please register online. Registration starts at 9 pm on the Sunday before each trip.
Cancellation policy The cancellation deadline is 7 pm on the Wednesday before each trip. If you cancel late or don’t show up for a trip you will have to pay the bus fare. If you cancel twice you will not be allowed to sign up for subsequent trips. Trips fill up quickly and there are always many cancellations. Please respect your fellow skiers and snowshoers and only register if you are serious about coming.
Departure location All trips depart from York Mills Subway station. Buses park on York Mills Rd in front of the York Mills Centre, at the northeast corner of Yonge St and York Mills Rd.
We will go wherever snow conditions are the best, so the schedule below may change on short notice.
Coach fare Coach fare is $32 for members, $40 for non-members, and $16 for children (12 and under).
For information on trail fees, descriptions of snowshoe hikes, and updates to the schedule please check the hiking calendar on the Toronto Bruce Trail Club’s website.
If you have questions contact Martina at 705-768-3250 or [email protected].
Date Destination Leader Departure time Return time (pm) Rentals? (am) Jan 5 Scenic Caves Duro Vukmani 8:30 6-7 Yes Jan 12 Wye Marsh Wayne Crockett 8:30 6-7 Yes Jan 19 Horseshoe (Ski- Lucy Leung 8:30 6 Yes, for those who go ers), McRae Lake to Horseshoe Wilderness Preserve (Snowshoers) Jan 26 Highlands Nordic/ Al Brown (Snowsho- 8:30 6-7 Yes, for those who go Bruce Trail (guided ers) to Highlands Nordic snowshoe hike)/ Ed Brown (Skiers) Kalapore (guided backcountry skiing) Feb 2 Kawartha Nordic To be announced 8 6-7 Yes Feb 9 Horseshoe Resort Wayne Crockett 9 6 Yes Feb 16 Arrowhead Lucy Leung 7:30 6-7 Yes Feb 23 Hardwood Sophie Chuchra 9 6 Yes Mar 2 Wasaga Nordic Marie-Josée Roy 8:30 6-7 Yes Mar 8 to 11 Winter Weekend in Martina Furrer & Advanced registration required. For details see the club’s web- Val David, QC David Royle site. Mar 16 Scenic Caves To be announced 8:30 6-7 Yes e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 5 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Interview With A Queen (End To End Queen, that is)
Footnotes recently interviewed TBTC Membership Director Alina Lin, or as she is known by her alter ego, the End To End Queen.
What is your responsibility as Membership Director? As Membership Director, I look to find new members who like hiking and outdoor activities, and find ways to bring them to the trail. For people who already like hiking, we want them to know that doing an end-to-end hike is a different way to enjoy the Trail.
Not a lot of people know that Hike Ontario has a program called Long Distance Hiker Award. There are three levels. When you finish 550 km on two trails that are over 150 km each you get the Red Pine badge; 950 km on three trails you get the Trillium badge, and 1,500 km on multiple trails you get the Tamarack badge. Not a lot of people know there are badges for hiking end to end.
What is it about end-to-end hikes that you find so appealing? In the beginning the incentive was winning badges. I wanted to finish three long trails to get the Hike Ontario badge, the highest badge! After a few section End to End hikes, I got more into it because of the feeling of achievement — the achievement of leading a group of like-minded hikers finishing the whole trail! Seeing people who never thought they could walk hundreds of kilometers holding their badge and cheering; seeing strangers become friends during the hikes, and seeing non-members join the Conservancy or become Hike Leaders of the Club — all these inspired me to keep doing End to Ends.
How did you first hear about the Bruce Trail? Finishing Caledon BTC I heard about Bruce Trail through Meetup. I was hiking with an Asian End-to-End hike. outdoor club; a hiker at the group had posted a hike organized by the Photo provided by Bruce Trail Club. That was in the summer 2014 and ever since I have Alina Lin been hiking a lot on the Bruce Trail.
What motivated you to become a hike leader? When I first joined the Club, I noticed the majority of organized hikes were shorter than 15 km and required to meet early, like 8:00 am in the morning. I saw a need for people who want to hike long distance to become involved, so I became a hike leader to have hikes according to my preferences. I believe we need to diversify the types of hikes to attract different groups of hikers.
What is your favorite season for hiking? I hike from spring to winter. My favorite hiking seasons are fall and winter. I focus on car hikes.
What is one of your most memorable hikes? On the Ganaraska Trail; it’s 500 km. There was one part that was so overgrown - it’s hard for them to attract volunteers to keep the trail well maintained. Most members are senior. Our hiking group had to take off our boots, roll up our pants, and wade across the river; there was no other way.
How does the Bruce Trail compare with other trails you have hiked? Bruce Trail is much better maintained and blazed. It’s the best maintained trail among the four trails I have done (the other three are Oak Ridges Trail, Ganaraska Hiking Trail and Grand Valley Trail). Finishing Iroquoia End- What was one of your memorable Bruce Trail Hikes? to-End Hike. The first time I led a hike for Toronto section, when we crossed Speyside which is notorious for furious mosquitoes. We hiked 35 km and it Photo by Alina Lin was very hot. We knocked on doors to ask people for water. Despite conditions, all finished the hike with no injuries, except for mosquito bites - everyone had around 60 bites on face, shoulder, arms and legs.
6 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Some people would never want to hike again after an experience like that! What kept you hiking after that? I moved to Toronto in 2009 and became a hike leader in 2015. I made friends in Canada, three types. There were friends I met at business school, friends I met at work, and friends at hiking. It’s a good way to meet friends. When you like something, it doesn’t matter, being bitten by a mosquito, or seeing a snake, or even getting injured, you just keep going back.
What is the special appeal about end-to-end hiking? Each section is different. When you go back, after the second or third time, you have a better picture of the trail. A special moment is presenting the badge ceremony at the end of the last hike. It’s a special moment for people who have completed the entire end-to-end. For people who didn’t do the entire end-to-end but did the last hike, it inspires them to see the badge ceremony. At the last hike in Peninsula end-to-end we had homemade cookies and champagne at Tobermory as part of the badge ceremony. It was a very memorable experience!
What message would you like to impart on hikers? I hope more people will try end-to-end!
If you have not yet hiked with Alina, look through the Hike Listings in this issue and sign yourself up for one! * * *
Toronto Bruce Trail Club No Show Policy for Bus Hikes
The Toronto Bruce Trail Club No Show Policy is being introduced to ensure that when a person signs up for a bus event, they attend or cancel their registration with enough notice. The policy is designed to reduce the number of no-show occurrences in the Club’s bus hike program.
No Shows may cost the Club money with an empty seat which could have been filled and may potentially prevent another individual from coming and enjoying the hike. The No Show situation is also not fair to hike leaders who put a lot of time and effort into researching, planning, and posting events.
The Club has implemented the following No Show Policy for Bus Hikes effective January 1, 2019.
A no-show is attributed to a member or non-member who does not show up for an event for which they were registered, when they have not cancelled their registration online, or notified the hike leader that they will not be able to attend, before the cancellation deadline. For bus hikes, the cancellation cut off is 48 hours in advance of the event departure time.
A person who has two no-shows in a calendar year will receive an advisory notice ensuring comprehension of the policy requirements and consequences.
A person who has three no-shows in a calendar year will receive a notice of suspension from registration of future events for a period of twelve months from the date of their third no-show occurrence, or until their no-show fees equivalent to the outstanding bus fares are paid.
The Club understands there may be extenuating reasons for a no-show on occasion, and individual cases may be reviewed.
Please bear in mind that the Club’s Winter Ski and Snowshoe program relies on a different coach charter service, as such its cancellation deadline and no-show guidelines are different from our regular school bus charter No Show Policy.
For the Ski and Snowshoe program, the cancellation deadline is 7:00 pm on the Wednesday before each trip. A person who cancels late or does not show up for a trip will have to pay the bus fare. A person who cancels twice in a season will not be permitted to sign up for subsequent winter coach trips.
Prepared by Lucy Leung, Hiking Director October 2018 e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 7 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org General Information Comfortable Bus Hikes Hiking Holidays Hikers are discouraged from meeting bus hikes at the Trail in their own vehicles, unless the (416) 445-2628 hike description includes this option. There is no eating/food on the bus. www.letshike.com
Meeting Places: NORTHERN LIGHTS • York Mills subway station: buses park on Old York Mills Road near the south exit of the station (not the exit for TTC buses) NORWAY • Islington subway station: buses wait at the Beer Store on Bloor Street, two short blocks February 13 to 23, 2019 west of the subway station and opposite the TTC parking lot A full itinerary of adventures like cross- country skiing, dog-sledding & snowmobiling plus Mother Nature's For maps, select the “Hiking Schedule” on the Club’s web site; click on the “Types of Hikes” lightshow - the Aurora Borealis (the tab, then click on “read more” at the bottom of the page. Northern Lights). Home base is Tromso - one of THE best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Return: Also visit the capital, Oslo, for some • usual return time is 6 pm; late returns are noted in the listing cultural exploration. Seating: Part of the C.H.H. Adventure Collection. • based on a first-come, first-seated basis — guests are welcome but they must pre-register • check the listings for exceptions — leaders may give priority to defined groups • some outings involve extra costs; some require advance registration THE “CAMINO” April / May 2019 The Camino de Santiago is an iconic Bus Fare (includes $1 donation to the Escarpment Legacy Fund): trek covering some 800km across the new fares effective April 1, 2018: north of Spain. Our journey • $18 members, $25 non-members; $5 children under 12 encompasses the last 160km from • Long distance fares (over 140 km one-way) $23 for members and $30 for non-members O’Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela, including many “extras” in order to make it a complete Galician Car Hikes experience. Thousands of pilgrims • meet at the point stipulated in Footnotes and travel by car shuttle to the starting point; have walked before us, and it is time to add your footsteps to this famous trail. contact Hike Leader if you have questions Car-Pool Hikes CANADIAN • meet at the point listed in Footnotes and ride or drive to the starting point as a group; save MARITIMES fuel and reduce pollution June 21 to July 3, 2019 • passengers are expected to contribute to the driver’s costs (the suggested amount is $10, Hike & kayak the world's highest tides which should be offered — the driver should not have to request it) at the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick; meet Anne of Green Gables and build sandcastles in Prince Map References Edward Island; celebrate Canada Day • the 29th edition of the Bruce Trail Reference is used in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Plus lots more activities from cycling to hiking, and Things to Remember you could conceivably eat lobster every day of this trip if you tried! • check the online hike calendar for changes. Part of the C.H.H. Adventure • all Club events are non-smoking Collection.
• carry your BTC membership card at all times • bring a lunch, two litres of water, and sunscreen MACHU PICCHU • seasonal: insect repellent (spring, summer); icers (winter) September 13 to 25, 2019 • arrive at least 20 minutes before the departure time for any hike Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas by hiking through the famed salt pans • dogs are not permitted on bus hikes with the exception of registered guide dogs. Dogs may of Maras, the ancient ruins of Pisac, only be taken on urban and car hikes if published in advance by hike leaders. and trekking high up into the Urubamba mountain range. Then that Pre-registration: Online, e-mail or Phone all important day arrives when we hike
If the hike description calls for pre-registration, you must pre-register even though the into Machu Picchu – rounding the corner of the Sun Gate and seeing meeting time and place may be listed. Please register using the listed method(s). The Machu Picchu with your own eyes registration opening and deadline dates are listed online under “pre-registration details” in will give you goose bumps! (No camping) the hike descriptions. TICO # 50018498 8 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar Winter 2018 Saturday, December 1 -- Dufferin Hi-Land, Mono Cliffs (Map 19) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Notice to Participants Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, All Hike Leaders are volunteers. You are welcome to take Pre-registration Online using Website. part in their activities, but you do so at your own risk. Only Depart 8:30 am, York Mills. written complaints against a Hike Leader or end person Lucy Leung, (647) 280-8868 or [email protected] will be considered. Complaints (or commendations) This special hike in picturesque Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is organized for may be addressed to the Hiking Director, Toronto Bruce the Dementia Caregivers Interest Group and coordinated by Tony Pao, a long Trail Club, P.O. Box 597, 2938 Dundas St. W., Toronto, time Toronto Club member and a caregiver himself. Everyone is welcome ON M6P 4E7. The focus of the complaints policy is on to walk the trail with us. Mono Cliffs contains a significant section of the improvement rather than discipline. Niagara Escarpment including crevice caves, an upland limestone plain and talus slopes. Come and meet your fellow Bruce Trail caregivers, share your experience or simply join us to show your support. Please note that the maps and kilometre references in this listing are from the 29th Edition of the Saturday, December 1 -- Iroquoia (Map 9) Bruce Trail Reference. Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at 5 km, Beginners, Families, No dogs, Refreshments after. Check the Hiking Schedule on the Toronto Club web site Depart 9:30 am, City View Park in Burlington. Near km 77 on Map 9. for the latest updates, and for hikes added after Footnotes From Hwy 401 come south on Guelph Line to Dundas. Turn right and go was published. 3 km to left turn at Kerns Rd. From QEW come north on Guelph Line to Dundas. Turn left, go 3 km to Kerns Rd. Park is at south-east corner of Dundas St and Kerns Rd. From Dundas St drive south on Kerns Rd 400 Our level of difficulty ratings follow these general guidelines: meters to the second (south) entrance to the Park. Turn left to parking. (Might be called “New City Park” in some maps). Level Average Pace Distance Terrain Peter Leeney, (905) 822-1877 Mon-Thur before 10 pm I 3 km/hr 10 km Easily managed or [email protected] II 4 km/hr 15 km Variable We will hike the Main Trail and side trails in the Kerncliff Park / Waterdown III 5 km/hr 20 km May be difficult area. Fine views over the Escarpment. These are general guidelines. In rating their hikes, hike leaders Sunday, December 2 use a “two out of three” rule. For example, a Level II hike could Mississauga - Rattray Marsh Conservation Area correspond to the table above for average pace and terrain but Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, be considerably longer or shorter than indicated there. Be Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Dogs sure you look at both the rating and the description to decide welcome, whether the hike suits your abilities and preferences. Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 11 am, Jack Darling Memorial Park - Dog “Leash Free Zone” Saturday, December 1 -- Toronto, Humber River parking lot by the washrooms. Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, From Clarkson Go Station take bus 23 Eastbound, or from Long Branch Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Pub stop after, streetcar loop and Port Credit Go Station take the same bus Westbound to Pre-registration Online using Website. Lakeshore Rd at Lorne Park Rd. Follow the bike path to our meeting point Depart 9:30 am, Old Mill Subway Station. on the East side of Toboggan Hill, dog “Leash Free Zone”. Cars use East Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 entrance, keep left, first parking lot on the right. Morning walk north on the Humber River Recreation Trail to Dundas St Andrew Proczek, (647) 238-2526 or [email protected] West and then east to the Junction Craft Brewery located in the historic Come join me for a leisurely hike along the boardwalks and trails of Rattray “Destructor” building in the north Junction. Food menu is available at the Marsh Conservation Area, an important fish sanctuary and nature refuge brewery. Preregistration is optional but helps speed up the sign in process. along Lake Ontario. Our hike will begin at Jack Darling Memorial Park and we will walk in and out of Rattray Marsh making our way to the Bradley Museum by way of Meadow Wood Park where we will pause for lunch and take a guided tour of their heritage buildings. Please note there is a $6 fee per person for this tour ($4.80 for students and children). Afterwards we will return to Rattray Marsh and finish our approximate 4 hour/10 km circular hike back at our starting point. Bring a lunch and a thermos of your favorite hot beverage. Pre-registration speeds up filling out the waiver form but is not mandatory. Photo by Orest Nahacziwec e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 9 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Glynn Richardson, (905) 426-5600 7-9 pm or [email protected] Sunday, December 2 Join us on a 14 km hike through Greenwood Conservation Area Niagara, Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Maps 1/2) (Trans Canada & Greenwood CA trails). We will hike back in time to visit Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, the inhabitants of Pickering Museum Village as they give us a look into the Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments life of our first settlers and their Christmas holiday customs. after, Pub stop after, Late return (after 6 pm), Traction devices/Crampons We will spend an hour in the village having lunch, explore the village and mix highly recommended, Long distance bus fare applies, with the inhabitants, then hike back to our cars. There is an entrance fee to Pre-registration Online using Website. Pickering Museum Village: Adults: $10, Seniors (55+): $8. Depart 9 am, York Mills. Marie-Josee Roy, [email protected] Tuesday, December 4 Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 or [email protected] Toronto, Christmas Market in the Distillery District Please join us on a hike to celebrate another year of memorable moments on Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, the Bruce Trail and toast to the upcoming Holidays! Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, There will be a short stop at the Niagara College where you may visit the Pub stop after, Dress to suit the conditions, campus grounds, greenhouse, winery and vineyard, and brewery where you Pre-registration Online using Website. may sample award-winning beers and ciders produced by the students. Depart 10 am, Broadview subway station (street level). Afterwards we head to Niagara-on-the-Lake where you will have free time to Ruth Dorey, [email protected] explore the beautiful town. Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm Enjoy a short hike from Broadview subway station to the Distillery District. Sunday, December 2 Enjoy the Xmas festivities and lunch at the Loaded Pierogi after. This is a
Trans Canada Trail, Greenwood Conservation Area one way hike. Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Limited to 15 hikers, Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Depart 10 am, South end of Greenwood Rd, Ajax. GPS: 43.898530, -79.058767. Exit Hwy 401 in Ajax at Regional Rd 31 / Westney Rd. Go north on Westney Rd. West on Greenwood Rd. South on Greenwood Rd (at junction). At south end of Greenwood Rd enter parking lot on west side. Photo: Library and Archives Canada 10 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Wednesday, December 5 -- Toronto, Hike Leader’s Holiday Dinner Saturday, December 8 Sophie Chuchra, [email protected] Humber Valley Heritage Trail, Humber Station Rd to bridge Celebrate the festive season with your fellow hike leaders at Hothouse Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Restaurant, one of Toronto’s destination food and wine eateries. The Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots. restaurant is located at 35 Church Street, in the historic St. Lawrence Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons at 20 Queen St North / Hwy 50, Bolton. neighbourhood, a few minutes walk from either King or Union Station. You Tim Hortons in downtown Bolton just north of King St West on Hwy 50. can order the Wednesday Gourmet Buffet for $24.95 or from the à la carte We will meet here and then car shuffle north to the bridge and then with the menu. View the menus at: https://www.hothouserestaurant.com/menu/. least number of cars up to the start point on Humber Station Rd. Gluten free options are available. A 15% gratuity will be automatically added P Lynn McFerran, (905) 791-3279 or [email protected] to your bill. Individual bills will be provided. Start time is 6 p.m. We look Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm forward to seeing you. George Lennon, (416) 705-5330 This will be our last hike for 2018. The Humber Valley Heritage Trail is diverse and scenic; we will walk the north section, it goes through Albion Thursday, December 6 -- Toronto Hills Conservation Area, then along the fork of the Humber River. Nice Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, outing before all the snow flies. Dress for the weather, bring your icers just Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at Anywhere, Beginners, Hiking boots, No in case. dogs, Refreshments after, Walking shoes, Pre-registration by Telephone to Leader. Depart 10 am, Lawrence Subway Station - street level. Saturday, December 8 -- Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13)
Taizo Shinkoda, (416) 423-4454 7-9 pm Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Johanna Lanfranco, (416) 961-4701 7-9 pm Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, We will do a brisk hike from the Lawrence Subway Station to the Broadview Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Subway Station via the Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, Sunnybrook Depart 9 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot north of km 29.7. Park and the Lower Don Parklands. From 401 north on Trafalgar Rd, left on Hwy 7. Right on Trafalgar Rd to Scotsdale Farm on your right. GPS N 43.687772, W 79.990300. Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Saturday, December 8 - Dufferin Hi-Land, Mono Cliffs, or [email protected] Annual end of year hike and lunch (Map 19) Loop Hike on the main trail, Bennett Heritage Trail and Roberts Side Trail. Level II Bus hike Duration of Hike: 4.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 7 km, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Saturday, December 15 Depart 8:30 am, Islington. Toronto, Lower Don River Trail to the Distillery District Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Join me for a relaxed hike along the main and a variety of side trails in Mono Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at several road crossings, Beginners, Families, Cliffs Provincial Park. Depending on the weather and trail conditions we will No dogs, Pub stop after, do up to four hours of hiking. Afterwards we will drive to Orangeville for a Pre-registration Online using Website. late lunch/early dinner at the Mill Creek Pub. A fun day to help mark the end Depart 10 am, North east corner of Sumach and Winchester Streets: of 2018 and the start of the holiday season. https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Winchester+St+%26+Sumach+St. The cost of the lunch is $18 + HST +18% gratuity. This includes a starter and The 65 bus from Castle Frank Subway Station will drop you at Parliament a main course plus coffee/tea. At the request of the restaurant I will collect and Winchester Sts, about four blocks west of the meeting place. You can the money for the meal and pay on our arrival and you will pay for any also take the 506 Carlton streetcar. Get off at Gerrard St East and Sumach St drinks at the end. The total cost for the meal comes to $24 which includes a and walk 3 blocks north to Winchester St. Check the link to the Google Map contribution of about 50 cents each toward the meal for our driver. You can reference to get your bearings. pay for the meal by Interac e-Transfer or you can send me a cheque made Wayne Crockett, [email protected] out to Wayne Crockett, post dated to December 1, 2018 and mail it to 20 Join me for an easy winter walk along the Don River from the Necropolis Hagar Ave, Toronto M6N 3V2. I would like to have all the money to cover and Riverdale Farm south to the Distillery District. You can leave the group the luncheon in my account by the Monday beforehand. there to visit the Christmas Market or continue along The Esplanade toward The menu offered is a little different than the one shown on the restaurant Yonge Street. We’ll stop for refreshments at one of the many pubs along the website and includes several vegetarian options for your main course. Please last part of the route. select one of the options listed. The price includes a starter soup of the day or a garden salad or a caesar salad. I can provide you with a copy of the full luncheon menu on request. Email me directly at [email protected] for that. Indicate your choice of starter in the ‘More info/Questions’ field when registering. e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 11 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
or [email protected] Saturday, December 15 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9 pm Level I/II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, or [email protected] Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Dogs welcome, Bring A loop hike in forest-covered rolling hills, typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. something to drink, a snack lunch, and ice footwear. No car shuttles required. We return to the parking lot for lunch so that people Depart 10 am, Parking location on 3rd Line EHS. can leave if they only want to hike half day. GPS co-ordinates N 43 59.562’, W 80 02.881’. Take Hwy 10 north from Orangeville, turn right on Hockley Rd (County Tuesday, December 25 -- Toronto, Christmas Hike with Lunch Rd 7), follow to 3rd Line EHS and turn left. Roadside parking one kilometre Level II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 2.5 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, north on right hand side. Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at as you wish, Hiking boots, No dogs, Bob Humphreys, 226-749-1795 or [email protected] Refreshments after, Dress for weather conditions of the day, including icers An opportunity to get away from the crazy holiday season at the malls and if necessary. relax in the quiet of the woods. We will hike the Isobel East, Tom East, and Depart 8 am, High Park subway station main entrance on Quebec Ave. Glen Cross Side Trails, linked together by the Main Trail. All old favourites, Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm but starting from a different location. Dogs are permitted, but must be We will depart from High Park Subway Station at 8:00 am. After our hike we leashed and owners scoop the poop. will arrive at the Old Mill Restaurant for an 11:00 am sitting. I have reserved one round table for six people in the Terrace Room. No pre-registration for Thursday, December 20 -- Toronto, High Park the hike, but call me if you wish to be one of the six for an unlimited buffet Level I Urban walk Duration of Hike: 2.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, luncheon. (about $70 tax and tip included) Merry Christmas. Terrain: Variable. Dropout at any time, Beginners, No dogs, Refreshments after. Wednesday, December 26 -- Toronto Island Depart 2 pm, Meet at the park entrance at Bloor St W and High Park Ave. Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Take the subway to High Park Station. Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at any time, Hiking boots. Tessa Shelvey, 416-320-8555 or [email protected] Depart 10 am, Ferry Dock. Enjoy an easy circular walk in High Park taking time to view the animals in Meet at 9:30am inside waiting area for ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. the park zoo. One or two hills. Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm David Royle, (416) 461-5184 Sunday, December 23 -- Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) Avoid the Boxing Day crowds. The islands are quiet in winter. We will catch Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, the 3:15 or 3:45 pm ferry to be back in Toronto about 4 pm. Approximate Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots. ferry return fares: $7.50 adult, $5.00 student/senior. An opportunity will Depart 9 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot - north of km 29.7. be provided to make a donation (bills only) to Bruce Trail Conservancy to Take Trafalgar Rd exit off Hwy 401 W and travel north on Trafalgar Rd, preserve Escarpment land. continue to lights at merge with Hwy 7. Turn left at lights and continue traveling north for about 4 km where Hwy 7 carries on to left and Trafalgar Saturday, December 29 -- Iroquoia, Crawford Lake (Map 11)
Rd exits on right. Continue north on Trafalgar Rd and after about 2 km turn Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, right into Scotsdale Farm. Drive east along the gravel road to the parking lot Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, on the left in front of the farmhouse. Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Remi Fahy, 416 903-7572 before 9 pm Depart 9:30 am, Crawford Lake Conservation Area lower parking lot - or [email protected] north of km 106.1. Parking fee required. Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9 pm From Hwy 401 south on Guelph Line to Crawford Lake Conservation Area or [email protected] on the east side. GPS N43.471920, W79.950494. Icers may be required. A loop hike: we will use the main trail and a selection of side trails. No Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm refreshment stop so we should have an early return. or [email protected] Loop hike in Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Conservation Areas. Monday, December 24 Oak Ridges Trail, Long Sault Conservation Area (Map 7 ORTA) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots, Bring along some ice footwear. Depart 9 am, Long Sault Conservation Area parking lot at 9293 Woodley Rd, Bowmanville. Take Hwy 401 E, exit towards Regional Road 57/Waverley Road/ Bowmanville. Travel north for 17 km on Regional Rd 57. Turn right at Durham Regional Rd 20. After 2 km, turn left at Woodley Rd and travel 2 km to conservation area parking lot. Bring some toonies/loonies for the parking meter. Remi Fahy, 416 903-7572 before 9 pm 12 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
R 79 5 79 5 U
S $8 , ADM S ) $388 , CHARTER $200,925 $191,675 CHARTER
ers e v e
r
19 5 S ORNIA r 34 5 $5 , SGL SGL * o $5,895 $5,645 ( LI F ADOR D all prices in US dollars all prices in US dollars all prices in US dollars $8 , CPT S ISLAN D D N ORTÉ S A C G O $6,995 COM
J COM $7,895 $7,795 S A
5
, B A O 19 5 Y , QUIL, EC U 5 ADM $6,6 9 $6,445 ADM T E BIG ISL A
G SLA N
SCA PE S 5 5 AY A I 69 5 L CAB O
A E $4 , CPT CPT THE GALÁ P $5 ,8 9 $5 ,6 4 D AI‘I, T H
N É 5 5
N SE A W ’S BOU N S 9 9 7 A 19 5 3 0 A A , , O I TRIP G U H 5 5 ct 1 I $4 , CMN J $ $ CMN O O N A
T BA J II A A VERIES — W S ‘I 79 5
O A A Aug 8 ; $3 , MST $4,995 $4,695 MST K H RI P O
T GALÁ P O’S SEA OF C S, ROUN D ul 25 ; J
2018 - 2019 DEPARTURES
, MO L W
S 6 AW A 3 P un 27 ; J 2 3
2 2 XI C WIN’S DIS C S, ROUN D 19 , H
7 NIGH T , 16 ,
, B y 30 ;
* 16 , O , 2 a E 2 A R 9
9 1 , , , 26 * 1 , M 7 NIGH T S , D ; B S 9 2 Departures Saturday 5 5 4 1 M ar 2 7 NIGH T Fe b 2019 Saturday Departures Safari Endeavour Ja n M 23* 9*, 16, Feb 2, 30 23*, 16, Mar 2, 9*, Apr 6* Ja n 2 019 Safari Explorer Ja n La Pinta 2019 Thursday Departures Ap r
)
S e s 79 5 59 5 r 14 5 64 5 09 5 e v e SGL $12 , $12 , r )
CHARTER $409 , CHARTER $498 , Á CHARTER $358 , r
* o ers e (
v 19 5 e
45 5 75 5 r r SGL $7 , IVE R SGL $5 , SGL $6 ,
* o all prices in US dollars all prices in US dollars all prices in US dollars (
39 5 ANAMÁ Y NAMÁ CANA L 19 5 39 5 A R OWN R $8 , , O R , P
A W OWN $8 ,
OWN $9 , E
E R 19 5 ANA M ON, 94 5 99 5 U LAN D JCO $7 , T T T
S JCO $5 , JCO $6 , R K N
O 49 5 R E P 44 5 44 5
RICA & P V $6 , ADM ANAMÁ CIT Y
A & P D ADM $5 , ADM $6 , E & CULIN A
T RI P
O P 79 5 T O CL A S SNA K 94 5 89 5 CPT $5 , O
CPT $4 , CPT $5 ,
& 39 5 , OR T 44 5 49 5 A RICA T $5 , CMN T ERS OF A
S, ROUN D CMN $4 , CMN $5 , S ERS— C T RS OF WI N
O 79 5 H E IA TLAN D RI V 19 5 19 5 MST $4 , V I Oakville Reg On L6J 7L7 Ont 4146882 MST $4 ,
ON D M ST $5 , A RIC SÉ, C R
7 NI G W T 29 *
S, PO R CALL 905-829-0111 OR 800-387-2055 5 quietly watching ightless Cormorants in the Galapagos Islands your connection with nature will be memorable. connection in the Galapagos with nature Islands your Cormorants ightless quietly watching
2 0
2 22 , AN J O S 28 * 3 2 26 *
LED UM B 18* ,
I 23 , 15* , 21 , ,
S, S 19 , , B 15* ,
O E W
1 , CRUISENET TOURS & TRAVEL INC 302-2904 South Sheridan Way, Way, INC 302-2904 South Sheridan TRAVEL & TOURS CRUISENET L 16 , 7 NIGH T 8 1 ,
8 , 14* , 9 B
12* , 12 * ,
Whether you are staring up at a towering glacier, taking sharing tales or in the splash of a waterfall the camp re or sitting around glacier, a towering staring up at are you Whether , 7 C 5 will donate $100 per person to the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Trail $100 per the Bruce person to will donate O p 7 , UN V ec ct 5 ar 1* , e 8 NIGH T 2019 Saturday Departures S.S. Legacy Nov 2 , D 2 019 Saturday Departures S.S. Legacy S O TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE ON ONE OF THESE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES THESE EXTRAORDINARY ON ONE OF PLACE YOUR RESERVE TO 2019 Friday Departures Safari Voyager Ja n 4 * Ap r Fe b 1* , M ADVENTURE – CONNECT – EXPLORE with only 22 – 88 guests on their ships Un-Cruise Adventure takes you into the heart into of the destination. you takes with only 22 – 88 guests on their ships Un-Cruise Adventure – EXPLORE – CONNECT ADVENTURE Small Ships. BIG Adventures C Book an UnCruise Adventure cruise before Dec 31/18 and Cruisenet before cruise Book Adventure an UnCruise e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 13 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Regional Rd 24. We will meet there then travel to the start of the loop hike. SUSQUEHANNOCK LODGE and TRAIL CENTRE No car shuffle today. Hiking in the Highlands of North Central Pennsylvania Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm P Lynn McFerran, (905) 791-3279 or [email protected] George Lennon, (416) 705-5330 This will be the first of a series of loop hikes in wintery wonderland. The falls of the cataract are all ice in winter and very scenic. The trails are well used if it is really snowy. Join us for one of these loop hikes or all. Please note the hike will be cancelled in poor weather and driving conditions. Dress for the weather and bring your icers and poles. Bring water and a lunch. NEW YEARS - Dec. 28 - Jan 1, 2019 Snow – we will snowshoe, cross country ski. Saturday, January 5 -- Oak Ridges Trail, No snow - we hike. Relax by the fireplace. Long Sault Conservation Area (Map 7 ORTA) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, EASTER April 19 - 22, 2019 Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots, Bring along some ice Welcome spring on the trails and a Polish Easter Dinner. footwear. The Lodge is located in Potter County, Depart 9 am, Long Sault Conservation Area parking lot at 9293 Woodley Pennsylvania, 2.5 hours south of Buffalo. There is no Rd, Bowmanville. agriculture or industry in the area, just great trails. Daily hikes Take Hwy 401 E, exit towards Regional Road 57/Waverley Road/ of 10 to 15 km are led through hardwood forest, many beside Bowmanville. Travel north for 17 km on Regional Rd 57. Turn right at mountain streams. Our lodge provides comfortable Durham Regional Rd 20. After 2 km, turn left at Woodley Rd and travel accommodation & excellent meals for $70.00 semi-private, $75.00 private-double occupancy, $90.00 private-single 2 km to conservation area parking lot. Bring some toonies/loonies for the occupancy, USD per day per person. These outings have parking meter. proven to be popular with the lodge filling quickly. Remi Fahy, 416 903-7572 before 9:00pm or [email protected] For more information, including driving directions, please Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9:00pm see hikevincent.wordpress.com or contact Greg Vincent at or [email protected] 519-579-8210 or [email protected] A loop hike in forest-covered rolling hills, typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. For reservations call Carol Szymanik at 1-814-435-2163 No car shuttles required. We return to the parking lot for lunch so that people can leave if they only want to hike half day.
Tuesday, January 1 -- Toronto, Leslie Street Spit Saturday, January 5 -- Iroquoia, Mount Nemo (Map 10)
Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, No dogs, Refreshments after, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, Pre-registration will facilitate waiver sheet signing but is not mandatory, Icers may be required., Pre-registration Online using Website. Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Depart 1 pm, Tim Hortons 731 Eastern Ave, Toronto. Depart 9 am, BTC parking lot on Walkers Line. Corner of No. 2 Sideroad We will meet at Tim Hortons on the west side of Leslie St, just south of and Walkers Line. Eastern Ave and north of Lake Shore Blvd E. This is about 1 km north of Form Hwy 401, exit Guelph Line south, left on Britannia Rd and right on where we used to meet at Leslie St and Unwin Ave. Lots of parking spaces Walkers Line to meeting place. available or walk down south from the Queen streetcar. Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm or [email protected] or [email protected] Repeat of an annual event to start the New Year off on the right foot. There Victoria Best, (905) 257-6815 6-9 pm is usually quite a crowd, so arrive at least a half hour before departure. or [email protected] Registration on Jan 1, 2019 after 12:45 pm will not be possible. We will Loop hike in Mount Nemo Conservation Area. depart Tim Hortons at 1:00 pm as promised. As well an opportunity will be provided to make a donation (bills only) to the Bruce Trail Conservancy to Saturday, January 5 -- Scenic Caves preserve Escarpment land. Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Join us for our first ski and snowshoe trip of 2019. New to skiing or want a Saturday, January 5 -- Caledon Hills, Forks of the Credit, refresher? Then join Martina for a 45 minute introductory classic ski lesson. Loop hike through the park (Map 15) Snowshoers: Join the group for a guided snowshoe hike. We’ll celebrate Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, winter with a season opening party starting at 3 pm in our private log cabin. Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring some finger foods to share. Wine and tea will be provided. Trail passes Pre-registration Online using Website. are $18 for skiing and snowshoeing (same rate for adults, seniors and youth). Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons 18372 Hurontario St, Caledon Village. Ski ($22) and snowshoe ($17) rentals available. Drive north from Hwy 401 to Hwy 410 and Hwy 10 to Caledon. Tim Horton is on the SW corner of Hwy 10 and Charleston Sideroad/Peel Departure time: 8:30 am. 14 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Sunday, January 6 -- Toronto, Kay Gardner Beltline Trail / Cedarvale Ravine Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 1 pm, Davisville Subway Station. Meet by the top of the escalators at Davisville Station (near the entrance to the TTC Headquarters at the southwest corner of Davisville & Yonge). Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] The Kay Gardner Beltline Trail makes a lovely urban walk any time of the year. We’ll follow it to Eglinton West Subway Station and then the ravine southeast towards Rosedale Subway Station. Preregistration is optional but saves time during the sign in process.
Saturday, January 12 -- Toronto Section, Limehouse (Map 12)
Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. Dropout at at Limehouse, Hiking boots, Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Local knowledge for your Depart 9 am, Roadside parking - north of km 21.5 across from the school on the south side of 22 Sideroad near the wooden fence around the old hiking adventure in Algoma. junkyard. From Hwy 401 W go to Trafalgar Rd north. Turn left onto Hwy 7. Left onto 705-649-2235 www.blaqbear.ca 22 Sideroad. Smadar Junkin, (905) 881-6080 or [email protected] A loop hike. We will meet at Limehouse and will snowshoe to Todd Bardes Registered by TICO ON # 50023383 Meadowland Side Trail. We will return on the main trail. We will continue to Fourth Line and come back using the Black Creek Side Trail. Bring snowshoes and icers.
Saturday, January 12 -- Dufferin Hi-Land, Boyne Valley & Murphy’s Pinnacle (Map 20) Sunday, January 13 -- Toronto, East Don River Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout, Hiking boots, Dogs welcome, Bring ice Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, footwear, a snack, and something to drink. ICE FOOTWARE RECOMMENDED, Depart 10 am, County Rd 19, Prince of Wales Rd, where the Primrose Loop Pre-registration Online using Website. Side Trail crosses it the second time. Depart 11 am, Leslie St and Sheppard Ave East SW corner (Leslie subway, GPS co-ordinates N44 06.335’, W80 08.349’. Leslie exit). Take Hwy 10 north from Orangeville to Primrose, then continue north for Monica Feran, (416) 736-6636 Before 9 pm one km on County Rd 19, park carefully on the roadside. or [email protected] Bob Humphreys, 226-749-1795 or [email protected] Tessa Shelvey, 416-320-8555 or [email protected] A double loop hike, we will use the Primrose Loop and Boyne Valley Side Beautiful winter walk along the East Don River, going north from Leslie and Trails, and a section of the Main Trail. Depending on the snow coverage, Sheppard. Lunch at Cummer Park Community Centre. Finish at Don Mills we shall either hike or use snowshoes. Dogs permitted, but must be leashed. and Steeles. PLEASE CALL LEADER IF WEATHER IS VERY COLD. Bring lunch, water and ice footwear. Saturday, January 12 -- Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Wayne Crockett Join us for a wonderful day of skiing and snowshoeing at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre near Midland. Snowshoers: Join Wayne for a guided snowshoe hike. Skiers: Enjoy self-guided tours of the park’s trails. Trail passes are $8.50 for skiers and snowshoers (same rate for adults, seniors and youth). Ski ($17) and snowshoe ($11.30) rentals available.
Departure time: 8:30 am. Photo: Wikipedia e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 15 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, January 19 -- Toronto, Saturday, January 19 -- Iroquoia, Crawford Lake (Map 11) Theatre Hike, Humber River, Swansea Village Level I Car hike Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, No dogs, Refreshments after. Terrain: Mostly flat, 3 Steep staircases. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Depart 10:30 am, Crawford Lake Conservation Area parking lot - north of Hiking boots, No dogs. km 106.1. Depart 3 pm, SE corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave West at bus stop. Take Hwy 401 west to Guelph Line in Milton, go south on Guelph Line to From Runnymede subway take bus 79 to the meeting place. For bus Conservation Rd (formerly Steeles Ave), turn left and follow to end. frequency and times call TTC (416) 393 4636. Parking is available east of Tessa Shelvey, 416-320-8555 or [email protected] Runnymede station, north of Bloor St W on side streets. Do not park at the John McCuaig, (416) 824-4732 or [email protected] starting point of the hike. We finish the hike on the south side of Runnymede Nice loop hike (or snowshoe if enough snow) on trails around Crawford Lake Rd and Bloor St W. Conservation Area with hike leader in training John McCuaig. Admission fee Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm of about $7.25 per person applies. Park in the lower lot beside the entrance Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 where park fee is collected. Lunch after at Trail Cafe. We will walk along the Humber River southbound to Swansea village through parks, ravines and city streets. At 6 pm we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then at 8 pm proceed to the Village Players Theatre at 2190 Bloor Street West (lower level) to see “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchison; directed by Mike Hiller. Based on true events (some coarse language). Call the theatre directly (416) 767-7702 to reserve your ticket ($24 adult and senior); mention that you are with the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. You may choose only to hike, join us for dinner, enjoy the theatre performance, or come to all of the events. The only reservation required is your ticket to attend the play at the Village Playhouse. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases and one hidden path with obstacles.
Photo by Orest Nahacziwec
16 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Saturday, January 19 -- Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) park in the Conservation Area parking lot. Please be prepared $7.00/adult, Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, $6.00/senior. The trails can be icy, bring your poles and icers as well. A bit Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring something of bird seeds to feed the chickadees too. Remember if driving and weather to drink, a snack lunch, and ice footwear. conditions are poor, the hike will be cancelled. Depart 10 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot, GPS co-ordinates N43 41.237’, W79 59.450’. Saturday, January 26 Take Hwy 7 north past Georgetown. The driveway entrance to the farm is Highlands Nordic/Kalapore/Snowshoe on the Bruce on your right just past where Trafalgar Rd splits off from Hwy 7. Follow Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] driveway to the parking lot. Alex Brown Bob Humphreys, 226-749-1795 or [email protected] Edmond Brown A hike to get some exercise on a winter day. We will hike over familiar ground Skiers: Stay at Highlands Nordic and explore 25 km of groomed trails on using the Bennett Heritage Trail and main trail. Depending on the snow your own, or join Ed Brown for a guided backcountry ski at Kalapore. coverage we will either hike or use snowshoes. Snowshoers: Explore the resort’s trails on your own or join Al Brown for a Saturday, January 19 guided snowshoe hike on the Bruce Trail. Ski and snowshoe rentals available Horeshoe Resort & McCrae Lake Wilderness Preserve (Snowshoe Only) for those who stay on resort. Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Departure time: 8:30 am. Snowshoers: explore the trails at Horseshoe Resort on your own or a guided backcountry snowshoe adventure at McCrae Lake. Skiers: Glide through the Sunday, January 27 -- Toronto, PATH beautiful Copeland Forest at Horseshoe on trails expertly groomed for classic Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 7 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, and skate skiing. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available for those staying at Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Pub stop after, Horseshoe. Pre-registration Online using Website. Departure time: 8:30 am. Depart 12 pm, College Park Mall. Meet in the food court of the College Park Shopping Complex in the Sunday, January 20 -- Iroquoia, Crawford Lake (Map 11) concourse level accessible from College Subway Station. Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Terrain: Rocky, One long climb down and up. Dropout at 6 km, Exploration of Downtown Toronto’s PATH Network (world’s largest Refreshments after, underground shopping complex) from north to south. Points of interest will Pre-registration Online using Website. be highlighted along the way. Our two hour walk will be mostly indoors but Depart 9 am, Islington. with brief sections outside. We’ll end in the waterfront area with an optional Wayne Crockett, [email protected] pub stop. Join me for a snowshoe hike from Crawford Lake to Rattlesnake Point. We’ll take in the boardwalk around the Lake and do a combination of main and Saturday, February 2 -- Toronto side trails before heading down into and out of the Nassagaweya Canyon. Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, We’ll finish the walk on the Rattlesnake Point Side Trail. After the hike we’ll Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, take the short drive into Milton for refreshments. Enjoy the winter outdoors Pre-registration Online using Website. just a few km from the city. Depart 1 pm, Spadina subway, at the ticket collector booth. If conditions are not good for snowshoeing we’ll do a winter hike. Icers are Jacqueline Scott, (416) 274-8091 or [email protected] recommended for this option. On this annual Black History Month walk, we will explore the rich Black We will be using the parking lots at Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point so heritage of Toronto. Starting at Spadina subway we will visit Toronto’s first there will be an entrance fee which I will collect with the bus fares. The fee is Black postman, the oldest Black church and other sites and events in the long based on the group rate offered per person. Black presence in the city. Two dropouts. Tea at a café after the walk.
Saturday, January 26 -- Toronto Section, Saturday, February 2 -- Iroquoia, Kelso (Map 11)
Hilton Falls, Loop Hike (Map 11) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 18 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Terrain: Variable, can be icy. No dropout, Hiking boots, Pub stop after, Icers may be required., Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons, 8501 Regional Rd 25 North, Milton. Depart 8:30 am, Kelso Conservation Area. West end of parking lot. Drive Hwy 401 west to Milton. Take Regional Rd 25 N exit. Tim Hortons From Hwy 401 north on Regional Rd 25, left on 5 Sideroad/Campbellville is on the right side of the road, next to Esso Gas Station. We will then travel Rd. Left on Tremaine Rd, right on Kelso Rd to Kelso Conservation Area. to Hilton Falls Conservation Area. Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm or [email protected] P Lynn McFerran, (905) 791-3279 or [email protected] Victoria Best, (905) 257-6815 6-9 pm George Lennon, (416) 705-5330 or [email protected] Hilton Falls is another interesting site in winter. We will walk through the Car shuttle to Twiss Rd. Hike back through Crawford Lake and Kelso park using the Bruce Trail and the park trails. This is a loop hike so we will Conservation Areas. e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 17 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, February 2 -- Kawartha Nordic Saturday, February 9 -- Iroquoia, Rattlesnake Point (Map 11)
Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Come ski or snowshoe at beautiful Kawartha Nordic. Snowshoe hike leader Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub TBA. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. stop after, Icers may be be required, Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Departure time: 8:00 am. Depart 8:30 am, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area upper parking. From Hwy 401 north on Regional Rd 25, turn left onto Campbellville Rd. Sunday, February 3 Left on Appleby Line and right into Conservation Area. Parking fee required. Toronto, Birkdale Ravine / Thomson Memorial Park Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, or [email protected] Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Victoria Best, (905) 257-6815 6-9 pm or [email protected] Pre-registration Online using Website. Loop Hike in Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point Conservation Areas. Depart 11 am, Scarborough Centre RT Station. Meet at the bus platform level at Scarborough Centre RT Station by Saturday, February 9 -- Horseshoe Resort 10:40 am to take Brimley Road #21 bus at 11:00 am. Preregistration is Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] optional but helps speed up the sign in process. Wayne Crockett Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Join us for a wonderful day of skiing and snowshoeing in the Copeland Join us to follow this tributary of Highland Creek from Ellesmere Road to Forest. Snowshoers: Join Wayne Crockett for a guided snowshoe hike or Markham Road and return. Along the way we will pass an 1818 church explore the resort’s trails on your own. Skiers: Enjoy self-guided tours on and cemetery, 1790s home of David and Mary Thomson (founders of over 40 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Ski and snowshoe Scarborough), and the buildings of Scarborough Historical Museum. rentals available. Departure time: 9 am. Sunday, February 3 -- Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Sunday, February 10 -- Toronto, Lawrence to Edwards Gardens Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots. Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Depart 9 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot - north of km 29.7. Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Take Trafalgar Rd exit off Hwy 401 and travel north on Trafalgar Rd through ICE FOOTWARE RECOMMENDED, Stewarttown and continue to lights at merge with Hwy 7. Turn left at lights Pre-registration Online using Website. and continue traveling north for about 4 km where Hwy 7 carries on to left Depart 10:30 am, Lawrence Ave East and Yonge St, NE corner (Lawrence and Trafalgar Rd exits on right. Continue north on Trafalgar Rd and after subway station). about 2 km turn right into Scotsdale Farm. Drive east along the gravel road Monica Feran, (416) 736-6636 Before 9 pm to the parking lot on the left in front of the farmhouse. or [email protected] Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9:00pm Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm or [email protected] Beautiful winter walk in the parks. Lunch at Glendon College. Bring water, Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm lunch and ice footwear. A loop hike: we will use the main trail and a selection of side trails. No PLEASE CALL LEADER IF THE WEATHER IS VERY COLD. refreshment stop so we should have an early return. Remember to bring along your icers as the trail will likely be hard-packed ice. Saturday, February 16 -- Toronto Section,
Scotsdale Farm, Loop Hike from Farm (Map 13) Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots, Pre-registration by Email to Leader. The Toronto Hiking and Conservation Club Depart 9 am, McDonald’s 185 Guelph St, Georgetown. organizes Sunday hikes in the countryside Travel west from the city on Hwy 401. Take the Winston Churchill Blvd exit. surrounding Toronto Travel north to Norval. At the lights turn left. Take Hwy 7 into Georgetown, McDonald’s is on the right just after the Mountainview Rd N intersection. P Lynn McFerran, (905) 791-3279 or [email protected] Hikes leave each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (unless stated otherwise in the program) from the parking lot on the northwest corner of Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm Yonge and York Mills, via car-pools. Hikes usually end around 3 George Lennon, (416) 705-5330 p.m. and return to York Mills around 4 p.m. See our program at We will be walking a loop hike around Scotsdale Farm and Silver Creek www.sproulephoto.ca/thcc or call 416-693-8639 for more Conservation Area depending on the trail conditions and the weather. There information and check website for updates. is a nice variety of terrain on this hike. We will hike the main and side trails in the area. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring your icers and hiking poles. Pack a lunch and water. Hike could be cancelled in poor driving and weather conditions.
18 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Saturday, February 16 -- Arrowhead Provincial Park
Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Join us for a fabulous day of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in beautiful Arrowhead Provincial Park. Skiers: enjoy self-guided tours on trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Snowshoers: Explore the park trails on your own. The Park also has an ice skating trail and a tubing hill. Classic and skate skis as well as snowshoes rentals are available. Departure time: 7:30 am.
Sunday, February 17 -- Toronto Section, Hilton Falls (Map 11) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky, One long climb down and up. Dropout at 6 km., Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9 am, Islington. Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Join me for a snowshoe hike looping through the trails around the Hilton Falls Conservation Area. We’ll do a combination of the main trail, the Hilton Falls Side Trail and several walking trails maintained by the Conservation Authority. There is a fire pit near the falls so if you want to bring anything to toast for your lunch you can. Don’t break any living branches for a ‘spit’! The falls are very scenic in cold weather, more than worth the effort. After the hike we’ll take the short drive into Milton for refreshments. Enjoy the winter outdoors just a few km from the city. If conditions are not good for snowshoeing we’ll do a winter hike. Icers are recommended for this option. I will let registrants know a few days in advance by email. We will be using the parking lots at Hilton Falls Conservation Area so there will be an entrance fee which I will collect with the bus fares. The fare is based on the group rate discount per person. Saturday, February 23 -- Hardwood Ski & Bike Monday, February 18 -- Toronto Islands Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at anytime, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Sophie Chuchra Icers recommended, snowshoes optional. Join us for a super day of skiing and snowshoeing at Hardwood Ski & Bike. Depart 9:45 am, Inside the waiting area at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at Snowshoers: Join Sophie Chuchra for a guided snowshoe hike or explore the the foot of Bay St and Queen’s Quay. resort’s trails on your own. Skiers: enjoy self-guided tours on over 30 km of Streetcar from Union Station to foot of Bay St. trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. Ray Berzins, (647)207-4954 before 9:30 pm Departure time: 9 am. or [email protected] Avoid the crowds on Family Day! The Islands are quiet in winter. We shall Sunday, February 24 -- Toronto, Rosedale Ravine cover the entire Toronto Island Park from Ward’s Island to Hanlan’s Point and Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, back. We should return on the 2:45 pm ferry to be back in Toronto about Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, 3:00 pm. Ferry return fares before tax: $7.87 adult, $5.16 senior/student, Pre-registration Online using Website. $3.80 under 14. Bring a lunch and a warm beverage. Donations to the Bruce Depart 1 pm, St Clair Subway Station. Trail Conservancy will be gladly accepted. Bring sunglasses and icers or other Meet at entrance of St Clair Station, by the McDonald’s outlet on the south slip-resistant footwear. Call (416) 392-8193 for ferry info. side of St. Clair Ave east of Yonge St. Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Circular walk through the Rosedale Ravine with a stop at the Don Valley Brick Works Park for a warm up. Shuttle bus is available at Evergreen Brick Works or continue hiking through Moore Park Ravine and Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Preregistration is optional but saves time during the sign in process.
Photo by Laslovarga e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 19 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Looking Ahead LOOPS & LATTES HIKING GUIDES Saturday, March 2 -- Wasaga Nordic
NEAR-URBAN Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] Marie-Josee Roy HIKING MADE EASY Join us for a fabulous day of skiing and snowshoeing in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Snowshoers: Join Marie-Josee Roy for a guided snowshoe hike or explore the park’s trails on your own. Skiers: glide through forests and dunes on trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. Departure time: 8:30 am.
Friday, March 8 -- Winter Weekend in Val David, March 8 to 11 2019
Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] David Royle This winter join Martina Furrer and David Royle for an unforgettable weekend of skiing and snowshoeing in Val David, Quebec. Explore over 50 km of groomed cross-country ski trails and 30 km of marked snowshoe trails in the Parc Regional de Val-David Val-Morin (http://www.parcregional. “Better still for those who love to get close com/) in the beautiful Laurentian mountains. We will stay at the Auberge du to nature are the precise directions, terrific Vieux Foyer (aubergeduvieuxfoyer.com), walking distance to the trails, and photographs and local lore that are also shops and galleries in the village of Val David. Travel direct from Toronto in included. It’s always nice to know the ‘whys’ a luxury highway coach. Our bus will depart at 7:00 am on Friday March of your hike before you’re on the trail.” 8 and return to Toronto around 8 pm on Monday March 11. Departure JULIE SLACK, Metroland Media and drop-off location is York Mills Subway Station. Enjoy two full days and two half days of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. All fit, experienced skiers and snowshoers are welcome. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. Accommodation is $345 plus tax per person (based on double occupancy in standard hotel rooms or triple/quad occupancy in chalets) and includes: three nights’ accommodation, three breakfasts, three four-course dinners, ski and snowshoe trail passes for the Parc Regional Val-David Val-Morin, and use of the hotel’s pool, sauna, and spa. Coach fare is $150 for Toronto Bruce Trail Club members and $170 for non-members.
Registration deadline is December 5, 2018. Registration instructions: Please read and follow the instructions carefully. If you do everything correctly your name will be entered in a draw to win a bottle of Prosecco. Book your room and your seat on the bus at the same time. 1. Book your hotel room. Call the Auberge du Vieux Foyer 1-800-567-8327. Do not book online. Remember the rate is based on double occupancy (hotel rooms) or triple/quad occupancy (chalets). Pick your roommate(s) before you book. Rooms have different configurations so check with the hotel to make sure your room meets your needs. The Auberge du Vieux Foyer requires a $100 deposit at the time of booking. 2. Book your seat on the coach. Complete the Val David trip online registration form at https://tinyurl.com/ValDavid2019 and pay your coach fare by e-transfer or cheque. Send e-transfer to: [email protected]. Make cheque payable to Martina Furrer and send to 173 Crescent St, Peterborough, ON The most essential piece of gear K9J 2G5. Your seat will not be confirmed until your payment is received. to include in your backpack. Coach fare is non-refundable after December 5, 2018. If you have to cancel before this date your money will be refunded less a $20 service fee (donation Copies are available at more than 90 retail to the Bruce Trail Conservancy). locations and online at www.nicolaross.ca Special notes: The trip will not be cancelled due to weather. If there is not enough snow to ski and snowshoe we will hike. Participants are responsible for their own travel and health insurance. 20 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Saturday, March 9 -- Toronto, Theatre Hike, Humber River, Swansea Village Sunday, March 10 Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Toronto, Finch Subway to Donalda Golf Course Terrain: Mostly flat, 3 Steep staircases. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Hiking boots, No dogs. Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 3 pm, SE corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave West at bus stop. Depart 11 am, Finch Go Bus Terminal, 5697 Yonge St, east side, north of From Runnymede subway take bus 79 to the meeting place. For bus Finch subway station. frequency and times call TTC (416) 393 4636. Parking is available east of Monica Feran, (416) 736-6636 Before 9 pm Runnymede station, north of Bloor St W on side streets. Do not park at the or [email protected] starting point of the hike. Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm We will walk through ravines and parks, starting at Finch subway station, We finish the hike on the south side of Runnymede Rd and Bloor St W. ending at Donalda golf course (Don Mills north of Lawrence). Bring lunch Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm and water. Lunch is indoors. Ice footwear recommended. Please check Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 with the hike leader if it is a very cold day. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME We will walk along the Humber River southbound to Swansea village STARTS TODAY. through parks, ravines and city streets. At 6 pm we will have dinner at a local restaurant and then at 8 pm proceed to the Village Players Theatre at Saturday, March 16 -- Toronto Section, Hilton Falls (Maps 11/12)
2190 Bloor Street West (lower level) to see the hard-hitting drama “LATE Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 17 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, COMPANY” by Jordan Tannahill; directed by Valary Cook. Mature content. Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop Call the theatre directly (416) 767-7702 to reserve your ticket ($24 adult after, Icers may be required, and senior); mention that you are with the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. You Pre-registration by Email to Leader. may choose only to hike, join us for dinner, enjoy the theatre performance, Depart 9 am, Hilton Falls Conservation Area. or come to all of the events. The only reservation required is your ticket to From Hwy 401 north on Regional Rd 25, left on Campbellville Rd to Hilton attend the play at the Village Playhouse. Falls Conservation on right. Parking fees required. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm and one hidden path with obstacles. or [email protected] Victoria Best, (905) 257-6815 6-9 pm Saturday, March 9 -- Toronto Section, Terra Cotta, Loop hike (Map or [email protected]
14) Car shuttle to km 17.5 Map 12. Hike back through Speyside and Hilton Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Falls Conservation Area. Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Pre-registration by Email to Leader. Saturday, March 16 -- Scenic Caves Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons, 11975 Hurontario St, Brampton. Martina Furrer, 705-768-3250 or [email protected] From Hwy 401 travel west to Hwy 410 north. Take the Mayfield Rd exit, Join us for our final ski and snowshoe trip of 2019. We’ll celebrate with a travel west on Mayfield Rd to Hurontario St (Hwy 10). Tim Hortons is in season ending party starting at 3 pm in our private log cabin. Bring some Sobeys plaza SE corner. We will meet here then travel to the start point of finger foods to share. Wine and tea will be provided. Trail passes are $18 for the loop hike. skiing and snowshoeing (same rate for adults, seniors and youth). Ski ($22) Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm and snowshoe ($17) rentals available. Snowshoe hike leader TBA. P Lynn McFerran, (905) 791-3279 or [email protected] Departure time: 8:30 am. George Lennon, (416) 705-5330 This will be another loop hike walking the main and side trails and the Caledon Trailway depending on the snow conditions. This is a pleasant Sunday, March 17 -- Toronto, Lower Don Recreation Trail walk through old farmsteads, brick kilns and along the creek. Dress for Level I Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, the weather. Bring your icers and poles. Hike maybe cancelled due to poor Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at main roads, Beginners, Families, No dogs, driving and weather conditions. Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 10 am, Outside Castle Frank Subway Station https://goo.gl/maps/QhcGrfyXtjy. Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Join us for a leisurely walk from the Evergreen Brick Works south on the Lower Don Recreation Trail. We will end at The Distillery District where we can toast St Patrick’s Day for those interested.
Photo: Wikipedia e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 21 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Sunday, March 17 -- Oak Ridges Trail, Long Sault Conservation Area How many trees are there on the (Map 7 ORTA) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Bruce Trail? Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots, Bring along some ice footwear. Depart 9 am, Long Sault Conservation Area parking lot at 9293 Woodley by Orest Nahacziwec Rd, Bowmanville. Take Hwy 401 E, exit towards Regional Road 57/Waverley Road/ Do you remember when lip dub videos were a thing? If Bowmanville. Travel north for 17 km on Regional Rd 57. Turn right at you’re a fan of the TV show The Office you may remember Durham Regional Rd 20. After 2 km, turn left at Woodley Rd and travel when they made a lip dub video based on the song Nobody 2 km to conservation area parking lot. Bring some toonies/loonies for the But Me. You can see the video at parking meter. Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9:00pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfokPqeSNcw. or [email protected] Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm I haven’t made any lip dub videos (yet) but if I was to A loop hike in forest-covered rolling hills, typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. make one, the song I’d pick would be The Trees by Rush. No car shuttles required. We return to the parking lot for lunch so that people The first few lines are, can leave if they only want to hike half day. There is unrest in the forest Independent outings: There is trouble in the trees Independent outings are not sanctioned by the Toronto For the maples want more sunlight Bruce Trail Club (TBTC). The TBTC accepts no responsibility for how these events are run, nor is it involved And the oaks ignore their pleas. in the collection of funds or administration of these events. The events listed here are not commercial operations but On at least one occasion I have successfully convinced a are offered by members of the TBTC on a cost shared basis. listener that the opening line has my name in it... There is Orest in the forest, there is trouble in the trees... Commercial Trips: FOOTNOTES has a number of advertisements from commercial hiking and outing organizations. In my imagination I am making my lip dub video while out on a nice day’s hike with the Bruce Trail as the backdrop.
Friday, February 15 -- Peninsula, Tobermory Family Day Weekend at Tobermory Feb. 15-18. The days are longer, there How many trees are there on the Bruce Trail? Seriously, I is lots of snow and we enjoy this mid-winter break at the “Tip o’ the Bruce” don’t know. But according to the Bruce Trail Conservancy Tobermory. We stay and have our meals at a comfortable hotel overlooking website there are at least 16 trees that are over 100 years Little Tub Harbour in Tobermory. We will snowshoe the trails in the area with lots of views of Georgian Bay. New to snowshoeing, we will help you. old (https://brucetrail.org/pages/scavenger-hunt/trees). Contact Greg Vincent at [email protected] or (519) 579-8210. Two of them are located in the Toronto BTC section near Acton/Limehouse.
• Eastern Hemlock at 43.594923, -79.976717 • White Pine at 43.595705, -79.975934
Want to sharpen your detective skills? Grab your hiking boots and your favorite GPS unit, lock on those coordinates, go out, find those trees and have an adventure! If you see a guy on the Trail singing into his iPhone, that just might be me making my lip dub video.
120-year old Black Walnut tree * * * photo by Orest Nahacziwec
22 Winter 2018 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar James Forster at 100 By Marilyn MacKellar
James (Jim) Forster had a 100th Birthday party on June 17, 2018. He was born on June 18, 1918, and he walked the Bruce Trail, end to end, in his 80s. Twice. The party was well-attended, with a great number of his hiking friends present. Jim sat quietly receiving them all afternoon, one-on-one, a dignified and friendly man, engaged with his visitors. They brought cards and gifts: an ode, specially composed for him, a 1917 penny (1918 was not found), a plate of butter tarts, a folder of photos and text about a Maitland Trail hike (many of the people in the photos were present). Suzanne and Andrew Forster arranged this Open House to honour their father, and a granddaughter played ‘Happy Birthday’ for all to sing. The room was alive with conversations about hiking (hikers were supplemented by neighbours, friends, family, and caregivers). Jim Forster has been an avid hiker and a generous supporter of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. But more – he has been a good advertisement for the kind of people one meets while hiking, and the kind of close friendships the Trail inspires.
The Footnotes team dug these photos out of the archives... from 20 years ago These photos previously appeared in the Winter 1998-1999 Footnotes Photos: Dave Cowtan
Some hikers get only a badge...
The young James Forster received a congratulatory kiss from then- TBTC Trail Maintenance Director Maureen Smith to mark the moment when he completed hiking the Bruce Trail end-to-end, in August 1998.
Friends joined Jim in celebrating with champagne at Swiss Meadows, outside Collingwood, after he completed the final leg of a long series of hikes.
e-mail: [email protected] Winter 2018 23 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
We’ll take you off the beaten path.
We offer hiking tours! Hiking in Scotland – 9 dayS Departs: September 27, 2019 Hiking in WaleS – 13 dayS Departs: May 30, 2019 let us create a customized tour
71 Mount Hope Street, Lindsay for your hiking group! Ontario, Canada K9V 5N5 For information on our hiking tours contact our office Registration#s or your local travel professional. 50009376 & 50009377 1-866-967-9910 • denuretours.com/hiking
24 Winter 2018