HI-LAND VIEWS Spring 2016

Editors: Larry Haskell and Tony Hopkins

President’s Report by Carl Alexander

Last year was full of Club activities that were first volunteers and club members shared a fun celebration class. at the Mono Centre Community Centre afterwards.

2015 was the 50th anniversary of our Club's September 14/15/16 2016, the Dufferin Hi-Land club formation. In 1965, the bulk of the Dufferin section of hosts the Bruce Trail Conservancy Annual General the trail was on roads. Today, through the generosity Meeting in Mono Centre. A hard working committee of supportive landowners, Bruce Trail Conservancy is planning an enjoyable informal wine and cheese acquisitions and Provincial Parks, most of the trail Friday evening. On Saturday afternoon there will be takes us through untouched forests, along streams and tours of local unique attractions followed by a social farmlands, over rocks and scenic vistas of the Niagara hour and dinner. Do not miss this opportunity to Escarpment. participate. You will not be disappointed or bored!

A 50K Challenge Hike from Dufferin County Road 21 It is a privilege to be your Club President. Our Board to Mono Centre was organized to recognize our Club's and volunteers are amazing in their professionalism anniversary. For less adventuresome hikers a series of and their endless hours of work. I invite you to show self-directed hikes totaling 50K were also your continued appreciation by enjoying the superb available. This event was a huge success. Participants, trail and participating in Club activities.

BTC AGM Sponsored by the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club Friday September 16, 17 and 18th, 2016

The 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Bruce Trail Conservancy is shaping up to be one of the best ever! From Live entertainment on Friday night with a cash bar; Saturday workshops to include such diversity as wood carving, farm tours, beekeeping, equestrian, speakers; environmental walks; wonderfully catered meals, a silent auction; and on Sunday, a variety of hikes.

There will be lots of interesting things to participate in. Over the weekend, there will be lots of opportunities to help out with tasks that will take just a few hours of your time: silent auction helpers, door helpers, table and chair arrangers, people organizers etc . There will also be opportunities to bake muffins, prepare cheese trays or snacks. Information will follow on specific tasks. With everyone doing a small bit, we will have everything we need!

We are now collecting items for the Silent Auction. Please consider what talents you may have to offer up for auction! Dinner preparations, lawn and gardening care, gift baskets, boating lessons, moonlight champagne dinners.....dream it and offer it up! Use your contacts to have items/events donated. If you are approaching a business in town to ask for a donation, please contact me to make sure that that this vendor has not already been approached.

Please contact Carol Foley at [email protected] or or 519-942-6488 or Donna Powell, 905-838-1862 Anatomy of a Hike: Among the Zapatecas in Mexico’s Sierra Norte Mountains

A hike is a hike is a hike. Right? Of course not. standards, but the Sierra Norte isn’t the Niagara Anyone reading this publication will know there are as Escarpment. In total, we climbed 4,215 metres and many types of hikes as there are models of hiking descended 5,175. Put it this way, when we arrived at boots. There are day hikes and overnight hikes and our destination each afternoon, we were ready to long distance hikes. There are mountain hikes and unlace our boots and shed our packs.At night, clean, valley hikes, inter-tidal hikes and smell-the-roses well-appointed cabins with crisp white sheets and a hot hikes. There are pilgrimages, rambles, tramps, treks, shower awaited, as did hearty Mexican meals made strolls; and the occasional slog. with local produce. The cooks joked as they turned out a seemingly endless supply of steaming homemade corn tortillas and large pitchers of fresh natural juice—my favourite was cucumber and guava. In La Neveria, Josephina concocted a watercress frittata that would have passed muster at the best Canadian restaurant. At higher altitudes, the cabins had wood- burning fireplaces that removed the chill as we tucked thick wool blankets under our chins.

All good, but as anyone who has hiked above a certain altitude knows, a slope that would normally go unnoticed can make one’s heart race. For the first three days, we remained at about 3,000 metres and I felt as though the fat circus lady’s legs had been transplanted I like just about any hike, but my favourite is usually onto my hips. We were lucky to cover three kilometers the one that I am currently hiking. And so it was in in an hour. Then we dropped down to nearer 2,000 mid-February, when my partner Alex and I set out for metres. Suddenly, I was bursting with energy. Those a seven-day, village-to-village “caminata” among the fat legs had been replaced by Secretariat’s. I savoured indigenous Zapatecas in the Sierra Norte mountains in the combined effects of increased oxygen and being southern Mexico. Hiking in Mexico, you say? Yup, hike-ready. Much as I’d loved the thin, crisp mountain you heard right. We hiked in Mexico and we weren’t air, I reveled in the mounting humidity as the robbed by bandits, stung by scorpions or kidnapped by temperature climbed above 20 degrees. The stones that drug lords. Just the opposite. had weighed down my pack turned to feathers, and we congratulated ourselves for electing to carry our gear Starting at over 3,100 metres (about 11,000 feet) in the rather than have it transported (an option on offer). village of Llano Plano, the route eventually took us down to about 2,000 metres in San Miguel de Amatlán. The pine, spruce and oak forest gave way to foreign- Along the way, we spent nights in Cuajimoloyas, looking hardwoods. Bromeliads, cacti and orchids Benito Juarez, La Neveria and Latuvi. The general clung to their hosts forming complete branch-top direction may have been downhill, but don’t be fooled. gardens. Each day we had a new guide who told us The route was up and down, providing us with about the flora and fauna. We began to better spectacular vistas of layered green mountains, strolls understand their Spanish, a relief since we hadn’t taken alongside working farms; and walks near clear streams advantage of the offer of a translator. If a plant didn’t where the dappled sun illuminated the rainbow hue of have a medicinal use, it had a clever name. All the the resident trout. At times, the scent of pine resin birds seemed to be brilliantly coloured—but what made us wonder if we were back in Canada. In all, we would one expect in an area with more than 400 covered 73.7 kilometres—for an average of 10.5 species of birds, 350 different butterflies and more kilometres per day. No distance by Bruce Trail than 2,000 types of plants. So rich is the population of mushrooms that they hold a mushroom festival each year in August.

Our favourite guide was Memo. He happily shared his stories and was delighted to teach us a few Zapateca words as we walked the 12.6-kilometre route between La Neveria and Latuvi. Upon arriving in Latuvi, Memo joined us for a meal and then walked all the way back home—a good day’s exercise for anyone, but Memo was 74 and this was his third round trip in as many days.

Our guides, cooks, waiters and housekeepers were all volunteers. In the Zapateca way, they must complete three, one-year terms of voluntary community service. More information In return, they receive land and standing in the Read more about hiking in the Sierra Norte by community. This unpaid labour made the eco-tourism checking out Nicola’s blog Dusty Travelling at project, of which our hike was part, highly economical. www.blog.nicolaross.ca. You will find details about Each of the villages shared the eco-project’s revenue hiking in the Sierra Norte including the cost and other and the benefits were obvious: clean streets, new arrangements at (Info on Hiking Sierra Norte). You schools, tidy medical clinics and covered basketball can also contact Nicola at [email protected]. courts. Nicola Ross is a prize-winning author of five books For us, this adventure was a perfect blend of including the hiking guide: Caledon Hikes: Loops & wilderness and rural. One morning, Alex had to pinch Lattes. Later this year, look for her new guide: Halton himself because the lane where we walked might have Hikes: Mostly Loops & More Lattes. In addition to been in England where he was born—until that is, he writing about hiking and other travel adventures, spied Mexico’s “flag” bird: the red, white and green Nicola leads day hikes in the Caledon area. Visit her trogon. We walked for five kilometers through a website at nicolaross.ca. mystical forest of oak trees draped in Spanish moss that flowed in the breeze. Near metre-long, snake-like cacti populated a rock face, and delicate peach blossoms heralded the arrival of spring. We dropped Notice of Annual General Meeting into incised river valleys where the sun peeked through trees too tall by half and we seemed centuries apart The Annual General Meeting of the Dufferin Hi- from what was happening out there. Then we’d come Land Bruce Trail Club will be held on Saturday, upon a small farm where a question about sheep or the April 30, 2016, at the MULMUR MUNICIPAL difficulties of ploughing with bulls would transform a OFFICE in TERRA NOVA in Mulmur Township. stern Zapateco farmer into our best friend. The meeting will start at 9:30 AM. Coffee and cookies available. We had nature. We had culture. And the morning we soared with vultures on a kilometre-long zip-line, we Nominations for the club board for 2016-2017 are had adventure too—thereby demonstrating that a hike open. Please contact Tony Hopkins for more is not just a hike when it’s a “caminata” in Mexico’s information. S i e r r a N o r t e . Spring and Summer 2016 Weekend Hike Schedule

Visit http://dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/events/category/general-hikes/ for changes and additional hikes. In the event of extreme winter weather, please contact the hike leader before setting out.

All km trail references are to Edition 28 of the Bruce Trail Maps and Trail Guide.

Hike Rating Criteria:

Pace: Leisurely, 3 km/h or less Medium, 3 to 4 km/h

Brisk, 4 to 5 km/h Fast, 5+ km/h

Terrain: Easy– Mostly flat and usually good footing

Moderate– Some hills or some poor footing or both

Strenuous– Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing

Friday, April 1, 9:30 am-12:30 pm – Annual April Saturday, April 9, 8:30 am-3:00 pm: Quadzilla Fool's Tim Horton's Hike Series, Hike 2 of 4 - 4,500M of Climb Over 96K Orangeville. Pace: Leisurely; Terrain: Easy; Distance: Approx 5-6km. We will meet at the TIM HORTON'S Caledon Hills section, Map 18. Loop hike. Pace: near the LCBO on Broadway just west of Highway 10. Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: 24km. While we We will car pool to the west end, then hike back, cover only 24 km at a moderate pace each day, this visiting as many of the 5.5 Timmy’s in Orangeville as STRENUOUS terrain series covers many steep grades the weather allows. Coffee usually provided by O'ville found along the Hockley Valley trails. The series is Tim's franchisee. Best pit stops on the Bruce designed for experienced hikers wanting a head start guaranteed! Contact: Tony Hopkins, Leader of Fools, to their season. Depart from parking lot at km 53.0 on [email protected] or 519-942-1038 5th Line EHS just south of Hockley Road, west of Airport Road. No dropouts. No badge, just Saturday, April 2, 8:30 am-3:00 pm: Quadzilla sat i sfaction! Leader: T ristan Goguen Series, Hike 1 of 4: 4,500 M of Climb Over 96K [email protected] or 416-250-5600, x205 Caledon Hills section, Map 18. Loop hike. Pace: Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: 24km. While we Saturday, April 16, 8:30 am-3:00 pm: Quadzilla cover only 24km at a moderate pace each day, this Series, Hike 3 of 4 - 4,500M of climb over 96K STRENUOUS terrain series covers many steep grades Caledon Hills section, Map 18. Loop hike. Pace: found along the Hockley Valley trails. The series is Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: 24km. While we designed for experienced hikers wanting a head start cover only 24km at a moderate pace each day, this to their season. Depart from parking lot at km 53.0 on STRENUOUS terrain series covers many steep grades 5th Line EHS just south of Hockley Road, west of found along the Hockley Valley trails. The series is Airport Road. No dropouts. No badge, just designed for experienced hikers wanting a head start satisfaction! Leader: T ristan Goguen to their season. Depart from parking lot at km 53.0 on [email protected] or 416-250-5600, x205 5th Line EHS just south of Hockley Road, west of Sunday, April 3, 10 am–12:30 pm: Hockley Valley Airport Road. No dropouts. No badge, just Nature Reserve Caledon Hills section, Map 18. Loop satisfaction! Leader: T rist a n Goguen hike. Pace: Medium; Terrain: Moderate; Distance: [email protected] or 416-250-5600, x205 6km. Meet at the parking lot on the north side of Hockley Rd, 250m east of the main trail crossing. Take Airport Rd 7km north of Hwy 9, then west 6km on Hockley Rd to parking area. We will explore the loop trail and lake. Some hills. Bring snacks and drinks. Leader: David Francis 905-936-4446 or cell phone on day of hike 416-579-5432. Saturday, April 23, 8:30 am-3:00 pm: Quadzilla Rd, Dorothy Medhurst and Ring Kiln Side Trails, then Series, Hike 4 of 4 - 4,500M of Climb Over 96K ending with a final climb up Devil's Pulpit. Pub stop Caledon section, Hockley Valley, Map 18. Loop hike. t o f o l l o w . L e a d e r : G i l l e s G a g n o n Pace: Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: 24 km. The [email protected] or 289-237-5663 series is designed for experienced hikers wanting a head start to their season. Depart from parking lot at Sunday May 1, 10 am–12:30 pm: Tottenham km 53.0 on 5th Line EHS just south of Hockley Road, Forest Tottenham area. Loop hike. Pace: Medium; west of Airport Road. No dropouts. No badge, just Terrain: Easy to Moderate. Distance: 6 km. From Hwy satisfact i on! Leader: T ristan Goguen 9 take Tottenham Road north for 1.4km. Turn east [email protected] or 416-250-5600, x205 onto 2nd Line, drive 270m east to road side parking on the south side of the road just east of the railway Saturday April 23, 9:30 am–3:00 pm: Humber tracks. We will explore the loop trail. One steep hill. Valley Trail Bring snacks and drinks. Leader: David Francis 905- Humber Valley. Car shuttle. Pace: Medium; Terrain: 936-4446, cell phone on day of hike 416-579-5432 Easy to Moderate; Distance: 15.5km or 8km. Meet at Dick’s Dam Park in downtown Bolton. From the Saturday, May 7, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Grand Valley intersection of King and Queen Streets in Bolton,, Trail - Elora to West Montrose proceed north on Queen St. about 300m to Hickman Car shuttle. Pace: Medium to Brisk; Terrain: Easy to Street and turn left/west, then right/north on Glasgow Moderate; Distance: 18.5km. Meet in the parking area Road and watch for the Park on the left in 200m. We of Ontario’s only covered bridge at West Montrose. will car pool to the start of the hike, leaving cars at a From Orangeville follow County Rd 3, which becomes drop out point. This is an interesting hike through a County Rd 18 through Fergus to Elora, where the road variety of terrain with only modest hills. Bring water, becomes County Rd 21, which becomes County Rd. a lunch, possibly rain gear and suitable footwear as it 23, to Hwy 86. Turn right at Hwy 86 and follow signs may be muddy. Well behaved dogs are to Covered Bridge. We will car pool back to Elora. welcome. Leader: Bob Slack [email protected] or Bring lunch, water. Pub stop to follow. Leaders: 519-942-8608, cell 416-571-1939 Bryan and Carol Foley [email protected] or 519-942-6488 Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am–12:00 pm: Mono Cliffs Sunday, May 8, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Blue Mountains Dufferin Hi-Land section, Map 19. Loop Hike. End-to-End, Hike 1 of 4 Pace: Medium; Terrain: Easy to Moderate: Distance: Blue Mountains section, Maps 24 and 23. Car shuttle. 11 km. Meet at 9:00 am at roadside parking at end of Pace: Medium to Brisk; Terrain: Moderate to 2nd Line EHS, 2km north of Mono Centre (just west of Strenuous; Distance: 20.6km. Meet at John Haigh side km 3.1). We will hike north into Mono Cliffs trail parking on 6th Sideroad east of 4th Line. From Provincial Park to km 3.6, then west on McCarston’s Hwy 10, turn north at Dundalk onto County Rd 2. Lake Side Trail to the main trail at km 6.6, continuing Continue north to County Rd 19, then east to 4th Line. west and north to km 9.6, then turning east for some Turn south, then east onto 6th Sideroad. Parking is at road walking on 25 Sideroad to Walter Tovell Side the intersection with 2nd Line. We will car pool back Trail and back to the parking area. Leader: Diane to km 66.0 at Swiss Meadows, then hike the main trail Breukelman [email protected] or 519- back to km 54.2, where there is a possible drop-out. 278-4747 The hike will continue following the Petun, Russ McConnell and John Haigh Side Trails, along with Saturday, April 30th, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Caledon short stretches of main trails. Bring lunch, snacks and Side Trail Series, Hike 1 of 5 water etc. Well-mannered dogs welcome. Leaders: Pat Caledon Hills section, Map 14, Pace: Brisk; Terrain: Foley [email protected] or 416-578 3772; Tristan Moderate to Strenuous; Distance: 15km. In this series Goguen [email protected] of hikes, we'll hike most of the side trails linking into and looping around the Caledon Hills section, over a series of 5 hikes ranging from 16 to 19 km. Meet at km 6.5 roadside parking. From Hwy 10, take Grange Sideroad west for about 4.5km to roadside parking at the intersection of the Grange Sideroad and Creditview Rd. We will car pool to the Olde Baseline Rd Side Trail. From there, we'll follow the main trail, taking in the Cheltenham Badlands and the McLaren Saturday, May 28, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Caledon Side Sunday, June 12, 9:00 am–2:00 pm – Blue Trail Series, Hike 2 of 5 Mountains End-to-End, Hike 3 of 4 Caledon Hills section, Map 15. Loop hike. Pace: Brisk; Blue Mountains section, Map 22. Car shuttle. Pace: Terrain: Moderate; Distance: 17 km. Meet at Forks of Medium to Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: the Credit Provincial Park parking off McLaren Rd. 17.4km. Meet at Nottawasaga Bluffs parking at km Parking Fees apply. From Hwy 10 in Caledon Village, 20.4 on 15/16 Sideroad Nottawasaga. From County Rd take County Rd 24 west to McLaren Rd. Turn left and 124 in Singhampton, turn east on Mill Town Road to continue for approx 1.5km to the entrance of the Ewing Road. Continue east to 17/18 Sideroad, then Provincial Park parking. We will loop through the park, south on Concession 10 South and east on 15/16 taking in the Meadow, TransCanada, Quarryman's, Sideroad to parking area on south side of the road. We Trimble, Crow's Nest, and Dorothy Medhurst Side will car pool back to km 37.4. Bring lunch, snacks and Trails. Pub stop follows. Leader: Gilles water. Well-mannered dogs welcome. Leaders: Pat Gagnon [email protected] or 289-237-5663 Foley [email protected] or 416-578 3772; Tristan Goguen [email protected] Saturday, June 4, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Blue Mountains End-to-End, Hike 2 of 4 Saturday, June 25, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Caledon Side Blue Mountains Section, Maps 23 and 22. Car shuttle. Trail Series, Hike 3 of 5 Pace: Medium to Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: Caledon Hills section, Map 17. Car shuttle. Pace: 16.4km. Meet at roadside parking at km 37.8 on 26/27 Brisk; Terrain: Moderate; Distance: 19km. Meet at the Sideroad Nottawasaga, east of Osprey/Clearview 7th Line Parking Access Trail just off km 44.4. From Townline. From Singhampton, where County Rd 124 Hwy 9 take Airport Rd (County Rd 18) north. Turn turns east, continue north on Osprey/Clearview right on 7th Line. The parking is on the right side just Townline. Turn right/east on 26/27 Sideroad and drive after turning onto 7th Line. We will car pool to the approximately 1.5 km. Park at the top of the hill, where Palgrave Conservation Area on Hwy 50 and hike the the trail crosses the road. We will car pool back to Palgrave and Glen Haffy Side Trails back to km 44.4. parking on John Haigh Side Trail, near km 54.2. Bring Pub stop to follow. Leader: Gilles Gagnon lunch, snacks and water. Well-mannered dogs [email protected] or 289-237-5663 (Hikes 4 welcome. Leaders: Pat Foley [email protected] or 416- and 5 will be held on Sept 24 and Oct 15. See DHBTC 578 3772; Tristan Goguen [email protected] website or Fall newsletter for details)

Saturday, June 4, 9:00 am–12:30 pm: Hockley Sunday, June 26, 9:00 am–2:00 pm: Blue Mountains Valley End-to-End, Hike 4 of 4 Caledon Hills section, Map 18. Car shuttle. Pace: Blue Mountains section, Maps 21 and 22. Car shuttle. Medium; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: 9km. Meet at Pace: Medium to Brisk; Terrain: Strenuous; Distance: the parking lot for the Hockley Road Side Trail near km 20.9km. Meet at roadside parking on Mulmur- 61.6 on the north side of Hockley Road. We will car Nottawasaga Townline beside the Lavender cemetery. pool to the roadside parking on 5th Line EHS near km From Hwy 124, turn right/east on Dufferin Rd 21. Turn 53.0, then hike the main trail back to km 61.6 and back left/north on Centre Rd, then right/east onto Mulmur- to Hockley Road parking area. This is a very hilly Nottawasaga Townline. Parking is .5 km east. We will section – be prepared for a lot of up and down hiking! car pool back to Nottawasaga Bluffs (km 20.4). Bring L e a d e r : D i a n e B r e u k e l m a n lunch, snacks and water. Well-mannered dogs are [email protected] or 519-278-4747 welcome. Leaders: Pat Foley [email protected] or 416- 578 3772; Tristan Goguen [email protected] Sunday June 5, 10:00 am–1:00 pm: Earl Rowe Provincial Park Alliston area. Loop hike. Pace: Medium; Terrain: Moderate; Distance: 8km. Meet in the Alliston, McDonalds parking lot on Hwy 89 opposite Canadian Tire. We will explore the loop trail and lake. One steep hill. Bring snacks and drinks. Leader: David Francis 905-936-4446, cell phone on day of hike 416-579-5432 Friday, July 1, 1:00–4:00 pm: Dufferin Hi-Land Saturday, July 16, 10:30 am–4:30 pm: Killbear Scavenger/Trivia Canada Day Hike (Pre-registration Provincial Park Hike and Swim required) Parry Sound area. Loop hike. Pace: Medium; Terrain: Dufferin Hi-Land section, Map 19. Pace: Set your own. Moderate: Distance: TBD. Meet at Killbear Visitor Terrain: Moderate; Distance: TBD, approx 3 hours. Centre. Day Use fees apply. Bring lunch, water and Come out and test your knowledge of Canadian and bathing suit. Stay for bonfire. Leader: Frieda Baldwin Bruce Trail Trivia. Meet at the north end of 2nd Line, 705-245-1005 before June 24, or msg Naurice Baldwin 1.5 km north of Mono Centre, close to km 3.1. Bring 705-529-5921 thereafter. snacks and water. Pre-registration required by June 24. Limit of 25 participants. Prizes! Contact Bryan or Carol Sunday, August 7, 9:30 am–12:30 pm: Boyne Valley Foley [email protected] or 519-942-6488 Dufferin Hi-Land Section, Map 20. Loop hike. Pace: Medium; Terrain: Moderate; Distance: 10.6 or 6.3km. Saturday, July 9, 9:30 am–12:30 pm: Glen Haffy Meet at roadside parking on the east side of Dufferin Hike and Swim Rd 19, approx 1.2km north of Hwy 10 and 89 Caledon Hills section, Map 17. Loop hike. Pace: (Primrose), where the Primrose Side Trail crosses at the Medium; Terrain: Moderate; Distance 10.2km. Meet at bend. We will complete the Boyne Valley and Primrose km 37.4 on Coolihans Sideroad where the trail crosses Side Trail loops. Option to complete both (10.6km) or the road. From Airport Rd, turn right/east and drive just the Boyne (6.3km). Bring water and snacks. Well- approx 1.5 km. Roadside parking is just west of Glenn mannered dogs welcome. Leader: Helen Bailey Haffy Rd. We will hike north through Glen Haffy [email protected] or 289-231-4566 Conservation Area crossing Hwy 9 and then return via the Glen Haffy Side Trail. Bring water and snacks. Well-mannered dogs welcome . After the hike, hikers are invited for a swim in the hike leader’s pool. Please bring towel and swim suits! Leader: Helen Bailey [email protected] or 289-231-4566

From the Club Archivist A number of people have asked what is considered archival material? An archive is the accumulation of historical records, documents, photos showing the function and events of an organization. In this case I am laying down a footprint of the Dufferin Hi-Land BTC.

In our archives are minutes of executive meetings, the reports submitted by directors of the executive overseeing the various portfolios as well as the annual general meeting and other events involving our club, for example, the Coyote Run , annual end to end hike and so on. I retain newspaper articles pertaining to the club. I do my best to attend and photograph as many of these events as possible. I cannot be at all events so please feel free to pass on or e-mail me photos of hikes, Tuesday hikers or any article you come across pertaining to our club, award ceremonies and the like.

I am endeavouring to compile a complete set of BTC guide books for the archives and especially need editions 2 through 12. Used book stores and cottage book shelves are sources and if you would be willing to donate any finds I would be grateful. Thanks to Rick McCoy, Pat Foley and Georgina Shelton for recent donations.

Bryan Foley Tuesday hikes Spring and Summer 2016

Les Babbage 416-763-8854 or [email protected] Glenys Williams 519-925-5406 and James Griffin 705-434-9316 or [email protected] For all hikes bring water, a snack, insect repellant and sun screen. Dress for the weather.

N.B. There are no scheduled Tuesday hikes in July and August.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Tuesday, June 7, 2016 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Dufferin Hi-Land Section approx. 7 km. Pace Sydenham Section, approx. 8.5 km Pace leisurely, leisurely, terrain easy/moderate. We will hike on terrain moderate. We will hike the area south of some of the side trails in Mono Cliffs Provincial Woodford including the newly acquired Silent Valley Park. We will meet at Mono Centre Community Nature Reserve, the Avalanche Pass and Wilson Centre parking lot. Map 19 Homestead side trails. Meet at Pete's parking lot, Tuesday, May 10, 2016 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Hwys 10 and 89 at 8:30 am or Woodford Community Dufferin Hi-Land Section 8.2 km. Pace leisurely, Centre on Hwy. 26 at 9:45 am. Map 30. BRING terrain moderate/strenuous. We will hike The LUNCH Primrose Loop and Boyne Valley side trail. We will Tuesday, June 14, 2016 8:30 am to 3:00 pm meet at Pete's Donuts, Hwys 89 & 10. Map 20 Beaver Valley Section, 9.3 km. Pace leisurely, terrain Tuesday, May 16-18, 2016 moderate/strenuous. We will hike the west side of the Peninsula Section. We will be staying in Lion's Head Beaver Valley from 12th Concession to Hogg's Falls. for two nights. We will hike several trails in the area Meet at Pete's parking lot Hwys 10 and 89. at 8:30 or including Malcolm Bluff on the way up on May 16. Hogg's Falls at 9:15 am. Follow the signs north off For details contact hike leaders. Hwy 4, approx. 2 km east of Flesherton. Map 26 Maps 36 and 38 BRING LUNCH Tuesday, May 24, 2016 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Tuesday, June 21, 2016 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Caledon Section. 6.8 km. Pace leisurely, terrain Blue Mountain Section, 6.2 km. Pace leisurely, moderate/strenuous. We will hike the Glen Cross, terrain easy/moderate. We will hike from Lavender Isabel East and Snell side trails. Meet at parking lot through the Noisy River Nature Reserve. Meet at on Hockley Road 300 metres east of main trail at km Pete's parking lot, Hwys 10 and 89 at 9:00am or at 61.6. Map 18 Lavender Cemetery .5 km east of Lavender on the Tuesday, May 31, 2016 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Mulmur/Nottawasaga Townline at 9:30 am Map 21. Toronto Section 8.5 km. Pace leisurely, terrain Tuesday, June 28, 2016 8.:00 am to 3:00 pm moderate. We will hike through the Silver Creek Iroquoia Section, approx. 10 km (could be shortened Conservation Area, including various side trails. according to conditions). Pace leisurely, terrain Meet at Home Hardware parking lot on Hwy. 10 in moderate/strenuous. We will hike from the Calcium Orangeville for car pooling at 9:00 am or at km 38.5 Pits near Twiss Road, through Crawford Lake on the 10th Side Road east of Winston Churchill Conservation Area to Rattlesnake Point. Meet at Blvd. and south of County Road 42 at 9:45 am. Map Home Hardware parking lot on highway 10 in 14. BRING LUNCH Orangeville at 8:00 am or Rattlesnake Point 5.5 km south of Campbellville Road on Appleby Line (watch for the signs) at 9.15 am . Map 11 BRING LUNCH

Volunteers Needed! The Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club needs volunteers to help with the planting of trees on Thursday, May 5, 2016. If you can help, please reply to Brian Cornfield, Land Steward Director at [email protected] th 10 Anniversary Tuesday hikes

On February 21, 2006 at 9.30 am a small group of drifts obliterating the trail. However, the group still felt hikers assembled at km 00 in Mono Centre for the first they were deserving of the delicious and copious of the Dufferin Hi-Land Tuesday hikes. Spearheaded quantities of home made soup, provided by Carl and by Ralph Tremills a group of not so young hikers had Lynda. A big thank you to Sue, Carl and Lynda for decided that a midweek hike would keep the group out their hospitality. of mischief, while offering the benefit of enjoying the At approximately 12.30 pm on March 3rd we completed beauty of the Bruce Trail and getting some exercise. the end to end and yes, we did finish at the crossroads in Lavender. As anyone who has organised a hike It was stipulated that the hikes would generally be of a knows, it needs a team effort if it is to go smoothly. In less taxing nature than the week-end hikes though from this regard many members, too many to list, deserve time to time this has been disputed. thanks for their help in such things as car pooling, shuttling, sweeping etc. To inaugurate the hikes it was decided that we should first do the entire Dufferin Hi-Land trail. It being In addition to the regular hikes, from time to time winter, it was deemed advisable to spread this out over extended Tuesday hikes have been offered on trails 8 weeks rather than do it all in one day. In any case we other than the Bruce Trail with trips to Algonquin and needed to leave a challenge for the summer week- Killarney Provincial parks, Manitoulin, Flower Pot enders. Thus began the Tuesday hikes with only July Island, Niagara Gorge and Grand Manan in New and August not having scheduled hikes. Generally Brunswick. Thanks to Jim and Sue Preyde and hikers were not keen on emulating “mad dogs and Georgina and Ian Shelton who organized these events, Englishmen going out in the mid-day sun.” a great time was had by all and many trails and sights were new to most of us. Why Tuesdays? Well, week-ends were out, obviously. Ralph Tremills and Glenys Williams deserve special Having consulted the auguries and the alignment of the mention for all their help in organizing and planning stars it became obvious that Tuesdays had the best the hikes for the past 10 years. Also we are fortunate to chance of good weather. 400 plus hikes later this has have Les Babbage, the DHBTC Trail Director, on our indeed been proved correct and very few hikes have masthead giving sage advice and making sure I go in actually had to be cancelled. We have covered many the right direction. You would be surprised how many kilometres of the Bruce Trail from Niagara to the blazes I miss! Peninsula, though concentrating on the trails close to New members are of course always welcome, so sign home with a steady turn out of 12 to 20 hikers, new up soon and beat the rush before the next 10 years go members joining us while others have moved away. by. The 10th anniversary called for another end to end to celebrate the event. Instead of doing it in 8 weeks it was spread over 9 for 3 reasons. a) we started in January, thus the hikes would all be in wintry conditions b) the trail is now approximately 3.5 km longer c) the ravages of time. As far as a) was concerned we almost never needed snowshoes, and driving was never really a problem. Socializing after a hike is always a pleasant time and on the anniversary end to end was no exception. After the 2nd leg of the series Sue Bate, a recent addition to our group and whose house is virtually on the trail, very kindly offered us sustenance at the end of the hike. This included pieces of wonderful 10th Anniversary cake baked specially for the occasion and washed down by the world's best coffee. Not to be outdone, 6 weeks later Carl Alexander and Lynda, whose house is also near the trail, threw their doors open to the group after the Black Bank Challenge. For the first time on this annual pilgrimage James Griffin there was no challenge in the form of 10 foot snow Comfortable Hiking Holidays Land Stewardship Director 1(866)449-1908 My name is Brian Cornfield and I am the Land Steward [email protected] www.letshike.com Director for the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club.

I have enjoyed hiking on the Bruce Trail since 2004. In my position as Land Steward Director I supervise and assist the Land Stewards in their duties as stewards of CORFU, GREECE eight properties totalling 400 acres in the Dufferin May 9 to 21, 2106 section of the Bruce Trail. This Greek island is the perfect combination of European flare I have helped plant hundreds of trees, installed bluebird and tranquil sea-side living. Hike to the heavens to visit holy houses and helped to remove an invasive species monasteries and trek in shade of ancient olive groves. We promise – you will never tire of the deep, deep blue of the sea known as Garlic Mustard. I also assist with trail that surrounds you. Opa! maintenance, chainsawing of trees and regularly participate with the Tuesday hiking group.

IRELAND I grew up on a farm in Mulmur Township a short 1 spot available for lady to share distance from several of the Bruce Trail properties and June 7 to 17, 2016 enjoy returning to my home area to hike and to maintain the Bruce Trail and it's properties. With more shades of green than you can imagine, the Emerald Isle lives up to its deserving reputation. From For me the Bruce Trail means great hiking, excellent historical Dublin to picturesque Killarney & parts in between, we will take you hiking through some of the most sought-after scenery and awesome friends. scenery the country has to offer - and we'll even make a few pub stops along the way! SLOVENIJA Only 2 spots left!

July 15 to 25, 2016

Slovenija, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, is a country of amazingly unspoiled beauty. Our program includes hikes behind the thundering Slap Pericnik waterfall, through Vintgar Gorge gushing with white water, on the slopes of & Mt. Triglav, and around the glacier-fed Lake Bohinj. Home base for the entire holiday will be the fairy-tale setting of Bled. TURKEY

October 15 to 26, 2016 NEW ZEALAND 1 spot for gentleman to share

November 8 to 27, 2016

Enjoy a full itinerary of hiking & sightseeing through the North and South Islands, including Tongariro Crossing, the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk & the Milford Track.

TICO # 50018498 New Friendship Trail Foxingham Farm Bed & Opening – Bibbulmun Breakfast Track – Australia

Please join us on May 28th, at the official opening of the Bibbulmun Track Friendship Trail on the Bruce Trail in the Dufferin Hi-Land Club section. The Friendship Trail will be a loop starting at the BTC Parking Lot 1st Line East, Mulmur Township, km 29.4 BT Reference Guide Edition 28, the hike will follow the Main Trail to the second junction of the Oliver Creek Side Trail, looping back to the parking lot along the Moss Haven side trail. The hike is approximately 7 km. W e will meet at the parking lot at 9:30am.

A bagged lunch will be provided at the Friendship Trail opening. To register for the hike, or for more information, please contact Jackie Randle at [email protected] or by phone at 905-525- 1978. Preregistration by the Monday before the event is required to receive a complimentary lunch. CATERING TO BRUCE TRAIL HIKERS,

The Bibbulmun Track in W estern Australia stretches CONVENIENTLY LOCATED, HEARTY BREAKFASTS, TRANSPORTATION CAN BE ARRANGED 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. From 648157 County Road 17, Mulmur, ON (across from Mansfield Ski Club) karri forest to coastal heathlands the Track traverses some of the most beautiful and wild areas of the south Terra Nova Inn and Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant minutes away as is the west of Australia which is one of the world’s biodiversity village of Creemore hotspots. Passing through nine rural towns and many popular scenic spots, walkers can enjoy day walks and https://www.facebook.com/FoxinghamFarmBB the hospitality of local accommodation or embark on a six to eight week hike from end-to-end. The Track is e-mail [email protected] for walkers only with 49 campsites spaced a day's tel 705 434 1367 705 440 3298 walk apart.

Each campsite has a three-sided timber shelter, dunny (toilet), rainwater tank, picnic tables and tent sites. You c a n f i n d a w e a l t h o f i n f o r m a t i o n a t www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au

Hi-Land Views is published three times annually. The deadline for the next issue is July 15, 2016.

Submissions are welcomed to either of the editors.

Photos should be clear and of good resolution.

Articles should be submitted unformatted, single spaced, either in text or Rich Text format. Trail Director’s Report

I suppose the Dufferin Trails Division – or at least it’s Even that one measly little step makes a huge difference Director – should be embarrassed to give an annual when the treadway is wet or icy. report, as, at least on the surface, we did very little last year. As always, I would like to thank all the hikers who provided me with trail reports, the various hiking groups We built one short new Side Trail and one much shorter who not only reported back to me, but fixed problems Main Trail reroute. We replaced one short bridge and an they found on the trail, the Trail Captains who patrolled even shorter boardwalk. We replaced one section of and worked on their sections, and the six (yes, only six) sidelogging and rebuilt one other section. We built one trail workers who helped me with various projects. bench. And we added one step. That seems kind of pathetic. The bulk of our efforts went into trail maintenance. This unglamorous pursuit was vital, as our Club celebrated But the new Side Trail is really beautiful, and doesn’t our 50th anniversary with a well attended 50 K Challenge seem nearly so short when walked in both directions. and six day End 2 End in the spring, a hugely successful The Main Trail reroute is not just a nicer trail, it avoids two day End 2 End hike in the fall, and the ongoing two hazardous trees. And although the old bridge and Highlight Hikes. Another wet season made for a lot of boardwalk still had some life left, I was getting tired of grass cutting and lopping. And, oh yeah, we chain sawed constantly monitoring them and replacing boards. The a bunch of trees. new sidelogging is a vast improvement over what we replaced and rebuilt. The new bench is a great addition Carl Tafel as it is situated in a perfect spot along Oliver Creek. Hike Director’s Report

Our annual Winter Badge Hike series attracted 20- If, on the other hand, you just want to experience 30 participants to each of the events. Despite the the hills and streams of the Boyne Valley, consider lack of snow on most hikes, participants enjoyed the taking the 20 K Challenge. Yes, the Challenge is hills of Dufferin on their icers and were rewarded back after taking a year off to make way for the 50 with a full moon for most of the first full moon K Challenge. Registration information for both hike. events is available on the DHBTC website.

Congratulations to the Tuesday hike group on If you are interested in becoming a hike leader or if completing 10 years of successful Tuesday hikes. you are a sweep who would like to learn more about To celebrate, the group replicated its initial hike hike situation management, consider completing series, an end-to-end of the Dufferin Hi-Land Hike Ontario certification training. This is a one day section. Best wishes for the next decade of Tuesday program that requires some hiking experience, but hiking! no formal requirements. Contact me if you would like more information on upcoming programs and Looking ahead, we are anticipating a busy spring. club support. After two years of fighting cold and snow in late October, our 2 Day End-to-End event moves to the May 14-15 weekend. If you are looking for a challenging way to explore our section, this is the L e s B a b b a g e , H i k e D i r e c t o r , way to go. [email protected] The BTC Calypso Orchid Dufferin Hi-Land History Environmental Award 1990 to date

Nominations For The Annual BTC Calypso Orchid This is part one of a history of the club since 1990. Award - The recipient of the BTC Calypso Orchid The remainder will appear in Hi-Land Views in future. Environmental Award may include individuals, A previous issue of the newsletter reprinted a history volunteer groups, institutions and commercial of the Dufferin club up to 1990. These new companies that have demonstrated a significant observations, hardly complete as a history, survey a contribution to the restoration and preservation of the few major developments in the club from the 1990s to Bruce Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere the present. Reserve, or significantly enhance the education of users or potential users of the Trail and/or the Niagara In general the past 25 years have two clear phases: Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. pre-1999 and post-2000. Up to 1999 club activities tend to be informal and low-key, requiring modest Recipients do not have to be members of the Bruce administration and not all that much money. From Trail Conservancy. Exemplary actions by the 2000 on, things change. recipients can have either a direct and/or indirect effect on the Bruce Trail. Meritorious actions can be a Newsletter single event or undertaken over several years. In the 90s, for example, the newsletter continued to be Background - In the spring of 1956 Arthur Storey an “occasional’ publication. It was printed on four saw his first calypso orchid on a trip to Tobermory. 81/2 by 11 sheets corner-stapled, or a single large Twenty years later Lloyd Smith commemorated the sheet folded to make four small pages. It recorded event by carving a diamond willow walking staff for items such as discussion about whether there should him, including a likeness of a calypso orchid on the be two badges for completing the Dufferin section: handle. one for finishing in your own time, the other for the One day End-to-end, the badge to be given to anyone In 1997 Arthur donated the walking staff to the Bruce who finished the 31 miles in 24 hours. Trail Conservancy, with the wish that an environmental award be established. The Calypso Our Trillium badges were created in 1991, and there Orchid Environmental Award was established in 2000. was a parking problem in Lavender. A 1994 newsletter contained the notation: “Blazing brings The original diamond willow walking stick and a some criticism once in a while, especially from those commemorative plaque are displayed at the BTC Head who have become lost.” Then, as now, the newsletter Office. At the AGM, award recipients are presented content split between various news and human interest with a certificate and their own engraved walking stories, and the hike schedule. staff. Early in the 2000s the newsletter became a three times The recipient must demonstrate a significant a year publication, typically with 8 pages of 8 ½ x11 contribution to the restoration and preservation of the with sheets folded and spine-stapled (as is the case Bruce Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere now). Hike descriptions became longer, larger pictures Reserve, or significantly enhance the education of were more frequent, and reports from the President, users or potential users of the Trail and/or the Niagara Hike Director, Trail Director, and Land Steward Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Director became usual. By 2007 the newsletter was available in colour on line; usually now 12pp in size, How to Nominate - If you know of a worthy recipient with 20pp issues occasionally. for 2016, nomination forms are available online from the BTC website or from the BTC Head Office. Construction

Completed forms must be submitted to the BTC Head One continuing frustration for the club during the 90s Office by June 1, 2016. .For further information was the repeated refusal of various government bodies contact Paul Toffoletti, Chair, Environmental to give permission to construct a wooden bridge over Committee, at [email protected] the Boyne River. The main reason for the refusals seemed to be that a wooden bridge would encourage use by dirt bike motorcycles wrecking the valley hillsides. Contiued on the next page History, continued hike, has become an annual bad joke, the April Fools’ Day Tim Horton’s Hike, with about a dozen people Then, in 1998, the NEC, the NVCA, and the actually doing the 10k trek to visit all 6 Tim’s outlets Township all agreed that a bridge could be built. The in Orangeville. Coffee courtesy of Tim Horton’s; best forty-footer built in 1999 stands today, still bears the pit stops on the entire Bruce. sign “ Built by Bruce Trail Volunteers 1999,” the The new century also saw movement to increase and volunteers coming both from Dufferin and from other regularize leadership training, pressure/persuasion for Bruce Trail clubs. From this point on the bridge over hike leaders to take a certification course, either the the river Boyne set the stage and the standard for two day course offered by the Toronto Club, or the Dufferin Hi-Land construction for a very active one day Hike Ontario course. While long-time leaders decade of building. Included in the list: 38 foot bridge in some cases initially resisted being taught what they at Black bank; 25 foot bridge on the Brett property, already knew, hike leader courses are now a regular several bridges from 8 to fifteen feet in Mono Cliffs, feature of hike leader preparation. Also now routinely the Cascade Bridge below 30 Sideroad, several offered both for hikers and trail workers, are First Aid smaller bridges, and hundreds and hundreds of feet of courses, re-certification, and CPR training. boardwalk, both new and replaced. Events Additionally, an aggressive program of sidelogging took the trail off very steep slopes, some not really In the 90's the club hosted the Bruce Trail Association maintained since first laid out, in favour of zig-zags AGM at Honeywood. Our next turn at the event came constructed to create a sloping trail rising one foot in in September 2007. It was held at Mono Community every four, which are, of course, still in use today. Centre. At that meeting the organization changed the Moreover, the opening of side trails and the re-routing name from Association to Bruce Trail Conservancy to of the main trail through new properties used not only signify the importance of preserving the land the trail club labour, but also the assistance for several years of goes through. the “Bankers in the Bush,” a group of 20+ TD bank employees who, once a year, ventured into the A continuing event is Bruce Trail day, held early in Dufferin back country to build bridges and trails. October annually, to showcase the trail to the public. Dufferin always sets up in the parking lot for Mono Hiking Cliffs Park, with photo and information displays, food, hikes, and cake. A good year will see 400-500 people Organized hiking has always been a major Bruce Trail attend. Other years, usually because of bad weather, club activity, but the level of organization has changed 200 or so will appear. over the years. During the 90's informality prevailed, and typically newsletters listed ten or twelve hikes per Also yearly, or almost yearly, the club has mounted issue. Some mid-week and the occasional snowshoe displays at Mono’s Big day Out, Mono Winterfest, hike were listed. Also there were series of hikes Alliston Potato Festival, and at local fall fairs. We organized for completing end-to-ends of different have also managed some major events for the sections, and end-to-end of the whole trail. The one Conservancy. Notable here was the showcasing of the day end-to-end of Dufferin was a hiking feature in the property now called Splitrock Narrows. We organized 90s; in 1994 it has 38 participants. the tent, the parking, the food, and a dozen hike leaders to take perhaps 300 people around the property After 2000 the number of listed hikes begins to grow, to promote fundraising to buy it. Which the with a newsletter typically listing 20 or more hikes per Conservancy did. Cash and cheque donations on that issue, with at least one issue after 2010 listing 31 day amounted to $10,000. hikes. This period also saw the creation of different kinds of hikes. A 2 day end-to-end was added. A 20k We also organized and ran - using 40 volunteers - a Challenge hike was added, originally intended as an Conservancy 50km Challenge hike in Dufferin. This introduction to challenge hiking for beginners and as was a sponsorship hike - $500 in donations required to an inauguration of the spring hiking season. A winter participate – which attracted 85 hikers individually hike series, intended as primarily snowshoe hikes, and in teams. Our club groomed the trail, staffed and with a Winter badge for the series, was established. victualed the check points, recorded the results and The Walk Off the Turkey hike, the New Year’s Day passed out completion medallions. That day’s work hike and Moonlight hikes also saw the light of day (or netted the Conservancy $36000. night). And what started as a bad joke, with a false entry in the hike schedule, an April 1st Tim Horton’s To be continued Dufferin Hi-Land Board of Directors

President and landowner relations Carl Alexander Land stewardship director Brian Cornfield [email protected] [email protected] Past president Larry Haskell Social events director Glenys Williams [email protected] [email protected] Vice president and Secretary Brenda Carling 2016 AGM Coordinator Carol Foley [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Georgina Shelton Publicity director Margery Cruise [email protected] [email protected] BTC director Sue Simons Directors James Griffin [email protected] [email protected] Membership Inge Eckerich Tony Hopkins [email protected] [email protected] Trail director Carl Tafel Jim Preyde [email protected] [email protected] Hike director Les Babbage Barb Sonzogni [email protected] [email protected]

Published by Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club P. O. Box 698 Alliston, Ontario, L9R 1V9