Summer 2017 THE QUARTERLY OF THE TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Vol. LIV No. 2
www.torontobrucetrailclub.org | 416-763-9061 | [email protected]
A Trail for Sale – The Credit Valley Footpath
In the spring of 1977, the Toronto Club received a letter about a trail for sale:
At its May 1977 Board meeting the Club accepted the offer, and the Footpath became a Bruce Trail side trail.
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Table of Contents Footnotes Toronto Bruce Trail Club is published quarterly by the Board of Directors (as of April 8th, 2017) A Trail for Sale P1 Toronto Bruce Trail Club P.O. Box 597 President: Credit Valley Footpath P4 2938 Dundas Street West John Grandy Toronto, Ontario M6P 4E7 [email protected] Wayne’s World P6 Vice-President; Volunteer Co-ordinator: [email protected] Graham Allen Activities Calendar -June 2017 P7 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org 416-399-0251 Activities Calendar -July 2017 P13 ISSN 0380-9354 [email protected] Activities Calendar -August 2017 P17 A member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy Past President; Land Stewardship: Peter Leeney Activities Calendar - Look Ahead Many thanks to all the volunteers who 905-822-1877 September 2017 P19 helped in the production of this issue. [email protected] BTC Director; Trail Director: Independent Outing (June 9th) P19 Send address changes to: Marlis Butcher The Bruce Trail Conservancy [email protected] BTC AGM P20 PO Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 Hiking Director: www.brucetrail.org 1-800-665-4453 Wayne Crockett The Badge Guy P21 647-786-4537 For missing copies of Footnotes [email protected] History of the Club’s Badges P22 call 1-800-665-4453, Secretary: Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Robert Gillespie Moving the Archives P24 Treasurer: Opinions expressed in Footnotes are not Malcolm Sanderson necessarily the views of the TBTC unless 905-294-5866 stated as such. Advertising does not [email protected] imply endorsement by the TBTC. Public Relations & Education: Log in to the Members section of Magdalena Vander Kooy 647-983-7938 the Club website using your BTC Footnotes Resource Support membership number and your [email protected] Land Owner Relations: own password. Footnotes Editor: Malcolm Sanderson Paul Vanhanen Proofreaders: Marilyn MacKellar 905-877-1294 Kathryn Emirzian [email protected] Advertising & Mail Coordinator: Land Management Committee Chair; Jude Keast Land Securement Secretariat BTC Publication Deadlines Activities Editor: Victor Ramautar Representative: ISSUE: ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL Webmaster: Stephen Kamnitzer David Tyson e-Notes Editor: Brent Michaluk 416-966-1379 Fall 2017: June 17/June 24 Archivist: vacant [email protected] Winter 2017-18: Sept. 15/Sept. 24 Information Line: Judy Leeney Membership: Spring 2018: Dec. 15/Dec. 20 City of Toronto Liaison: Sima Patel Summer 2018: March 11/March 18 vacant 416-844-5640 Halton Hills Chapter: [email protected] Send advertisements to: Janet Le Lievre [email protected] Directors at Large: Vlad Bosnar
The Toronto Bruce Trail Club is one of nine clubs Director of Communications: making up the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which vacant is dedicated to the conservation of the Niagara Fundraising: Escarpment. You are invited to visit the Toronto vacant Club’s website at www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
2 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Comfortable General Information Hiking Holidays Bus Hikes (416) 445-2628 Hikers are discouraged from meeting bus hikes at the Trail in their own vehicles, unless the www.letshike.com hike description includes this option.
Meeting Places: MACHU PICCHU • York Mills subway station: buses park on Old York Mills Road near the south exit of the September 15 to 27, 2017 station (not the exit for TTC buses) Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas • Islington subway station: buses wait at the Beer Store on Bloor Street, two short blocks west by hiking through the famed salt pans of the subway station and opposite the TTC parking lot of Maras, the ancient ruins of Pisac, and trekking high up into the • Clarence Square: located south of King Street, north of Front Street, at 49 Spadina Avenue Urubamba mountain range. Then that on the east side (south of the gas station). Buses wait at the west side of the Square. all important day arrives when we For maps, select the “Hiking Schedule” on the Club’s web site; click on the “Types of Hikes” hike into Machu Picchu – rounding the corner of the Sun tab, then click on “read more” at the bottom of the page. Gate and seeing Machu Picchu with your own eyes will give you Return: goose bumps! (Note: This trip does not involve ANY • usual return time is 6 pm; late returns are noted in the listing camping – all accommodations are in Seating: hotel & lodges.) • based on a first-come, first-seated basis — guests are welcome but they must pre-register INTRODUCING • check the listings for exceptions — leaders may give priority to defined groups • some outings involve extra costs; some require advance registration THE C.H.H. Bus Fare (includes $1 donation to the Escarpment Legacy Fund): ADVENTURE • $17 members, $23 non-members; $5 children under 12 COLLECTION • Long distance fares (over 140 km one-way) $22 for members and $28 for non-members The perfect answer for those who love hiking holidays but wouldn’t mind a Car Hikes few other activities as well. Footnotes Our C.H.H. Adventure • meet at the point stipulated in and travel by car shuttle to the starting point; Collection caters to your love of contact Hike Leader if you have questions adventure and the outdoors, but we've expanded the focus to also Car-Pool Hikes include other active pursuits. You will likely try an activity you’ve • meet at the point listed in Footnotes and ride or drive to the starting point as a group; save never tried before! fuel and reduce pollution
NORTHERN LIGHTS • passengers are expected to contribute to the driver’s costs (the suggested amount is $10, which should be offered — the driver should not have to request it) NORWAY Capture some of the most fascinating Map References and fun adventures Norway is known • the 28th edition of the Bruce Trail Reference is used for like cross-country skiing, dog- sledding and snowmobiling plus Mother Nature's lightshow - Things to Remember the Aurora Borealis (a.k.a. the Changes are also posted in the Members section of the website Northern Lights). Home base is Tromso - one of the best places in the (www.torontobrucetrailclub.org). world to see the Northern Lights. Members log in using their BTC membership number and their own passwords. Also visit the capital, Oslo, for a little • all Club events are non-smoking cultural exploration. • carry your BTC membership card at all times Part of the Adventure Collection. • bring a lunch, 2 litres of water, sunscreen and insect repellent MARITIMES • arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time for any hike • dogs are not permitted on bus hikes with the exception of registered guide dogs. Dogs may
ROAD TRIP only be taken on urban and car hikes if published in advance by hike leaders. Experience the world's highest tides at the Hopewell Rocks in NB; meet Anne of Green Gables and build sandcastles in PEI; celebrate Canada Day in Pre-registration ( Online, Email or Phone ) Halifax, NS. Plus lots more activities from cycling to hiking, and you could You must pre-register even though the meeting time and place may be listed. Please register conceivably eat lobster every day of using the listed method(s). The registration opening and deadline dates are listed online this trip if you tried! under “pre-registration details” in the hike descriptions. Part of the Adventure Collection.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 3 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
continued from page 1 The Credit River From Wikipedia: “The Credit River is a river in southern Ontario which flows from headwaters above the Niagara Escarpment near Orangeville and Caledon East to empty into Lake Ontario at Port Credit, Mississauga. It drains an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi). The total length of the river and its tributary streams is over 1,500 kilometres (930 mi). The river became known as Missinnihe, or “trusting creek” to the Mississauga First Nation people who met annually with white traders there. To the first nations, the river was “held in reverential estimation as the favourite resort of their ancestors” and the band, which ranged from Long Point on Lake Erie, to the Rouge River on Lake Ontario, became known as the Credit River Indians. Their descendants are today the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. The origins of the English name come from the time when French fur traders supplied goods to the native people in advance (on credit) against furs which would be provided the following spring. It was known as the Rivière au Crédit. The trading post was set up at the mouth of the river, in Port Credit, in the early 18th century. Despite urbanization and associated problems with water quality on the lower section of this river, it provides spawning areas for Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. There is a fish ladder on the river at Streetsville. Much of the river can still be travelled by canoe or kayak. The headwaters of the Credit River is home to a native self- sustaining brook trout population and an introduced brown trout population.”
Credit Valley Conservation Credit Valley Conservation was established in May 1954, eight years after the provincial Conservation Authorities Act was passed in 1946. Just five months later, on October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel dumped over eleven inches of rain over the GTA in 48 hours. The damage inflicted by Hurricane Hazel provided a major impetus to the work of the Conservation Authorities responsible for the watersheds and rivers in Southern Ontario.
CVC is a partner and a landowner of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. The Toronto Section of the Trail passes through the Terra Cotta, Limehouse and Silver Creek Conservation Areas.
The Credit Valley Footpath The Footpath was originally developed in 1970 by the Credit Valley Footpath Club as part of a proposal to link the Bruce Trail to Lake Ontario through the valley of the Credit River. Despite many years of effort it proved impossible to complete because permission to cross a number of essential properties could not be obtained. The trail follows the valley of the Credit River south from Terra Cotta to Georgetown through fields, forests, steep hillsides and the floodplain of the Credit River It passes the site of an old First Nation burial ground and the interesting village of Glen Williams, with its many craft and antique stores. The route leads past the ruins of an old paper mill and dam and an historic plaque which describes early industry along the river. Further south in the valley are the remains of the Barber Mill Dynamo, an old hydro generating station which once supplied power to the paper mill upstream.
Photo: Peter Leeney Oct. 26, 2004 Ruins of the Dynamo
The first map (next page) is from the Fourteenth Edition (1983) of the Bruce Trail Guidebook. It shows the footpath as it was inherited in 1977. Since then there have been some changes, as can be seen in the second map from 2009.
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The first major change was the loss of the southern-most section, when Upper Canada College withdrew permission for the trail on its property. The southern terminus became km 12.0, where the railway tracks cross 10th Line. This road crossing is gated, and there is no pedestrian or vehicle crossing allowed (the fine for crossing the tracks is $125).
In 2009, the trail was temporarily closed (the ‘No Access’ mark be- tween km 6.3 and km 7.6 on the second map) due to a sub-division development. This part has since re-opened.
Map 2a, Bruce Trail Guidebook 1983
When Canadian National began work on a new railway bridge over the Credit River in 2009 to add a second track for GO train service, the trail under the bridge was closed. While work on the bridge has finished, CN, the Town and the BTC are still in discussions about re-opening the footpath.
CN Bridge over Credit River. Photo: Paul Vanhanen March 8th, 2009 extract map showing trail closures at the CN tracks
Trail Captains (March 2017) Main Trail to 22nd SR (4.1 km) Rose Mary Mitter
22nd SR to 20th SR (2.2 km) Mahin & Christine Nadarajah
20th SR to Paper Mill Bridge, River Dr. (2.5 km) Laurent Thibault
Paper Mill Bridge, River Dr. to 10th Line (2.6 km) Dave Tyson
The Future In 2015, the Credit River Heritage Society kicked off an effort to create a heritage trail along the Credit River. A plenary meeting of interested parties, including the Toronto Club, was held February 5th 2015. The project received a $100,000 grant from Friends of the Greenbelt to develop a master plan. Public meetings to review the plan are expected in June 2017, and the plan should be completed by October. Twenty heritage sites have been identified as target destinations for hikers, canoeists and cyclists. For more information, or to volunteer, send an e-mail to Susan Robertson at [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 5 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Wayne’s World
The Toronto Bruce Trail Club hike leaders have arranged and organized a great variety of urban, bus and car hikes for your enjoyment this summer. You can explore parts of the Bruce Peninsula on car hikes, explore the Thames Valley Trail, stroll on Toronto Island, and visit the many favourite places along the Bruce Trail and the many other trails in Southern Ontario. Get out and take advantage of what the Club has on offer.
Remember that Footnotes provide only a partial list of what is available to you as leaders continue to add hikes to the schedule after the print deadline. Be sure to check the online calendar, http://torontobrucetrailclub.org/040~Lets_Hike/020~Hike_Calendar/, on a routine basis so you don’t miss anything that would interest you. If there is an unexpected development, a banner will be added to the calendar page to highlight the issue. I also encourage you to get a subscription to E-Notes as that will provide information on schedule changes and additions as needed, http://torontobrucetrailclub.org/100~Newsletter_ Signup/. You will also find information on hikes through the TBTC Meetup page, Facebook and Instagram.
The Club continues to be interested in providing outreach to groups and communities that might unaware of the opportunities for recreation, fitness and conservation offered by the Bruce Trail, the TBTC and the BTC. If you are a member of a group or know of one that you think might enjoy a taste of the trail, please let us know and we will try to arrange an outing to introduce them to the hiking experience near Toronto.
If you are hiking on your own, don’t forget to check the website for trail changes, closures and re-routes before you head out on your trip. The Bruce Trail Conservancy regularly updates the information and you can find a description and map of any changes by visiting this page: http://brucetrail.org/trail_changes.
In some ways, summer hiking is as challenging as winter on the trails. Primarily, ensure that you remain hydrated. Hike leaders can only provide a limited emergency water supply and you the individual hiker have the primary responsibility to bring sufficient water for the day for yourself. Two to three litres of water is the minimum for the hot humid season and you won’t regret the extra weight. Hydration/electrolyte tablets or powders are recommended as part of your ‘kit’ for this time of year. Know your own limits. Not everyone can manage the heat and there is no shame in accepting that the conditions aren’t right for you. Just be sure to cancel any registration in a timely fashion. And don’t forget the sunscreen, head covering and bug spray that can make the day much more comfortable for you.
As always have an enjoyable and safe hiking season. I’ll see many of you on the trails this summer. Wayne Crockett, Hiking Director
2017 Hike Leader Training: Students and Instructors.
Photo: Marie Josee Roy April 8th, 2017
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Marilyn MacKellar, 416 653-4120 6-9 pm or [email protected] Summer 2017 We will hike through the Devil’s Glen area encountering some challenging hills. After the hike we will go to Creemore for Notice to Participants refreshments. All Hike Leaders are volunteers. You are welcome Saturday, June 3 -- Toronto Section, Limehouse, Loop Hike to take part in their activities, but you do so at your (Map 12) own risk. Only written complaints against a Hike Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Leader or end person will be considered. Complaints Terrain: Rocky, Variable. No dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots. (or commendations) may be addressed to the Hiking Depart 9 am, McDonald’s in Georgetown. Director, Toronto Bruce Trail Club, P.O. Box 597, 2938 On the northwest corner of Mountainview Rd and Guelph St Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON M6P 4E7. The focus of (Hwy.7). Best route from the city is 401 to Winston Churchill Blvd. the complaints policy is on improvement rather than North to Norval then turn west on Guelph St into Georgetown. discipline. Vlado will then provide instructions to the start of the hike. Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm Please note that the maps and kilometre references in this There is lots to see on this hike, late spring flowers, old lime kilns, listing are from the 28th Edition of the “Hole in the Wall”, ruins of lime works and radial train line. It is Bruce Trail Reference. pleasant walk with varied terrain. Bring water and bug spray and dress for the weather. Call Vlado if questions, his cell available day of hike 416-518-5203. Thursday, June 1 -- Toronto, Toronto Islands Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Sunday, June 4 -- Toronto Section Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Depart 6 pm, At the Ferry Docks near the gate to Ward’s Island. Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, From Union station take the LRT (Street Car) to the stop DOCKS. Dogs welcome. Walk up to Queens Quay street level and walk southbound to the Depart 9:30 am, in front of Loblaws, 396 St. Clair Ave. West ferry on the south side of Queens Quay at the foot of Bay street. Or, (beside the St. Clair West subway station on north side of St. Clair). take bus number 6 along Bay Street southbound to the Ferry Docks Danny Pivnick, (416) 484-6824 and walk southbound to the Ferry. Come and join us for this pleasant walk through parts of central Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm Toronto. We will head up the Cedarvale Ravine to join the Beltline FOR MEMBERS ONLY with valid membership card. Rain or Trail and then continue to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. From there we Shine, after a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Islands where will go through the lower part of the Beltline Trail and Rosedale there are no fumes. Enjoy the view of the city skyline. Bring dinner Ravine ending at the Brick Works. Bring your lunch along or pick for a sit down picnic. Bring a warm jacket and a flashlight. You can up something at the Brickworks Farmers Market. not buy food on the islands. Ferry cost return $8 for adults, less for seniors. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Just show up on the Sunday, June 4 -- Seaton Hiking Trail, Pickering ON day of the hike. This hike is repeated each THURSDAY in JUNE 2017 Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots, Saturday, June 3 -- Niagara, Queenston (Maps 1/2) Refreshments after, Pub stop after, No Dogs, Pre-registration Online using Website. Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Depart 9:30 am, York Mills. Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 8 km, End to End #5 of 5, Old York Mills Rd subway exit, one block S of York Mills off Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Yonge St. adjacent to the gas station. On the east side of Yonge. Pay Depart 9 am, Islington. parking at the York Mills and Yonge NW corner, or South of the Wayne Crockett, [email protected] bus municipal parking lot adjacent to Miller tavern $9. Geri Poulouski, (905) 848-4307 or [email protected] Fred Berktin, 416 520 3797 or [email protected] Join Geri and I for the last leg of the Niagara end to end. We will continued.... walk from Taylor Rd to Queenston Heights km 15.2 to km 0. Some hills and rocks and a little bit of road, like all end to ends. We will do the presentation of end to end badges at the Queenston Cairn. Please let me know if you want to obtain a badge by the third hike The Toronto Hiking and Conservation Club in the set so I can order them. organizes Sunday hikes in the countryside surrounding Toronto Saturday, June 3 -- Blue Mountains, Devil’s Glen (Map 22) Hikes leave each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (unless stated otherwise in Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, the program) from the parking lot on the northwest corner of Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Yonge and York Mills, via car-pools. Hikes usually end around 3 Pub stop after, Late return (after 6 pm), Long distance bus fare p.m. and return to York Mills around 4 p.m. See our program at applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. www.sproulephoto.ca/thcc or call 416-693-8639 for more Depart 8 am, York Mills. information Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 or [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 7 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Established in 1970, and brought back to life only a few years ago, will drive down to Georgetown to take in the annual Georgetown it is a short drive from the City, in Pickering. Let me introduce Highland Games. A fun combination of music, food and athletic you to this gem if you have not been on this hike with me before. competitions. It is the perfect time of the year to hike this well-maintained and blazed trail where I work as a trail maintenance volunteer. We will Saturday, June 10 -- Peninsula, Tobermory, hike from south to north; although the trail’s tendency is uphill BTC 50th Anniversary Celebration the challenging hills are in the beginning. I will slow down on the Lucy Leung, (647) 280-8868 or [email protected] hills and allow fast hikers to pass and wait for the slower hikers at Nijole Mockevicius, (416) 783-5282 the top. The trail visits two spectacular lookout points on top of Join us for the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary a glacial till, where you can see how the West Duffins Creek has Celebration in Tobermory, commemorating fifty years since the carved the glacial till for over ten thousand years. The trail follows official opening of the Bruce Trail. Take in a full day of program this creek which is in the Duffins and Caruthers Creek watershed at this unique event including the formal ceremony at the Bruce and it is one of the most widely studied riparian habitat watersheds Trail Northern Terminus Cairn; catered lunch at the Tobermory in Ontario, if not Canada. This is a Level II/III terrain but we will Community Centre; Bruce Trail historical displays; a silent hike at a slower pace. Refreshments will be at an outdoor complex auction; your choice of a short (1 hr, 2.5 km) or longer (2 hr, 7 where there is a very hiker friendly British Sports Bar, Swiss Chalet km) hike to Little Dunks Bay and Burnt Point Loop respectively; and Tim Hortons. as well as a ticket to enjoy a 90-minute boat cruise on Georgian Bay. Transportation to Tobermory will be by restroom-equipped Thursday, June 8 -- Toronto, Toronto Islands motor coach. In order to experience the entire fun filled program, Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, we depart bright and early at 6 am from York Mills and return Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs. to same location about 9 pm. Bus fare is $46 for members and Depart 6 pm, at the Ferry Docks near the gate to Ward’s Island. $60 for non-members and covers the entire day’s program. From Union station take the LRT (Street Car) to the stop DOCKS. Prepayment is required upon pre-registration and is non-refundable Walk up to Queens Quay street level and walk southbound to the after May 20, 2017. Members must pre-register online and will ferry on the south side of Queens Quay at the foot of Bay street. Or, receive instructions on where to send the bus fare cheque after take bus number 6 along Bay Street southbound to the Ferry Docks pre-registration. For non-members, please contact Lucy Leung at and walk southbound to the Ferry. [email protected] if you are interested to join us. Event details Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm are available on BTC website http://brucetrail.org/events/135 FOR MEMBERS ONLY with valid membership card. Rain or Please note: If you have signed up for this bus hike, please do NOT Shine, after a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Islands where use the event registration again at brucetrail.org, as BTC registration there are no fumes. Enjoy the view of the city skyline. Bring dinner is for those NOT on this bus hike. for a sit down picnic. Bring a warm jacket and a flashlight. You can not buy food on the islands. Ferry cost return $8 for adults, less for Seniors. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Just show up on the day of the hike. This hike is repeated each THURSDAY in JUNE 2017.
Saturday, June 10 -- Toronto, Cedarvale Ravine Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 3 km, Pace: 1 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, One hill. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs, Shoes with good treads. Depart 10 am, St. Clair West Station, Heath St. exit. Marilyn MacKellar, 416 653-4120 6-9 pm Glynn Richardson, (905) 426-5600 7-9 pm This hike will follow the Cedarvale Ravine north from St. Clair Ave. It will be very slow. It will focus on plants in the area, and there’s a surprising variety for a small ravine, plus a bit of history. We will stop-and-go for the length of the hike, so be prepared for a slow progress. The distance we travel will depend on what we see. Bring snacks and water. And a camera, perhaps.
Saturday, June 10 -- Toronto Section, Silver Creek (Map 13)
Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 7 km, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9 am, Islington. Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Join me for a hike with a celtic flavour. We will do a 13-14 km walk through a combination of the main trail and the variety of side trails in the area of Scotsdale Farm and Silver Creek. Very scenic with a nice mixture of hills and somewhat flatter terrain. After the hike we
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Saturday, June 10 -- Dufferin Hi-Land, Boyne Valley, for a sit down picnic. Bring a warm jacket and a flashlight. You can Primrose (Map 20) not buy food on the islands. Ferry cost return $8 for adults, less for Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Seniors. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Just show up on the Terrain: Hilly. Dropout at 6 km and 10 km, Hiking boots, day of the hike. This hike is repeated each THURSDAY in JUNE Refreshments after, Pub stop after, 2017 Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 8 am, York Mills. Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm or Ruth Dorey, [email protected] The Ongiara, the winter We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of BTC (the actual date ferry of the Toronto Island of the anniversary is June 16th). Refreshments in Primrose. Back in Ferry Service. Toronto by 6:00 pm. Photo by Rev Edward Brain, Sunday, June 11 -- Toronto, West Highland Creek D.D.
Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 10 am, Scarborough Centre RT Station. Friday, June 16 -- Toronto Meet at Scarborough Centre RT Station bus platform by 9:40 am to take the #21 Bus southbound departing at 10:00 am. Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, If driving, contact hike leader, Terrain: Variable. Dropout at Anywhere, Refreshments after, Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Join us to hike along this tributary of Highland Creek through Depart 9 am, one of Scarborough’s larger interconnected park systems. After our Meet at Yonge & Lawrence, south-east corner at the library. lunch stop in the charming and peaceful grounds of the Cedar Ridge Ruth Dorey, [email protected] Creative Arts Centre we descend into the main Highland Creek Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm valley and hike north to Ellesmere, passing by the former Boy Scout Join us for a hike from Lawrence Park to Sunnybrook Park, ending “Camp Of The Crooked Creek”. Preregistration is optional but saves at Olde Yorke for fish and chips. Lunch specials are available. time during the sign-in process at the start.
Sunday, June 11 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, FALL & WINTER Terrain: Hilly. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Refreshments after, Cell number for day of hike is 647-918-4180. WALKINGWALKING HOLIDAYSHOLIDAYS Depart 9 am, Hockley Road Parking Lot. MAINLAND GREECE & ISLANDS Take Hwy 410 north, continue north on Hwy 10 north of TUSCANY - SOUTH & EAST Orangeville to County Rd 7. Hockley Rd veers off on the left. Continue on Hockley Rd to just east of 2nd Line EHS. The parking SORRENTO & THE AMALFI COAST lot is on the north side of the road. EASTERN SICILY Maureen McFarland, (416) 489-3703 not later than 9 pm PROVENCE & LANGUEDOC, FRANCE or [email protected] CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, SPAIN Jim Vanderlip, (416) 925-9134 7-10 pm CUBA - HAVANA & WESTERN CUBA or [email protected] Come out and enjoy an early summer hike in the Hockley Valley, MADEIRA & THE AZORES where there is usually a breeze to blow the bugs away. We will hike a loop including the Tom East Side Trail, the Isabel East Side Trail and the Cam Snell Side Trail.
Thursday, June 15 -- Toronto, Toronto Islands Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 6 pm, At the Ferry Docks near the gate to Ward’s Island. From Union station take the LRT (Street Car) to the stop DOCKS. Walk up to Queens Quay street level and walk southbound to the ferry on the south side of Queens Quay at the foot of Bay street. Or, WALKERS’ WORLD (a division of Teachers’ Travel) take bus number 6 along Bay Street southbound to the Ferry Docks 21 St Clair Ave E # 1003, Toronto, ON M4T 1L9 and walk southbound to the Ferry. Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm Phone: 416-922-2232 or 1-800-268-7229 FOR MEMBERS ONLY with valid membership card. Rain or email: [email protected] Shine, after a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Islands where there are no fumes. Enjoy the view of the city skyline. Bring dinner www.walkersworld.com TIC0 1185985
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 9 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
We will complete a loop hike from the old homestead along the Saturday, June 17 -- Waterfront Trail, Mississauga main and side trails. After the hike those who wish may go into Georgetown for refreshments. Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Saturday, June 17 -- Thames Valley Trail (TVTA Map 3) Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 11 am, Kipling Subway Station, Bus Platform Level. Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 21 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Meet at Kipling Subway Station Bus Level west end (by the Terrain: Mostly flat, Some busy country roads. No dropout, washrooms) by 10:40 am to take #123C at 11:00 am to start of End to End #3 of 6, Refreshments after. hike. Depart: 9.00 am, from the parking area in Greenway Park in the Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] City of London. The meeting point is on Greenside Ave to the We will hike the southern end of Etobicoke Creek and west along north of Springbank Dr. This parking lot is slightly less than one the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail to picturesque Port Credit. kilometre west of Wharncliffe Rd. GPS 42.973796, -81.272559. Option to stay and enjoy the Mississauga Waterfront Festival in Charles Whitlock, (519) 742-7435 or [email protected] Port Credit. Return home by GO Train or Mississauga Miway Bus. Jim Vanderlip, (416) 925-9134 7-10 pm Note that if staying for the evening entertainment, open beverage or [email protected] containers are not permitted, so for this hike only you may have to This is the third of six hikes on the TVTA. Today’s hike will be bring bottled water. Preregistration on website is optional. through relatively flat parkland with some hilly terrain in Warbler Saturday, June 17 -- Toronto Section, Limehouse Woods. Today we car shuttle back to the Oxford St W parking area (Map 12) at Komoka Provincial Park where we finished our hike on April Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, 30th. Shared-parking cost of $15.00/vehicle. The hike will take us Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, along busy country roads through beautiful Warbler Woods and Pub stop after, No Dogs, Pre-registration Online using Website. then along lovely municipal trails alongside the Thames River, Depart 9 am, York Mills. passing Storybook Gardens and the sight of the Victoria Boat Fred Berktin, 416 520 3797 or [email protected] Disaster. Charles’ mobile on day of hike 519-505-6298. Larry Haigh We’ll start from St. Helena Road and hike north through the Pear Sunday, June 18 -- Niagara Tree Park parking lot, through some farmers’ fields, around Black Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 4.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Creek, visit the Lime Kiln, Powder house, and Black Creek Rapids, Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. Dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs. hike through the Hole In The Wall and end up in the parking lot Depart 10 am, Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, of the Limehouse Conservation Area. This is a favourite section of 3050 Niagara Parkway, Niagara on the Lake. many BTC hikers. We’ll stop in the Hamlet of Glen Williams or in Georgetown for refreshments. The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve parking lot is located on the Niagara River side of the Niagara Parkway between the Golf Course Saturday, June 17 -- Niagara, Ball’s Falls (Map 4) and the Botanical Gardens. If you not familiar with the area leave extra time. Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Gregory & Jeanette Vincent, (519) 579-8210 Mon-Thurs 7-9 pm Terrain: Rocky, Hilly, Stairs. Dropout at several locations, Hiking or [email protected] boots, Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Talk about geology, history, trees, gigantic rocks! This hike has Depart 9 am, Islington. it all. The Niagara Glen is located in perhaps the best example of Barbara Euler, (416) 695-1838 before 10 pm Carolinian Canada beside a raging river, amazing rock formations or [email protected] and a world famous whirlpool. Trekking poles and boots A leisurely hike on the Main Trail, Jordan Side Trail and local recommended. We descend into the Niagara Glen and the river and trails with plenty of time to explore the historical village and the Upper and Lower Falls as well as Jordan Village. We may stop for we must ascend back to the top. You will need a car to access this strawberries (and pies) on the way home. Bring a little extra cash hike, there is no public transport. More information at in case you want to buy something in Jordan Village or at the hikevincent.wordpress.com. strawberry farm. Sunday, June 18 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Saturday, June 17 -- Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots. Terrain: Rocky, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Depart 9 am, We will meet at the parking lot just off Hockley Rd Refreshments after, Pub stop after. and past 3rd Line. Depart 10 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot. Go north on Hwy 400, turn west (left) on Hwy 9, then north on North from Hwy 401 on Trafalgar Rd to Georgetown. Continue Airport Rd, then west (left) on Hockley Rd. The parking lot is just past Georgetown to meet Hwy 7. North on 7 to Silver Creek (the past 3rd Line. We will depart promptly at 9:00 am and hike both highway takes a big left turn here). Right turn to get back onto blue trails and the main/white trail. Trafalgar. Go north about 1.5 km to the entrance to Scotsdale Farm Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9 pm on your right. Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 Come out for some fresh air and exercise and enjoy some time with friends and family.
10 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Sunday, June 18 -- Thames Valley Trail (TVTA Maps 3,4) This is my annual berries and beach hike. We will hike the Beaver Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 19 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Valley section near Swiss Meadows. After the hike we will go to a Terrain: Mostly flat. No dropout, End to End #4 of 6, No dogs. local berry patch to purchase in season strawberries followed by a Depart 9 am, Ted Early Sports Centre,1375 Clarke Rd, refreshment stop at Wasaga Beach (subject to weather). City of London. Depart: 9.00 am, from the Ted Early Sports Centre parking lot on Clarke Rd, 700 metres south of Kilally Rd and 250 metres south of the entrance to the Fanshawe Conservation Area in the City of London. GPS 43.018790, -81.183321. Charles Whitlock, (519) 742-7435 or [email protected] Jim Vanderlip, (416) 925-9134 7-10 pm or [email protected] Saturday, June 24 -- Peninsula, Lion’s Head (Map 39) This is the fourth of six hikes on the TVTA. Today we car shuttle Level III Car hike Length of Hike: 19 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, back to the Greenway Park parking lot where we finished the hike Terrain: Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, on the 17th of June. The hike today is relatively flat and will follow Possible refreshments after. the Thames River across more of the City of London on municipal Depart 9 am, Map 39 at km 104.6. trails and streets to finish our 2017 hikes on the Thames Valley From Ferndale head north on Hwy 6 to Lindsay Rd 5. Turn right. Trail at the entrance to the Fanshawe Conservation Area. And you Pass Cherry Hill Rd to stop sign. Turn left on East St. Drive towards guessed it! The Ted Early parking lot is not on the trail by 250 Cape Chin North Rd turning right to destination. Look for a bald metres (What a bonus for the ardent hiker). headed hike leader! Charles’ mobile on day of hike 519-505-6298. Charles Whitlock, (519) 742-7435 or [email protected] Do join me for two days of walking along Georgian Bay. Come Tuesday, June 20 -- Toronto and explore our vast and varied Peninsula section. We will have an Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, opportunity to swim and relax on the shores of Georgian Bay. This Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at Anywhere, Beginners, No dogs, is a rugged and remote trail with rough terrain. Sturdy walking Refreshments after, Walking Shoes. footwear is required. Do bring lots of water and bug dope. Bring Depart 10 am, Lawrence Subway Station, street level. swimsuit (optional). Poison Ivy may be present. Car shuttle in effect Taizo Shinkoda, (416) 423-4454 7-9 pm to start of hike. We will start our walk from Richardson Side Rd Johanna Lanfranco, (416) 961-4701 7-9 pm (GPS 45.02046, -81.28379) and travel north. Bruce Trail Waiver Join us for a hike from the Lawrence Subway Station through the Sheets will be used. We welcome all hike-leaders in training. Alex Muir Gardens, Sunnybrook Park, and the Lower Donlands Parklands to the Broadview Subway Station.
Thursday, June 22 -- Toronto, Toronto Islands Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 6 pm, At the Ferry Docks near the gate to Ward’s Island. From Union station take the LRT (Street Car) to the stop DOCKS. Walk up to Queens Quay street level and walk southbound to the ferry on the south side of Queens Quay at the foot of Bay street. Or, take bus number 6 along Bay Street southbound to the Ferry Docks and walk southbound to the Ferry. Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm FOR MEMBERS ONLY with valid membership card. Rain or Shine, after a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Islands where there are no fumes. Enjoy the view of the city skyline. Bring dinner for a sit down picnic. Bring a warm jacket and a flashlight. You can not buy food on the islands. Ferry cost return $8 for adults, less for Seniors. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Just show up on the day of the hike. This hike is repeated each THURSDAY in JUNE 2017.
Saturday, June 24 -- Beaver Valley, Blue Mountain (Map 24) Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots, Refreshments Local knowledge for your after, Pub stop after, Late return (after 6 pm), Long distance bus fare applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. hiking adventure in Algoma. Depart 7:30 am, York Mills. Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 or [email protected] 705-649-2235 www.blaqbear.ca Edmond Brown, (416) 535-1059 or [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 11 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, June 24 -- Iroquoia, Dundas Valley, (Map 8) Sunday, June 25 -- Peninsula, Dyer’s Bay (Map 39) Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Level III Car hike Length of Hike: 18 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots, Terrain: Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots. Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9 am, Map 39, km 104.6 Cape Chin North Rd. Depart 8:30 am, York Mills. Directions: (Same as June 24, 2017) From Ferndale head north Victor Ramautar, 905-294-6718 before 9 pm on Hwy 6 to Lindsay Rd 5. Turn right. Pass Cherry Hill Rd to or [email protected] stop sign. Turn left on East St. Drive towards Cape Chin North Luisa Lee, (647) 770-9977 before 9 pm Rd turning right to destination. Look for a bald headed hike leader An early Summer favourite. The water flow must be at its wearing sunglasses! maximum at Tiffany and Sherman Falls. Get your friends and adult Charles Whitlock, (519) 742-7435 or [email protected] family members to come out and enjoy a beautiful day hiking while This portion of Georgian Bay is one of my favourites. Why? I spend making new friends. Dress for the weather and have with you water, most of my summer time walking these trails that offer great vistas. a lunch and any other necessary items. Join me as we visit the tiny but popular hamlet of Dyer’s Bay, the Michiganders Arc, Cottrill Lake Side Trail, Lille Potholes and a swim at Devil’s Monument. This is a rugged and remote trail with rough terrain. Sturdy walking boots are required. Bring swimsuit Saturday, June 24 -- Iroquoia, Waterdown (Map 9) (optional). Bring lots of water and bug dope. Poison Ivy will be present. Car shuttle in effect to start of hike to Lindsay Road 40 at Bus hike Level II/III Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 5 km/hr, GPS 45.19208, -81.34352 Bruce Trail Waiver Sheets will be used. Terrain: Hilly. Dropout at 6 km, Hiking boots, Pub stop after, We welcome all hike-leaders in training. Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, Islington. Thursday, June 29 -- Toronto, Toronto Islands Camara Chambers, [email protected] Join us on this 10 km bus hike as we hike in the Waterdown area of Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, the Bruce Trail ending at Shawn and Ed Brewing company, a craft Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs. brewery known for their adventurous beers. We’ll walk along creeks Depart 6 pm, At the Ferry Docks near the gate to Ward’s Island. and through woodlands,and will finish with a well deserved pint of From Union station take the LRT (Street Car) to the stop DOCKS. craft beer. This hike will be a brisk pace of 5 km/hour so is best for Walk up to Queens Quay street level and walk southbound to the those who enjoy fast walking. ferry on the south side of Queens Quay at the foot of Bay street. Or, take bus number 6 along Bay Street southbound to the Ferry Docks Saturday, June 24 -- Humber Valley Heritage Trail and walk southbound to the Ferry. Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm Car hike Level I/II Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, FOR MEMBERS ONLY with valid membership card. Rain or Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots. Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons Bolton Hwy 50. Tim Hortons is just north of King St on Hwy 50 right in Bolton. Meet there and the hike leader will direct the group to start of hike and car shuffle procedure. Walking in BRITAIN Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm This trail wanders off the Caledon Rail Trail at Duffy’s Lane, crosses Choose from 18 HF Holidays locations the Albion Conservation Area then follows the Humber River down Guided walking in Wales, Cotswolds, Scotland, Yorkshire, into Bolton. A good walk any season of the year. Be sure to have Cornwall, Dorset, Shropshire, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire, Lake District bug spray, lots of water and lunch. Vlado will be available the day of hike on cell 416-518-5203.
Saturday, June 25 Fort Erie, Lundy’s Lane Historical Walk
Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at 6 km, Beginners, Families, Refreshments after, Long distance bus fare applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, Islington. Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Join me for the annual walk and talk along the southern portion Book HF Holidays with of the Niagara River. We will begin at Old Fort Erie where I will describe the siege and battle of 1814. We will then reboard the bus TEACHERS’ TRAVEL and drive to a point near the Battle of Chippawa Battlefield; from 21 St Clair Ave E # 1003, Toronto, ON M4T 1L9 there we will walk on to Niagara Falls. Participants will have an Phone: 416-922-2232 or 1-800-268-7229 opportunity to have refreshments and do photography while at the Falls. The final stop of the day will be at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane email: [email protected] Memorial. An easy walk and painless history lesson. www.teacherstravel.com TIC0 1185985
12 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Shine, after a day’s work come and “cool off” on the Islands where Depart 8:30 am, Map 39, km 86. there are no fumes. Enjoy the view of the city skyline. Bring dinner From Hwy 6, turn right onto Caudle Sideroad and then right onto for a sit down picnic. Bring a warm jacket and a flashlight. You can Forty Hills Road to the parking lot at Richardson Side Trail. not buy food on the islands. Ferry cost return $8 for adults, less for Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm seniors. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Just show up on the or [email protected] day of the hike. This hike is repeated each THURSDAY in JUNE Car shuttle to Km 104.6,Map 39. Hike back through Smokey 2017. Head - White Bluff Provincial Nature Reserve.
Saturday, July 1 -- Toronto, Highland Creek Sunday, July 2 -- Peninsula, Lion’s Head (Map 38)
Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 5.0 hrs, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, remote areas having natural undisturbed Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 20 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, environments. Dropout at any time, Bring a lunch, water, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, sunglasses, sunscreen. Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Depart 10 am, Guildwood GO station ticket collector. Depart 8:30 am, Map 38, km 66.4. Guildwood GO station, 4105 Kingston Rd, is serviced by the TTC From Bruce Rd. 9, BTC Parking lot off Bruce Rd 9 in Barrow Bay 86 Scarborough bus from Kennedy subway station as well as the just south of West Shore Rd. Lakeshore East GO train. For GO train info: Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm http://www.gotransit.com or call 1 888 GET ON GO. or [email protected] Ray Berzins, [email protected] Car shuttle to km 86, Map 38. Hike back through Lion’s Head Canada Day hike along Highland Creek from Guildwood GO Provincial Nature Reserve. station through Highland Creek Park, Morningside Park, Colonel Danforth Park and finally East Point Park on the shore of Lake Monday, July 3 -- Peninsula, Rush Cove and Barrow Bay Ontario. It is a loop hike, as we shall return to Guildwood GO (Maps 37/38) station. Voluntary contributions to the Escarpment Legacy Fund Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 24 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, will be greatly appreciated. No pre-registration required. Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Saturday, July 1 -- Rouge Valley Depart 8:30 am, Map 37, Km 42.6. From Bruce Rd 9, right on Beech Street, Hope Bay. Parking lot Level I Bus hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, south of General Store. Terrain: Mostly flat, Short steep sections. Dropout at 6, 8 km, Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Families, Hiking boots, Pub stop after, or [email protected] Pre-registration Online using Website. Car shuttle to Map 38, Km 66.4. Hike back through Rush Cove, Depart 9 am, Islington. Jackson’s Cove and Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve. Barbara Euler, (416) 695-1838 before 10 pm or [email protected] Spend Canada’s birthday in our newest national park. Meet PARKA, Park Canada’s mascot, and join in the celebrations. Follow in the footsteps of centuries of aboriginal people on an important portage route. We’ll take time to look around at some of the natural features and will visit the grounds of the Italian-style villa, Valley Halla. Refreshment stop is one of hikers’ favourite pubs.
Saturday, July 1 -- Caledon Hills, Forks of the Credit (Maps 14/15) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pub stop after. Depart 10 am, Intersection of Forks of the Credit Rd and Dominion St. North on Hwy 10 to Forks of the Credit Rd. West 7 km to parking area on north side of roadway where the main trail intersects Forks of the Credit Road. Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 We will complete a loop hike through the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park along the Main Trail and McLaren Road Side Trail.
Saturday, July 1 -- Peninsula, Smokey Head (Map 39)
Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 19 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 13 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, July 8 -- Norfolk Pathways to Port Dover Friday, July 7 -- Peninsula, Cape Chin (Map 39)
Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 24 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Level II Bus hike Duration of Hike: 5.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring two or more liters Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout at 8 km, Beginners, Hiking of water, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. boots, Refreshments after, Late return (after 6 pm), Long distance Depart 9 am, Km 109.9. bus fare applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. Borchardt Rd parking lot. Take Highway 6 from Wiarton; nine km Depart 8 am, Islington. north of Ferndale, turn right on Lindsay Rd 5; turn left (north) Wayne Crockett, [email protected] on East Rd. Turn right (east) on Cape Chin North Rd. 6 km to Join me for a scenic and easy paced walk along the trails running parking. through Norfolk County ending at historic Port Dover. The route is Smadar Junkin, (905) 881-6080 or [email protected] primarily on rail trails so it will be ideal for those who don’t favour This is the first hike of four hikes to get to Tobermory. We will hills in the heat. After the walk you’ll have the opportunity to shuttle to km 86.2. We will look back at Lion’s Head, walk on the sample the local fish and chips that make the town famous. beach and by Reed’s Dump. Saturday, July 8 -- Caledon Hills, Forks of the Credit (Map 15) Saturday, July 8 -- Iroquoia, Mount Nemo (Maps 9/10) Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly. No dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots. Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons south-west corner of Hwy 10 and Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. Dropout at 3 and 6 kms, Beginners, Families, Charleston Lake Side Rd ( Hwy 24). Refreshments after. Travelling from the city, 401 to 410, then north and continue of Pre-registration Online using Website. Hwy 10 towards Orangeville. Turn left at the lights in Caledon, into Depart 10 am, York Mills. Tim Hortons. Hike leader will have sign up sheet and direct the Miriam Stevens, (416) 443-6242 6-10 pm group to the start of the hike. Vlado available the day of hike or [email protected] Cell # 416-518-5203. Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm Magnificent views along the Escarpment. A few short hills and We will park in the provincial park lot on McLaren Rd. Be sure one “mini canyon” accessible by wooden steps. Lots of water breaks to have money to pay for parking. The hike will go down through along the look-out points. Refreshments at Tim Hortons and Long’s the fields past kettle lakes, old hydro electric dams and by the on Hwy 5. Please bring your valid BTC membership and your Credit River. Bug spray might be needed in parts of this area. Bring Halton Conservation membership. lots of water, lunch and dress for the weather. Lots of good photo HIKING BOOTS REQUIRED. opportunities along the trail.
Exceptional Experiences Abroad 2017 Malta and Gozo - Walking the Maltese Archipelago with Charles Whitlock: October 5 to 16, 2017—one of our most popular tours led by Charles Whitlock will again be offered in the fall of 2017. The Island of Malta, lying 95 kilometres south off Sicily is a true gem for walkers. The island offers some of the most breathtaking views anywhere in the Mediterranean. The 150 kilometres of coast-line includes spectacular cliffs overlooking the azure sea and sometimes broad coastal shelves with intensely farmed terraced land. The coast includes sandy beaches in places but also has surreal rock formations. Malta was a strategic centre in World War II and remnants of this period have marked the island. Despite being heavily populated the island has pastoral rural areas and quaint fishing villages. One departure only this fall—from / to Toronto at a rate of $3,325 CDN p.p. based on double. Space is very limited on this unique departure.
ROMANIA: We have four spots available on our Private Walkaway Treks walking tour of Romania due to last minute cancellations. Tour includes stops and visits to: Bucharest – Moroeni – Bucegi Mountains – Bran – Zarnesti gorges – Prejmer – Viscri – Sighisoara – Socevita – Moldovita – Brodina – Argel – Sucevita – Tarpesti – Lacu Rosu – Hasmasu Mare Peak – Balan – Brasov – Azuga – Bucharest. This tour is limited to 12 travelers—led by Charles Whitlock. September 4 to 17, 2017—p.p. twin cost from / to Toronto at CAD $3,995—Call or e-mail me for complete details.
Frederick Travel Waterloo Worldwide Central Trips
572 Weber Street North, Unit 1, Waterloo, On N2L 5C6 TICO: 50015067 (519) 745 1860 ext 303 (800) 578 8958 e-mail to: [email protected] Scott cell (519) 897 9673 14 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, July 8 -- Toronto Depart 8 am, Tobermory Community Center parking lot. Level II/III Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 5 km/hr, From Wiarton take Hwy 6 to Tobermory. Park at the Community Terrain: Variable, Challenging. Dropout, No dogs, Pub stop after. Center. Depart 10 am, Coxwell Station. Smadar Junkin, (905) 881-6080 or [email protected] Inside Coxwell station at street level. We will meet at the Community Center parking lot. We will Camara Chambers, [email protected] shuttle to km 140.7 and walk back through the Grotto and Cyprus Let’s enjoy the warm weather (and a pint of beer) on this lovely summer’s 11 km walk, starting at Coxwell station and ending at Lake National Park. We will finish at the Northern Cairn. Granite Brewery. We’ll be walking through Coxwell Ravine Park Friday, July 14 -- Toronto, Walk to Sunnybrook and Sunnybrook Park, before ending at Granite, a local brewery that has been open for 26 years, producing unique, quality English ales. Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, They serve brunch too! We will be walking 11 km at 5 km per hour, Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Dogs welcome. which is faster than most Toronto Bruce Trail Club hikes. It will be Depart 10 am, Southeast corner of Yonge and Lawrence. a brisk pace and manageable by hikers who are used to an energetic Danny Pivnick, (416) 484-6824 or [email protected] walking speed. Bring water! No pre-registration required. Please join us for this pleasant weekday walk through the park system, beginning at Yonge and Lawrence and continuing towards Saturday, July 8 -- Peninsula, Dyer’s Bay (Maps 40/41) the stables inside Sunnybrook Park. We will then return to the starting point. Bring along your lunch to have in the park. Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 26 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. No dropout, Bring two or more liters of Saturday, July 15 -- Oak Ridges Trail (ORTA Map #2) water, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Depart 8 am, km 109.9. Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Borchardt Rd parking lot. Take Highway 6 from Wiarton; nine km Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 7 km, Hiking boots, Refreshments north of Ferndale, turn right on Lindsay Rd 5; turn left (north) after, Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. on East Rd. Turn right (east) on Cape Chin North Rd. 6 km to parking. Depart 8:30 am, York Mills. Smadar Junkin, (905) 881-6080 or [email protected] Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm Second day on the way to Tobermory. Great Peninsula hike. We or Ruth Dorey, [email protected] will shuttle to km 126.6. We’ll stop at Pine Farms Orchard for lunch and after the hike end in Schomberg on Main St. for refreshments at a local pub or for Sunday, July 9 -- Peninsula, Emmett Lake (Map 41) ice cream, etc. During the hike we will visit Eaton Hall and the
Augustinian Monastery. Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring two or more Saturday, July 15 -- Geology hike with Ed Freeman liters of water., Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Depart 8 am, km 126.6. Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, From Highway 6 take Emmett Lake Rd, continue on Halfway Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Dump Rd. Take the left side of the fork on the road. Park at the Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Half Way Dump Side Trail parking. Depart 9 am, Islington. Smadar Junkin, (905) 881-6080 or [email protected] Third day to Tobemory. We will shuttle to km 140.7. We will walk Barbara Euler, (416) 695-1838 before 10 pm or [email protected] on the edge of the escarpment at High Dump. The Bruce Trail Conservancy was established to preserve the amazing geological feature - the Niagara Escarpment. Ed is a Sunday, July 9 -- Niagara, St. Catharines, professional geologist and a Bruce Trail enthusiast. We will take Welland Canal (Map 2) you to some areas on the trail which have special significance. More Level I Bus hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, details to follow. Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout at 6 km, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Late return (after 6 pm), Long distance bus fare applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, York Mills. Mina Kazemnia, (905) 770-9954 or [email protected] Monica Feran, (416) 736-6636 before 9 pm or [email protected] This is an annual cherry picking hike. After finishing the hike we will stop at a cherry farm to pick cherries. Bring extra money for cherries. Monday, July 10 -- Peninsula, Tobermory (Maps 41/42)
Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 25 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring two or more liters of water., Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 15 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Sunday, July 16 -- Toronto Trail. This section can be boggy and wet, great home for bugs. Be sure to pack water, lunch and bug spray. Vlado’s available the Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, morning of the hike cell # 416-518-5203. Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 10 am, Kipling Subway Station Bus Platform. Meet Kipling Subway Station west end (by the washrooms) by 9:40 am to take #191 Highway #27 Rocket at 10:00 to Humber College. Thomas Swales, (416) 912-2329 or [email protected] Explore the trails of the Humber Aboretum, the West Humber Sunday, July 23 -- Toronto Discovery Trail and the West Humber River Valley Trail. Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 7 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Preregistration is optional but saves time during the sign-in process Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Dogs welcome. at the start. Depart 8:45 am, In front of the Loblaws on St. Clair (in between Bathurst and Spadina). Right beside the St. Clair West subway Saturday, July 22 -- Caledon Hills, Glen Haffy (Map 17) entrance. Danny Pivnick, (416) 484-6824 or [email protected] Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Join us for this summer morning walk along the beautiful Beltline Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs. Trail. We will end the walk at Yonge and St. Clair. Depart 10 am, Map 17, km 33.8. Take Airport Rd to Finnerty Side Road (6 km north of Village of Sunday, July 23 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Caledon East). Then follow Finnerty Road east 1.4 km to roadside Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, parking at Innis Lake Rd. Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots. Peter Leeney, (905) 822-1877 Mon-Thur before 10 pm Depart 9 am, We will meet at the parking lot just off Hockley Rd or [email protected] and past 3rd Line. This is hike #3 in the Caledon Hills Club series of five hikes to Go north on Hwy 400, turn west (left) on Hwy 9, then north on mark Canada’s 150th birthday. Airport Rd, then west (left) on Hockley Rd. The parking lot is just past 3rd Line. We will depart promptly at 9:00 am and hike both Saturday, July 22 -- Blue Mountains, Pretty River blue trails and the main/white trail. (Maps 23/24) Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9 pm Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout at TBA, Hiking boots, Come out for some fresh air and exercise and enjoy some time with Refreshments after, Pub stop after, Late return (after 6 pm), Long friends and family. distance bus fare applies, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 8 am, York Mills. Alex Brown, (905) 764-0812 or [email protected] We will hike the upper part of the Blue Mountain section around the Pretty River. After the hike we will go to Collingwood to visit Picture Yourself Here… the Elvis Festival. Bring your sequined jump suits. Celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary Saturday, July 22 -- Iroquoia, Waterdown (Map 9) at Waterton Lakes National Park
Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Since 1933, Skyline Hikers of the Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout at 7 km, Hiking boots, Canadian Rockies has offered a unique Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. way to experience Canada’s mountain Depart 9 am, Islington. parks. Come join us for great summer Wayne Crockett, [email protected] hiking memories and lifetime friendships. A shorter hike with a couple of good climbs but a reward in the views available. The last part of the hike climbs up Grindstone Creek to High Falls at Smoky Hollow. After the hike we’ll spend some time in Waterdown at a pub or sample the apple fritters across the street. A reward for your efforts.
Saturday, July 22 -- Toronto Section, Speyside (Map 12) Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, wet in places. No dropout, Beginners, Hiking boots. For more information, visit www.skylinehikers.ca, email us at Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons Hwy. 25 north of 401 at Milton. [email protected] or call 1-866-445-3774. Travel west on 401 to Milton. Take the Hwy. 25 exit and go north 2017 Waterton Lakes Camp dates: past the Esso station to Tim Hortons. Hike leader will provide Camp 1 July 16 to 22 directions to the beginning of the hike. Camp 2 July 23 to 29 Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm Camp 3 July 30 to August 5 Camp 4 August 6 to 12 The hike will follow the Main Trail and the Canada Goose Side Camp 5 August 13 to 19
16 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Thursday, July 27 -- Culham Trail - Mississauga Saturday, August 5 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, gravel path. No dropout, Beginners, Families, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, hiking poles helpful. No dogs. Depart 9 am, Tim Hortons Airport Rd and Hwy. 9. Depart 11 am, Vic Johnston Community Centre - Church St, From the city travel Hwy 401 and take Hwy 400 north; exit at Streetsville - lower lot near ball diamond. Hwy 9 and travel west to the intersection of Hwy 9 and Airport Rd. From Hwy 401 go south on Mississauga Rd. Pass Argentia Rd and, This is east of Orangeville and north east of Brampton. at the next lights, turn left to stay on Mississauga Rd. Follow 3 km Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm into Streetsville (where Mississauga Rd becomes Queen St) and turn This is a hilly part of the trail, great views along the way travelling left on Church St.; or, from QEW or Hwy 403 come north on Erin through valleys and along the ridges. Be sure to pack lots of water Mills Pkwy, then just south of Erin Mills Town Centre Mall turn and lunch, hiking poles, sunscreen and bug spray. right on Eglinton, then left at lights on to Mississauga Rd. Follow Hike leader available by cell morning of the hike 416-518-5203. for 2 km to right turn at Church St. Tessa Shelvey, 416-320-8555 or [email protected] Sunday, August 6 -- Oro-Medonte Rail Trail Nice easy walk along the Credit River. We will hike north for Level II/III Bus hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, approximately 4 km and then return the same way. Terrain: Mostly flat, rail trail. Dropout at 9 km, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pub stop after, Late return (after Saturday, July 29 -- Mysterious 6 pm), swim suit, towel, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, York Mills. Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Edmond Brown, (416) 535-1059 or [email protected] Terrain: Variable. Dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Anna Szymanski-Kett, (416) 564-0506 Pre-registration Online using Website. We will walk around the City of Barrie lakefront out to Shanty Bay Depart 8:30 am, York Mills. on the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail. We will have a swim at the end of Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm the hike at Shanty Bay village . We will stop in Barrie at the annual or Ruth Dorey, [email protected] Kampenfest event for refreshments. Bring swim suit. This hike is for past and present caregivers of dementia patients. Others interested in hiking with us are welcome. (1) Hiking along Sunday, August 6 -- Peninsula, Colpoy’s Bay (Maps 35/36) the natural beauty of the Bruce Trail will recharge your spirit and energy. (2) Meet fellow hikers to share your caregiver experience. (3) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 22 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Join us and develop the power of mutual support. Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Depart 8:30 am, Map 35, km 0.0. Wiarton Bluewater Park, Parking area opposite the arena. Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm or [email protected] Car shuttle to Map 36, km 22.0. Hike back Malcolm Bluff and Colpoy’s Bay.
Saturday, August 5 -- Peninsula, Sydney Bay (Maps 36/37) Monday, August 7 -- Sydenham, Skinner’s Bluff Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 20 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, (Maps 34/35) Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 20 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pre-registration by e-mail to Leader. Depart 8:30 am, Map 37 km 42.6 Depart 8:30 am, Map 35, km 0.0. From Bruce Rd 9, right on Beech St to Hope Bay to parking lot Wiarton, Bluewater Parking area opposite the arena. south of General Store. Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm Ron Granger, (519) 485-0879 7-10 pm or [email protected] or [email protected] Car shuttle to km 148.2 Map 34. Hike Skinner’s Bluff Car shuttle km 22, Map 36. Hike back through Jones Bluff and Management Area. Sydney Bay Bluff.
Saturday, August 5 -- Iroquoia, Crawford Lake to Kelso Self Propelled Travel (Map 11) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Long Distance Walking Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout at 9 km, Hiking boots, Refresh- carefully planned, self-guided ments after, Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Let me share my knowledge with you. Depart 9 am, Islington. Suggested departures: Scotland in May, Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Newfoundland in September, or whenever suits. Join me for a scenic hike from near Crawford Lake and through the For more information contact Frances Stober: Nassagaweya Canyon. We’ll continue on the main trail to the cliffs [email protected] - 438-829-2864 overlooking Kelso for outstanding views. To Milton afterwards for LIKE and SHARE facebook.com/selfpropelledtravel/ much deserved refreshments. E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 17 Activity Calendar www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Saturday, August 12 -- Toronto Section, Hilton Falls, and Saturday, August 19 -- Dufferin Hi-Land, Boyne Valley (Map 20) Speyside (Maps 11/12) Level I/II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Rocky. No dropout, Beginners. Terrain: Rocky, Variable. Dropout at 9 km, Hiking boots, Depart 9 am, Pete’s Donuts, Primrose. Refreshments after, Pub stop after, The donut shop is on the south east corner of Hwy 10 and Hwy Pre-registration Online using Website. 89. The hike leader will provide direction to the start of the hike Depart 9 am, Islington. and organize the car shuffle. Wayne Crockett, [email protected] Vladimir Bosnar, (905) 273-7569 7-9 pm Join me for a not very hilly hike, rocky in sections, that will take The hike will follow the blue trail and white trail in this section. you south through the Speyside Nature Reserve and along the There is a 12,000 year old glacial deposit, Murphy’s Pinnacle. Lots edge of the Niagara Escarpment. We’ll do the southern half of the of ups and downs in this valley region. Bring lots of water, hiking Hilton Falls Side Trail, spending a little while at the Falls. After the poles, bug spray, lunch, sunscreen, a hat and your smile. hike we’ll drive the short distance for well deserved refreshments in Hike leader available on cell morning of the hike # 416-518-5203. Milton. Sunday, August 20 -- Trans Canada Trail Saturday, August 12 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley Level II/III Bus hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, (Map 18) Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 9 km, Beginners, Families, Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 16 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pub stop after, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots, Pre-registration Online using Website. Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, York Mills. Depart 8 am, York Mills. Edmond Brown, (416) 535-1059 or [email protected] Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9 pm or [email protected] We will hike a part of the Trans Canada trail. The exact part is a Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm secret so this is a mystery hike . It seems appropriate on the 150th Come out for some fresh air and exercise and enjoy some time with birthday of Canada to explore the Trans Canada Trail. friends and family. No refreshments afterwards.
Friday, August 18 -- Toronto, Lake Front to CNE
Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 6 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at Anywhere, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 8:30 am, Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. Ruth Dorey, [email protected] Larry Haigh, (416) 432-1239 before 8 pm Hike with us along the lake front from the ferry docks to the Canadian National Exhibition and enjoy the CNE opening day (reduced price of admission) which includes free shows, farm exhibits, crafts, etc. We will arrive at the CNE around 10:00 am and split up at the gates so that everyone can enjoy what interests them. Food and water can be purchased at the CNE or you can bring your own.
Saturday, August 19 -- Rockwood Conservation Area.
Level I/II Bus hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, Islington. Barbara Euler, (416) 695-1838 before 10 pm or [email protected] Spend a relaxed day in this recreational area on the Eramosa River. We’ll explore the interesting geological features, including potholes and caves (challenging climb into North America’s second largest pot hole is optional), as well as some of the history of the area as evidenced by the ruins of the Harris Mill. We’ll be mostly on nature trails. Bring your bathing suit to make use of the beach after our hike or you can rent a canoe or paddleboat. On the way home, we’ll stop at Andrew’s Scenic Acres and Scotch Block Winery. We will be collecting the conservation area admission (amount not yet published) along with the bus fare.
18 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org Activity Calendar
Thursday, August 24 -- Oak Ridges Trail, King City (ORTA Map 2) Independent outings: Level I Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Independent outings are not sanctioned by the Toronto Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, No dogs, Bruce Trail Club (TBTC). The TBTC accepts no Refreshments after. responsibility for how these events are run, nor is it involved Depart 10 am, Roadside parking on Keele Street. in the collection of funds or administration of these events. Go north on Hwy 400; take King Rd east towards King City; turn The events listed here are not commercial operations but are north on Keele for 3 km. Park by the stile where the trail crosses the offered by members of the TBTC on a cost shared basis. road. Tessa Shelvey, 416-320-8555 or [email protected] Nice loop hike, mostly in the forest. Pretty view of Mary Lake. Cell Commercial Trips: on day of hike 416-320-8555. After we’ll go to Toscana bakery off FOOTNOTES has a number of advertisements from Bathurst. commercial hiking and outing organizations.
Independent Outing:
Friday, June 9 -- Peninsula, Tobermory Please join Jeanette and Greg as we explore the Tip o’ the Bruce Looking Ahead in search of orchids and other flowers. Our search will extend to Flower Pot Island (cost approx. $50.00 for the glass bottom ferry Saturday, September 2 -- Humber Valley Heritage Trail and Parks Canada fee - waived with free Discovery Pass). The wildflowers in the Tobermory area at this time of year are wonderful Level II Bus hike Duration of Hike: 5.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, and our slow-paced walks will focus on these flowers and the area’s Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout at 6 km, Hiking boots, great views. We stay and have our meals in a comfortable hotel Refreshments after, Pub stop after, overlooking Little Tub Harbour, the outing is restricted to those Pre-registration Online using Website. joining us at the hotel. You will need a car to access this outing. Depart 9 am, Islington. Leader: Greg Vincent (519) 579-8210 or [email protected] Wayne Crockett, [email protected] More information at hikevincent.wordpress.com Join me for a scenic walk on the long weekend. We’ll follow the Humber Heritage Trail south from near the source of the Humber River toward Bolton. A few hills, be prepared for bugs. Afterwards we’ll drive into Bolton for well deserved refreshments.
Sunday, September 3 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Level III Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. Dropout, Hiking boots. Depart 9 am, We will meet at the parking lot just off Hockley Rd and past 3rd Line. Go north on Hwy 400, turn west (left) on Hwy 9, then north on Airport Rd, then west (left) on Hockley Rd. The parking lot is just past 3rd Line. We will depart promptly at 9:00 am and hike both blue trails and the main/white trail. Remi and Brandon Fahy, 416 903-7572 before 9 pm or [email protected] Come out for some fresh air and exercise and enjoy some time with friends and family. Please note that this is a fast-paced hike.
Monday, September 18 -- Toronto Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 11 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at Anywhere, Beginners, No dogs, Refreshments after, Walking Shoes. Depart 10 am, Victoria Park Subway Station by ticket booth. Taizo Shinkoda, (416) 423-4454 7-9 pm Johanna Lanfranco, (416) 961-4701 7-9 pm Join us for a hike from the Victoria Subway Station through Taylor Creek Park and the Lower Don Parklands to the Broadview Subway Station.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 19 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Bruce Trail Conservancy 2017 Annual General Meeting
Save the Date! This year, the Toronto Club will have the honour of hosting the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Annual General Meeting. The AGM will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23rd at the Teatro Conference Centre, 121 Chisholm Drive, Milton. A full weekend of fun events and stimulating hikes is being organized by our volunteer committee members.
This will be the last of the five AGMs organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. It will be a memorable event . Plan to join us for the weekend: Friday, September 22 - Evening gathering Saturday, September 23 - Annual General Meeting, Hikes & Workshops Sunday, September 24 - Hikes
Agenda, Workshop details and Registration will be available in August on the BTC website at http://brucetrail.org
Help the Toronto Club ‘go green’
The Bruce Trail offers you the option to have Footnotes delivered electronically instead of ‘in the mail’. E-delivery has a number of benefits, for both you and the club: • less paper consumed, more trees preserved • less money spent on printing and postage, more on land securement • you get Footnotes earlier (when it goes to the printer) • it is in colour (printed version is black and white)
It’s a six-step process: 1. go to the BTC web site: http://brucetrail.org/ 2. log in (click on ‘member login’ and enter username and password) 3. click on “settings” 4. click on “manage newsletter subscriptions” 5. make your selections - for e-delivery of Footnotes, tick the box “Newsletter & Hike Schedule from my Club(s) by email”. 6. click “update”
Opting to receive the BTC e-news and Club email updates will keep you up-to-date between the quarterly magazine deliveries.
20 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
The Badge Guy
Jude Keast - a self-portrait...
I have been the Mail and Advertising coordinator for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club since June of 2014. My unofficial title is the “badge guy”. In that capacity I have had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ hundreds of hikers of all ages and backgrounds and providing them with their hiking badges. In that time I have personally hiked – the Black Creek Side Trail. So I have a way to go to collect either my Toronto End to End or my Side Trail Challenge badge!
But I have walked the trail many times if only vicariously through the rambling of others. And it has been a wonderful experience. Most people who apply for their badges have a very utilitarian approach. I get names, dates, mileage and map references and the address of where to send the badge or badges. But many hikers give me much more than that.
So I know, for example, that on Friday, November 18th 2016 that the temperature in the morning was 11 C. rising to 17C. Perfect hiking weather. And that the two hikers walked 32,000 steps. Their description of the quarry bridge – “Fantastic”. I have met bears and deer in the shrubbery and snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. One couple told me how they had to return to their car for their water and another couple related going to a farmhouse because they had run out of same.
Many requests are accompanied with a big thank-you to the trail captains and maintenance crews who keep the trail in good condition. Others provide constructive criticism and commentary on the condition of the trail. This is very much appreciated because hikers provide that extra set of eyes that are so important to keeping our trail in world class condition.
To “Zoo Biscuits”, thanks for the DVD. And to John and Fred and OJ and Dan and many others, thanks for the photos. And to Stacie thanks for the Christmas card with your trail log attached. It all makes a routine job a pleasure to do. And motivates me to do more. And I promise that one day I too will meet the qualifications and issue the Toronto End to End and Side Trail Challenge badges to – myself.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 21 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
The history behind the Club’s badges
When the Trail was officially opened in 1967, the Toronto Section was 25 miles long, from Kelso to Town Line (now Winston Churchill Blvd). The parking lot at the northern end of the Winston Churchill Side Trail is where boundary with Caledon Hills Club used to be. The annual end to end hike was a one-day affair, usually held in the spring. In 1977, 171 hikers started and 169 finished.
In September 1977, at the request of the Caledon Hills Club, the Toronto – Caledon Hills boundary was moved 4.7 miles north of Terra Cotta to Dark Corners, at the intersection of 34 Sideroad and 4th Line West (now Old Baseline Road and Mississauga Road).
Hiking Director Mike Webb, in his report to the Club’s Annual Meeting in April 1983, wrote “The highlight of this year’s programme has to be the First Annual Toronto Section ‘End-2-End’. Conceived and organized by Nina Carlisle, the event attracted 40 members who completed the entire 29 miles on two consecutive days in early May [1982]. Participants were rewarded with refreshments at regular intervals and on completion a new Toronto ‘End-2-End’ badge, designed by Nina, was presented. This event will be repeated each spring.”
In 1984, the Toronto – Caledon Hills boundary was once again moved, to the intersection of Creditview Road and Ballinafad Road, when a reroute moved the trail off Old Baseline Road. In 2009, the boundary was moved to its current position on Creditview Road, adjacent to the Cheltenham Badlands.
Today’s Toronto End-to-End Badges
The triangle on the left can be earned by completing all 49.5 km of the main trail in the Toronto section, and submitting a record of your hikes.. There is no time limit to do this, and you can hike as much or as little of the trail each day as you wish. You can do this on your own, or join up with other hikers on an organized TBTC hike. The rectangle on the right is given to those hikers who complete the end-to-end in the Club’s annual organized hike, in either the one-day challenge or the two-day weekend.
The ‘Side Trail Challenge’ badge, designed by Peter Leeney, is given to those who complete 50 of the approximately 69 km of Side Trails in the Toronto Section. There is no time limit, but a log of your hikes is required. This badge evolved out of the original ‘Side Trail Challenge’ events held annually for several years, ending in 2001. For one month each year, special signs were placed on side trails, and contestants had to find them all (like geocaching but without coordinates!). One winner was drawn from all the correct entries received.
22 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Toronto Club Badge
When the Club decided it should have a Club Badge, it held an open competition. The winning design, by Al Darling, was announced at the 1977 Annual Meeting.
Unfortunately, this badge hasn’t been available for sale recently.
Excerpt from Map 14 of the 27th Edition of the Bruce Trail Reference, with arrows showing the changes in the boundary between the Toronto and Caledon Hills Clubs
The trail has changed routes several times over the years.
The 1977 boundary was at an intersection known as Dark Corners. The name was used for the small crossroads settlement in the 19th and early 20th century. It was so named because of the heavy growth of trees at the corner that gave the foreboding atmosphere to the place. It was never large enough to have its own post office.
Written by Malcolm Sanderson, with help from Jude Keast, Peter Leeney, and Barry Westhouse.
E-mail: [email protected] Summer 2017 23 www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Moving the Archives
In October 2012, the Club’s archives were moved to the Trail Maintenance storage locker, a commercial facility that the Club rents in Georgetown. Wayne Crockett, the Club’s archivist since summer 2000, could no longer keep the archives in his apartment. The locker was to be a temporary home while the Club searched for a permanent storage location. Over the next few months, Dave Tyson and Dave Paape, working at the locker, created an index into the contents of the 27 boxes of records.
In September 2013, John Drew took on the job of archivist, and quickly found that the locker was not a great place to work. He was, however, able to go through the boxes in detail and expand on the index.
The Georgetown locker, after the archives were removed from the top shelf.
When the Conservancy announced its new Head Office in Dundas, the Club arranged for space to be reserved for our archives. In January 2017, the shelving was installed. So on March 8th, John and I met in Georgetown and loaded the 27 boxes into my van. There were several other boxes of ‘new’ material that I had accumulated over the past few years, donations from other volunteers. We drove to Dundas, unloaded everything, and then stacked it all on the shelving
John Drew loading a ‘banker’s box’ of records into the van..
Sorting the boxes Shelving at BTC Head Office
The new location is not ideal - the space assigned is at the rear of a loading dock, with a large wall-height tracked door; the room will be subject to variations in humidity, temperature, and air quality - all enemies of archival document storage. However, it has a few positive aspects: the price is right (free); the BTC will not be moving again any time soon; and there is room in the office to spread out and work on the records.
Like most companies today, the Toronto Club has begun to digitize its records, both for preservation and for access. Footnotes have been stored in PDF format since 2011. Almost all E-Notes and all AGM and Board meeting materials since 2001 were created digitally and are now in PDF format. Scanning the minutes and reports from the earlier Annual Meetings is underway, and the Board minutes will be the next priority.
We are missing the earliest E-Notes - prior to March 2001. If you have preserved these ancient e-mails, please let me know - [email protected] Story and photos by Malcolm Sanderson. 24 Summer 2017 Club Info Line: 416-763-9061