I often cycle along 7th Line which runs parallel to and in between Grey Rd 7 and Grey Rd 12. It's great for cycling as it has little traffic and good views. Along the way, there is a sign for a side trail entrance to the Bruce Trail. We have been curious to try it and today was a good opportunity.
The side trail starts on 7th Line just a bit south of the very tiny village of Wodehouse (pop. STILL only 88). However, we chose to start our walk at the parking lot on sideroad 78 and do a there-and-back to the side trail entrance. From the parking lot, the Bruce Trail follows a steep gravel road for a bit before turning off into the woods. It's mostly an easy walk with a beautiful spot by a stream. This stream is unusual because it comes out of the ground as a spring rather than following the surface.
Shortly after, the side trail splits from the main trail and the going becomes quite a bit rougher. Evidently, not many people take this side trail and in several places trees have fallen across the trail. It's a bit of a scramble to the top of the escarpment after which it's much lusher. This is evidently a wet place!
There's a pond through which the stream flows. It is edged with lily pads. Apparently, the pond becomes much larger in the Spring and the trail is then submerged and impassable.
We have heard reports that the Bruce Trail organization has had problems with 'hotspots' being overrun by hikers during this time of COVID. Not here! We saw exactly two other people today. And, had we been five minutes earlier, we would have seen zero people.
