Wodehouse Karst Side Trail

 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.

Bognor Marsh Revisted

 September 18, 2021

This was a second attempt to complete a hike that we had to abandon almost exactly a year ago due to water and mud.  This time the weather had been dry for several days and we were able to do the walk with dry feet.  We covered about 6.5 kms using the main trail, side trails and an uninspiring walk up to a conservation area trail head.  On our route we spotted a snake that appeared to be sunning itself on the side of the trail until we arrived.

We heard and then saw a number of frogs in the marshy spots.  

The route was not especially challenging but it offered a wide variety of terrain, fungi, a floating boardwalk and a lovely viewing platform with a bench which we used for lunch.  We did not see birds but could imagine birdwatching here at a different time of year.  Very few hikers around on this beautiful 20 degree day.

Bayview Escarpment Snowshoe Hike

Monday December 27

After a quiet Christmas Day, followed by a heavy snowfall, we were keen to get outside and enjoy the scenery.  Expecting the popular spots to be busy, we drove West of Meaford to the Bayview Escarpment Reserve and found a 4.5km loop that included a section of the Bruce Trail.  Only one party had taken the route ahead of us.  We definitely found what we were looking for....snow clinging to branches, animal footprints and some lovely lookouts over the unspoiled terrain with the lake in the distance.  

A few other groups arrived as we finished. We look forward to returning in the spring to tackle the complete Friendship Trail.  

 Sunday September 13th

The weather was pretty wet in the morning.  It cleared up by lunchtime so we decided on the spur of the moment to try another hike while the weather held.

We started out at Bognor Marsh where the Bruce Trail enters it on the south side.  It turned out to be very wet and muddy due to the heavy overnight rain.  In fact, much of the trail was covered in water.  Not being well prepared for this, we backtracked and decided to hike somewhere else that was on higher ground.

We drove north to highway 26 where the Bruce Trail crosses it at a hamlet called Woodford. The trail was not hard to find and there's plenty of space to park.  The BT guide showed a side trail that formed a loop with the main trail so that was perfect for a brief hike.

Along the way we saw a lot of fungi, evidently brought out by the wet weather:

There are some features along this piece of trail including a narrow crevice that's hardly wide enough to walk through without twisting sideways. A sign warns people with claustrophobia to avoid it!

There are also some rock formations such as this pot hole.  It's possible that it's man-made as there's an old mill around here: it may have been part of that.

Fairmont

Friday September 11, 2020

Taking advantage of unusually cool weather for early September, we chose a walk that offers a mix of terrain and good views not far from the cottage. The route was not new to us, but was for Louise.  

We trekked through sun-dappled woods, meadows and rocky sections from Webwood Falls (km 100.7) to the intersection at Euphrasia-St. Vincent Townline (km 108).  We did this walk in the opposite direction last year.

We noted some unique fungi and many wild apple trees with ripening fruit.  

Pretty River Valley

Saturday June 13
Another cold, bright morning, ideal for a strenuous hike of about 13 kms.  From the parking lot on Pretty River Road, we headed into the provincial park which was crisscrossed by several snowmobile and mountain biking routes.  We covered the Ross McConnell Side Trail and the Pretty River Side Trail along with several pieces of the main trail.  When we arrived at the edge of the escarpment we found many informal lookouts and stopped at one of them for lunch, enjoying a view out towards the Collingwood Airport and Nottawa. 

We are noticing a more diverse range of people on our hikes this year, likely because hiking is one of the few activities permitted during this time of restrictions due to COVID.  Today we encountered a shirtless, shoeless walker and one with noise cancelling earphones (to eliminate the sound of the babbling brook?). 

Nottawasaga Lookout and South

Our first official hike of 2020. With some routes still closed, we headed for an area that was sure to be open and one that Louise would enjoy with us. It was a bright, breezy, cool morning when we started at 26/27 Sideroad heading North into the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve. Trillium carpeted the ground with tall deciduous trees above. There were pretty views of Nottawasaga Bay at many points as we walked along close to the edge.

We headed for the Standing Rock and Caves Side Trail where we encountered several families. The route of the side trail was not entirely clear and we probably missed a bit. On the way back I caught a glimpse of a red fox. We found a sheltered spot to stop for lunch not far from the starting point. Revived, we decided to cover another piece of the trail heading south towards Duntroon where we encountered meadows of wild flowers. It was good to see small groups and couples out hiking, more than we have seen on last year's hikes. All in all we covered close to 12 km and gained an appreciation for this section of the trail and the work of the volunteers who maintain it.