Windy Lane to Sideroad 13A

We had someone in today cutting down some trees around the cottage.  Not wanting to make him nervous, we left the cottage early so he could work in peace.  It was a cold but calm day when we started at Windy Lane and we were well wrapped.  Windy Lane is an access road to the Beaver Valley Ski Club.  It has a number of fairly modest ski chalets along it.  I guess the owners can ski right from their doors.

The trail is a little hard to find at first because the B.T. blazes are mixed in with all the ski-run trails.  In addition there are some cross-country ski trails in the area which have their own set of trails.  After a kilometer, all is clear and the only markings are the B.T. white blazes.

Much mature maple and beech along here.  Some of the trees had strange burls on them:

The trail winds along the top of the escarpment through an area called Wodehouse Karst (i.e. limestone riddled with sinkholes).  The actual karst area is above (west) of the trail.  There's a newish sidetrail through the karst to 7th Line.  We didn't do that today but it looks like an interesting walk for the future: the creek disappears into the ground only to reappear below the escarpment edge as Bill's Creek.  We ate lunch by the side of this creek, then continued on to the top of the former Talisman Ski area where there is yet another great view:

After Talisman the trail starts to descend partway down the escarpment by means of a ladder.  It's quite steep and would be slippery in wet weather!  Now that we are below it, the scale of the cliff becomes evident:

We were surprised not to see any evidence of climbers here.  Unlike the cliffs on the other side of the valley such as Metcalfe and McCluskey's, this one is not easy to see from the bottom of the valley so perhaps it is not as well known. 

By late afternoon we reached Sideroad 13A and found the bike stashed there.  It was getting noticeably cooler and windier by then so Steve had a chilly ride back to Windy Lane via the hamlet of Wodehouse (population still 88).

Hike 2 Herman McConnell Memorial Forest

Friday October 25 We had the energy and time for a second bike-assisted walk, so decided to cover off a 4.5 km piece of the trail from Sligo Sideroad (16C) to Sideroad 13 A.  This was a lovely path through mature hardwood forest with views across the widening valley.

Our pace allows for spotting the unusual.  The fungi below are examples.

Hike 1 Blantyre to Griersville

Friday October 25 A well-loved and well-cared-for section with most of the leaves down and now carpeting the ground. Rosehips and an abundance of wild apples provided more colour.

Griersville to Webwood Falls

A second bike-aided hike beginning West of Griersville and ending at Webwood Falls.A rain shower had mostly abated when we set out, leaving a glistening understorey to walk over.

This first part featured chunky moss covered rocks and crevices on the edge of a precipitous drop partially hidden by trees. We were concerned about finding a dry spot to stop for lunch and considered some damp rocks but sure enough when we emerged from a forested section, a dry sunny bench appeared as if on command!

The final piece was much easier going along the edges of grassy meadows.  It is encouraging to see the way the Bruce Trail Conservancy recognizes its most generous donors.

Fairmount Loop

(Sunday October 13th)

Better weather today: still brisk but less windy and more sun.  Today, we did the Fairmount loop.  It's the piece of the Bruce Trail that's closest to our cottage.  Strangely, we have never walked it before!

It probably has the most varied terrain of any piece of the Beaver Valley that we have done so far.  Everything from waterfalls, crevices, pine forest, apple orchards and great views of Blue Mountain and Georgian Bay.

Sligo to Epping

(Saturday October12th)

A cold, windy morning with an overnight low of 2C.  With the threat of rain in the morning, we waited until it brightened up.  Fooled by the beautiful weather of the previous day, we were a bit under-dressed, especially in the more open, windswept areas.

We took a bike along and dropped it off on the way at the Epping lookout so that Steve could cycle back and fetch the car thus avoiding having to walk the same route back.

Shortly after starting at km 87.9, I came across this feather:

Obviously, a large bird; likely a red-tailed hawk.

Many, many wild apple trees along the way and with the wind the apples are starting to fall quite a bit.  In some places, the trail is carpeted with fallen apples and they crunch below your feet.

The terrain varies as the Beaver Valley widens out and the escarpment becomes less distinct.  A short way into the trail is the Beaverdale Forest Area and, true to its name, it has a beaver pond with a lodge in the middle:

We finished up at the Epping Lookout where Barb cooled her heels while Steve stayed warm by pedaling back up a steep graveled road to fetch the car. 

The next stretch involves an unattractive road walk along Grey Road 7.  We will try to find a way to avoid that as the road has a lot of fast traffic, especially on weekends.

Vandeleur to Hogg's Falls

A perfect day - beautiful sunny, breezy weather, a lovely route and the best part - the company of Bruce and Linda. The first part of the trail meandered through meadows and old orchards, before entering deciduous forest dotted with streams and waterfalls.

A couple of chickadees and a kingfisher were the only birds noted. We enjoyed spectacular views across the Beaver Valley where fall colours were on full display.

The final third of the route had some steep climbs and descents.  By the end of this 10 km hike, we all felt we'd had a great workout.