Hiking Schedule for Ontario - 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Bruce Trail, Beaver Valley. Level 2/3. 3 km/h. Hilly, rocky terrain, 18.7 km
BT Maps 24/25. Meet before 9:00 am for a 9:00 am departure at km 33.2 on the 9th Sideroad east of Duncan (Map 25, ed. 25). Our hike starts east of Ravena and takes us through the north portion of the Kolapore Uplands, Metcalfe Rock and through the Duncan Crevice Caves Nature Reserve. Hiking boots are a must and trekking poles are recommended. No dogs and no dropouts. Directions from Eugenia – Follow Grey Rd 13 north for about 4.7 km, veer right on Artemesia-Euphrasia Townline, left (north) at 3rd Line, east on Sideroad 10D to Duncan & continue east on Sideroad 9. Meeting place location: approximate latitude/longitude = 44.423509 -80.468584 (Note: Same meeting place as April 25th.)

Sunday, April 25, 2010 – Bruce Trail, Beaver Valley. Level 2/3. 3 km/h. Hilly, rocky terrain. 18.4 km
BT Map 25/26. Meet before 9:00 am for a 9:00 am departure at km 33.2 on the 9th Sideroad east of Duncan (Map 25, ed. 25). Our hike starts a bit north of Eugenia on the east side of Beaver Valley with a spectacular view at Old Baldy, past Duncan Lake and ending near Duncan. Hiking boots are a must and trekking poles are recommended. No dogs and no dropouts. Directions from Eugenia – Follow Grey Rd 13 north for about 4.7 km, veer right on Artemesia-Euphrasia Townline, left (north) at 3rd Line, east on Sideroad 10D to Duncan & continue east on Sideroad 9. Meeting place location: approximate latitude/longitude = 44.423509 -80.468584 (Note: Same meeting place as April 24th.)

Sunday, May 02, 2010 – Bruce Trail, Blue Mts. Level 2/3. 3 km/h. Variable terrain. 15.2 km
BT Map 22. Meet before 9:00 am for a 9:00 am departure at km 31.6 where the trail crosses Regional Rd 124/24 (Map 22, ed. 25). Checking the map contours you will see that our walk northward through Nottawasga Bluffs C. A. and through Devil's Glen will twist, turn, go up and go down - typical escarpment. Hiking boots are a must and trekking poles are recommended. No dogs and no dropouts. Directions from Shelburne – Just east of Shelburne take County Rd 124/24 north about 30.8 km to Singhampton and follow 124/24 east for about another 3 km. Meeting place location: approximate latitude/longitude = 44.359037 -80.216688

Sunday, March 28, 2010
Lynn Valley Trail. Level 2. 4 km/h. Mostly flat. Moderate. 22 km
Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Park in Simcoe. Take Hwy 24 south to Simcoe, continue south on Hwy 24/Northfolk St through Simcoe. Continue on Norfolk St., past Victoria Street to Woodhouse St. There is a small sign for Memorial Park, turn left, east, one block then right, south, into Memorial Park (Google Maps 42.828890 -80.299667 - park is near the end of Woodhouse St & Owen St). This rail trail is one of Canada's best and runs from Simcoe to Port Dover beside the Lynn River. The trail is wide, flat with a good surface and for the most part protected by trees. We will search for signs of spring along the way to Port Dover for lunch at Tim Horton's and then retrace our steps to Simcoe. New to hiking? We will help you. No dogs, no dropouts & no smoking. Website: Lynn Valley Trail. Click here to see, in Google Maps, how we get to the start at Memorial Park, Simcoe from Kitchener.

Alternate Route to Memorial Park, Simcoe, ON - See this route on Google Maps

• From Kitchener follow Trussler Rd south passing under Hwy 401 - NOTE: Near Hwy 401 Trussler Rd jogs before heading south again. That is, at 401, you will turn lefton Twonship Rd 11/Greenfiled Rd, pass under Hwy 401 and immediately turn right (south) on Trussler Rd.
• Head south from Trussler Rd - go 2.3 km
• Continue on Brant-Oxford Rd - go 9.7 km
• Continue on Puttown Rd/Brant-Oxford Rd - go 1.1 km
• Turn left at CR-2/HWY-2 - go 0.5 km
• Turn right at Bishops Gate Rd - go 17 km
• Continue on Simcoe St - go 0.9 km
• Turn left at Vanessa Rd - go 0.3 km
• Turn right at HWY-24 - go 18 km
• Continue on Norfolk St N - go 3.6 km
• Continue on Norfolk St S - go 0.8 km
• Turn left (east) at Woodhouse St - go 0.2 km
• Turn right (south) at Owen St. [Google Maps] and enter Memorial Park.

Saturday, May 8, 2010 – rare, Cambridge. Level 1. Leisurely. Mostly flat. ~ 3 hours/ ~ 8 km
Meet before 9:30 a.m. at the "rare" administration building in Blair (1679 Blair Road) - two storey yellow building. Hwy 401 exit 275, Homer Watson Blvd. (Cambridge). Cross over Hwy 401 on Homer Watson Blvd. (the name changes to Fountain St.), turn right at the round about onto Blair Road. Blair is small so watch for the rare administration buidling on the right, two stories, yellow (Google Maps). "rare" (previously called Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve) is a large nature reserve on the Grand River, potentially Canada's largest urban wilderness. The plant life is Carolinian with an excellent show of spring flowers. This walk will be slow paced to enjoy the plants, geology, and vistas. A good beginner and family hike. No dogs. See >> rare website.

Friday to Monday, May 21-24, 2010
Victoria Day Weekend in the Lower Bruce Peninsula
We will enjoy the trails of the lower Bruce Peninsula. Wherever possible we will use side trails to form loops.The views and spring flowers are as good as the Bruce Trail gets! Our hikes will be 15 km or less. Our accommodation and meals are provided by a comfortable lodge at Red Bay [Wildwood Lodge]. Group size is limited to 25 and has been full the past few years. New to hiking? We will help you. Reservations required: If you would like reservations, please contact Wildwood Lodge >> Telephone: 1-800-697-8550 or 1-519-534-1917 | E-mail: thomas@bmts.com. For more information please contact >> Contact Greg

Friday to Sunday, June 18-20, 2010
Eighth Annual Excellent Orchid Adventure
You are invited to join Jeanette and Greg Vincent as they explore the Tip o' the Bruce, Tobermory, in search of orchids and other flowers. Our search will extend to Flower Pot Island (island map) with a cost of approximately $35.00 for the glass bottom boat and Parks Canada fee. The wild flowers in the Tobermory area in the spring are wonderful and our walks will focus on these flowers and the area's great views. These walks will be slower paced and shorter than regular hikes. We will have our meals and stay in a very comfortable Princess Hotel in Tobermory that overlooks Little Tub Harbour. The number of participants is limited to 25 and has been full the past few years. Beginners welcome. No dogs. The cost in 2009 was $360.00 double, $420.00 single, triple and quad $330.00 - cost for 2010 to be confirmed. Reservations required. If you would like reservations, please call Tessie the manager at the Princess Hotel 1-877-901-8282. For any further information contact Greg.