Section: Toronto – start -Philip Gosling , Hilton Falls (5,6) , Vanderleck and Speyside side trails, end - at Speyside Side Trail south. Distance 17 + km’s
Leader: John N
Hikers: John N. Ella, Agnes, John G, and Rudi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We met at the Colborne Centre at 8 AM . We were fortunate to meet Eldon who supplied us with a pass to enter the Hilton Falls Conservation Area. After dropping a car off on 15 Sideroad we drove to Hilton Falls to begin our hike. We began the hike at 9:15 AM on the Philip Gosling Side Trail.
The weather was clear and warm as we crossed a dew covered area of grass to the trail.
Joining the Main Trail led us through a pine forest, to a clearing with magnificent views of the Kelso with it's green covered ski slopes.
Skirting the Halton Country Inn Golf Course we passed through a narrow rock crevice and then over Sixth Line and ascended to continue on the Main Trail. Unfortunately we missed the sign for the Restoration Side Trail and continued on the Main trail. We reached the bridge spanning the road to the Dufferin Quarry.
Just beyond the bridge we paused at a viewpoint looking down into the quarry seeing a line of empty trucks entering and full trucks leaving the quarry. The gravel broken down from this ancient Escarpment is destined to become roads, foundations and sidewalks throughout the area. At the quarry we encountered another hiking group that Agnes often joins.
The Main Trail now took us along the edge of the escarpment and occasional openings that provided spectacular views of the countryside and distant skyscrapers on the horizon.
At one point there was a fat porcupine in among the trees, sensing our presence it would waddle a bit further away, pause for a moment and eventually disappear into the woods.
At km 7.1 we entered the Hilton Falls Side Trail. which eventually led us to the Vanderleck Side Trail.
The trails were a mixture of rocks and roots, occasionally widening on what appeared to be old logging roads. We stopped for lunch at the point where the trail crosses 15 Side road.
Carrying on, the Side Trail eventually follows 17 Side Road and crosses highway 25. On our right as we waited for a break in traffic to cross the road a group of beautiful horses were grazing in a large field and as we continued along the road Agnes related her experiences as an owner and lover of horses.
At the end of 17 Side Road we return on to the Main Trail dodging large pools of water on the way. A movie was being shot at this point but we we never encountered the actual film crew. Once again leaving the Main Trail we entered the Speyside North Side Trail. This trail proved to be a mixture of rocky piles that tested your balance and old logging roads. Exiting back on to the Main Trail we soon exited on to the Speyside South Side Trail. This trail was much easier and was a welcome change from the earlier part of the hike. We entered a large grove of Sumac trees that formed an arch over our heads as we passed beneath on the trail. At 2 PM we exited the woods on to 15 Side Road and the waiting car. We had traveled approximately 17 km. and had encountered a variety of terrain, a wonderful hike on a beautiful day and thanks to John N for the planning and execution of this hike for the Blue and White Explorers.
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