Hike Report - Caledon Hills 1

Section: Creditview Rd. to Forks of the Credit Distance 11.7 km
        
Hike Leader: John GiesbrechtHikers: John G, Agnes, Ella, Rudi

   Description- The hike began at Creditview Rd at 9:10 AM. It was a cool foggy day as we climbed over a style to begin our hike that would eventually take us to the Forks of the Credit. The plants and bushes beside the trail were laden with water droplets from the previous day’s rain. The trail itself was packed with fine gravel bordered by logs all the way to Olde Baseline Rd. This made for an easy, stumble-free early portion of the trail. Off to our right we saw the topography that made up part of the Cheltenham Badlands.

   Crossing Olde Baseline Rd we gradually climbed the Escarpment. The whole area was covered with multi coloured leaves that was a beautiful backdrop for the hike. The trail was also covered in fallen leaves that sometimes caused your foot to slip as you took a forward step. Caution was necessary, especially on boardwalks and avoiding slippery tree roots.

   At km 5.7 we left the White Trail and entered the McLaren Side Trail. This side trail follows an old road allowance that descends to McLaren Rd. Taking this Side Trail led us down the Escarpment at an easier descent then descending at the Devil’s Pulpit that would have been the case by remaining an the main trail. As we descended we had the sun behind us and fog shrouded forest ahead, an interesting sight.

   At Puckering Lane we turned left, back on to the White Trail at km 17.5. All the white blazes had been painted over but previous experience on this section kept us on the trail. At km 16.3 we left the main trail and entered Brimstone Side Trail.

This side trail follows a narrow trail on the edge of a very steep valley. We rejoined the main trail at km 10.6 just at the point where the main trail leads to the Cataract.

Walking along Dominion St took us to the Forks of the Credit and the car. It was now 12 noon and we had hiked 11.7 km in less than 3 hours. As we progressed on the trail, the temperature seemed to increase with every kilometre hiked.

   We stopped at Tim Horton’s on the way home for coffee and some of us ate our lunches here. Another successful hiking day.