Hike Report - Caledon Hills 4

Hike Report: for Monday, November 15, 2010

Section: Caledon Hills, Mountainview Road  AT to 7^th Line Parking Access at km 45.1. Distance 17.1 km

Hike Leader: John Nourse

Hikers: John N, Karen N, Bill H, Diane H, Agnes, Ella, John G, Jim, Rudi

The group met at Eddie’s for a morning fix and briefing by hike leader John N. before heading out to position two cars off Airport Road at the 7^th Line Bruce Trail Parking Lot and then backtracked to Mountainview Rd Access Trail. 

The Hike began at appox. 9:00 am at the Access Trail heading west down the slope from the road then following a path through a harvested corn field for some 850 m to the main Trail. As there was a cool wind across the corn field gloves were a welcome addition to our gear.

The Hike reached the main Trail at km 28.4 and turned left to head south, first along the corn field edge then through a pretty forest of hardwoods, reaching the Escarpment Sideroad at km 29.1. Crossing to the south side of the road, the Hike winds through another hardwood forest and gently rolling terrain, then returned to the sideroad, turned right and soon started a gradual descent to Airport Rd with views and Fall colours to the east over the Oak Ridges Moraine. 

Turning left, the Hike followed Airport Rd to Finnerty Sideroad at km 33.0 where we turned right and continued along the side road to Innis Lake Rd at km 34.5. Along the way Jim reports seeing the remains of a deer and a racoon off the side of the road. Following the Trail, the Hike turned left at Innis Lake Rd and at the end of the roadway continued north along a road allowance before turning left to follow a series of bush paths through the Albion Hills then descending into the Dingle ( a narrow wooded valley) before climbing to the junction with the Palgrave Side Trail at km 37.3. We turn left and continue on the main trail following a road allowance to Coolihans Sideroad at km 38.0. Here we leave the main Trail and enter the descending Glen Haffey Side Trail which follows Glen Haffey Rd north to Hwy 9. 

After crossing the highway the trail turns right and then left to follow Mono- Adjala Townline for about 670 m before again turning left to cross a style. The side trail drops into the valley of the Humber River where the Hike stops for lunch on the edge of a cedar forest.

Following lunch the Hike continued and climbed steeply to an open ridge with views. It then enters a mature hardwood woodlands and rejoins the main Trail at km 43.4.

Together with the Main trail, this side trail formed a 10.3 km loop. To finish, the Hike continued another 1.7 km through hilly terrain, where we meet five hikers from the Niagara area, and complete our hike at the 7^th Line Parking Access Trail. 

Overall distance 17.2 km.