Blue and White Explorers
Hike Report for November 29, 2010
Section: Caledon
Leader: John Nourse
Hikers: John & Karen, Ella, Agnes, Rudi, Jim, Stephen, Sandra
What a glorious day for a hike! As we proceeded to our meeting place as huge red sun rose over the horizon to the east. There was a hint of frost on the tall grasses by the roadside as well as the remnants of a weekend snowfall. There is some discussion of a secondary group hike so that three of our hikers can finish the Caledon section of the main trail today. Cars are positioned and we are off for a somewhat gruelling 20+ km hike.
We begin at Hockley Rd just east of 2nd line and immediately begin the Tom East (Caledon and BTC president responsible for laying out much of this section) side trail, rejoining the main trail at marker 62.8. Soon we are hiking along the Glen Cross side trail. Reaching the ridge required a very steep ascent using several switchbacks. The hiking conditions are very nice, with great temperatures, only a little ice and snow in sections, and being able to hike through hardwood and cedar forests with the babbling water of the Nottawasaga River to be heard in the background. It reminded me of a poem by Robert Frost. There were some outstanding views of the valley. In some sections we were able to descend with the assistance of cabled steps. Interesting use of recycled garden hoses!!
Once again we connect with the main trail only to find ourselves now at the Snell Loop trail.
This loop brings us back to the main trail at marker 65.1 and we head off to Dunby Rd. Our leader found us a nice wide and dry bench to have lunch, although it was a little chilly once we stopped. After lunch we passed a large horse farm and saw the “pink pig” on display beside the trail. Arriving at Dunby Road the group split and there was a bet as to who would get back the 5th line first.
See part two of this report.
Five hikers proceeded to complete the Hockley heights Side Trail. Lulled by the road walking and a level cart track the STEEP hills (straight up, then straight down only to go straight up again posed a bit of a CHALLENGE)! But We DID IT! This area hosts a sensitive sand dune area, a legacy of glacial and wind deposits.
We finish on a road walk and then see the cars, BUT WAIT, we are not done.
Hockley Heights continues for another 1.2 km as a side trail loop and then a short distance on the main trail and then we finish on the Hemlock side trail.
Quite a day! The group is rejoined, cars gathered and we head for coffee and sustenance.
Report by Sandra, John, Rudi, Jim
Part 2
At Dunby Road marker 66.7, having completed 10.1 kms of the B&W hike to this point, Hikers Jim, Stephen and Rudi, left the B & W Hike to turnaround on the trail to return to today’s starting point at marker 60.2 along the white trail to complete at total of 17.6 kms. This White Blazed return was for the benefit of both Jim and Steve who needed this section of the white trail for their end-to-end qualification.
As the weather had warmed up the snow on south facing sections of the trail was melting which made some of the steeper sections quite slippery in spots. Once the threesome reached Hockley Road, they proceeded to the Bruce Trail parking lot at Hockley Rd and 5th Line.
From the parking lot, the threesome completed a loop consisting of the interconnecting White trail with, Hemlock Ridge ST, Hockley heights ST, Glacier Valley ST, Hockley Heights ST, Hemlock Ridge St, Glacier Valley ST and back along Hemlock ST to the parking lot for a distance of some 2.2 km to complete an aggregate 19.8 km
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