Hike Report - Iroquoia 4

Section: Iroquoia, Sam Lawrence Park to Tiffany Falls, Markers 44.8 to 33.9, for 11.7 km.

Hike Leaders: Bill, Rudi and Jim 

Hikers: Bill and Diane, Carol, Stephen, Jim, Margaret and Rudi

The Hikers gathered at the Colborne Centre on a very crisp and overcast morning, enjoying a frigid temperature of -17 degrees at departure for Sam Lawrence Park in Hamilton. Given the weather conditions and the prevailing wind, leader Bill elected to start the Hike from Tiffany Falls in Ancaster to finish at Sam Lawrence Park. The hike plan for today called for one Access Trail along Tiffany Creek to and from Tiffany Falls and three Side Trails along the way east to Sam Lawrence Park.

As well, three of the hikers leveraged this hike to complete the white trail in this section.

Tiffany Falls was a beautiful with a full 21 meter ice face due to the extreme artic cold. The Hike retraced the path along frozen solid Tiffany Creek and picked up the main Trail east to Sam Lawrence Park. The steep ascent from Wilson Rd to the Escarpment brow was a challenge, given the fresh and packed snow covered stairs and up slope and very cold air, but served as a warm up for the hikers. Soon the main Trail crossed over Highway 403 leading through woods and open meadows. As the hike approached km 42.4 at the junction with the Iroquoia Heights Side Trail we spotted a deer crossing the trail and as we came closer we counted four deer grazing in this apparent winter deer yard.

We did not seem to be much of a threat as Bill was able to get even closer on a side lane for a few pictures. Here Jim, Margaret, Carol and Stephen took the white trail while the others continued on the Iroquoia Heights Side Trail and then further along up the Scenic Drive Side Trail.

At km 38.3 the two groups met up again near the bottom of the stairs to Chedoke Park and then completed the hike to Sam Lawrence Park Side Trail and up to the parked cars and the panoramic view of the City of Hamilton.