Hike Report - Sydenham 10 including Slough of Despond, President’s Path, Cole’s, Nels Maher Side Trails

Section: Sydenham 10 including Slough of Despond, President’s Path, Cole’s, Nels Maher Side Trails  Distance: 15 km.

Leader: John N

Hikers: John N, John G, John K, Frances Kinnon



The hike began at Colpoy’s Range road in the rain at km 153.7. There were two beautiful horses looking for a snack at the beginning of the hike. 

 Crossing a style we left the White Trail and Bill Hambleton and his group and we started on the Blue Slough of Despond Side Trail. Frances Kinnon, a niece of Ann Maberly’s visiting from Scotland, was a welcome addition on a dreary, rainy day.  It was not long before our boots began to take in water and remained wet for the complete hike.
  Soon after the hike began, John Nourse and Frances spotted a coyote near the trail. We passed a farmers field with a very large flock of sheep and a lamb crying for its mother.

 Now we entered the President’s Path Side Trail that was formerly the Main Bruce Trail, and is now named for the Sydenham Club President.

We rejoined the Slough of Despond Side Trail and continued south and now the Blue Trail followed Concession 24 Road for approximately 2 km.
    We now entered the Cole’s Side Trail that led back to the Main Trail at km 137.9. We were continually dodging large puddles of water and many times the worn trail was covered in water.

 As the rain continued to fall and our boots and feet were soaking wet it seemed pointless to leave the trail to avoid all the pools of water.

 John Nourse and Frances set a quick pace in spite of the conditions. We passed many Trillium flowers well past their prime. At km 140.0 we entered the Nels Maher Side Trail. The trail was muddy and slippery and caution was required to keep from sliding off the trail.

  The three Johns and Frances rejoined the White Trail at km 141.3 to find Bill and his group had just arrived before us. In spite of the continual rain we all agreed it was a fine hike.