Hike Report - Niagara 5 - Bert Lowe Side Trail, Black Walnut Side Trail

Hike Leader: John Nourse

Hikers: John G, Peter, Rudi, Jim, Margaret, Karen, John N, Anita

It was raining and raining, and it rained all day and never stopped. We parked the first set of cars at the Short Hills entrance, off Roland Road and proceeded with the other two cars to the Holland Road Parking spot where we ended up last week. 

We followed the Bert Lowe Side trail, which was easy pit sand and flat, northwest. The challenge was to resist the very strong southwest wind. This robust force  blew and pushed us “lighter people” sideways. But it was a great scenic route, even in the rain, with water all around us - the power canal on

one side and Lake Gibson on the other. Our trail rejoined the main trail (30.9) where the DeCew House (War of 1812) is located.

We entered bush and woods and mud. After following the south shore of Lake Moodie, admiring the DeCew Falls and crossing several streams we descended steeply into a swampy area followed by more waterlogged fields. These lands form part of the 700-hectare Short Hills Provincial Park. We stopped for lunch at the Morningstar Mill and its attractive water falls. Among interesting old farming and milling equipment we enjoyed our well deserved sandwiches in a dry environment. 

After the break, we followed another half hour the Black Walnut Side Trail heading west through another wet, low-lying area and up to the parking lot. But our cars weren’t there! We were not lost, but our cars were waiting at the other end. There was no choice but to continue together and add another hour “free exercise”. The mud sliding got more and more interesting:1 step forward, 2 steps sliding back. After some squeals we navigated the ups and downs with 90 degree switches and new vocabulary such as “the mudder”. Also we counseled each other how to use our sticks depending if you were a 2 stick or 1 stick hiker. Finally we heard and saw the Swayze Falls close to where we had left our cars. 

After a total of 15.7 km we arrived all together muddy but save at the right parking lot.

Back in Oakville, we stopped at the Bronte Road Tim Hortons. We shared our Mud Stories und admired the blue sky on the last two Hike reports.