Hikers: John N ,Ann M, Karen N, Manu M, John G, Rudi, Joanne, Shirley B, Tom & Oprah
Section: Toronto3 Hilton Falls, Al Shaw, Vanderleck, 17th Side Road, Speyside North & South Side Trails
We began our hike at the Pear Tree parking lot in Speyside. We welcomed a new hiker Tom and his companion Oprah.
It was a cool overcast day with occasional light snowflakes gently falling. Oprah, Tom’s black lab would run ahead of us leading the way. Sometimes when the trail became less obvious Oprah would stray off the path, but a quick command from Tom would put her back on the trail. Oprah was a very obedient well-trained dog and added a new dimension to the hike.
The trail was a mixture of rocks, roots, pools of water and easy flat sections. We began on the main trail but soon entered the Al Shaw Side Trail.
Along the trail we encountered a vast network of blue plastic tubing draining a grove of sugar maple trees. It was interesting to see how the tubes were positioned so that gravity would eventually drain the sap to an overall collecting point. Very little sap seemed to be in the tubes at this time, probably due to the unusually warm winter and spring.
We next entered the Vanderleck Side Trail that followed an old road allowance over 15th Side Road and then turned onto 17th Side Road that led to the White Trail. After a brief time on the Main Trail we entered the Speyside North Side Trail with it’s rocky terrain and eventually entered the South Speyside trail. The South trail was pleasant flat trail with open areas and strands of Sumac that created an arch over the trail.
Exiting the trail on the 15th Side Road we followed the road back to the original parking area and the waiting vehicles.
We finished the financial end of the hike at Tim Horton’s on Bronte Road. Another end to a pleasant hike.
No comments:
Post a Comment