Toronto/Caledon Sections- Winston Churchill Blvd. (42.8 km) to Chinguacousy Road (2.8 km)- Nov. 3, 2022.

 Toronto/Caledon Sections- Winston Churchill Blvd. (42.8 km) to Chinguacousy Road (2.8 km) - Nov. 3, 2022.

This past week found the Hiking with Friends group spanning parts of 2 sections of the Bruce Trail, 7.5 km at the end of the Toronto Section and 2.8 km at the start of the Caledon Section for a total of 10.3 km. 

Our aerial shot of the route, which took us 3 hours and 20 minutes to traverse, starting in the lower left and heading northward to the top right...it was a relatively flat course with only 215 meters of ascension so not an overly taxing day on the legs, distance wise and climbing wise but hey, the effort was still there, right?..

After some consultation at the dropped car location, and some parking adjustments at the designated start (the Winston Churchill Rd parking is coned off but still seemingly usable so that ended up being the preferred spot), we have our group in position and ready to roll...a few of the "old band" are back in action so there's 12 of us this morning including myself, Brian, Rhonda, Lesley, Barbara, Laura, Doug (our leader again this week), Sandra (sweep), Steve R, Frances, Ron B, and Annette...

It's a short walk up Winston Churchill to the main trail access point and into the Terra Cotta forest on a damp, foggy "first hike of November" morning with temperatures expected to climb into the teens...for now, however, it's gloves and toques as we set out on the leaf strewn trail...

There's a stretch of pine forest to pass through before it's back onto the colorful leaf carpet...the footing is a little tricky in spots as the leaves are camouflaging the rocks and roots below...the mist in the forest gives the woods an eerie atmosphere...the spirit of Halloween lingers...

We tackle what would be the most technical descent of the morning as we approach Heritage Road...

We pause at the bottom of the hill to regroup and re-hydrate...

We emerge onto Heritage Road for a few hundred meters and the hikers ahead become silhouetted in the morning fog which has been prevalent in S.W Ontario the past few days...we seem to be on the cusp of its advancement northward, but altitude also seems to play a role in its appearance...the temperature gradient between being in and out of the mist is quite significant...

Shortly after entering the Jacquith Property, a 35 hectare area bequeathed in 1990 to the Ontario Heritage Foundation by Everett and Barbara Jacquith, we find a very suitable bridge to accommodate our large group (well except me I guess) for a nice shot...the sun is getting higher and starting to impose itself on the fog...

We shuffle off the bridge, pass the access point of the Terra Cotta Side Trail, and continue our journey...

The unusually warm November sun is doing such a good job in fact, that we need to stop for a clothing adjustment as several hikers elect to doff a layer...

All in all, a pretty darn nice day for this time of year!

We are about half way through the hike and a fair bit of road walking lies just ahead so it's a good time to take a break on some convenient logs...there's been a lot of "catching up" going on today as several hikers have not seen each other for a while...

Barbara and Sandra model their recently purchased "Hiking with Friends" branded caps with style...yes, we now have swag...and the swagger that comes with it of course...

Annette poses beside a rather brilliant new bench that I totally missed (not sure how) on the trail (thanks for the pic Doug)...I could not find any reference to it on the web and I'm not sure if the names etched in the concrete are relevant but it is definitely...brilliant...

...whereas this long ago discarded car (tractor?) chassis is not...

We reach Boston Mills Road and settle in for some road walking...

This was the view to the south of the road...fog rolls across the harvested fields...

While to the north, a barn and silo stand in brilliant sunshine...

A left turn takes us onto Creditview Road and face to face with a large farm tractor barreling down the road towards its next agricultural venture...

Entering the Cheltenham Badlands area signifies the transition from the Toronto Section to the Caledon Section...no passports required...

Hey, I know Doug can go on sometimes, but this is a little harsh...wait, what?..oh, it's those new-fangled flying things...I get it...

We take some time at the boardwalk look out to survey this unique geological display..."Badlands, you gotta live it everyday...Let the broken hearts stand, as the price you gotta pay...Keep pushin' till it's understood...And these badlands start treating us good"...the Boss knew...

We're on the home stretch now and we march spryly (well, that's poetic license) towards the dropped cars...

...oh yeah...which were at the top of that really long hill on Chinguacousy Road...oh well, we made it and it meant the end of a quite pleasant hike today...some of us headed to the Spirit Tree Estate Cidery for lunch before heading home...thanks for spending some time with the gang...see you again soon!

The End