Iroquoia Section - Hillcrest Ave. (37 km) to Sherman Falls (46.6 km) - March 9, 2023.

Iroquoia Section - Hillcrest Ave. (37 km) to Sherman Falls (46.6 km) - March 9, 2023.

Hiking in the Hammer...does it get any better on the Bruce Trail?...well, probably yeah, but Hiking with Friends does not discriminate and all parts of the B.T have their own brand of beauty so this week, we took on a stretch that makes up part of the largest urban corridor of this historic pathway...10 km from Hillcrest Ave. to Sherman Falls in Ancaster...it was a classic winter day with plenty of sunshine so let's get started on the journey...

It's a thin ribbon of green that divides the lower and upper parts of the Steel City...our route today is pretty linear (unlike the drive between the end points), except for the deviation to cross Highway 403 over to Ancaster...it will be a 3 1/2 hour journey and require just over 300 meters of climbing...

 It wasn't the smoothest of starts to the day as a couple of the shuttle cars were delayed getting to the origin location, but we eventually got our act together...not sure if Ron B is either a) found to be living out of his car in Hamilton or b) trying to find the right combination of layers for the hike...also, for anyone looking to park here in the future, beware of "ornery old guy who, despite living in a dense urban area, decided to buy a extra large pick up truck (you know, to show what a big man he is while going to get coffee and some groceries) and now has difficulties backing it in to his short driveway when hikers park (legally) across from his house"...he may well yell at you, and then at the clouds...

Well, we nailed the opening group shot today...17 hikers are on board this week including myself, Muris, Lesley, Doug (today's Hike Coordinator), Sandra, Liz, Josie, Andrea, Barbara, Rita, Steve R, Nancy, Laura, Ron B, Marleen, Ron J, and Peter...

A short side trail is taken to reach the main trail...and it's never a bad thing when your opening shots show a rising sun casting shadows on the fresh snow pack...conditions appear perfect for a great winter hike ahead!..

There's low clearance as we pass under the Dundurn Stairs...

As we travel along, it is easy to forget that a bustling, noisy, active city exists close by on both sides...but we are blissfully unaware and just enjoying the beauty of our immediate surroundings...

Barbara passes by a felled pine, likely a victim of the heavy, wet snow that recently experienced...it is just one example of the numerous downed and damaged trees we would encounter throughout the morning...

A decent downward slope gives us a chance to test out our icer's, which were going to play a critical role in maintaining traction in several spots...

We reach the Chedoke Staircase, which is incorporated into the trail (by a somewhat ambiguously blazed pole) to take us down to the park below...we share it with numerous "stair-athletes" who are out for their daily exercise...I prefer hiking myself, unless the stairway is to heaven...

 It's a chance to regroup at the bottom before heading out on a portion of the Chedoke Rail Trail...there's a view of Westcliffe Falls...looking a bit crest'fall'en to be honest...

A good time for a warm H.W.F welcome to our newest participant, Josie!..she brings another beautiful smile to our ever growing group...

After a short clothing adjustment break for some, we cross the rather imposing steel pedestrian bridge over Mountview Waterfall, and enter a pretty cool section where the escarpment walls loom on both sides of the corridor...

 Eventually, the trail emerges out in the open and we begin to get vistas of Dundas Valley and Hamilton to the east...

After passing the small but striking Princess Waterfall, we enter the Iroquois Heights Conservation Area...

There's a hole in the fence at one point that allows Steve and I to venture out to the edge and get a spectacular panorama of the valley...

There are few more impressive trail bridges (Hwy 405 in Niagara, Dufferin Aggregates Milton Quarry?) than this crossing of Hwy 403...

The stairway down on the west side leads to a graffiti adorned alleyway to take us to Fillman Road...

Over half of our planned distance has now been covered so it is a good time for a break for refreshment...several emptied recycle bins are repurposed for a relaxing respite before returning to the reality of hiking...

And it isn't long before we encounter another obstacle which, as in life, must be overcome...

Steve does some trail maintenance and wrestles this downed tree into submission...

Barbara and Steve examine another recent victim of the forces of nature...this tree was spectacularly split quite high up its trunk and was beginning its journey to decomposition on the steep slope of the creek...

Another brilliant group shot, if I do say so...our bridge picture at the creek that flows down from Shaver Falls...

There's a switchback to contend with and then it's the steepest climb of the day...this one will take some effort...

There's a lot of huffin' and puffin' as we scramble to the top...

...and the trail shows no mercy as we are shortly thereafter faced with an equally steep and treacherous (remember that term from last week?) downhill...

Warning: "Descent techniques will vary according to conditions and quality of your icer's"...

After Barbara checks out a jenga-like remnant of an old stone structure, we reach the bottom of the hill near Tiffany Falls...and Steve assists Peter with his footwear (broken icer I believe)...

There's a relatively easy stretch to wrap up the day before we emerge onto Old Dundas Road and head for the dropped cars...

It's been a great day again on the Bruce Trail...under perfect winter conditions, we have enjoyed a challenging hike that leaves us tired but satisfied...we saw a lot of "falls" today, but fortunately they were (mostly) of the water variety...hiking in the Hammer has proven to be quite rewarding...thanks for letting us share our day and see you again soon!

The End

TFC Home Opener Sat. night...the boys are back!