Beaver Valley Section - Eugenia Falls (60.8 km) to Sideroad 7B (43.5 km) - May 17, 2023.

 Beaver Valley Section - Eugenia Falls (60.8 km) to Sideroad 7B (43.5 km) - May 17, 2023.

It's Day 2 of the first of three, 3 day trips up to the northern sections of the Bruce Trail for the Hiking With Friends group, and as is our typical protocol, we are tackling the meanest of the 3 scheduled walks on the middle day...and today's hike certainly falls in that category. While not overly lengthy at 14.8 km of main trail, it is a challenging route none-the-less. But it is also a top-ten hike in my books...starting with a magnificent waterfall, ending with probably one of the nicest views on the Bruce, and capturing all the varied terrain that this great trail has to offer in between...forests, fields, pretty lane ways, and even a power plant along the way to give us some extra juice to continue (evolution of the hybrid plug-in hiker?)...so let's get started and see how our day progressed...

Our birds eye perspective of the route which will take us 5 hours and 40 minutes to complete and require about 500 meters of ascent...this hike also has one of the shortest shuttle distances involved as it's pretty much a straight shot down Beaver Valley Road between the two end points...the recent reroute is also of note...since the last time we plied this track, the main  trail now follows directly up to Old Baldy (formerly the MacKirk Side Trail) and continues along from there over to Sideroad 7B, as opposed to descending down to the Town of Kimberley (now known as the Old Baldy Side Trail).

 Cars dropped at the roadside parking on Sideroad 7B?.."check"...shuttle up to Eugenia Falls and park at start?.."check"...happy group of hiking friends ready for a great day ahead?.."check"...for today's outing, we have myself, Barbara (H.C), Steve R, Andrew, Doug, Rhonda, Lesley, Frank, Catherine, Nancy, Laura, and Sandra...let's get started!..

It's an early morning visual delight as we are just steps from a roaring Eugenia Falls, flowing well in the springtime (it was a mere trickle last time I was here in the fall)...at 30 meters high, it is the largest waterfall in the area, with Beaver River passing through a 25 meter rock gorge featuring unique ferns and mosses...

Shortly after leaving the falls, the trail passes by the stone ruins of a power station built in 1895...

It's another cool, breezy morning but the sun is out and the bugs won't be as pesky today so we are in luck...pretty much perfect hiking conditions...we cross over the river and begin travelling downstream...

This lone stone archway was once the entrance to a long-vanished tunnel intended to be used in conjunction with a long abandoned hydro-electric power project. Built by the Georgian Bay Power Company between 1906 and 1907, the 867 foot long tunnel was burrowed through the hill beside the top of the falls to the valley floor below. The plan was to divert the river through the tunnel in an attempt to maximize the drop, thus increasing  the generating capacity of Eugenia Falls...it was abandoned when the company went bankrupt...they were powerless to do anything more about it...

We start climbing in anticipation of finding the top of this mysterious tunnel but all we discover so far is this incredible view of the valley...oh well, pause and enjoy...

Ah ha...I knew it was up here...hard to believe but someone actually drove a horse and buggy through this tunnel one time long ago...

The trail continues to wind through the Eugenia Falls Conservation Area before emerging on the North Street road allowance for a short bit...the temperature has risen sufficiently that clothing adjustments are required for some...

The trail underfoot is welcoming...abandoned farm machinery and newly unfurled ferns provide visual stimulation...

The trail continues to follow the east side of Beaver Valley and crosses Campbell's Hill...combined with Graham's Hill on the west side of the valley (did these two guys have a hill measuring contest back in the day?), they become a side trail that bisects the valley...

 

The imposing sight of the twin surge tank towers of the Eugenia Power Station complex appear on the horizon...opened in 1915, it operates to this day and generates 3500 KW of electricity to help feed Ontario's energy consumption...

Meanwhile, our energy output will be increased through consumption of another of Barbara's fine homemade cookies...

We are soon back on the trail and testing out our stone hopping skills over a fast flowing stream...

The next stream has a real bridge across it and you can see our delight in assembling for a traditional shot...we can't be long though because another hiking group has arrived at the same spot travelling in the opposite direction...trail talk ensues (how many cars we had left at the free roadside parking at "7B" seemed to be a popular topic today) before we sent off in our respective directions...shortly after, we are blessed with another great vantage point to admire the amazing grandeur of the valley...

We travel beside several large crevices...this wasn't a misstep...just trying to give perspective to the depth of these cracks in the earth...

The trail emerges from the forest and we cross over Beaver Valley Road to the east side...there's another good view of the Beaver Valley Ski Club over to the west...

Just past the Artemesia-Euphrasia Townline, the trail cuts back and up into the woods...after climbing up and rejoining this road, there is a left turn and a wide open field to cross...

There are more great views of rolling countryside as we pass through the meadow...

Doug sports the latest in hiking bandage-wear...being a trooper after a slight slip sent his noggin a knockin'...

Another stile takes us up and over and onto the 4th Line A right of way, which is just a lovely, tree lined lane with freshly laid gravel...we earn another hydration break at the end...it's soon time to tackle "Old Baldy"...

A couple of nice vistas provide a nice appetizer for the main viewing course to come as we start our climb through Kimberley Rock...

The trail through here is adorned with magical trilliums everywhere you look...and there is the sign that signals the route up to Old Baldy, formerly MacKirk Side Trail...

And here it is...we conquer the hill and are rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of Beaver Valley...the highlight of the day...Old Baldy never fails to impress, but it is especially nice on a beautiful day shared with hiking friends...

This guy knows that this is a popular picnic spot I suppose...

After leaving the Conservation Area, it is just a short walk to the dropped cars on Sideroad 7B and we are done for this hiking day...a memorable one for sure, showcasing so many great aspects of this wonderful trail...we have one hike left on our plate tomorrow for this trip, and while it may be hard to match today's, we look forward to what new and interesting things we will discover...see you then!

The End

"Apres hike" chez Andy & Judith's beautiful home in Collingwood...many thanks!