Blue Mountains Section - Lavender Cemetery (0.0 km) to Side Road 9/10 (14.6 km) - Sept. 19,2023.

 Blue Mountains Section - Lavender Cemetery (0.0 km) to Side Road 9/10 (14.6 km) - Sept. 19,2023.

Autumn is upon us and that means Hiking With Friends is heading north to enjoy spectacular fall conditions in the further afar sections of the Bruce Trail by way of two 3 day trips...our first was this past week and we stayed in Collingwood to take on 2 hikes in the Blue Mountains Section and one in Beaver Valley...this blog will capture our walk from the parking on Side Road 9/10 Nottawasaga to the Lavender Cemetery just meters east of the section boundary...a hike of 14.6 km.

Our trek, as shown above from a bird's eye perspective, would take us a comfortable 5 hours, and require a decent 350 meters of ascension...there were two significant climbs out of valleys, as seen in the elevation profile...

Having met at the Lavender Cemetery first thing, and shuttled over to the start on Side Road 9/10, we are assembled and eager to get underway on a crisp September morning...our first of three consecutive hiking days (well, for some of us...stay tuned)...there's myself, Catherine (big day for her!), our Hike Coordinator (out of retirement) Steve K, Grace, Andrea, Nancy, Frank, Michael (guest hiker), Doug, Steve R, Lesley, and Sandra...we are ready to roll!

Let me confirm your suspicions right away...there are not many days more suited to hiking in our region than this one...we are blessed to be able to experience such natural beauty under such great conditions...the early brisk pace of the hike expresses the anticipation of what lies ahead...

Is the grass beside the narrow pathway a little long in places and leaving a dewy coating on your legs?...sure, but that just adds to the myriad of sensations to enjoy...along with early vistas like this to gaze out over...

Our start to the day has been positive and it's time for a regroup as we cross a concession...the trail has been in great shape...really no complaints (we'll save those for the hills later)...

 We emerge on to Nottawasaga Side Road 6/7 and into the sunshine...there's a short stretch of flattop ahead and a chance to stretch the legs...

The trail eventually takes us back into the forest...a pause is taken to catch our collective breath and take on some liquids... 

 As our hike gets back underway, we stroll merrily through some golden meadows, rife with wildflowers swaying in the refreshing breeze...sound idyllic?..it is...

And, there's lots of cool stuff to see on the trail too!..

Today's hike really is a cause for celebration...

It turned out that this pretty gate (in lieu of a stile) led us into our own garden of Eden...a little weary and a little hungry, we came upon a bench, surrounded by soft grasses, in the shade of some beautiful, old trees...time to stop and appreciate...

...or, in some cases...zzzzz...

If we weren't quite awake earlier, we should be soon...as the roar of Noisy River begins to be heard, in the Provincial Park of the same name we are about to enter...

This is a superb bridge (relatively new, I believe they were just completing it last time we were here) for a pic, with a nice photographer's platform beside it to capture this great perspective...

After climbing up to and crossing the intersection of Concession 10 South and Garden of Eden Road (I honestly just found this out on the Bruce Trail app- 2 Edens in one day!), we pass a quite nice lake which sits quite high up on the escarpment...

After a bit more climbing, we are rewarded with a fantastic view to the north...the foliage has just started to show signs of turning to brighter hues...it stirs our imagination as to what we may enjoy upon our return north in a few weeks...

We are well into our hike today and I've lost count of how many times I've heard someone remark what a great day it has been...it so wonderful when everyone is feeling so happy about being together outdoors...this is a time to cherish...

And hey, there's even the time (and energy) for a little "tree-foolery"...a cedar saddle surprise!..

The forests have been a joy to travel through...still lush after a summer of rain and sun...we will soon leave the park and head south towards Lavender...

At the end of the path, just prior to accessing Mulmur-Nottawasaga Town Line, there's an amazing little property with a simply enchanting garden...as if we hadn't seen enough of nature's beauty today...this is yet another Eden on the trail...

 We linger for a few minutes, but knowing our dropped cars are literally around the corner, we soon head off in anticipation of the evening's group dinner in Collingwood and maybe some refreshment...

In what will become a common feature of our 3 day hiking experience, there's a little apple pickin' to be done along the way...

And just to round out a perfect day of hiking, it's Catherine's turn to be feted for the feat of her feet (and the rest of her body) having now travelled the entire length of the Blue Mountains Section!..Congratulations...can the ultimate goal be far off?..if you're Hiking With Friends, anything is possible.

The End

Later that same night...(unfortunately our H.C. is slightly out of frame, but you can see by his arm that he was enjoying his evening)...