Blue Mountains Section - Pretty River (48.6 km) to Swiss Meadows (67.3 km) - Sept. 20, 2023.
Blue Mountains Section - Pretty River (48.6 km) to Swiss Meadows (67.3 km) - Sept. 20,2023.
We are down to nine hikers for today's outing, with Catherine having had to depart, as well as Steve R and Lesley who are heading off to hike in the English countryside!..so it's myself, Grace, Nancy, Sandra, Andrea, Frank, Steve K (H.C), Rhonda (welcome!), and Doug...
It's a bit of a convoluted start to today's hike...with roadside parking no longer available at our chosen starting point (we were aware of this fact), 7 of us start off to join the main trail using an unmarked (former) side trail while Steve K and Doug venture up the road to a designated parking area to leave the two shuttle cars...they will then take a combination of the main trail and Pretty River Side Trail to meet up with us at the intersection further north...our group gets to enjoy the babbling stream, but are also faced with an early climb...
As Doug and Steve's route is somewhat longer, passing by a small pond on the way, we arrive at the meeting point a few minutes earlier, but it isn't long before our companions are reunited with the main group, and trail, and we carry on together...
It's shaping up to be another spectacular day for hiking, as the morning sun rises through the forest canopy and takes the edge off the cool temperatures under which we began...
The trail in the provincial park begins to follow the escarpment edge, and we are blessed with some great views to the east...overlooking the pastoral lands...
More great vistas...this time to the north, at Osler Bluff...Georgian Bay is easily visible in the distance...
The hiking gets a little more technical for a bit...but we are up for the challenge...the moss covered rocks are a wonder to behold...
A short while later, we enter the Petun Conservation Area...one of the highest elevations on the Niagara Escarpment (we actually passed the designated high point of the Bruce Trail back in the Pretty River Valley P.P), this 100 acre site was named for the indigenous people that inhabited this land during the early 1600's...
This is yet another beautifully forested area in which to enjoy a hike on another perfect day...
We reach, and cross, 2nd Line and venture back into the woods...
It's the most challenging scramble of the day as we heave ourselves up the steep rock steps and onto the top of the escarpment...Doug offers assistance to help get everyone up safely...
Interesting flora and hazardous warnings...all part of the Bruce Trail experience!..
After exiting the forest at the top of 3rd Line, and having a short refreshment break, we set off again towards the intersection of New Mountain Road (Grey Road 19), and then turn right towards the Bay...
It's a fairly long stretch of busy road, but it has a decent, newly paved shoulder...it was downhill (thank goodness), and there was a little guy by the side praying for us in the warm sunshine...
A left turn at the bottom of the hill takes on to a road allowance which, serving as a "de facto" stream bed, is a mish-mash of varying sized rocks and gravel, mixed with some sand...probably my least favourite trail surface...we pause for a bridge picture on Silver Creek...those smiles will soon fade to grimaces as we face the climb of a very, very long hill...
...none of which I recorded...there was one nice view at the hydro corridor, and then we reached 12 Side Road...enough said.
On somewhat more level ground, after having used a stile to cross a fence line, we have our spirits lifted passing through a lovely meadow at the top of Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, and then pass through their property for a bit on some nice wide trails...
We gradually wind our way on to Scenic Caves Road and we know that this hike will draw to a close soon...this has been a great day with lots to see and talk about...the lookout here gives an amazing panoramic view of the Bay and its environs of Blue Mountains and Collingwood...one last vista to enjoy...
We dip down below Swiss Meadows Blvd for one last spell in the woods at the top of the ski resort and try out some recently constructed bridges...even the sight of "death by blaze" cannot dampen our spirits...the end is near...
Well, we weren't "Dead" at the "End" of this hike, but we were sure glad to see the dropped cars (and chauffeurs for those departing to home) on Maple Lane and know that we had completed our journey for today...it was an impressive group effort and we all felt proud of what we had accomplished...maintaining my mantra of simply being "tired, but happy"...after another great day, Hiking With Friends.
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