Dufferin Hi-land Section - Mulmur Hills Parking Lot (28.3 km) to Boyne Valley Provincial Park (14.1 km) - Sept. 13, 2023.

 Dufferin Hi-land Section - Mulmur Hills Parking Lot (28.3 km) to Boyne Valley Provincial Park (14.1 km) - Sept. 13, 2023.

As we were walking along the trail,

we met a man, in a windswept vale.

He paused, and posed a peculiar query:

"Have you been to Boyne?..'cause you'll love it...clearly"

Hiking With Friends never actually met this fictitious character of lore, but we did make a 15 km or so trek last week from a parking lot in the Mulmur Hills area of the Dufferin Hi-lands Section of the Bruce Trail to end up in the beautiful Boyne Valley Provincial Park...so yes, we can now wear t-shirts that say "I've Been to Boyne" (you also probably won't actually see us in these either), and we did love doing it...clearly!

My app is working again so we have a bird's eye view of our route (although having been marginally truncated at the start) that took us 4 hours and 45 minutes to cover and, as suggested by the roller coaster elevation profile, involved a decent amount of climbing...roughly 535 meters in total.

Having dropped cars at the end of our designated course on Hurontario Street, we proceed over to the quite nice parking area on 1st Line EHS (East of Hurontario Street) in the area of Mulmur Hills, and assemble for a group shot...15 hikers in total today including myself, Andrew, Rhonda (her first official "retirement hike"), guest hiker Barry from England, Steve K, Ron B, Marleen, Andrea, Doug (our H.C for today), Frank, Grace, Steve R, Lesley, Sandra, and Frances...

Our hike gets off to a brisk start on a magically crisp and sunny September morning...conditions are ideal and this area is a favourite to hike in...lots of up and downs, but generally smooth trails, and a wonderful variety of forests, creek valleys, and meadows...

Unfortunately, this fine example of American Beech has succumbed to old age, and has become part of the forest's regenerative process...the info sign seems to live on in perpetuity however...

The sun is rising and peeking through the forest canopy and, after a short clothing adjustment break, we strive forward through the woods, and across some small streams...

A short respite in the glorious warmth on a bench overlooking a wonderful valley is always a good thing...as these smiles will attest to...

When the troubles and annoyances of daily life become infernal, come spend some time...in ferns...all...of them make you feel so much better...

We emerge briefly on to 2nd Line East and after a short road walk turn left to make our way down a short lane-way...

Doug checks out the abandoned vehicle that has been an unwelcome addition to the landscape here for far too long...

We have been travelling along the top of the western edge of the Boyne River Valley and we now climb up to what I consider one of the most beautiful areas on the Bruce Trail, an expansive meadow bordering the valley with amazing 360 degree views...and we have picked the perfect day...Georgian Bay can be seen in the distance, roughly 50 km to the north...

The landowner here has mowed a wonderful swath of a pathway...it is just an idyllic setting...

A few hikers venture up the side trail to the look out, and then it's quickly decided that this area is ideal for our refreshment break...let's linger in this Eden a while longer!..

And linger we do...such a peaceful setting...

But eventually we need to get back to the business, nay, pleasure of hiking, and we forge on to see what lies ahead...

Sir Hike-a-Lot exhibits his magical powers here, emerging from seemingly nowhere, to insert himself into the middle of this group heading downhill...

The trail has looped back westward and we cross back over 1st Line using a stile... using many different styles...

The visual delights are aplenty today, with large clusters of pretty yellow plants, and vistas of fluffy white clouds over a verdant green field...

With such clear skies, a quick side trip up to the famous Murphy's Pinnacle is definitely in order today...

And to top off our day, we finally get to cross the Boyne River and find a sturdy span that accommodates us all for a classic bridge pic...

All that's left for the day is the long, slow climb out of the valley...it's somewhat divided into two sections and a short break (it's been an arduous hike) is a good idea between the two stages...

Eventually, we emerge from the forest at the busy Hwy 89, and the welcoming sight of our dropped cars...we have been blessed to have enjoyed a glorious day of hiking on the Bruce Trail, and, for some of us, thoughts turn to our first of two, 3 day trips next week to the more northern sections...fall hiking at its finest! Thanks for sharing this day together with us and see you again soon!..

The End

Proud moment...Andrew and I, having completed the 2 day, 52 km Toronto Section E2E Sept. 9-10...tired, but happy (the way one should finish any hike).