Iroquoia Section - Guelph Line (81.6 km) to Mount Nemo (91.0 km) - March 27, 2025.

 

Iroquoia Section - Guelph Line (81.6 km) to Mount Nemo (91.0 km) - March 27,2025.

It's the last hike for HWF in March and as we march towards better spring weather, we got to enjoy a nice sunny day on the Bruce Trail by covering just under 10 km (bit of a shorter hike than usual) from Guelph Line "up to the upper " parking lot at Mount Nemo...(anyone else find it odd that the BT crosses Guelph Line 3 times in the space of about 12 km?)...due to some pending home development, the trail has been closed for the initial 500 meters or so of our route, which added even more road walking to an already heavily asphalted day...

After dropping some cars at Mount Nemo, we shuttle ourselves the short way down Guelph Line to the sketchy roadside parking area and assemble to record our large, eager group of 20 hikers...using my phone to shield my eyes from the blinding, rising sun, I am able to capture myself, Andrew, Rhonda, Andrea, Doug, Sandra (sweep), Annette (H.C), Barbara, Frank, Marleen, Rita, Grace, Catherine V, Michael, Ron B, Steve K, Renu, Faryde, Ivan, and Donna...we are ready to roll, and for 2 of these hikers, there are celebrations pending at the end of the day!

We need to be at our most alert right off the hop as we cross Guelph Line at the intersection of No. 1 Side Road and begin our long road walk that makes this particular hike, at least the first 4 km or so, one of the least pleasant on the entire B.T...the aforementioned closure has just added to the amount of time needed to cling tightly to the narrow shoulder and watch traffic blow by on this busy country road...

The heavily gated estate properties along this road are nicely adorned, but also lay claim to the extensive portion of privately owned escarpment behind them that prevents the trail from taking its rightful path through what should be accessible to all...what a waste of natural beauty to be held captive by a rich few (who likely never even appreciate it)...

We turn left on to Walkers Line (surely named after us, no?) and maintain a decent pace under a glorious blue sky...I've  been along here in the middle of winter with cold, howling winds in our faces...this is much more pleasant...

 Another left turn at No. 2 Side Road leads us to the entrance of Mount Nemo (named after the Latin word meaning "No one" as in "no one could agree on a name for this place so let's just call it that") Conservation Area and finally, the anticipation of some actual trail hiking ahead...

In a classic case of "be careful what you ask for, you might get it", we begin the long, arduous climb up to the face of the escarpment we had been admiring earlier from a distance...

It's chutes and ladder time as we scrabble the last few meters up the rock face...if we were "bored walking" earlier, we now have a monopoly on enjoying some technical terrain...just remember, hiking is not a game!

A pause at the top to catch our collective breath soon turns into a full on refreshment break...and why not?...there's warm sunshine and great views...

Recharged and ready to tackle the last 5 km or so along the edge of the escarpment, we head out again...

The look out is our next opportunity to regroup and enjoy the view on this magnificent spring day...Rattlesnake Point is just across the valley...

It's always better to be looking down on the roads below than walking on them...memories of pavement have waned, to be replaced by views like this...

There's a little "chain gang" action as we descend a steep rock face...

As we cover the last few hundred meters before reaching the dropped cars, we encounter what might be considered a portent of conditions to come...the ground is thawing and mud season will soon be upon us...

But for now, there are just proud moments to celebrate as we honour Andrew and Frank on their completion of the Iroquoia Section!..congratulations to these two hiking friends on another feather in their Bruce Trail caps...and that caps off another great day on the trail for HWF...thanks for joining us!

The End

Shoot...I guess it could have been worse I suppose.