Iroquoia Section - Sydenham Lookout (58.8 km) to Hermitage Gate (49.2 km) - April 2, 2026.

 Iroquoia Section - Sydenham Lookout (58.8 km) to Hermitage Gate (49.2 km) - April 2, 2026.

Hiking With Friends returned to the Iroquoia Section this past week to take on a bit of a shorter route (necessitated by a parking lot closure) of 10 km from the lookout on Sydenham Road, through the town of Dundas and the Conservation Area, and ending up at the Hermitage Gatehouse parking lot...as it turned out, the truncated length allowed us to finish up before the forecasted rain arrived, which was not a bad thing...although it did dampen our post hike celebrations a tad...what was that about, you say?..well, stay tuned!..

 It's windy and cold at the lookout on Sydenham Road where 11 earth exploration experts have gathered this Thursday morning...myself, Grace, Doug, Lesley, Steve R (H.C), Barbara, Sandra, Rita, Laura, Diane, and Frances are all ready to head across the landscape with, fortunately, that icy wind at our backs...okay, we got this...it's not rocket science...it's not like we're going to the moon or anything...

As the launch window arrives, it's over the guard rail and down the sketchy steps we go...Dyment Falls is typically trickle-y and exhibits a peculiar alien-like greenish hue within its many layered rock formation...

It isn't long before we pop back out onto Sydenham Road and cross the railroad tracks on the sloping bridge, using the pull of the earth's gravity to our full advantage...there's a great view of "the Hammer" behind us to the east...all kinds of life forms apparently reside there...

Our group must be getting to be a familiar sight on the streets of Dundas lately...we once again make our way through town following the white blazes...like autonomous beings from Planet Bruce...  

An egg-cellent example of a festive display...

It won't be long before trail users will have to keep a heads up for any wayward drives on the Dundas Valley Golf Course, but for now, it's just HWF enjoying a slice of hiking paradise...which is par for the course...

Sir Hike-a-Lot uprights the remnants of a once well grounded tree blaze that was apparently unceremoniously decapitated during recent trail maintenance...totally stumped as to how this can happen...

 Having entered the property of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, the trail becomes quite pleasant, with some nice undulations and a scenic boardwalk...it's been a bunch of smalls steps so far, but combined, one giant leap for our hiking enjoyment...

  It may appear here that Sir Hike-a-Lot is attempting to push an already precariously perched, blaze adorned, tree on to a fellow passing hiker...I assure you that's not the case...uh, this is all A.I...really...  

As usual, there is an equine presence at Valley Farm...Year of the Horse, it is!..

The paint was barely dry on this fallen tree..."death by blaze" can occur quickly and with little warning...like an alien virus...

Ahhh...space to walk...

Having reached the Trail Center at the heart of the park, it's decided that we will forego any refreshment stop today and continue our good pace to try and finish before the rain arrives...and there's also the rumor of special treats at the end too!..we are on the right orbital track!

Catching up on some important info regarding the original explorers of this land...

 The sight of the monolithic Hermitage House means that our odyssey through space (and time) is soon over and we'll re-enter the atmosphere of every day life soon..it has been a smooth and well enjoyed foray today, we will say "mission accomplished...over and out."

The End

Congratulations to Doug "for scoring" the prize of reaching a major milestone birthday!..there were some delicious cakes (thank you, Grace), refreshments, some old friends, and some singing!...Doug seemed pleased, and "ate, he" did...best wishes for many more hiking missions!