Niagara Section - Queenston Heights (0.0 km) to Woodend Conservation Area (13.7 km) - April 23, 2026

                           

12 hikers joined us on a glorious, sunny day - perfect for hiking from "Ground Zero"  (km 0.0) at the Southern Cairn to Woodend Conservation Area (km 13.7). Official distance was 13.7 km - and somehow morphed into 14.7 km according to my Strava app....

We brave few were (from L-R) Laura, Peter, Nancy, Grace, Frank C., (A. Cairn) Rita, Annette (Pics), Diane, Doug (Pics), Barbara, Sandra and Steve R.(Pics & H/C).

Diane - enjoying her first visit to the start of the BT at the Southern Cairn.

The Daffodils on the Niagara Parks lawn were in full bloom.

Onwards and upwards (and downwards) we went.....with a few muddy spots but generally not too bad for wet/cool spring weather we have had recently....

Ms. Laura Secord and Mr. BT Blaze are competing for space on this poor twisted tree....

Serious business this hiking.....

  

...seriously careful to avoid stepping on the lovely blossoms that were just beginning to open. 

The Niagara Seed Orchard features a variety of plants (including Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Mayapple, Common Snowberry, Pawpaw, Coralberry, and Elderberry) at a site that was previously overrun with invasive species & supports Carolinian forest growth 

This imposing structure a few kms along the trail near the Queenston Quarries always attracts our curiosity (what the heck was it for?). Well it is clearly an old radar tower from the 1950's and 60's - used for testing radar dishes made by Fleet Industries - learn more by clicking here Ye Old Radar Tower

The required bridge pic....of Doug...with the rest of us on the bridge behind him.

 

Partial lean-to construction seen along the Laura Secord trail (BT overlap) - guess they started building another chocolate shop, but it didn't work out....

Doug up the creek.....without a paddle.

Emerging on Mewburn Rd we found 4 high-rise Bat Condos  used to support endangered bat species such as the Little Brown Bat (Myotis Lucifugus). These guys really do have "Bats in their Belfry".

Trillium blossoming in the shadow of man....

Turtle sun bathing by the pond in Fireman's Park. Eagle-eyed Doug could see a flotilla of turtles from ~200 paces - when we approached they quickly scampered into the water ....mmmmm I love Turtles.

Sir Hike a Lot demonstrating his Disk Golf stroke...

Nice bird houses along the route....

        

Entering the forbidding (wet and smelly) Screaming Tunnel...which was featured in the 1983 David Cronenburg film - The Dead Zone.

Punxsutawney Peter, emerging from his lair, sees his shadow.... and continues hiking....

 Diane in front of the legendary "Really Big Shoe" tree...

HWF ended our hike at Woodside Conservation Area in the warmth of a wonderful afternoon sun and look forward to our next great adventure on the Bruce Trail.

A new monument to Peace in the Locust Grove Picnic Area.