Blue Mountains Section - Devil's Glen (29.5 km) to Osprey-Clearview Townline (42.4 km) - August 20, 2026.

 Blue Mountains Section - Devil's Glen (29.5 km) to Osprey - Clearview Townline (42.4 km) - August 20, 2026.



Summer is waning and we are entering prime hiking season as temperatures moderate, bugs begin to relent, and foliage is fully mature...Hiking With Friends continued making a slightly further trek by car to enjoy a 14 km walk in the Blue Mountains Section this past week, which featured all manner of landscape and a relatively (compared to last week) smooth and level part of the Bruce Trail.



















Early morning departures mean early dawn views as we make our way northward...16 of us arrive at the start in good time and assemble for instructions from our Hike Coordinator and of course, a group photo...there's myself, Donna, Frank C, Andrea, Barbara, Josie, Nancy, Catherine C, Annette, Renu, Marleen, Andrew, Lesley (H.C), Doug, Grace, and Frank L...we are all looking forward to a great day on the Bruce Trail...let's see if that came true!























 The road may be closed but the trail is very welcoming for those of us travelling by foot (feet?)...the weather is "spot on" as we had hoped, and we are off to a brisk start...























We have to duck under some "low hanging fruit", but apparently (dodging) an apple a day keeps the doctor away...






























It's the first (of a few) road crossing today at County Road 124 and a chance to regroup and think about some clothing adjustments...it's warming up a bit as the dog days of August are upon us...






































This section of trail has such a nice varied landscape and minimal technical areas, so it's a great day to pick your head up and appreciate your surroundings...


















 

Our next crossing is Concession 10 South Nottawasaga, and brings us to the border of the Balsam Nature Wetlands Reserve...a 284 acre tract that opened in 2022 and replaced a significant road walking portion of the trail...























 Well....it's simply a gorgeous day for a hike as we pass by a beautiful homestead, brilliant wildflowers, and lovely green fields of soybean nearing their harvest point...ergo, the smiles.





































Whoever put this stone here, it makes a great stone put...Andrew personifies his Scottish heritage by defying gravity (and avoiding a pulled muscle)...heaving the stone off the ground...and then deciding to...put it back.























  Our journey eventually takes us alongside the Walker Aggregate pit which, frankly, is the pits...hopefully one day, this area can be reclaimed for nature...right now, it's just piles of flint, stone and rubble...












More HWF members are introduced to the "Cedar Horse Saddle" that we have been enjoying for several years now...always a fun spot...






















  After crossing busy Highway 91, we take a short side trail to see the well preserved historic Franks Family Kiln, built circa 1860. A cool (especially in the shade) spot for our refreshment break...










   And...we have two Franks with us, so we're legit...







































And just a bit further on, the Lime Kiln Bluffs BTC Natural Area provides an awesome view of the Georgian Bay shoreline and environs, between Collingwood and Wasaga Beach...





































We also pause briefly at "The Wedding Tree" which unfortunately, over the last few years, appears to be divorcing itself from life...









































Our last road crossing of the day brings us to the final stretch for today's hike which will be through the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve...this area has some of the nicest forests on the BT, and we've got the perfect day to enjoy it...also, the well established, high use trail, is wider and smoother than most...a good thing, as legs and minds are getting a bit weary...








































It's a great piece of trail to finish off on...and we drink in the woodland ambiance.






















 And to add a special conclusion this great day, we get to present the pole ceremony to another two HWF members, Grace and Renu, who have now completed the entire Blue Mountains Section...Congratulations!

Hope you enjoyed today's hike as much as we did and see you on the trail soon!


The End 




One of Andrew's relatives showing how it's done...



   

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