Bruce Trail - Map 14, The Grange to Forks of the Credit. Worst 1/2 km yet!

 Somehow over the last couple of years of hiking, Nicola and I managed to miss a 2km section of the trail. Seemed to be a good choice for a leisurely Easter Monday hike. We arrived in Forks of the Credit only to find that there was no where to park. Everything was blocked with pylons and NO Parking signs. So we thought "Its only 2 km, we'll just walk there and back". So we drove to the Grange Sideroad, parked and set off.

Up a road and

on to a gentle, comfortable trail used by pedestrians, bicyclists and horses.

Sounds of life - very loud Spring Peepers and another throatier frog too.

Signs of life - not much

but little glimpses, here and there

that the woods were getting ready to burst into green.

Then, a beautiful view across the Credit Valley

and A CLIFF TO DESCEND.

I have no pictures of the descent. You literally hung on to the cable (slung from metal rings embedded in the rock) for dear life, used the walking poles to support yourself on the other side and watched foot placement very carefully. Nicola does not like heights and amazed herself by coming down.

After the cliff it was still steeply downhill, the path strewn with boulders, interspersed with ice.

Across some railway tracks, down some more stairs, across a road and we sat beside the river for a snack. We  halfheartedly discussed whether we could get a taxi back.

We were apprehensive about the return trip

as we knew now what we were getting into. We stopped periodically in the climb, just to get our heart rates back down to normal.

We took a break at the bottom of the cliff

with a curious red squirrel.

Nicola wanted photographic evidence of the ascent.

We were so pleased to get to the top because we knew that the rest of the trail back was a breeze.

What was supposed to be a short, easy hike, took as long as the one the previous day, but now that silly little 2km bit is done!

And now for something completely different - photo taken by Chris to commemorate the Koala sleepers (one of Jason's favorites) as Cigi has grown out of them.

Bruce Trail - Map 17, Innis Lake Rd to Mono Mills, (6.8km)

 Back on the trail again. Earliest time of year that we have ever started. We dropped my car at Innis Lake Rd and Dave drove us up to Mono Mills and

dropped us where the trail hit Hwy 9.

Easter Sunday. A beautiful sunny day, not yet too hot and perfect for a hike.

No leaves on the trees to block that beautiful sun.

Some spots were a bit muddy but only one short patch was icy.

Although there were lots of cars at the access points we saw very few other hikers and all were very respectful, keeping their distance when passing on the trail.

We were surprised at how low the streams were, for this time of year.

We gradually stripped off layers of clothing as, even in the shade, it was warm enough to walk in just a long sleeved shirt.

Moss was greening up in the sun.

Its rare that we actually get a picnic table to sit and have our usual trail snack.

The trail was well maintained. New steps approaching a creek

but the bridge wasn't built yet.

This tree had no bark left

and these spidery growths that looked like someone had painted trees on it.

There seemed to be a lot of uphill on this portion of the trail but at least the last bit was down hill, on a dirt road.

The traditional selfie. Photo by Nicky on her phone.

6.8 km in 2.5 hours.

More March walks

 I have wanted to walk around Coot's Paradise in Hamilton but when Rick and I finally got around to it the trail was pretty muddy so we walked the Bayshore Trail instead.

Not a huge number of water fowl

but the swans

were really

"strutting their stuff".

Coot (looks pregnant)

American Black Duck

Another sunny day, with a North wind, we walked the Long Point Beach (as it wouldn't be too windy and cool)

We parked at the Provincial Park

and walked East, away from the cottage community and towards "The Point". It is so nice to see the beach building back up.

I played around with camera settings and took this one through the lens of my sunglasses.

We thought this huge nest might belong to Eagles but nothing flew in or out to prove us right, or wrong.

In one spot we could see where the lake had washed over and joined the marsh. Probably at a time of high water and high wind. Makes you realize how thin that spit of sand dune is.

More experimenting

and the "Sparkle water" setting.

Followed by Salted Caramel ice cream cones from Twins in Port Rowan.

A visit from Cigi, Chris and Jason. She has graduated from the kitchen sink to bathtime in the laundry tub.

Bedtime routine then involves supper and a bedtime story.

Flicker and Red Belly at the feeder simultaneously.