This is an easy, 5.5 km loop hike, dedicated to Anita Roth. Anita was a longtime hike leader and enthusiastic event planner for the Pathfinders. She loved flowers, especially the trilliums in the spring. Turnout was good, as the picture shows -- 19 or was it 20?
There is always a question about the best timing for viewing trilliums and this year, the scheduling worked out perfectly. So did the weather. Thanks to leader Tom for organizing both! 😂 And to Jane for the photos.
Despite the uncertain forecast, 15 hikers turned up for the hike. To their credit, all persevered through the light rain experienced on the way to the trail head. And it turned out to be worthwhile, although there was not much on display in the way of Spring ephemerals. Since we had done this hike only a month before, Tom opted for high adventure and did the route ... backwards!! Even the pictures here are in reverse order....
 |
| If dandelions did not reappear throughout the summer, would they be spring ephemerals?? |
 |
| In the home stretch, there were a few drops and the skies were threatening |
 |
| A recent casualty of a windstorm |
 |
| Sue & Kathryn setting the pace |
 |
| A fine profile |
 |
| There are various means of tackling obstacles |
 |
| Bronte Creek -- a view quite different from a month ago. Compare the post from 19 March. |
It was another classic Spring day -- moderate temps, lots of sunshine, mud that was avoidable, no bugs, ephemerals. No wonder there was a big turnout. Nancy led 24 hikers including Jay on a trial, and he says he's coming back. Nice work, Nancy!
One of the few tricky bits on this hike 
Nancy and her charges at the top of the escarpment. Do NOT back up!
 |
| A crowd of Mayapples |
 |
| A conveniently placed mountain-bike ramp |
 |
| Christine & Jim power up one of the few slopes |
Six hikers joined Ann on this sunny spring day. It had been a couple of years since this hike was last done, so most had forgotten about the many hills!!
 |
| The last hill? |
 |
| Where's Waldo....can you spot the goose laying her eggs? a turtle? |
 |
| There was much discussion about identifying spring ephemerals...clockwise from top left....bloodroot, hepatica (5-12 petals and lobed leaves that some think resemble a liver), another hepatica, and spring beauties (striped petals and long thin leaves) |
 |
| Gelato at Four Corners in East Caledon |
Leader Sid really arranged the weather for this one, and 21 hikers signed up as a result. And most turned up for the actual hike! It was not only a perfect day, but we also had one new hiker (Joanne) and two back from a winter absence (Denise and Cliff). Welcome! As a bonus, some Spring ephemerals (flowers, not hikers) appeared in the woods while many large pink magnolias were getting ready to put on a show. Thanks to Jane for the flower pix and Karen for the group shot.
Who would dare run this gauntlet?
A surprise early Trillium -- one of only two we spotted 
The trout lilies were much more advanced and numerous
Three hikers joined Brian on this cold, but sunny, spring day. Some of us did the 12.5 km version. Others did 14. The story is that they were distracted and started following a rafter of wild turkeys, although no evidence has been provided. Hmm....
 |
| Did we mention it was cold? |
 |
| I really need to take selfie lessons from Ken! |
 |
| Climbing Mt Murphy! Whose idea was it to take the shortcut up? |
 |
| Interesting ice formation, Tamarack flower, Scarlet Elf Cup |
 |
| If you're ever in Primrose, make sure you stop at Super Burger! |
Maintaining a noble tradition that goes back many years, 13 Pathfinders turned out on a drizzly, foggy day to clean up the shoulders of Lakeshore Rd, from JCC to Fourth Line. Many bags of debris were collected, although the construction sites were not as messy as in some past years. Ann made two major contributions by bringing new pickers (big improvement over the old set) and -- in true Ann style -- bringing a box of tasty rewards for the end of the route. We skipped the extra hike around the Appleby grounds as the weather started to deteriorate.
 |
| Dianne and Sorrel were our picker newbies and they learned fast. |
 |
| Tom had a major burdock attack but Ann came to the rescue. |
 |
| Bloodroot apparently like oak leaves. |
 |
| Cookies on the left, cook on the right, happy pickers in between. |
Ten hikers joined Hubert for a hike along the Dofasco 2000 trail and back to the cars on the Bruce Trail. It was about 12 degrees and Hubert assured us that it never rains on his hikes!! Welcome back to Marleen who did really well on her first early Monday hike since November!!!!
On the Dofasco Trail - note the rain gear. We encountered a few obstacles and some mud on the Bruce Trail The spring ephemerals were starting to emerge. As well as bloodroot (this one has a bee in it), we saw blue cohosh and Siberian squill (scilla).
