This walk was renamed a few years ago to honour Wally Nisbet, long-time Pathfinder leader and organizer of Saturday walks as well. It's a good example of how Oakville has created trails in subdivisions that, with some wandering and a bit of back-tracking, can be turned into an accessible walk of 6km or so.
Jim leads his hardy band of 15. Or was it 18? There were a few dropouts put off by the weather forecast, but it turned out to be a pretty decent Fall morning.
Perfect weather promised a pleasant hike for our group of 15 and we were not disappointed -- except that the boardwalk around the now-famous lake was off limits and under repair. But Conservation Halton made up for it with a new set of chainsaw carvings that are detailed and very impressive.
The trails were smooth and easily managed ...
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| ... until they weren't. Rock-hopping called for care in placing feet and poles. |
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| Taking a break at the lookout. There were no vultures to be seen, so we must not have looked too far gone. |
The Barb's Bench hike honours Barbara Laird, who was a hike leader and veritable den mother to the Pathfinders; Barb died in 2006. The bench has a plaque to honour her and the hike around Remembrance Day is an annual occasion to remember Pathfinders who died during the year. This year was exceptional as it is the first time since 2012 that no active or recent hikers died. Brian, as leader, took the occasion to remind the 19 assembled hikers of the history of Barb's Bench.
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| Starting out, at Barb's Bench just off Westoak Trails Blvd |
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| Our favourite staircase was undergoing repairs, so the route was modified. |
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| We came here to walk on pavement?! |
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| Sixteen-Mile Creek, past the peak of colour but still looking good. |
Like the posties who deliver in all kinds of weather, Pathfinders get out there despite a record early snowfall the day before. Hamilton reported 11 cm of snow, but it was the best kind: light and fluffy while the roads were clear.
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| photo by John Burgers |
Michael led a band of 15 through a veritable wonderland of beauty, with lots of leaves still on the trees due to the relatively early date for the snowfall.
The trails were transformed into a winter scene with the first snow fall of the season.
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| Andrea is getting really good at selfies |
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| The first of many stiles |
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| Nothing prettier than the trees after a snowfall |
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| A blog wouldn't be complete without a bridge picture |
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| Who's the stray? |
Because of the forecast, the originally scheduled Albion/Mt Brow/Felkers hike was changed to something a little closer to home.
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| Five Pathfinders joined Christine on today's adventure. Everyone came prepared with their rain gear. |
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| Walking through Kerncliff Park |
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| Checking the weather app....yup, it's raining. |
Our hike started on the Tom East Trail, with a steady incline then the trail leads into the valley. We followed along to pick up the Isabel East trail, and from there we looped around the Cam Snell trail. After some hills we turned onto the main Trail back to our cars. The weather did not disappoint, we had a beautiful day with lovely colours followed by a much earned lunch at The Black Birch.
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| Most of the leaves were down |
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| Thank you Marleen, Sandy, Andrea, Michele, Hubert, Brian, Barbara and Richard (photographer) for coming out. |
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| Apres hike..... a much earned lunch at the Black Birch |
Thank you to everyone who showed up for the Lakeshore Rd cleanup and especially to Richard for volunteering to organize.
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| Many hands made light work |
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| After the cleanup, those who wanted to, hiked around Appleby College and back to JCC |
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| Practicing selfie skills! |
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| Water is low this year |
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| Hike???!!! We just want to be in the pictures. |
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| On the boardwalk |
