Hockley Valley Nature Reserve, Monday March 2 2026 @ 7:45

It was a spectacular day for a hike. This is arguably one of the toughest Pathfinder hikes, but we took our time and stopped often to enjoy the sights and catch our breath.

Practicing the selfies...glad to have glasses on this sunny day.

The trails were perfect...hard-packed snow

Clearing off the bench for elevenses.
Note the depth of the snow around the bench.

Apres hike...coffee and dessert sampler at the Black Birch.
The lemon tart was the hands down favourite.

River & Ruins, Mon 2 March 2026, 8:45

 The sunny and cold weather continues -- does this make March a lamb or a lion to start? Michael led and 15 others followed, apparently willingly. Another gorgeous winter day. 

 

Iroquois Shoreline Woods, Thu 27 Feb 2026, 8:45

 It was another day of pleasant surprises -- wintry conditions but no real ice to speak of. Sid led a good turnout of 16 on a very pleasant local hike. 

Some stairs ARE maintained in the winter. Thankfully. 

Urban explorers, playing it safe 

Where next? There seems to be some discussion.

Winter conditions don't get much better than this. 

 

Dundas Valley - North, Monday February 23 2026 @ 7:45

Temperatures hovered around 0 and there was a light dusting of snow from the previous night.

Six hikers joined Hubert on Spring Creek Trail, Bruce Trail, beside Spencer Creek and along rail trail.

The light dusting of snow made the scenery spectacular

Elevenses in the dugout

With all of the precipitation last week, Spencer Creek was raging 

Apres hike it was a visit to the local Timmy's to rehydrate and refuel. Sadly, there were no 'Roll up the Rim' winners today.

Hilton Falls - North, Thursday February 19 @ 8:15

Seven hikers joined Fran on this post ice storm day. Surprisingly, the footing was fairly good and the trails were not slushy.

Great outing at Hilton Falls 

Beaver Dam viewpoint

Hilton Falls - breathtaking frozen beauty

Hungry little chickadees - come and get it

 

Terra Cotta, Mon Feb 16 2026 @ 7:45

Two hikers joined Ann on this new version of an old hike. The new hike features much less rail trail and road, and more Bruce Trail and side trail.

The temperature hovered around zero with the occasional sun sighting!

The trails were mainly hard-packed snow with some 'sandy' bits.

 

Stepping off the hard-packed treadway resulted in a knee-deep posthole.

 Navigating a tricky spot on the trail

Happy Valentine's Day

Ball's Falls Mon Feb 16, 8:45am

Leader John Burgers

19 hikers enjoyed this first warm day after the snow and Arctic vortex cold snap to trek along the Bruce Trail from Vineland to Ball's Falls. On return 9 members enjoyed a light lunch at Penny's Kitchen (Diner and Coffeehouse).

Below is a classic photo of the iced over Lower Ball's Falls. In the foreground are sprigs just about to bud.

The Ball's Falls Conservation Area offers a glimpse into Mills for wood, wool and grist driven by waterwheels. The upper and lower waterfalls are cherished by vistors for their volume of water, height, and most of all their natural setting. You experience the feeling of an orignial settler living by the Falls as it was in the 1800's.

Two hikes testing the view of the Lower Falls from an exaggerated park bench. The idea didn't work. The bench is intended to miniaturize the scale of people seated on it.

A picturesque view of the Lower Ball's falls completely iced over. Water is running underneath the ice, which is just begining it's spring break up.

The upper Balls Falls sidewall displaying icicles formed from water seeping from the Escarpment rock layers.

Pathfinders hiking group photographed at the Lower Ball's Falls.

We'll denote this photograph of a tiny snowman pair walking on a fallen log as "The Winter hiking group". Some perfer Winter as the best season to hike the Bruce Trail.

Downtown Oakville Trails, Thurs Feb 12 @ 8:45

Ten hikers joined Ann on the downtown trails. Sadly, she only came back with four!! You'll soon see why. It was a beautiful day...-5 and no wind.

In St Jude's Cemetary
photo credit - Karen Nourse

Climbing up to the Tannery Hill Beacon.
photo credit - Tom Stephens

Homecoming Trail in Lakeside Park.
Trails were hard-packed snow, no ice.
 Shortly after this pic was taken, 4 hikers had to leave early for an important appointment. 

 

Back at the cars, we discovered that the important appointment was with some hot cross buns at Cobs

Great Esker Side Trail, Thu Feb 12 @ 8:15

Leader Christine Golfetto

8 Hikers enjoyed the outing, helping others with slippery slopes and unexpected drops into deep snow. The track was was well trodden and generally firm as seen in the next photo.

In Winter most on trail photographs appear like those of school children lining up to get back in doors ...

A view of the Great Esker in Winter looking to the East. It's incredible that such a large geological structure could be formed during the retreating glacial ice sheets.

The participants huddled around the trail marker post, should Christine have any thought to extend the hike.

And a fantastic hike always has a photograph with the hike leader. Thanks for leading a wonderful outing Christine.

Speyside, Mon 9 Feb 2026 8:45am

Leader Hattie Cui

7 hikers joined this hike. MoonHo on his first Pathfinders hike whom we are confident will join again on future hikes.

-19 Celsius shortly after dawn was no match for this crew of well prepared hikers. There was a promise of partly cloudy condtions which came true. Here the crew is happy to take a break, by then the ambient had risen to -11 Celsius however by then walking on loose snow footing had warmed us. As you can see everyone was in good spirits. The woods at Speyside present a pretty backdrop.

The picture below shows the work of an ambitious bird or animal to remove wood strips from a crack in the bark of this very tall evergreen tree. What a remarkable effort to uncover some insects.

This photo shows a hiker meandering a side trail off the main Bruce Trail. You can just imagine the effort to avoid that one leg slips and disappears into the adjacent loose snow. There is some hint of warmer weather ahead so stay tuned on how the trail conditions change through Spring.

Rattray Marsh, Thu 5 Feb 2026, 8:45

 The relatively benign weather brought out 18 hikers, led by Liz. Displaying their wild side, most hikers did not wear icers, but managed very nicely on the well-packed snow. 

                                 Liz leads the crew for the return

Lake Ontario has a different look after several days of below-zero temperatures.

 

Pear Tree - Al Shaw, Thursday February 5 2026 @ 8:15

 Lol...it was a slow start, but nine of us finally met up on St Helena Rd!

All of the snow meant that the rocks were not an issue today. Thankfully we did not have to break trail as numerous hikers and bikers had been there before us.

A break on the trail.

Island Lake, Monday February 2 2026 @ 7:45

Four hikers joined Peter on Groundhog Day for a hike around Island Lake in Orangeville. It was cold, but sunny and there was no wind.

Someone needs to practice selfies

Checking out the hoar frost on a shrub

Hoar frost is a type of feathery frost. It is formed when water vapour hits a very cold surface and immediately forms ice crystals. The crystals grow as more water vapour is frozen.

Apres hike we enjoyed coffee and grilled cheese at the Coywolf.

Oh yeah.....Wiarton Willie is predicting an early spring

DV - Ancaster Mill - Sherman Falls, Mon 2 Feb 2026, 8:45

 Ably led by Nancy, a small band of hardy hikers braved the -12 temps and found themselves in a winter wonderland. As the trees blocked any breeze, it was a very comfortable and scenic walk. 

The winter beauty started in the parking lot

First and only turn -- to Canterbury Falls and onward

Wait?! This is Canterbury Falls?

 

Up to Sherman Falls.

Where are the ice climbers? 

This isn't them! (courtesy Susan Mannella)