Kilbride-Yaremko-Ridley, Mon 11 May 2026, 8:45

 With a few drops on the windshield as we headed out, we persevered and had a beautiful day for a Spring hike by the time we got to Kilbride. This was a hike that we had not done for a while, as a landowner near Kilbride had withdrawn permission to cross their land, but the Bruce Trail folks created a bypass and all is good now. David led 16 hikers into the woods to Twiss Rd and back -- a total of 6.7 km, on a mix of rock to stumble over and soft pine/spruce needles that would be at hone on an Oakville trail. 

 

Uh oh! Where do we go from here??

Marsh marigolds in fine form

The swamp near the turn-around point

A few trilliums were hanging on

Herb-Robert

Anita's Trillium Walk, Thu 7 May 2026, 8:45

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. 

Crawford Lake/ Nassagaweya Thu May 7, 2026 8:15

Leader : Richard Olley

7 hikers enjoyed the exercise this trail offers. The trail is in and out lollipop hike from Twiss Rd to Crawford Lake via Nassagaweya canyon.

Various hand pole technique is always evident on steep decents as depicted in this photo. That has to be our fearless hike director going free of foot.

The Niagara Escaprment offers many a soaring bird to entertain us while on our break .. Shoo, Shoo, fly.

The teddy bear mascot normally eager to lead, is somewhat intimidated by the challenge of this trail.

RBG North, Mon 4 May 2026, 8:45

 A beautiful day for Michael to lead 20 hikers -- warm, sunny, magnolia & cherry trees blossoming. Even if the cherries were past their prime, the hikers were not! Pix by Sid. 

 

Bronte Creek PP west, Thu 30 Apr 2026, 8:45

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. 

Kelso Summit, Mon 27 Apr, 2026, 8:45

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

Albion Hills, Apr 27 2026 @ 7:45

 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

Iroquois Ridge, Thu 23 Apr 2026, 8:45

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

Iroquoia Heights - Scenic Drive, Mon April 20, 2026 8:45am

Leader : Peter Issariotis

The group of 19 hikers joined Peter on his first experience leading the Monday morning late hike. Well Done!. Although into spring weather the temperature was colder than expected - some light snow fell at one point. Some fingers were cold but being in nature yields no complaints. This small Falls appears on climbing the bed of an old railway climbint the escarpment face after a bend where the grade become steeper.

Peeking through the wood a second falls is seen.

After climbing the escarpment on a side trail we decend again along the Bruce trail, The group is crossing a meadow watching for ground animals near streams and puddles.

Finally, we arrive in our comfort zone of a wooded area, although somewhat muddy. In this wood we passed a happy tribe on a Kindergarten outing who joyfully called out to us.

Seen here the lead hikers emerged from the wooded section of the Bruce main trail only to ...

... stumble on surprised Coyote. Naturally we dropped a small group to alert the Kindergarten tribe.

Confident on settling the safety of children, the hikers are ready to continue.

The group is photographed here just before the stair decending the escarpment to the Chedoke Golf course where the hike ended.

Congratulations to Peter and hearty thank you to the photographers !

Boyne Valley, Mon April 20 2026 @ 7:45

 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!