Dundurn Castle - Hamilton Harbour 2 (later and slower): Mon 7 Sep 2026, 8:45 (M/E, 7.7 km)

 With the able assistance of Michael, who delivered a few timely safety reminders, Sid led a group of 15 from the castle to the harbour and back. We had perfect weather for welcoming 2 brand-new hikers and one returning after a long absence. 

We may have missed the parade, but we had a pleasant urban walk all the same. 

                                     Pausing on the long decent

          Our route was shared with many others enjoying perfect holiday weather

          Our efforts to recruit some younger members were not successful....

                An impressive mural as neared Dundurn Castle on our return
 

Dundurn Castle - Hamilton Harbour, Monday Sept 7 2026 @ 7:45

 It was the first hike of the 2026/27 season and we lucked out with blue skies and temperatures in the mid 20's. Ten hikers joined Ann on this 14 km urban hike along the Hamilton waterfront.

Thanks to Ivan, we were able to do a group selfie

There was lots to see in Cootes Paradise

Learning about some Hamilton history

And the best part....eating ice cream while watching the Labour Day parade!

Morrison Creek, Thursday Sept 3 @ 8:30

It was the calm after the storm that brought about 50 mm of rain to Oakville. The trails were in remarkably good shape, but humidity levels were high. Seventeen hikers came out for this last of the summer hikes and no one complained about the extra hill we did:-)

The bridge picture

Doesn't take much to distract a group of hikers

Thank yous and upcoming hikes

Northern tooth fungus (aka white rot fungus) and jack-o'lantern mushrooms. We also saw a puffball mushroom.

And that ends the summer hiking season for another year.

14-Mile Creek, Thu 27 August, 8:30: E-E, ~7.0 km

 As the summer hikes wind down, 21 members followed Ann on a lovely morning, through the woods but not quite to grandmother's house. It was educational: We learned about poison ivy and its effects and spotted a gorgeous new flower on the trail that might be an escapee from a nearby garden. Michael made an appealing pitch for an epic creek-wading session next Monday. 

 

Are these people amused at the invitation to go wading in Bronte Creek? 

 

This is what can happen if you get too close to Poison Ivy. 

 

Poison Ivy: not just leaves of three, but pattern is revealing, as we learned from Anne Armstrong -- a pair together with short stems, and the third leaf on a longer stem. 

 

Pretty plant, odd name -- Pink Turtlehead.