Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Ball's Falls/Niagara Glen and Lunch at 13th Street Winery

 

Twelve hikers from the early group of Pathfinders started out for a hike in Niagara Glen Nature Reserve.   

Getting the perfect picture

We started on the Whirlpool Trail which follows the river.  This area in the Niagara Peninsula is considered the Carolinian Life Zone.  In Canada this zone is a narrow band across Southern Ontario which supports the most productive and endangered assortment of plant and animal species.

Once we caught the trail, we followed the river on a technical and rocky trail which led us to the Flat Rock where we took a minute to take in the beauty of the river and take a few pictures.

One of the many tricky bits

Table Rock



On the Whirlpool Trail


 From there we continued until it was time to take a break and have elevensies. 

After elevensies we continued our hike up on the Main Loop and Cliffside Trails and into the forest on the Terrace Trail. There are tens of thousands of years of geological history in this area.   The boulders in the Niagara Glen were formed as the Niagara River and Falls eroded the ancient limestone bedrock, leaving behind these massive rocks over the millennia.  The area’s geological history dates back over 400 million years.

The leaning rock

Our trail led us along the rock face where we climbed the stairs to the top and headed back to our cars. 

A little rest before the final climb 
Then on to 13th Street Winery to meet up with our friends from the later group that hiked Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in Lincoln.


Sixteen hikers from the later group set out for their hike in Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in the Twenty Valley area.

Ball’s Falls occupies around 200 acres with two waterfalls on Twenty Mile Creek.  The Twenty Mile Creek is rain fed so the character of the falls can change dramatically within the seasons, from a raging torrent in the spring to a thin veil in late summer and fall.

The Conservation area still has the original Ball family home which dates back to the early 19th century, an operating gristmill, lime kiln, a restored church, blacksmith shop and a carriage shed. 

Niagara Glen group – Ann, Brian, Richard, Carolyn, Liz, Lesley & Stephen, Marleen, Christine, Andrea, Michael, and Peter

Ball’s Falls group – Jim & Carol, Tom & Sue, Hubert, Sue, Hattie, Cathy, Colin, Ann, Ross & Kathryn, Sorrel, Dianne, David,  and David’s brother-in-law, Andy

Many thanks to Andrea for coordinating the two groups and booking lunch!!!!


Thursday, September 25, 2025

DV Headwaters - Thurs Sept 25 @ 8:15


Six hikers joined Richard on today's hike. The main parking lot was closed because of a movie shoot, so we had to park elsewhere and do the hike in the opposite direction...thank goodness Richard was leading!

A tractor trailer fire at Nicola Tesla meant we got off to a slow start


A light drizzle and most donned rain gear, although it didn't stay on for long!

A big welcome to Ted who just started hiking with us.
Bet you can't find Marleen, who is having a bad hair day and hiding from the camera!

 

Monday, September 22, 2025

RBG Escarpment Borer's Falls, 8:45 Mon Sept 22, 2025

Although the weather looked a bit uncertain, 15 hikers came out to enjoy the views from the escarpment.
At the Borer's Falls Lookout

On the trail

Enjoying the view

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Burlington Beach, Mon 15 Sep 2025, 8:45

Thirteen hikers took part in this late-summer waterfront walk in perfect weather. It was a friendly pier-to-pier stroll.... 

The only downside was spotting a poisonous hickory tussock caterpillar on the pier near the canal. Cute but it can deliver a nasty sting. 


 

Monday, September 15, 2025

Thursday, September 11, 2025

President's Hike: RBG Hendrie Valley - September 11, 2025

Hike Leader:    Brian O'Heare guided twenty nine hikers, 7.2 km on a trail rated E/N

The President's hike was originaly scheduled for September 4th a tradition symbolizing a fresh start of a new season. But due to rain, it was rescheduled to September 11. A diverse crowd gathered at the trailhead, the air buzzing with excitement of stories of days gone by.

Along the trail, hikers paused to admire the valley's rich biodiversity, towering trees, vibrant wildflowers, and along the Grindstone Creek hoping to catch a glimpse of spawning Salmon. 

The hike concluded with a picnic at the end of the trail where we gathered to continue our stories and promises of hikes to come. See you all on the trail.










Monday, September 8, 2025

Devils Pulpit - September 8 at 7:45 am


This hike is located in the beautiful Caledon Hills section of the Bruce Trail, near the hamlet of Belfountain, Ontario. It's a challenging and scenic "lollipop" loop that descends and ascends the Niagara Escarpment a 10.7 km hike down and up the escarpment with a tour of the fleshpots of Belfountain, the Ring Kiln and the optional Crows Nest Side Trail.