Sat, May 3 2008 - Mount Nemo Conservation Area (View Original Event Details)
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We started out from Downsview station in pouring rain to Mount Nemo Conservation Area. When we reached, lush green & beautiful Burlington area, rain was on a break. Every one was ready to roll with rain gears at the car parking area.
The hike started with a light rain which was playing 'hide & seek' till the end. We went straight to Brock Harris lookout hoping for some good view of the countryside below the cliffs. It was a view - but a 'foggy' one.
Dalia's girl - Zoe & Catherine's boy Yoga were enjoying the hiking on a rainy day so much that it costed them 'freedom' - were put on leash for rest of the hike. But Diane's tiny little 'Gizmo' who started the hike shivering enjoyed his freedom all the while.
We started on south loop [2.6 km] first which run along escarpment was mostly flat & narrow forest corridor. Trail comes back to the quarry road that returns to the trail start. We headed back to Harris lookout again for better view - it was still foggy but better one this time. We could see lush green countryside with golf course & ponds in the below. On the way We saw a brightly colored [bright orange with black-bordered red spots] reptile in our path. He wasn't moving at all. We were wondering if he was still alive but i guess he was wondering why giant creatures are surrounding and staring at me. For those who want to know more about him, he is one of the Salamanders of Ontario named 'Eastern Newt / Red-Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)'. Check out the link
Jennifer was enjoying talking photos after photos all the while and was making me jealous. This was my outing without 'my companion'[camera] in ages.
We then took on north loop [2.3 km] which follows the escarpment rim, with very good views. The pathway passes crevice caves, slippery talus slopes and moss covered boulders. Conservation area's website says - on a clear day, you can even spot Toronto's CN Tower - well we shall do the hike again on a clear day.
Hike was over but some of us had some learning to do before we left the place. At the parking area we learned how to start a car when battery is down - it was interesting.
This was my first outing with TOC as volunteer and the group didn't allow rain to ruin this rescheduled event as surprise TTC strike did a week ago.
'If you want something you never had, do something you have never done'
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.