Sun, Apr 18 2010 - Bruce Trail: Hilton Falls Side Trail (View Original Event Details)
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What a beautiful day for a hike (end of writeup)!
Ok, a few more details. We arrived at the Hilton Falls Conservation Area shortly after 11am and quickly set out onto the trail. Our first stop was at the Falls themselves. There is a short staircase that brings you to an observation area for a closer look at the Falls and the ruins of an old sawmill. Neat. Further along the trail, there is a pothole: a wide, cylindrical hole in solid rock, carved out by glaciers over 14,000 years ago.
Heading back onto the trail, we hiked in a counterclockwise direction which took us quickly to the top of the Niagara Escarpment. Had lunch on the escarpment overlooking the surrounding countryside... we could see Milton and the Toronto skyline over 50km away. In the escarpment area, there were many turkey vultures gracefully gliding on the thermals, with some of them skimming just metres above the treetops.
Other highlights:
Wildflowers are in bloom. We also found three varieties of trillium: white, red and green.
Trail conditions were excellent and mostly dry.
Some cool looking trees with bent elbow (90 degree) branches, many pine trees just barely holding onto the rocky escarpment, a few stream crossings, a newly constructed beaver dam.
According to Stephen's GPS, we hiked 24km in about 7hrs including all rest stops, photo ops and snack breaks. Couldn't ask for better weather: sunny, breezy and just the right temperature for a moderate paced hike.
Thanks to everyone who came out for this event.
I'd definitely recommend this trail if you're ok with the distance (23km).
Other details: entrance is free if you choose one of the peripheral parking lots away from the 401. Trail is relatively flat and there are only a few wetland sections. Overall, an excellent hiking destination less than an hour from Toronto (108km round trip).
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.