Sat, Jul 24 2010 - Urban Hike - Humber River, Waterfront Trails, High Park (View Original Event Details) Event Coordinator(s): Ghanesh Participants: Geraldine, Ghanesh, Helga, Fletcher, Brent, Anita, Gina, Amna

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The weather looked perfect - overcast, humid and rainy - our spirits we were not to be “dampened” by the thought of a bright, sunny, Saturday evening along the Humber River....

After some introductions buy old and new members to our group and the club, we reviewed a Toronto Discovery Walk map and the discussed the route. Everyone had showed up on time and we commenced our walk at 6:30pm sharply at a brisk pace.

Setting off from Etienne Brule park, we headed north along the torrent of the Humber river, stopping briefly at a commemorate spot describing the history and legacy of the Native, French and British explorers of early Canada. I provided some description of the trails and activities that can be had going north all the way up to Humber College. There were sightings of cormorants and night heron along the river banks.

We then headed south passing through King’s Mills park - again providing a description of the history of the Old Mill and the Humber watershed as an historic mill and trading post from the 17th century - eventually winding our way down the wooded areas, paved path and side streets through south Etobicoke to the lake.

Participants were excited to keep up a fast pace and run up a few hilly sections of the trail to Discovery Point - from where Lake Ontario(originally known as Lake Iroquois) was first seen by the French explorers on the evening of Sept 9th, 1615.

Although the rains dissipated and the remainder of the evening looked clear - everyone really loved the wet weather. We continued on down to the Humber Bay Bridge for rest and had some great views of the atmospheric lake and clouds, including a wonderful rainbow and sunset.

Continuing on west along the Waterfront Trail through the butterfly and bird conservatory, we headed over to Humber Bay Park passing the Air India memorial site with great views of the city and Humber Bay. After winding our way through the trails along the lake, we headed back towards the city via lake shore and into High Park.

As we approached high park, the dramatic darkened sunset across Grenadier Pond provided an evocative backdrop to our full moon night hike. Again, the hikers really enjoyed the added challenges of walking in the dark, up and down a few more hills as we meandered the park. A brief stop by the gardens and water fountains provided the moonlight backdrop that was promised.

Some explanation of the park’s history - that is was originally a farm outside the then city of York and Grenadier Pond was the recreational area named after the British (Garrison) Grenadiers in the war of 1812 - was given as well as present day uses such as the Shakespeare in the park, farmers market, community gardens, etc.

We continued walking in the dark mist of the early night and eventually after the final “mad dash” up a hill - as requested by the participants - we ended up at high park avenue concluding the hike.

Thank you to everyone that came out on a Saturday evening!

Thank you for your great company and donations to TOC

Ghanesh