Hike # 6: Devil's Punch Bowl

Hike 6:  June 13, 2015 - 21 km from Devil's Punch Bowl to Scenic Drive, Hamilton

From the lookout at Devil's Punchbowl as we start out at 7:50 am

This was our last hike before a 3 week hiatus due to schedule conflicts.  The day started out overcast and very humid, clearing around noon.  This was not our greatest distance covered, but it seemed long and arduous.  The terrain was rocky - much of it like walking on a creek bed - and slippery from the weeks rain.   I am not sure if it was the humidity, lack of sleep, the stressful week leading up to the hike, or not enough fuel but,  my legs felt leaden the entire hike, and for the first time since we started I was very happy when we reached our end point.  In spite of the hike being hard, I am sad that it will be a month before we are out again.

During this hike we went up and down the escarpment many times.  One trip up the escarpment was up the Wentworth Stairs.  Wonderful views of the City of Hamilton could be seen along the way.  The hike was a little more urban than our last few, often by busy roadsides and always with the sound of the highway in the distance.  Hamilton is known for it's many waterfalls and we passed several on our hike.  I was very impressed by the network of bike / walking paths the city has to offer that we connected with along the way.

At the bottom of the Wentworth Steps.

View of Hamilton

Another view point

Red Berries (unidentified)

Common Yarrow

Hike 5: Start of the Iroquoia

Hike 5: Iroquoia Section: June 6, 2015 - 19.4 km from Grimsby to Devil's Punch Bowl, Stoney Creek.

Happy to be out on the trail again this time on a pristine clear and sunny day with perfect temperatures for hiking.

On the trail again June 6, 2015

As we set out on the trail again we were ear to ear smiles.  The entrance where we started went past some beautiful homes at the bottom of the escarpment (can I live there?).  The trail quickly turned up a steep incline warming us up thoroughly within the first 10 minutes of hiking.  We walked along the edge of the escarpment for a while and there were many spectacular views to take in along the way.

up up we go

Out of the woods for a while we walked for a couple of km along the road flanked both sides with some lovely farm houses.  Here we were fortunate enough to see a deer bounding quickly away from us over the fields, and we also visited with three lovely horses.   A walk along the road allows for a quick pace and we are able to take in the scenery around us in sharp contrast to the narrow trails where we need to look down almost all the time so that we don't trip over rock or root.

Deer in the field

Karen the horse whisperer

The trail meandered through a carpet of green and Karen said she felt like she was in Sherwood Forest.  While we never did meet up with Robin Hood we did meet plenty of other hikers along the way.   I love every minute we spend on the trail.  All worries and stresses of the week melt away one step at a time.  I can hardly wait till hiking day arrives again.

Dame's Rocket

"Sherwood Forest"

Meandering through a carpet of green

Purple Petal Wild Raspberry