Hike # 13 - Fungi

Hike # 13: October 25, 2015: 22.3 kms from 8th Line to The Grange Sideroad & Creditview Road.

We started our hike today at just after 8:00.  The drive to our starting point is now taking longer as the route goes further northeast away from where we live.  Of course we know that this is going to be something we need to contend with as our hikes take us further and further. We will be glad for the extra hour of sleep this Sunday as well as the extra morning light when the clocks change for daylight savings.

As we get nearer to reaching our goal of 300 kms for this hiking season (we will take a hiatus during the winter months for the most part) I am starting to realize how much I will miss these outings - as are my fellow hikers.

Every time we hike I can’t imagine that we will see anything more lovely along the way then we did the last time, but we do.  I am constantly in awe of the beauty of nature. 

Since the Springtime we have seen the trees along the trail change from leafless, to blossoming with the tiniest of buds which quickly became a haze of chartreuse, then the dark shades green of summer to the glorious rainbow of colour that autumn has brought.  It won’t be much longer before the trees will be leafless waiting to be decorated with the white frosting of snow. 

Besides the glorious trees that surround us on the trail there are many other works of art that nature has given us: steams and ponds glistening in the sunshine; tiny creatures that crawl at our feet or fly overhead; the soft green mosses that cover many of the rocks along the way; wildflowers and berries that dot the green landscape with a hue of bright colours, as well as many more sights that delight us.

This time we noticed many different and interesting fungi. 

Our hike took us along the Caledon Trailway which was a smooth and easy section to walk on. We passed quite a few people out for a Sunday walk (or run).   

There were some very narrow and extremely deep crevasses on some sections of the trail that reminded us of how treacherous walking the trail could be in the winter, when the edges of crevasses appear to be solid ground.  

Though we had been looking forward to seeing the Cheltenham Badlands, the trail skirted the main part of the Badlands, so the only part we saw was a stretch on the west side of Chinguacousy Road.  

Towards the end of our day's hike there was an extremely long and high climb up Chinguacousy from Olde Baseline. The final push at the end of a day's hike is tough, but we are tough too.

Tough & cool

A large wasp nest

Cool bean pods on a honey locust

Spirt Tree Cidery 

During our hike we happened upon this cidery along Boston Mills Road.  We popped in to see what it was all about (and use the loo), and found it a busy and happening spot with baked goods, cider and other treats.  On the way back home with the car we made a stop and stocked up on a few things (Cider, Ostrich sliders and asparagus ravioli to name a few).  And so with goodies in tow we ended our day tired but happy.