Hike # 17: Hockley (Hilly) Valley

Hike # 17 -May 7, 2016 - 16.7 km 

After being delayed starting our hikes by ice storms and a gallbladder problem (me) we were anxious to get out on the trail and I was determined to not let my Achilles tendinitis delay us any further.

As our drive to the starting point is taking us longer now we decided to head out a little earlier than normal leaving at 6:30 am.

It was a beautiful May morning with sunshine and warm temperatures.  It did not take long before we were peeling off layers.  Normally chilly I spent almost the entire walk in a t-shirt.  Luckily enough there were no bugs, but I think the black flies will most likely be making an appearance very soon. Hopefully we can avoid the worst of them.

I was happy to see the Trillium's popping up over the landscape along with a wild bleeding heart and several other varieties of early spring wildflowers.  The birds were happily chirping away and the trail was a peaceful place to catch my breath and let the stresses melt away.

It was a hilly hike through the Hockley Valley trails, and our muscles were burning at the top of each hill. We were out of breath but noticed that our recovery time after each incline was faster than it used to be.  Though we were tired at the end of the hike it was a good kind of tired that only fresh air and activity can bring.

Tonight we are three tired but happy hikers glad to be on our journey once again.

Off we go on the trail

Hills and valleys

A walk down the road

Cedars along the creek

 A little waterfall

A big ole tree stump

Hiking through rock crevasses 

Trees damaged from the ice storm broken like matchsticks

Valerie blazing the trail

Millions and billions and zillions of Trilliums

Pretty pink flowers

Red Trillium

Wild bleeding heart

Pussy Willow

And finally a well deserved glass of wine  - Bruce Trail style

A Twosome on a Side Trail

Post by Valerie Smith

Sadly Allison was ill and unable to join us on our first hike of 2016. Despite her urging us to proceed on our own, Karen and I agreed that we didn't want continue our planned hikes without her, but we were anxious to get into the bush.  So we decided to walk one of the many side trails that branch off of the main white-blazed Bruce Trail.  Our choice was the Hilton Falls Side Trail, north of Milton on maps 11 (Kelso) and 12 (Speyside).  We added about 6 km of main trail, which we've previously walked, in order to form a full loop, about 21.4 kms. The day was beautifully clear.  We started our hike at 7:50 and ended at 3:00.  We got a close look a turkey vulture perched in a tree, then later tearing at some carrion on the ground, and also a partridge that came banging up from the ground about ten feet from us.  We heard some woodpeckers, and were happy to see a couple of mourning cloak butterflies, as well as some tiny little blue ones!  We loved the signs of spring.  There lots of little white and yellow flowers, which I will leave to Allison to identify from the photos, if possible.   Hilton Falls, the site of a former mill, was stunning.  At Hilton Falls, a campfire was set up and monitored for hikers to warm up by or cook food on as they reach that point -- so welcoming!  Here's hoping Allison is feeling better soon so we can pick up our walks in Mono Mills.

We regret that the pictures I took with my Canon SureShot aren't up to the usual calibre of Allison's photos. 

Note:  I greatly missed being able to hike yesterday.  It was perfect spring weather and  throughout the day I thought often of my two  hiking mates and how they must have been totally enjoying themselves.  I am crossing my fingers that I will be out on the trail as planned next week.  

Off we go!  Missing our partner!

Nice white flowers

Karen looking at a calm pond

Sixteen Mile Creek sparkling

Campfire area at Hilton Falls

Hilton Falls with mill ruins on the left

The main trail runs right through a crevasse

A woodpecker did a number on this tree!