Hike # 21: The Running of the Bulls (or should that be The Running of the Hikers?)

Hike # 21 - May 16, 2017 -Dufferin Hi-Lands Map 20 & 21- 18.3 km (kms 37.7to 56.0)

Bad weather kept us from completing this hike on the intended date of May 7th so we were happy to have a good weather day to get back on the trail and put some more km on our hiking boots.  Once again Nancy was able to join us making us a quartet.

The day was rather overcast, but we only had a few spatters of rain here and there.  Thankfully the bugs were not out in great numbers as yet although there were a few black flies to annoy us now and again.  Valerie tested out her bug hat (it works!).  I am sure we will be needing the nets and bug spray even more by our next planned hike on May 28th.

This part of the trail took us down some "unassumed roads" that had very deep ruts and washed out areas which we assumed were caused by the heavy rains in early May.  For the most part, however, the trail was dry with only a few muddy sections to get through.

The Trillums are now in bloom and are beautiful sight in the forest bed.   The trees are starting to leaf out, and in the next few weeks the forest will look very different as the canopy fills in completely.

Always aware (but not overly concerned) that there are creatures inhabiting the forest which we do not see, but find traces of (i.e. coyote poop), we were not worried about a few cattle grazing in the hills on part of a field we had to cross though.  The cows, calves and one huge bull were very "interested" in our little group, coming toward us quickly making quite a bit of noise bleating, mooing and snorting.  We hastened our pace to get up and over the stile and away from the bull that did not seem too happy about us being there. We all breathed a sigh of relief to be on the other side of the fence.  I still maintain that it was Karen's orange shirt that attracted the bulls attention :).

Karen, Valerie and Nancy

The requisite "selifie"

Our route for the day

Climbing up the hill, cows in the distance

Relieved to be on the other side of the fence

View from the hill

Trilliums on the forest bed

Beautiful perfect Trillium

We saw fewer of these wine coloured Trilliums

Hiking along the river bank

Looking way up at the tall maples leafing out

Along the trail

Unfurling ferns 

Waterfall at the site of an old mill

Field of yellow flowers
 (we thought they were dandelions, but I think they must be something else)