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

Hike # 4 - Soggy Hikers (find refuge at at winery)

Hike 4: May 31, 2015 : 25.4 km from Balls Falls to Grimsby

As Karen said "no one can accuse us of being fair weather hikers".  Determined to get a hike in this weekend (we all work full time and have busy family life so our hiking time is precious) we decided on Sunday being the better of the two days.  Saturday called for possible severe thunderstorms and Sunday for rain only.  Despite the steady rain we had all day, after seeing some newly downed trees along the trail (no doubt from Saturday's storms) we knew we had made the right decision.

Thankfully, though the trail was wet and slippery with some steep ascents and descents along the way, we avoided any serious injury, except for Valerie's knee which was causing her some discomfort along the last few kilometres.  The streams that were all but dry last week were running and we had some tricky crossings on slippery rocks and logs.  I find it very handy to have my father's walking stick with me during these times.  

The rain was steady pretty much all day and we did not see a soul along the trail.  Even the bugs and birds seemed to have decided to take cover for the day.   At times all we could hear on the trail was the sound of rain on the leaves.  The deep cover of the forest provided some protection from the rain and wind and chill.  We were able to stay mostly dry and warm except for hands and poor Valerie's feet.  I for one will be making a stop at MEC for some proper gloves.

Nearing lunchtime as our energy was starting to wane we were searching out some place along the trail to take shelter and eat our lunches in relative dryness.  Although we saw a "cave" ( more of an outcrop) a ways off the trail that looked like a prospect we did not know how we would get to it except for some serious "bush-whacking" so we moved on.  We were fortunate to come off the trail a short time later into the the parking lot of Mike Weir Winery.  Yay!  We were happy to have a place to dry off and eat and we enjoyed a delicious glass of Meritage wine with our packed lunches.  I was particularly happy to be able to use the facilities versus peeing outdoors in the pouring rain.  I am not sure how impressed the staff were with three wet muddy women descending upon them but they were gracious and inviting.  After an hour eating our lunch, drinking wine, warming up and drying off we set back out into the rain to complete the last 10 km of our trek.  

We arrived at our end point for the day three hours later in Grimsby. We found a cafe to have some coffee and hot chocolate and wait for a taxi to take us back to Balls Falls.   Here we ran in to a little difficulty.  After waiting an hour and a half for a cab (we have nothing good to say about Central Taxi in St. Catherine's) we had no idea how we were going to get back to the car at Balls Falls (note - always have a back up plan). Lucky for us a friend and previous neighbour living in nearby Stoney Creek picked us up and took us back to the car.  Thank you Derek!

We have now completed the Niagara section of the trail. 80.4 km from end to end.  We are very proud of our accomplishment and the knowledge that we are getting stronger with every hike.  I can hardly wait to lace up my boots again next weekend and I know Karen and Valerie feel the same.

Group selfie in the rain at Balls Falls

Area of down trees - looks like a tornado came through at one time

Karen and her prince charming ready for a smooch

Still a toad

View from the top of the escarpment

Bridge over the falls

Hike # 3: The Wine Trail

Hike 3:  May 23, 2015 15km from Short Hills Provincial Park to Balls Falls

Our day started with a nip in the air but with bright sunshine promising to bring a warm afternoon which meant layering our clothes appropriately.  Hour by hour and km by km the layers came off.  Our hike was shorter this time - just 15 km - from the Short Hills where we left off last time to Ball's Falls.  In the end we were thankful for the shortened distance as the terrain was hillier and rockier than previous hikes making our walk slower.  Careful attention to where we were stepping was a must as we walked over loose rocks and roots.   This part of the trail was more beautiful than the last two and we are now surrounded and canopied by green.   Along the way we walked out of the wooded trail on to a winery.. of course we stopped for a tasting and to use the loo!

Lookout at Short Hills Provincial Park

Glorious blue skies

Unidentified Wild Flowers (I need to get a field guide!) 

- 2 of these have since been identified.  

Add caption

May Apple

Jack in the pulpit

Brix 

Wine tasting along the way at Staff Wineries

Balls Falls 

St. George's Anglican Chuch

Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly

Hike # 2: Deer!

Hike 2:  20.1 km from Merriton through Short Hills Provincial Park.

We began our second hike exactly where we left off.  Parking the car at a plaza not too far from our starting point we were able to stop at a local Starbucks to fuel up on caffeine and use their facilities before heading off.  Another spectacular day with warm temperatures and blue skies. In the week since our last hike the leaves have started bud out a little more, there were more flowers open including trilliums, and the whole forest seemed alive.   

We were fortunate enough to come upon four deer on the trail.  Luckily enough, even after Karen's loud shouts of "deer!, deer !!!" (she was excited), they didn't run too far and we were able to quietly walk closer. They were curious but not didn't seem too worried about us.  We also spotted a red tailed hawk but I could not get a good shot.  I have considered taking my zoom lens with me but it is an extra weight to carry and it is more important to carry that weight in water*. 

We ate our picnic lunch at Morningstar Mill, a beautiful historic spot along the trail.  The falls were not running much but the guide told us the water would be let through (controlled by the hydro company) in July.  The latter part of our hike took us through some fields and the provincial park of Short Hills - a beautiful spot for day hikers, dog walkers and horseback riding.  When at last we were done we made our way (it felt like a long 750 metres) to White Meadow Farms for a treat and a rest while we awaited our taxi back to the car.  I will probably never get over how quick the ride back to our starting point is versus our trek on foot. 

*Lesson learned this hike is to take more water than you think you might need.  I went through all of mine much more quickly than last time, I am sure due to the warmer temperature.

Ready to hike

Deer!!!!!

Happy Hikers

Morningstar Mill

Lake Moodie

Trillium

View from the escarpment

Blue Eyed Grass (I think); white