Saturday May 25, 2013. The sun is shining and there is no rain in the forecast - complete opposite weather from our first hike! Sonya and Ken drove. Thanks to our navigation team (Tracy and Andrea) we knew exactly where we were going. We dropped the vehicle off at Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site and then Ken drove us to our start point at Woodend Conservation area. Unfortunately, Jackie was not able to walk with us, but thanks to Andrea (who brought Jackie's picture) Tracy carried Jackie's picture in the baggy with our map, which was attached to her hip!
We all came prepared with our hiking poles, which we learned from our 1st hike are needed when hiking the escarpment - especially when rainy/muddy.
Ken took a few pictures for us and then we started our hike - 9:30 a.m. from Woodend Conservation area. Km 13.5 to 25.3.
Ken took a few pictures for us and then we started our hike - 9:30 a.m. from Woodend Conservation area. Km 13.5 to 25.3.
It was a beautiful day for hiking. Temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees and we went from t-shirt to sweater and back to t-shirt depending if we were hiking in the sun or not.
A nice view from the trail. You can see the Garden City Skyway in the back ground.
A nice view from the trail. You can see the Garden City Skyway in the back ground.
We thought it was interesting that in Thorold there is no upside down snowmobiling allowed in the park!
It was at this point that Navigator Andrea and Tracy figured out we had gone too far on the path beside the Locks and we had to turn back a bit.
We had missed the path going into a field. Sometimes the white Bruce Trail markers are difficult to locate. They are on trees, rocks, poles, etc. The main Bruce Trail path is a white rectangle. A 2nd white rectangle on top to the right or left indicates which way you have to turn. There are many side trails (indicated by a blue rectangle) so we find you do have to pay attention!
It was at this point that Navigator Andrea and Tracy figured out we had gone too far on the path beside the Locks and we had to turn back a bit.
We had missed the path going into a field. Sometimes the white Bruce Trail markers are difficult to locate. They are on trees, rocks, poles, etc. The main Bruce Trail path is a white rectangle. A 2nd white rectangle on top to the right or left indicates which way you have to turn. There are many side trails (indicated by a blue rectangle) so we find you do have to pay attention!
We spread out our sweaters on the nice clearing just behind a couple houses. We relaxed, enjoyed our lunch, enjoyed each other's company....until, the lady from one of the houses came over to say "I just want to let you know that this field is infested with ticks!!" Boy did we get up quick and shake ourselves off. That ended our lunch!
So, Tick #1 (Tracy) arrives in Hamilton at Judy's house and announces from the back seat "a tick just crawled out of my pant leg". Yikes!! We all decide we are going home, showering, having our husbands check us out for ticks. Sonya (aka Tick #2) didn't shower until 8:30 p.m. and when drying off found one starting to burrow into her leg.
Despite our run in with ticks, we had a fabulous day. We finished our hike at 2 p.m. (4 1/2 hours). We look forward to hike #3 on Saturday, June 15th.
Things we learned from Hike #2
- carry Woods Off with Deet (for ticks)
Things we collected on Hike #2
- one golf ball
We look forward to your comments!
Despite our run in with ticks, we had a fabulous day. We finished our hike at 2 p.m. (4 1/2 hours). We look forward to hike #3 on Saturday, June 15th.
Things we learned from Hike #2
- carry Woods Off with Deet (for ticks)
Things we collected on Hike #2
- one golf ball
We look forward to your comments!