My friend Nigel and I headed out to Terra Cotta Conservation Area for a late fall hike. Our plan was to hike the Terra Cotta Loop (found in the Loops & Lattes – Caledon Hikes book) a 6-kilometre trail that follows the perimeter of the park. We did have some snow recently as well so we were hiking on some slushy paths.
Snowy Terra Cotta CA
The photo above is the only one I really liked from this hike. For most of the hike we were concentrating on figuring out where the heck we were. After a wrong turn and a back track we did finally find our way back to the start but I have a feeling that we may not have followed the path from the book exactly. Either way we had a good time even with our little adventure..
At work we are given our birthday day off as an added bonus to our regular vacation days. For my day off this year I decided to take a drive out to the town of Elora to do some hiking. Running through Elora is the Grand River which has carved out a magnificent gorge. To get to the bottom the gorge I had to do a short hike along a trail to a staircase.
Elora Trail
It was the perfect fall day out with nice warm temperatures and sun making the leaves glow as I walked along the trail. It didn’t take long before I found the staircase to get down to the bottom of the gorge.
The Staircase
It was going to be a bit of a bitch to get back up this staircase. Luckily I didn’t have to worry about that just yet – I still had some exploring to do in the gorge before I was going to need to climb back up these crazy steps.
David Street Bridge
Down in the gorge I had a great view of the David Street bridge. Thinking back I wish I had checked out the view from the top of the bridge too. I guess I’ll have to save that for my next visit here.
Elora
Before I left Elora, after some much needed shopping therapy, I decided to get one last shot of the city from across the river. Elora has always been one of my favourite places to visit and I love coming back here in the different seasons. I hope to be back here again soon.
I’m back in Tobermory for my annual fall solo trip. I’m here a little later than usual (Because of my trip to Lisbon) and it looks to be a really nice weekend for some hikes along the Bruce. I’m only here for two nights so I’m limited to only one major hike and that’s today. So off I go to cover a little bit more ground on the Bruce Trail.
Leaves and Trees
Hiking out to the Bruce Trail from the campsite I had a choice to make. Right or Left? I’ve hiked the trail to the left so I today I’m heading to the right to head south toward Stormhaven. Such an ominous name for a backcountry camping area. At least that’s all I think it is. 😉
Which way
The plan was to hike past Stormhaven and take a break at Halfway Dump Side trail before heading back to the campsite. That would put my hike at just over 11km.
View From the Bruce Trail Cliffs
The Bruce Peninsula always has epic views that go on for miles and this section has so many opportunities to appreciate those views, over and over again. Of course we can’t forget the little things that reside here in the forest – the mighty mushroom! 😀
Forest floor
After my hike and filled up on a hearty dinner I started thinking that I needed to get some night shots before I left for the weekend. With my campsite so close to the lake I got my photo gear together and hiked out to a spot that gave me the best view of the Milky Way.
Reflections of the Night Sky
It was a beautiful clear night and the Milky Way shone with all her glory. It’s so crazy that we have such amazing views from the earth out into the Universe and so many people don’t get a chance to experience it because they live in a light polluting city. I could stay here forever just looking up into the night sky.
We’re on the hunt for wildlife. Each year we hope for a glance of a fox or even a moose but so far we have been unsuccessful and today proves to be no different.
Openongo
Its chilly out and the wind by the water makes it hard to stay there long. The sun helps but only when away from the biting wind. Our walk/drive down Opeongo Road is unsuccessful so we all decide to hike the Two Rivers Trail.
Two Rivers Trail
This beautiful walk through the woods brings us no closer to finding any wildlife. Are the animals hiding from us? Most likely. Or we’re just hiking the wrong places.
