Into the Gorge!



My better half, Chandran, can be a real sport when it comes to hiking... at times J  This past Sunday morning, he suggested we go on a day trip somewhere out of town.  I did a few double takes in my mind before I responded, not knowing what exactly the ‘day trip’ would mean.  My brave suggestion “We could hike a bit?” was met with a cheerful-enough “Sure!”  Hmm... ‘Sure’?  What was this about?  ‘Sure’? Maybe I could get away with more than just any old hike.  “What about seeing the Elora Gorge?”  An hour and a half drive to hike a not-so-long trail on a hot summer day?  “Okay.  Sure.”   What? No questions asked?  Waste no time, Marie.   Just get things ready before anyone changes their mind.

Hustle, Marie.  Hustle.  Backpack... check!  Snacks... check!  Change of clothes, camera, first aid... check!  Check!  Check!  Water... check!  Alright!  Woo hoo!  We’re doing this.  Get your boots on.  Get into the car.  We’re going on a family hike to see the Elora Gorge... yay!  Oh yah...L’il Chica... check!

The Old Mill and the Grand River Falls

We headed to Elora and ended up at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area (EGCA).  The maps showed a measly 2 km of trail, disappointing for me as I was expecting a good workout.  Chandran was keen though, so I we made the most of it.  We went off trail a bit and ended up seeing the falls which are actually outside if the EGCA.  

We got good advice to go down into the gorge to meet the Grand River. Well worth it as it offered an extra workout and L’il Chica got to take an impromptu dip.  

 



Appa and L'il Chica with Wet Shoes



L'il Chica Dipping into the Grand

 




















Dipping our Feet into the Cool Waters of the Grand River

 We had no clue that the EGCA would have been this fun.After a bit more hiking, snacking, and peeking at the river, we headed to the other side of the gorge where we could check out the tubing. With L’il Chica, we were out of that kind of luck.But, the water looked so inviting, that we couldn’t resist at least dipping our feet into it. Aaaah... cool and refreshing!

  





 

16 for 15 km

This bit here is a celebration of sorts. Many of you know that I organize a Meetup group for parents who like to hike with their infants. Usually, the woodland hikes have an attendance of 3 or 4 parents; a good sized group considering most of us do not own hiking carriers for babies. But, last week, 8 parents came out with their babes.  I was really impressed with the turn-out and thought it would be great to highlight it.  Most of the babes were young toddlers, but we had a new 20month old come along to join the fun.  There were 8 parents, 7 babies, and one dog in all. 



Downhill after the Mast ridge

We hiked the Vista, Mast, Orchard and Cedar Trails.  Usually things get tough around the 3 km mark when we hike up to the Mast Trail ridge.  We all passed with flying colours.

The trip north toward the lunch spot was filled with the usual chatter and catching up.  One of the best things about the Meetup group is that many of us have formed friendships along the trails having walked together so many times and shared our parenting ups and downs.

Along the way we met a few walkers, including the regular Wednesday group of Rouge Park Walkers – the Rouge Park Volunteers lead members of the public on interpretative hikes.  We like meeting up with them, as they are a cheery bunch.  That day, Terry, one of the regulars has us listening very quietly for a catbird amongst the trees –the squawk sounds just like a cat.  Not a meow, but more like a cat trying to escape a hungry dog.  Neat-oh!

Bumping into the Rouge Park Volunteers on the Trail Wednesday group
There are Kathy and Bruce in their volunteer shirts.

 

Lunch at the 10-km mark is always welcome on this walk as it comes right after a steep uphill on the Orchard Trail and offers a view of the Beare Wetlands.

 

 

 

The walk continued after lunch with a 5-km return walk on the Cedar Trail past the wetlands and toward the north end of Meadowvale (a bit anti-climactic but a nice challenge with the 2 staircases). 

Chatting up a storm while catching our breaths

I will surely miss this walk and all that the excellent company has to offer come September when so many of us return to work.  Meeting up on weekends will be tough for most of us, what with life being as busy as it is.  But, it will also be a welcome respite and happy reunion for many of us who can make it out.

Meeting up with Bruce



Meeting up with Bruce

I’ve always wanted to hike along the renowned Bruce Trail that stretches a over 800 km from Tobermory to Niagara.  The most daunting part of hiking the Bruce Trail is not the hike itself but that getting to the trail would mean driving across town on the busiest stretch of highway in Canada – the Toronto stretch of the 401 – and trying to avert traffic.  My hiker buddy and I left our homes east of the city at 9:00 a.m., after rush hour, to arrive west of the city at the Rattlesnake Conservation area at 10:00 a.m.  This would leave us about 4.5 hrs of hiking time before the homeward bound rush hour started.  Planning a hike around Toronto rush hour is not fun.

From Rattlesnake Conservation Area we decided to hike to Crawford Lake Conservation Area – the Bruce Trail runs through many conservation areas in this part of town.  This would mean a 14.4 km return hike in some moderate to difficult terrain.  Not bad for 2 mommas with 20-lb toddlers on their backs.



Breathtaking Views of the Canyon form the top of the Escarpment

Take the Blue Trail!

On the first leg, things were easy enough.  Nice fresh legs following the blue markers to the lake.  We met a woman along the way who seemed to know her way around, so we clarified that we were going the right way.  She took one look at our babes on board and assured us that we should not hike the blue – “Follow the orange trail. The blue is going to be too tough with those babies on your backs.”  Hah!  We both gave two internal scoffs at that vote of non-confidence and decided that when we saw the orange trail, we would ignore it.  We needed no more encouragement than someone else's doubt as our extra challenge.  Not too far on we came across the first main intersection ... hmm... blue or orange?  We took the blue.  It was well worth it.  What breathtaking views we got at the lookout points.  The blue trail followed the edge of the escarpment (which we had to climb) so we got great views into the Nassagaweya Canyon -- well worth the detour. 
                                                                                                                                                                                         

Hiker Buddy and L'il O at the Lunch Spot

L'il Chica and Hiker Marie at the Lunch Spot

The whole thing, though, about not following instructions, it that the road to the finish line is not as one might have planned. As we trudged along with high spirits, we realized that our maps stopped making sense. We were well off the planned trail and the blazes did not help much. Confused as we were, we ended up hiking an extra 3.5 km and delaying our arrival to Crawford Lake for a lovely lakeside lunch. In fact, we never did make it to the lake and ended up only at the Crawford Lake visitors centre. We lunched instead along the trail where there are benches built into a boardwalk that crosses Limestone Creek.

At the Visitor Centre before the 7 km walk back to Rattlesnake

Not to worry though, we will return to the trail in the fall when the view into the canyon is a mix of brilliant oranges, yellows and gold.  Keep your eyes peeled for the next meeting with Bruce.


 

In the Rain with a Hiker Buddy


The weather forecast could have left us hopeless – rain all day.  Booooo!!!  But, we went out anyways.  After a few minutes on trail, I realized that all would be well.  We had come prepared, after all.  Onward along the Seaton Trail for a 16 km hike with rain gear in tow.

On the first leg near the corn fields.  There is hardly a drizzle.



It had been some time since I had seen my hiker buddy, Katy, so I was excited to meet up.  As it turned out, she could not join us at the start at the Forestream Rd trailhead, because her little Paige had to complete her beauty rest. (Aaah... the mystery of a baby who loves to sleep in.  My L’il Chica sleeps no later than 6:55 a.m.  Up and at 'em.  Want to play, Ma?).   We had to hike a good 6 km before we met up at the Whitevale trail head, so we kept a good pace.

Once we met up with Katy, we got to chatting about everything from her camping vacation, the Olympics (the whole Canadian Women’s Football drama), family, and, one of our favourite topics while killing calories, food! Home-made Mac & Cheese and wild blueberries topped the list.

After about 3 km we were at Green River and Highway 7 where we chilled for a bit at the community centre. Up to this point the drizzle had been light and we were well-sheltered under an ash tree. On the menu was PBJ sandwiches, peaches, water and bananas for L’il Chica and me. Katy and Paige’s spread included wild blueberries (thankfully they shared with us). Yummy :o) If you ever get a chance to sample wild blueberries (they are smaller and tastier than the store variety) take advantage of it. The extra cost is worth it.



L'il Chica and Paige taking a break from their carriers

Rain Cover for the Vaude Carrier

Rain Cover for the Deuter Carrier



By now, the drizzle was steadier, and we had to pull out the rain covers for the carriers.  First time for me... woo hoo!  We headed back south toward Whitevale with high spirits and lots of energy.  The girls were also happy despite the drizzly weather.  We hung out a bit at Whitevale to chat some more and to give Paige a stretch before the car ride home.  Sadly, L’il Chica and I had to say goodbye as we still had an hour or so to get back to where we parked at Forestream.  See you soon, Katy and Paige!

See you soon, Katy and Paige!





Alright, then. Still 6 km to go, all by our lonesomes. Wait! That would be ‘my’ lonesome. L’il Chica has fallen asleep within a few minutes – the inevitable on a long hike. The walk back is at times tough on my legs as I am getting tired, the hills on this southern part of the trail grow increasingly tougher, and L’il Chica is getting heavier as she grows. But, silence is golden, and the pitter-patter of the rain on the leaves make me forget my wet shoes and pants. 





I am Tired and Slouching on the Last Leg

 

Hmm... I'm also getting hungry. What's for lunch?

Home-made Mac & Cheese!  Thanks for a great morning, Katy and Paige.

Meetup for a 10-15 km Walk

When we get together with my Meetup group for long hikes, we always have a good time.  Hiking with friends means chatting, catching up, and finding out something or the other about baby care.  it also means lots of laughs.  Last week we got together for a 15 km walk in Rouge Park.  It seemed like a lot at the start, but by the end, we realized that time just flew by.

The first leg was southbound for 2 km from the Pearse House along the Vista Trail.  This was a good way to rev up the engines as it was mostly flat and downhill.  Hah!  Easy peasy!



Heading back on the 3rd leg of the hike

Lots of ups and downs on the Mast Trail

The second leg was on the connecting Mast Trail just across Twyn Rivers Drive.  This was where we pumped up the jam a bit as there was a relatively steep climb up to the ridge.  With our legs burning and with the loads of children in carriers, it was a super workout.  But, what goes up must come down.  It felt good to head down the hill towards the river.  Once we were at our southern-most point at the Glen Rouge Camping area, we turned back and headed north along the Mast for a return trip of almost 6 km.  Again, what goes down must go up.  We retraced our steps back up the ridge.

For the third leg we continued north along the connecting Orchard Trail for just over 2 km.  Once we had made our last steep climb (pros by this point), we ended up at the Beare Wetlands where we had a refresher, fed the 3 youths, and chilled for a bit.  After a half-hr or so, we were recharged enough to press on.  Woo hah!  5 more kilometres to go!  And, to think we had the option to end the hike by returning to Pearse House where the cars were parked.

Rest Stop after 10 km and Recharging for the Final 5 km

For the fourth leg, we went past the wetlands and continued north on the Cedar Trail.  As we approached the northern trail head at Meadowvale Rd, there was quite a drama near the river.  Some sort of raptor squawking at the top of its lungs.  As hard as we tried, we could not spot it.  Oh well... time to turn back.

We finally headed south for a total of 5 km+ on the Cedar Trail.  What a great workout!  The fresh air, thighs-a-burning, happy babies (well... almost) and happy hikers!

If you want to know more about the Meetup group, check it out at http://www.meetup.com/Pickering-Parents-Hiking-Group/

Tall Meadow Flowers

Amongst the Wild Carrot and Sweet White Clover
(some folks are sensitive to Wild Carrot)

Flowers within your child's arm’s reach can be fun to touch. Many of them are in bloom in the late summer; they are also very attractive to even young eyes. Because they within your child’s reach, it is makes for good texture and tactile learning experiences as they sit in their carrier.

Joe-Pye Weed, Goldenrod, and Spotted Touch-Me-Not

Burdock's prickly burrs are soft to the touch when they are just beginning to bloom. 
Once the blooms are fully formed, the burrs can be painful to the touch.

Detail of Elecampane

Elecampane standing tall in the Background with Wild Carrot in the Foreground
(some folks are sensitive to Wild Carrot)

Joe-Pye Weed's fuzzy tops are soft to the touch

Tall Joe-Pye Weed in the Background

The above plants are generally safe to touch.  But, many others are not , especially mega-tall ones like Giant-Hogweed and the taller plants of the parsnip family.  For more on that, check out www.invadingspecies.com

  Don't forget to vote in our first ever just-for-fun poll and to join the site.

Hey, Can I Eat That?

As the summer fruit matures, your little on might ask you, “Hey! Can I eat that?”

Here are some “Yes, you can!” fruit that you might see on the trail:

 

Common Apple

We see these often because many trails cross through old homesteads and apple orchards.  The trees are still there, and the apples still grow.  The Common Apple in Ontario is not like the 'perfect' store-bought apples that are grown for commercial eyes.  But, they sure taste good!

Purple-Flowering Raspberry

The flowers look like roses, so many people are fooled by them.  Still, the edible fruit are not as juicy and are seedier than the raspberries we are used to.  Somehow, I find these sweeter than the regulare ones.

Blackberries

These grow in shrubs and are tastiest when dark purple. 

  

Enjoy these fruit on the trail only if you know for sure what you are eating.  Of course, different rules apply if you are in a conservation area where signage often indicates that you should not pick any fruit.

Which fruit do you often see on the trails?  Any that have eaten or have wondered about?

I’ll add more photos of forest fruit and update you as I see them on the trails.

Don't forget to vote in our first ever just-for-fun poll and to join the site.