Nothing like a day outdoors!

 Summer is for sailing, but I have to admit that I've missed my outings with my Hiking Buddies, so this weekend I was excited to join them on a hike at Niagara Glen Nature Reserve.

I've been to the Niagara Region numerous times over the past 25 years and had no clue that there is a beautiful scenic hiking trail in the area.  I love discovering something new and this was worth the drive.  Great Niagara Attraction for FREE!

 A metal staircase took us 30 meters down the side of a cliff, which is the steepest part of the gorge. The trails wind though a Carolian Forest scattered with huge bolders, left behind thousands of years ago when they fell from the cliffs above.

There are a number of different trails to follow, we chose the one that hugs the Niagara River. 

This is such a beautifully scenic hike that one can't help but get in a good mood.  We had lunch at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Whirlpool.  What a treat!

Hiking in this area involves an elevation change of over 200 ft, so we ended our hike climbing up a LONG staircase to reach the top again.. Pretty exhausting..

I'll be back here for sure...

Mount Nemo - Burlington

With the alarm set early and a chill in the air, I considered staying in bed and bypassing the Mount Nemo hike.  I'm so glad I didn't.

It turned out to be a great hike; the sun made it's appearance and Mount Nemo Conservation Area was a pleasant surprise.  It is only minutes away from Hubby's office and I don't think he knows this place exist.

The forest is scattered with lime stone boulders, and crevices caves. Part of the trail follows the Escarpment edge and meets up with the Bruce Trail.  Some ancient white cedars in this area dates back 1,000 years.  We saw numerous permanent anchors fixed to the edge of the cliffs, as the area is popular amongst rock climbers.  We actually caught sight of one as he made his way up the escarpment wall.

I really enjoyed this trails specifically the path lined with rocks and roots forcing everyone to take greater care while hiking, and the vegetation with mainly birch and maple trees.

A fabulous day!

Rouge Valley Hike

Unseasonably warm winter weather, and yesterday was no exception.  It was the perfect day for a 2 1/2 hour hike at the Rouge River.  I feel fortunate to have such great hiking trails within the Greater Toronto area.

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It's hard to believe that this picture is taken on February 4th.  Where's the snow??

I guess we're not home-free yet.    Winter will probably hit us with vengeance.  Mother Nature has a way of surprising us...

Winter Hike - Durham Forest

 Fantastic morning winter hike at Durham Forest today.

Crispy cold out but it did not deter me or 24 others.

The sun made its appearance through the dense forest of evergreens, glistened on the snow covered paths up ahead, enticing us to keep going.

The sound my shoes make when walking on the snow covered ground is comforting.  Memories of walking to school in below 30 comes to mind.  
 
I feel happy and energized after the 2 hour hike, and the feeling continued throughout the day...

I'm happy I stumbled across the hiking group last February.

Seaton Trail - Pickering

I finally managed to join my hiking buddies again.

Today we met at Seaton Trail in Pickering which surprise, surprise is only a five-minute drive from my house.  I had no idea we had a trail so close by.  I will definitely make use of this again.

There's something very calming and tranquil of walking in the forest surrounded by trees.  Yesterday, I walked for about two hours in my neighborhood and while it was enjoyable, it does not compare to a nature walk.

There are no sounds from the nearby city.  All one can hear is birds chirping in the distance, the two dogs running loops around us hikers; and the crunching sound of dried leaves being stepped upon.  I wish I could bottle "this feeling" and save it for late.

McLaughlin Bay Wildlife & Darlington Park Trail

Time for a weekday "hike" again.  The hiking group I belong to  meet every Wednesday evening throughout the spring and summer months for an hour walk/hike.

Today we met at Darlington Park Trail,  http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/darl.html, which actually is a Provincial Park offering camping, boating, fishing, hiking etc. within a 45 minute commute to downtown Toronto.  Wow, one doesn't have to go far to take the kids camping for the night.

It never seizes to amaze me how much is out there.  There is something for every pocketbook.  Toronto and surrounding area is amazing for all that it has to offer its citizens. 

The park is situated next door to General Motors Canadian headquarters in Oshawa, and borders onto northern Lake Ontario.

The park was very quiet, with only a few campsites occupied.  I'd love to come back in the middle of summer to check this place out.  I bet the park is busy with kids playing in the sand; Dads barbecuing; people canoeing and enjoying the outdoors.  Well, that's my vision of a beautiful summer day at the park.    

Tiffany and Sherman Falls - Hamilton

Yesterday was a fabulous hike in the "Waterfall Capital of The World" - Hamilton, Canada   http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/.  There are over 125 waterfalls in the City of Hamilton.  http://www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca/ 

The rain stayed away and we hiked 14 kilometers through beautiful scenic nature.  Parts of the course was somewhat of a challenge due to muddy conditions but I enjoyed every moment of it.

One can't help but feel good when being surrounded by such a serene nature setting and the sound of water gushing down the falls and trickling down streams; patches of wild forget-me-not growing in the woods; large rocks covered in green moss; and to top it off "a bride and groom" getting their wedding photographs taken in the beautiful lush greenery.

Tiffany Falls - 21 m high

Tiffany Falls

Sherman Falls - 17 m high

Sherman Falls

 

Hiking Buddies - Owl Hunt

Last night, we went on a owl hunt.  About 30 hikers met up at Thickson Woods Waterfront Trail in Whitby for a speedy 1 hour walk.    I often shop just north of this park, at Thickson road, but I never knew this park existed up until last night.  I love surprises!

The first hour we walked a paved pathway leading west around ponds, over boardwalks and bridges and past the site where Canadian Spies trained at Camp-X in the 1940's.

On the way back we entered Thickson Woods, home to a great horned owl and many birds.

Entrance

One of the oldest hornbeams in southern Ontario guards the entrance to Thickson Woods.  In 1983, a group of naturalist formed a non-profit organization and purchased the woods.   Their mandate is to maintain and protect the flora and fauna in perpetuity.

Signs through out the woods

Home backing on the the woods, and facing Lake Ontario

We did not get a glimpse of the owl on this visit but I enjoyed the moment of feeling completely oblivious to the heavily trafficked Hwy 401 that runs just north of this little woodland area.

Kept looking upwards but no owl in sight

On my next visit, I'll bring the binoculars. 

Purple Woods

Yesterday, I met up with my hiking group again.  We started out at Purple Woods Conservations area in North Oshawa, where the annual Maple Syrup Festival was underway.

There were buckets attached to the maple trees to collect sap.  I opened a lid,  took a look inside and said, "there's only rain water in here"..  Well, I learned something new as it turned out to be the sap....

                                                                                     

Most of us enjoyed hot pancakes with maple syrup prior to our actual hike.

The original plans were to walk the trail in this park, but it was closed due to muddy conditions.  So we drove to Heber Down Park in Whitby instead.
 

The morning had been a bit cool, but by noon the sun was shining and it turned out to be a gorgeous day out after all.  We hiked for about an hour; I could have continued on but some of the ladies were huffing and puffing.
 




A few of the ladies told me that they often go home and have a nap after their hikes.  I'm the opposite; My battery gets re-charged and I have to do something...

The last thing I want to do is lie on the couch or have a nap...So what did I do; I cleaned the car!