Bruce Trail, Ontario - pic intensive!

Mentor

Mentor

Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Messages
3,124
Hi All,

I spent this weekend in and around Blue Mountain, and finally had the opportunity to take my first hikes on the Bruce Trail this season. I tried a few of my favourite trails, then spent some time wandering through the bush. The terrain was nice and varied, including dense pine forest, wetlands, escarpment rock and caves, open old-growth forest, streams and waterfalls, and a few fields. It was a great few days of hiking, and I thought I would share a few photos with you guys. Enjoy!

Sharp Stuff and Gear

Delta 5, trying to take credit for the work of a chainsaw.

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Trail Hawk - bane of fallen saplings

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My hiking stick, made by Bushman5. This thing is sturdy as heck!

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Forest and Trails

Blue Mountain forest. It rained on Saturday afternoon, which was fine by me. I love a good downpour - makes the central Ontario forest feel like coastal BC.

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More to come,

- Mike
 
Really nice looking area. the barbed wire effect on the walking stick is cool, I like that.
 
Forest and Trails, Cont'd

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Along some sections of the trail, the forest floor gives way to caves, small cliffs, pits, and other interesting rock features.

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One of my regular trails cuts through a forest in the Blue Mountain uplands. In the middle of the forest is this huge rock, presumably deposited by a glacier some time ago. The side has split off, forming a natural bench.

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Flora and Fauna (and Fungi!)

At one point, my lab, Ruby, took off to chase a squirrel up a tree. At least, I thought it was a squirrel. I think she did too. When she realized it was a porcupine, she actually backed off a bit and stared (thank goodness). I snapped a few pictures of the anxious critter, and then we went on our way.

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Lots of woodpecker activity.

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Plenty of mushrooms and other fungi to be found.

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The forest floor was covered in a mixed carpet of leeks and Trilliums.

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More to come ...
 
Fiddleheads:

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Waterfalls:

With the Saturday rains and continuing melt (there is still plenty of snow in the caves), the streams were flowing nicely, and I had fun exploring some waterfalls that are often dried up during my summer hikes.

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You can see Ruby in this picture. She absolutely loves playing around in the water. We arrived dry and clean and left slightly soaked and covered in mud. But it was worth it! I found some great pieces of flint in a pool under one of the waterfalls, and I'm going to try my hand at knapping next weekend.

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That's it! Thanks for looking.

All the best,

- Mike
 
wow..:eek: that is a gorgeous area... awesome pics Mike...:thumbup: thanks for sharing...:)
 
Wow, absolutely beautiful area!
That area with the caves, holes, and cliffs would be an interesting area to explore.
 
Thanks for sharing the photos. The Bruce Trail is awesome and there's tons of good climbing around that neck of the woods too.

Jeff
 
Wow, love the waterfall shots! Looks like a great place to go and spend a day! Thanks for sharing!
 
Great shots Mentor! Sure that big rock is not a deadfall? I could swear there is a slice of pizza on that trigger in lieu of luring young professionals on a hike :D
 
Great pics. Thanks for putting them up. Skies look pretty good too. What a beautiful area. I hope to get up there someday for the Bruce Trail.
 
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