I am writing this blog in hindsight – 5 months have passed but the pictures make it feel like yesterday. In June, we were getting together for the first time since the Corona virus tightened its grip on the world. The Bruce Trail had actually been closed in the earlier spring, and we watched for notices of it reopening on their website. That corresponded with everyone being allowed to participate in outdoor recreation – but it was all on an honour system really. No one was there to say we could or couldn’t hike. Kim and I are both practical women and an outdoor walk to reflect on all that had gone on in the world and to reap the benefits of our friendship, seemed like a good and a safe thing to do.
We were embarking on our first hike in the Iroquois section of the Bruce Trail. We had left off the previous fall in Grimsby and had planned an ambitious 14km to Stoney Creek. The usual coffee and washroom stop only provided the coffee – no access to the washroom reminding us that nothing was “as usual” in 2020.
And then there was this:
This is on the west side of Forty Mile Creek where it flows through Grimsby after tumbling over the escarpment. When we left off last November there was a bridge over the creek, but not now. We looked to see if we could climb down and over but there was no way. We had to get back in the car and drive around to the other side. So when we are done this trail one day, we can say that we hiked the whole Bruce Trail except for the 50 feet across Forty Mile Creek in Grimsby….
On the other side of the creek is The Gibson House which was built in 1860 by Robert Gibson. He was a stonemason from Scotland and successfully quarried stone from the escarpment above this house to supply many of the building projects of the time. It was a beautiful home that somehow seemed to have lost its stature in this current day.
And we were off.
The trail climbed alongside the Forty Mike Creek bed up the escarpment. It was the first of several steep elevations that we would hike that day. This first climb was with coffee in hand!
It’s always rewarding to look back from where we came when the direction was “up”.
At the top is Beamer Memorial Conservation Area which is internationally known to be the best spot to view the annual hawk migration. Who knew? I didn’t even know that hawks migrated…
I also didn’t know that Grimsby was home to a breath-taking escarpment view over the Niagara valley and Lake Ontario, aptly called “Grimsby Point”. The height was dizzying and we definitely had the dogs on leashes! There is so much to see and do in our own backyard. We would be back one day.
As I have mentioned before there are sections of the Bruce Trail that travel along roads away from the Escarpment. I think that is mostly because landowners do not allow access to hikers on their piece of the Escarpment. We often wonder what type of inhospitable people these are? Clearly, those that have Coke vending machines at the end of their driveway! Kim also pointed out that where she lives, near the Dundas Peak, hikers have abused the privacy of local landowners who have then denied access. 
The two kilometres walk along Ridge Road –
Back to the Escarpment we came to another spectacular view from the edge – I believe this looks out over Winona.
June is so green.
Hiking with my friend. Sharing time in the most natural of spaces. Everything else just slips away.
We love bringing Stella and Coco along. These rigorous trails are too much for my old Jack and Kim’s more fragile Roo. But these two dogs LOVE every moment!!
This hike was our first time seeing painted rocks – bright little messages painted on rocks left along the way as a cheerful greeting to other hikers. During this isolating pandemic, it was refreshing to make these little connections with other hikers. Sometime later, I heard on the news that rock paintings were not welcome as the paint could harm the environment. Considering all else that we as a human race do to effect the environment, I can’t see how these tiny spots of sunshine could tip the balance. That’s all we need right now – happiness police!
We also came across “poplar fluff” on this hike. For a few days in June poplars spread their seeds via “fluff”. Neither of us had seen this before either!
Trees are fabulous. Occasionally we come across some very old ones like these. They are so strong and tall and one cannot help but feel strengthened by them. I especially like to touch them as Kim does here – it is a connection to something greater and you can walk away feeling more steadfast and true. Lighter.
When we arrived at Jones Rd in Stoney Creek 14 km later we were tired. There had been a lot of up and down climbs with no obvious stopping points like a waterfall or an old mill. Kim said it had been her favourite hike so far. 14 km of trees and rocks! For me it was my least favourite – I want to have things to research and write about and the personal and historic interest stories seemed scarce on this day. However, as I complete this blog post I realize that I did just fine writing about trees and rocks – and of course friendship.
94 km down, 800 to go.
Hiking the Bruce 