Friends of CHBTC

Friends of Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club Hikes

All are welcome to join Sandy Green, Club President and co-hike leaders on Friends of Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club hikes. Watch for listings of Friends Hikes on the “Greetings” page of the Caledon Comment and the Bruce Trail Hike Schedule. If you are new to group hikes, contact Sandy, who will happily guide you through the process. There is a hike for everyone.

Contact Info:
Sandy Green, friendsofchbtc@gmail.com

Caledon Comment, Fall 2024 Edition Friends of CHBTC Hikes

This series of hikes will explore our Founders’ Footpath Finalists. The Founders’ Footpath is a Bruce Trail Conservancy initiative to mark the upcoming 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Bruce Trail. Join one or all to help the Club choose a section of the trail that best exemplifies the founders’ intentions. Names of participants from each hike will be entered into hike day draws for a chance to win a 60th Anniversary “Connecting People With Nature” pin.

For more information about the Founder’s Footpath initiative, visit our Club website: https://caledonbrucetrail.ca/about-us/founders-footpath/.

How to Register For The Founders’ Footpath Finalists/ Friends of Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Group Hikes:

  1. Click on the direct links to the Bruce Trail Hike Schedule in the descriptions below.
  2. Follow the prompts.

Registration is limited due to parking restraints. If the hike is full when you go to register, reach out. There is always a Plan B.

Hike Descriptions:

Founders’ Footpath Finalist “A”

Tuesday, August 8, 2024 9:30 – 1:00

10 kilometres (Note: The distance can easily be modified.)

Medium Pace of 3 to 4 km/hr

Moderate Terrain (some hills and poor footing)

https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/founders-footpath-finalist-a/2024-08-06/

Meet at the Bruce Trail 7th Line Parking Lot located 200 metres from km 43.3 off the 7th Line immediately east of Airport Road, 43.960477, -79.979773.

Driving Directions:

From Airport Road/Peel Regional Road 7, turn east onto 7 Line E/7th Line EHS. Parking is on the right side.

Hike Description: Explore Finalist A: Main Trail km 42.5 – 47.5 and Darcy’s Side Trail 0.5 km; south of 7th Line to north of 5 Sideroad; BTC Protected Areas: Humber Heights, Twin Waters Nature Reserve, Mathilda’s Way, Dr. Philip Gosling Nature Reserve, Tall Timbers, Scarlett, and Moule Easement.

Founders’ Footpath Finalists “A, B & C”

Saturday, August 10, 2024 8:30 – 4:00

21.5 kilometres (Hike all three or join the hikes that most interest you. Contact Sandy for approximate meetup times for hikes B and C.)

Medium Pace of 3 to 4 km/hr

Strenuous Terrain (some hilly steep climbs and some poor footing)

https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/founders-footpath-finalists-a-b-c/2024-08-10/

Meet at BTC 7th Line Parking Lot located 200 metres from km 43.3 off the 7th Line immediately east of Airport Road, 43.960477, -79.979773.

Driving Directions:

From Airport Road/Peel Regional Road 7, turn east onto 7 Line E/7th Line EHS. Parking is on the right side.

Hike Description: Explore Finalist A: Main Trail km 42.5 – 47.5 and Darcy’s Side Trail 0.5 km; South of 7th Line to north of 5 Sideroad; BTC Protected Areas: Humber Heights, Twin Waters Nature Reserve, Mathilda’s Way, Dr. Philip Gosling Nature Reserve, Tall Timbers, Scarlett, and Moule Easement.

Upon completion, the group will drive to Finalist B, parking at the BTC parking lot on the east side of the 5th Line EHS, just south of Hockley Road, 43.993572, -80.014057.

From the 7th Line EHS parking lot, return to Airport Road. Turn right and continue to Hockley Road. Turn left and proceed to 5th Line EHS. Turn south/left onto 5th Line EHS. The parking lot is on the left in 100 metres.

Explore Main Trail km 48.9 – 52.1, Hemlock Ridge Side Trail 0.61 km, and Glacier Valley Side Trail 0.58 km; Airport Road to 5th Line EHS Parking Lot; BTC Protected Areas: Cedar Highlands, Galbraith, and Hemlock Ridges.

Next, we will move on to Finalist C, parking at the BTC Parking Lot, 713377 1st Line EHS, Mono, 43.959916, -80.070494.

From the 5th Line EHS parking lot, return to Hockley Road. Turn left and proceed to 3rd Line EHS. Turn left and continue to 5 Sideroad. Turn right onto Side Road 5 for 1.5 kilometres. Turn right onto 1st Line EHS for approximately 1 kilometre. Continue straight into the parking lot.

Explore Goodyear Memorial Side Trail 2.2 km, Rushing Rivers Side Trail 0.2 km, and Upland Side Trail 1.2 km; BTC Protected Areas: The Akela and Scouters Heather and Ross Hamlin at Riverside Woods Nature Reserve and Rushing River Nature Reserve.

Founders’ Footpath Finalists “B & C”

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:30 to 1:30

11.5 km (Note the distance can be modified.)

Medium Pace of 3 to 4 km/hr

Strenuous Terrain (some hilly steep climbs and some poor footing)

https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/founders-footpath-finalists-b-c/2024-08-27/

Meet at the BTC parking lot on the east side of the 5th Line EHS, just south of Hockley Road, 43.993572, -80.014057

Driving Directions:

From ON-10, turn east onto Hockley Road/Dufferin County Road 7. Drive for 9.5 kilometres. Turn south/right onto 5 Line E/5th Line EHS. The parking lot is on the left in 100 metres.

Hike Description: Explore Finalist B: Main Trail km 48.9 – 52.1, Hemlock Ridge Side Trail 0.61 km, and Glacier Valley Side Trail 0.58 km; Airport Road to 5th Line EHS Parking Lot; BTC Protected Areas: Cedar Highlands, Galbraith, and Hemlock Ridges.

Once complete, the group will drive to Finalist C, parking at BTC Parking Lot, 713377 1st Line EHS, Mono, 43.959916, -80.070494.

From the 5th Line EHS parking lot, return to Hockley Road. Turn left and proceed to 3rd Line EHS. Turn left and continue to 5 Sideroad. Turn right onto Side Road 5 for 1.5 kilometres. Turn right onto 1st Line EHS for approximately 1 kilometre. Continue straight into the parking lot.

Explore Goodyear Memorial Side Trail 2.2 km, Rushing Rivers Side Trail 0.2 km, and Upland Side Trail 1.2 km; BTC Protected Areas: The Akela and Scouters Heather and Ross Hamlin at Riverside Woods Nature Reserve and Rushing River Nature Reserve.

How To Register For Other Group Hikes:

Review the Bruce Trail Conservancy Hike Schedule for other Caledon Hills hikes – 60th Anniversary Badge Hikes, Biodiversity Nature Walks, Tuesday Hikers, Forest Bathing, and more. Hikes listed across the nine Bruce Trail Clubs offer unlimited options and opportunities.

Go to the Bruce Trail Hike Schedule. https://hikes.brucetrail.org

  1. Click on the green Caledon Hills button.
  1. Navigate through the calendar and select a hike that interests you.
  2. Follow the prompts.
  3. Click the other coloured buttons to peruse hikes in other Bruce Trail Sections.

How to Prepare For Group Hikes:

  • Plan to have fun, meet new people, explore, and learn.
  • Dress in layers according to the weather forecast.
  • Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes/boots or proper hiking footwear.
  • Pack a backpack with the following essentials:
  • 1 – 2 litres of water or healthy hydration fluids
  • litter-free snacks
  • emergency contact information
  • medical requirements (i.e., EpiPen)
  • whistle
  • hat
  • cellphone
  • camera and binoculars if you wish
  • bug spray, sunscreen, or microspikes/icers, depending on the season.

For more extensive information about hiking preparation, visit Experience the Bruce Trail: https://brucetrail.org/explore-the-trail/#Our-history.