Monday, October 30, 2006

Bike Hike 2006


Route of the hike (click to enlarge)

On Saturday, October 14, I led a hike through the lower Don. It was cosponsored by the Task Force to Bring Back the Don and the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. 30 people attended the hike, even though the Weather Channel was calling for a 70% chance of rain. It did in fact rain briefly late in the day but for the most part it was cloudy with a few sunny breaks. It was a little windy at times but when the sun came out it was a fine autumn day. As these pictures attest the fall colours were stunning proving once again that you don't need to leave the city to see good fall scenes.

Starting at Broadview Subway Station, I led the hike through Todmorden Mills, then up along the biking trails that thread there way through Crothers' Woods. In E.T. Seton Park, we went along a trail nicknamed Party Atmosphere, a technically challenging trail for both hikers and bikers. The last part of the hike went through Serena Gundy and Sunnybrook Park. We then followed the paths beside Burke Brook walking through Sherwood Park and Blythwood Ravine.

The hike started at 10 AM and ended around 3:30 PM with a 25 minute break for lunch. In total the route was about 15 km long. This remains one of my favourite hikes in the valley and I will be doing this one again in the future.


Crossing at the mouth of Walmsley Brook


A view of the valley looking east towards Flemingdon Park


Negotiating a bridge on Party Atmosphere. Ok for bikers but a little steep for walking


Hiking along the trail


Dave Tyson, my backup hike leader

1 comment:

Donwatcher said...

Thanks, but I can't take credit for the photos. They were taken by one of the hikers, Marlon Chen. I brought my camera but I find that being hike leader I can't always stop to take a picture because I'd be holding up the entire hike.

DW