I’ve now completed 8 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
October 31, 2020 – Webwood Falls Nature Reserve to Walter’s Falls side trail – 24k (with Kris)
November 14, 2020 – Walter’s Falls side trail to Woodford – 29k (with Kris)
November 26, 2020 – Woodford to Sideroad 22 at Concession 8 – 30k (with Kris)
May 13, 2022 – Sideroad 22 at Concession 8 to Young’s Drive – 29k (with Kris)
May 27, 2022 – Young’s Drive to Lundy Road – 30k (with Kris)
June 17, 2022 – Lundy Road to Bluewater Park – 39k (with Kris)
Run stats
# runs: 6
# solo runs: 0
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 0
# runs with friends: 5 (Kris!)
shortest run: 24k
longest run: 39k
average length of run: 30.2k
Run highlights
Best unexpected waterfall: We loved discovering these hidden gems, which we almost always had completely to ourselves!
Another pretty waterfall
Prettiest flowers: Spring on the trail meant bright colours everywhere.
TrilliumLady slippersColumbine
Luckiest re-route: Because of a logging closure of the main trail we had to run along a side trail through the Bognor Marsh, which meant we saw things we wouldn’t otherwise have seen, including a hand-dug well, remains of an 1860’s homestead, and a nearby 1970 plane wreck (sadly 4 people lost their lives).
Best natural cooling device: While running through the forest on a hot May day, we came upon high rock walls with a narrow channel through it, complete with ice on the ground! The cool air felt amazing.
Rock walls
Most unexpected re-route: One day while running a 30k route we came upon a gaping hole in the road (that the trail ran along), and a work crew fixing the hole. We had to run through a farmer’s field at the edge of the road to get through. This closure was not posted on the Bruce Trail website.
Yikes!
Longest grass: Through the Wiarton airport!
Running through grassy field
Highest creek crossing: we did a double-take – are we really crossing here?
Creek crossing
Most photogenic wildlife: an adorable frog! We saw lots of wildlife in this section, including 2 Sandhill Cranes, Snapping Turtles, frogs, slugs, Garter Snakes, Eastern Kingbirds, Yellow Warblers, a Great Blue Heron, Chickadees, woodpeckers, grouse and a Bobolink (a first for me). We heard so many Eastern Wood-Pewees that I started talking about “our friend” who was covering the trail with us!
One adorable frog
Most turtles in one day: We saw 3 Snapping Turtles on our 39k run, 2 within the first 200m of the run, and one in a puddle on a flooded gravel road.
A Snapping Turtle and some eggs that didn’t make it.
Biggest waterfall: Inglis Falls in Owen Sound.
Inglis Falls in Owen Sound
Most welcome puddles ever: On another hot day, I loved these unavoidable puddles, which cooled our feet (and us overall) as we passed through them! This is also where we unexpectedly ran into a friend’s father (one of only a few people I know living on the Bruce Peninsula!).
First end of run swim: After covering 39k of the trail one day and looking forward to cooling off in Colpoy’s Bay (Georgian Bay) at Bluewater Park all run long, I was determined to swim no matter what, but the water was SO COLD it was painful! I did “swim” (read: I soaked my entire body in shallow water), apparently making other people looking on cold in the process!
I am incredibly lucky to live along the Niagara Escarpment in the Hamilton Area. As noted on the Bruce Trail website, “[t]he spectacular Niagara Escarpment encompasses farms, recreation areas, sweeping scenic views, 1675 foot cliffs, clear streams, wetlands, pebbled beaches, rolling hills, pristine waterfalls, wildlife habitats, historic sites, villages, towns and cities.”
The geography of the Hamilton area means that there are many gorgeous waterfalls, both in the City of Hamilton itself, and within four of the cities and towns that were amalgamated into Hamilton years ago: Waterdown, Dundas, Ancaster, and Stoney Creek.
All of the waterfalls are easily accessible without having to cover too much distance on foot. I’ve been exploring close to home lately, and in the last couple of months (February to April), I have run to all 12 of the waterfalls! Many are on the Bruce Trail main trail (Iroquoia section), others on Bruce Trail side trails or not far away.
The City of Hamilton’s Waterfalls Guide will give you all the information you need to plan your visit. Note that reservations are required during certain times of the year to visit Webster Falls and Tew Falls. In some places, you will need to pay for parking.
February 19: Borer’s Falls
I ran 7k from the Sydenham lookout in Dundas East along the Bruce Trail to Borer’s Falls and beyond (and back).
Borer’s Falls
March 12: Sherman Falls, Tiffany Falls, Canterbury Falls, Hermitage Cascade
I ran 12k from Artaban Road to Sherman Falls and Tiffany Falls along the Bruce Trail and a side trail, and then through Dundas Valley Conservation Area to pick up the Bruce Trail again to see Canterbury Falls and the Hermitage Cascade.
Sherman Falls
Tiffany Falls
Canterbury Falls
Hermitage Cascade
March 29: Webster Falls, Tew Falls, Dundas Peak
I ran 11k from Crook’s Hollow to Webster Falls along a trail beside Spencer Creek, then along the road to Tew Falls, and along the Tew Falls side trail to Dundas Peak (and back).
Webster Falls
Tew Falls
April 1: Smokey Hollow Falls
I ran through Waterdown to the falls.
Smokey Hollow Falls
April 5: Felker’s Falls, Devil’s Punchbowl, Albion Falls, Buttermilk Falls
I ran 18k, from Mud Street along the Mud Street side trail to the main Bruce Trail East to Felker’s Falls and the Devil’s Punchbowl, then West past where I parked to Albion Falls and Buttermilk Falls.
Felker’s Falls
Devil’s Punchbowl (upper)
Devil’s Punchbowl (lower)
Albion Falls
Buttermilk Falls
All of the waterfall pictures were taken with my iPhone – I was running, after all! I guarantee that each one is more spectacular in real life!
Looking for more waterfalls? Here’s an incredible map of the waterfalls and cascades of Hamilton (thanks Mary T for pointing it out!).
I’ve now completed 7 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
Such pretty creeks and waterfalls in this section.
BEAVER VALLEY SECTION
Started the Beaver Valley section: September 14, 2019
Finished the Beaver Valley section: October 31, 2020
Run details
September 14, 2019 – Beaver Valley Ski Club to Beaver Valley Ski Club as part of the Happy Trails Falling Water marathon – covered Wodehouse Karst to Grey County Road 13 – 42k (with Kris)
September 19, 2020 – Maple Lane in Ravenna to Kolapore Grey County Road 2 – 24k (with Kris)
October 3, 2020 – Kolapore Grey County Road 2 to Grey County Road 13 – 30k (with Kris)
October 17, 2020 – Wodehouse Karst Management Area to Webwood Falls Nature Reserve – 25k (with Kris)
October 31, 2020 – Webwood Falls Nature Reserve to Walter’s Falls side trail – 24k (with Kris)
Unique “stepped” creek.
Run stats
# runs: 5
# solo runs: 0
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 0
# runs with friends: 5 (Kris!)
shortest run: 24k
longest run: 42k
average length of run: 29k
Run highlights
Most difficult day: The most difficult day was definitely the day my friend Kris and I covered 42k of road and trail as part of the Happy Trails Falling Water marathon. We ran (and walked!) about 31k of the main trail that day, with the rest of the race being on side trails. It was our first time racing together, and a first trail marathon for each of us. Read all about it and see pictures here.
Wildlife encounters: Other than cows, horses, birds, squirrels and dogs, we spotted a grouse in this section. And speaking of cows, we climbed a stile into a farmer’s field and were immediately approached by a very vocal cow who didn’t seem too happy to see us walking through the field. We had the cows approaching from the left and an electric fence on the right. Some kind words and a steady pace got us to the stile at the other end of the field!
One annoyed cow!
Coolest plant matter: fungi galore!
Favourite part of this section (which is one of my favourite sections so far): the waterfalls! I loved stumbling across so many unexpected cute little waterfalls, almost all of which we got to enjoy completely on our own.
Fall splendour: I covered this section entirely in the fall, with some of the lookouts providing amazing views of changing tree colours.
Some tiny flowers were still holding on for dear life…in the frost.
Best trail snack: a pear on the forest floor!
Yum.
Something I’ll remember this section for: the elevation changes! Up, down, up, down, and repeat.
Thank you volunteers for keeping us safe!
Progress so far: I was surprised to discover that I am now about 3/4 of the way along the trail!
If you know me at all, you know that I love to take pictures! But when I run, I don’t have quick access to my camera (read: phone) – in particular when I’m running with a small backpack and the phone is in it (as opposed to in a waist belt).
Since I’m going to be resuming my end to end runs of the very scenic Bruce Trail very soon, I needed a solution. I didn’t want an arm band holder. The other night while sewing yet another face mask, it occurred to me that I could sew a phone holder, so that’s what I did.
This is version 2.
Loops on the back mean that the chest strap just feeds through it. I wondered if it would bounce as I ran, but it wasn’t a problem at all. After testing it out, I decided to make a new, slightly wider one, so that it would be easier to put the phone into it.
Version 2 on the left, version 1 on the right.
It’s done and ready to go. Bring on the Bruce Trail!
I’ve now completed 6 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
The forest felt a little spooky on this wet, overcast day.
Started the Blue Mountains section: October 19, 2019
Finished the Blue Mountains section: December 8, 2019
Run details
October 19, 2019 – 20th Sideroad/Prince of Wales Road to Lavender cemetery – 18 km (with Kris)
October 27, 2019 – Lavender cemetery to Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area – 22.1 km (with Kris)
November 30, 2019 – Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area to Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve – 21.4 km (with Kris)
December 8, 2019 – Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve to Maple Lane in Ravenna – 25.2 km (with Kris)
Frank’s Lime Kiln in Duntroon
Run stats
# runs: 4
# solo runs: 0
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 0
# runs with friends: 4 (Kris)
shortest run: 18 km
longest run: 25.2 km
average length of run: 21.7 km
Run highlights
Near the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve
Prettiest sunrise: The sunrise was so pretty that I had to pull over and take a picture. This was just a couple of kilometres from our end point for the run, where we met to leave one car – not too far from Maple Lane in Ravenna.
Barred owl in the centre of the picture (see brown blob!).
Wildlife sightings: A missed blaze and an accidental short trek off-trail near the Nottawasaga Bluffs meant that my friend Kris and I were led right to a Barred Owl! It was my first time seeing one in the wild (though I have heard many while backcountry camping), and first time ever seeing an owl while I was running (or walking!) – once I saw one while in a moving vehicle. It was beautiful, and had a huge wingspan. Sadly, we couldn’t get too close for a picture, but I promise you, the owl is in the picture!
Whee!
Most non-running fun/neat finds: Not far from one of the ski lifts at Blue Mountain we found a rope swing, which just begged to be used!
Best natural art: I spotted this on the side of the road as we ran by on a very windy day!
I’ve now completed 5 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
Started the Dufferin Hi-Land section: June 3, 2019
Finished the Dufferin Hi-Land section: October 19, 2019
Lush green of a June forest.
Run details
June 3, 2019 – Hockley Road to Highway 89 – 25k (solo)
June 29, 2019 – Highway 89 to 20 Sideroad/Prince of Wales Road – 27.4k (with Kris)
October 19, 2019 – 20 Sideroad/Prince of Wales Road to 2k north of the Mulmur-Nottawasaga Townline parking and back to the parking by the cemetary – 18k (with Kris)
Climbing a stile.
Run stats
# runs: 3
# solo runs: 1
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 0
# runs with friends: 2 (Kris!)
shortest run: 18k
longest run: 27.4k
average length of run: 21.1k
Run highlights
Perfect running conditions: On June 3 the ground was almost completely dry, there were no bugs, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the temperature was a comfortable 15C or so!
Wrong turns: My friend Kris and I were clearly too engrossed in conversation to follow the blazes. We missed trail turns a couple of times, running a little more than we needed to!
Pretty valley!
Best post-run cooling station: The little waterfall at 20 Sideroad/Prince of Wales Road! We doused our faces with cold water. So refreshing.
Most gorgeous fall colours: Starting around 8 AM, it was around -2C on October 19 at 20 Sideroad/Prince of Wales Road. The frost just added to the beautiful fall colours!
Love those fall colours!
Wildlife sightings: The most memorable wildlife sighting in this section of the Bruce Trail was a Great Crested Flycatcher – I had no idea what kind of bird it was when I spotted it, but found out through some google searching. I also sought confirmation from other members of the Bruce Trail Facebook group.
Great Crested Flycatcher!
Single vehicle run: My husband dropped me just south of Hockley Valley and then parked at my end point just south of Boyne Valley Provincial Park, and then while I ran 25k, he biked and then ran, with me picking him up at his end point. Most of the time, my runs have involved a running companion and 2 cars.
Like a crazy person I jumped at the chance to run the inaugural Happy Trails Falling Water trail marathon in the Beaver Valley section of the Bruce Trail. Who wouldn’t want to tackle a ridiculously hilly race course that the organizers very clearly cautioned was not for beginners? Not only did I sign myself up, but I quickly convinced my husband and several other friends to as well (two of whom signed their husbands up – one without his knowledge, the other with a little arm twisting). The 80 race slots were sold out within 6 hours!
From the race website: “This course is not meant for beginners. Although there are not any specific qualifying standards for this event, runners should definitely have experience running on trails. The course is rocky, rooty, and very hilly. Your feet will probably get wet and aid stations will be further apart than our other events, due to the challenging terrain. Although it is a “marathon”, it is not a Boston Qualifier and if that irritates you, this probably isn’t the race for you! Seriously, this race is tough. There will be waterfalls, steep climbs, and incredible views. The scenery will make the challenge worth it!” And this, so true: “You will laugh, you will cry, you will probably say you are never running again, and then you will go online and register for another race. Sound familiar?”
I was looking forward to running this race with friends I’ve made through Twitter. Social media has its pros and cons, but I’ve met some great people through it. I finally got the chance to meet Katherine at this race, as well as her husband Paul. Trail runners are awesome!
This marathon would also allow me to cover more of the Bruce Trail in my end to end project!
Pre-race with Kristi and Mike, Katherine and Paul. [Photo by Alasdair]
Alasdair and I arrived at the Beaver Valley Ski Club with lots of time for me to pick up my race kit (race bib, protein bar, and awesome running socks) and chat with other runners. Unfortunately calf and Achilles issues this summer meant that Alasdair hadn’t been able to train for the race, so he was going to cheer for me instead.
With only one portapotty for everyone, I found myself ducking into the bushes several times before the race began. This was my only complaint about the entire race – need more toilets!
After a short pre-race briefing, we all headed to the start line. My other Twitter friend Kris and I found each other, and when the race began, we stuck together. We hadn’t planned this pre-race, but it worked out great. We’ve run together previously on the Bruce Trail. I had forgotten that this was Kris’ first marathon. It was my first in 7 years (and very first trail marathon)!
Note the shape of the Bruce Trail main trail (the solid red line) – it’s a U shape, but we ran it as a figure 8 (follow the km markers below to see the race route).
The Race!
Missing from picture: KM 2, 3, 4.
KM 1-6.5
The race began with a 6.5k out and back section, starting in the Beaver Valley Ski Club parking lot and heading straight up a ski hill north on the Bruce Trail main trail towards Tobermory (the left side of the U).
Yes, we went straight up a ski run. Most people walked.
The hill shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone – in fact, before I even signed up for the race I knew it would feature 5,000 feet (1,550 metres) of elevation gain and elevation loss. And yet I still signed up for it.
First few steps into the race and we are looking fresh! [Photo by Sue Sitki]
From the very beginning, Kris and I walked the steep hills, and ran the rest. Mostly.
Finishing the first 6.5k out and back section. [Photo by Alasdair]
When we returned to the start area, I made a quick pitstop in the portapotty, and then Kris and I headed for aid station #1.
KM 6.5-15
While most of the race was on the Bruce Trail main trail (31k) – marked with white blazes, the rest was on side trails – marked with blue blazes. The course was also marked with flagging tape, and while Kris and I managed to stay on course the whole time, others went off course (one person at least 4 times, but I’m not telling).
[Photo by Sue Sitki]
During this race, I found that concentrating on running from one aid station to the next helped to break such a long race into more manageable chunks. We hit aid station #1 at around the 8 km mark. At each one, I added water to my camelbak when needed, and munched on fruit, as well as sweet and salty snacks. I was carrying quite a bit of food in my camelbak, but only ate a single energy ball all race. I preferred the aid station food.
This section of the race featured a 1.5k climb up a gravel road. Lucky us, we would get to do it again later in the race!
We were rewarded at the end of this long climb with the best aid station, #2 (we would visit it later as aid station #5), which was run by the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail club (such enthusiasm!). And as we were enjoying the spread (including homemade blueberry muffins – yum!), Alasdair showed up to cheer us on! Once we left the aid station, I craved watermelon until we returned.
Delicious spread at aid station #2/#5, run by the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club.
KM 15-23
Towards the end of this next section of the race, we came upon the very pretty Hoggs Falls, as well as aid station #3.
Running down to Hoggs Falls [Photo by Sue Sitki]
It was around 17C and a beautiful fall-like day for a long run. Did I mention the hills? They were never-ending!
Hoggs Falls
KM 23-31
With only 68 runners starting the race, Kris and I ran many kilometres of this race alone. However, I don’t think we were ever the only runners at an aid station. We did pass a few runners later on in the race, and were concerned about one woman who Kris thought went off course. She later caught up to us, and sure enough, when she started running into higher brush, she realized she must have gone the wrong way! Another guy would have continued off course had Kris not yelled ahead to him!
In this section, we reached Eugenia Falls and aid station #4. Alasdair met us here too! By this point, we were at 31k and my right knee was really unhappy. The front of my knee on the downhills, and the back pretty much all the time. I had felt the front of the knee a few times since June (though never so bad), but the back was new!
At the 31k mark at Eugenia Falls (still smiling!). [Photo by Alasdair]
Over and over again we ran through such pretty forests. At one point, there was a house at the top of a waterfall.
Another pretty little waterfall. This was the very bottom, but at the very top there was a house!
KM 31-37
When the volunteers at aid station #4 (at 31k) told us that we had 6k to go to the next aid station, and then only 5k more to the finish, I was relieved. While this was a trail “marathon”, we didn’t know what the actual distance of the race would be. I hoped it wouldn’t be too much longer than 42.2k! (It’s not like a road race where you set the start and finish lines exactly where you want to get the correct distance.)
For perspective… we ran right by that white tower waaaaaaay in the distance.
KM 37-42.2
Before we reached aid station #5, we got to do the 1.5k road climb again. Alasdair was once again waiting for us.
Stuffing our faces at aid station #5! All the food. And Oreos to go! [Photo by Alasdair]
While my knee meant that our pace was slowing, and I wondered whether I was doing damage to my knee, I also knew I would make it to the finish line. Towards the end I couldn’t even take advantage of the downhills – the front of my knee hurt too much!
Remember that ski hill we ran up to start the race? Well we had to run down it at the end. From there we did a little loop through the parking lot/grass, and at the finish line, Alasdair presented Kris and I with flowers!
Flowers from Alasdair at the finish line for Kris and I! [Photo by a Bruce Trail volunteer]
Jeff (one of the race organizers) presented us with medals and very cool Bruce Trail badges that the Beaver Valley section volunteers designed for us!
With my flowers, cool compass medal, and custom Falling Water Bruce Trail patch designed by the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club. [Photo by Alasdair]
To add to my section end-to-end badges!
This race also had the best race medals – a compass! Pictures by Sue Sitki.
I was so glad to be done climbing those hills!
Elevation (in metres) over distance (in kilometres) – more than 1500m (5000 feet of elevation gain and loss over the course of the race)
After the race, Kris and I jumped into the creek for a short time – it was cold!! Alasdair and I stayed to watch our friends finish (Mike finished before us), and then we headed home.
What a race. It was fun to run it with Kris. I know I did better than I would have had I run it on my own. You can bet I’ll be back. (I’m well on the road to recovery, back to running again and doing physio for my knee – tightness, not a worrisome injury).
Thank you Happy Trails and all the volunteers for another great race!!
Race stats
Time: 7:38:38
Pace: 11 min 16 seconds/km
Unofficial race distance: my watch said 40.67k
Place: Tied for 54th/68
Post-swim muffins (from Alasdair).
We all made it to the finish line! Kristi, Mike, me, Katherine, and Paul.
I’ve now completed 4 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
April 22, 2019 – Silver Creek Conservation Area to Forks of the Credit – 22.9k (solo)
May 12, 2019 – Forks of the Credit to Finnerty Sideroad – 22.7k
May 18, 2019 – Finnerty Sideroad to Hockley Road – 27.3k (solo)
June 3, 2019 – Hockley Road to Highway 89 – 25k (solo)
Run stats
# runs: 4
# solo runs: 3
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 0 (but we did leapfrog each other on the trail!)
# runs with friends: 1 (Laura!)
shortest run: 22.7k
longest run: 27.3k
average length of run: 24.5k
With Laura!
Run highlights
Spring flowers: In this section I first saw spring flowers on the trail.
Most hilly: My run from Finnerty Sideroad to Hockley Road was most definitely the hilliest part! Lots of stairs too.
Scariest moment: The few seconds it took me to fall hard on both knees. And then I had to run another 10k!
Great Crested Flycatcher (a new bird for me!)
Wildlife sightings: Scarlet Tanager, Great Crested Flycatcher, porcupine, hairy coo!
Porcupine – my first on the trail!
Favourite run: My run from just south of Hockley Valley to just south of Boyne Valley Provincial Park – the ground was almost completely dry, there were no bugs, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the temperature was a comfortable 15C or so. I scared 4 turkey vultures out of the woods, and couldn’t identify a large animal that ran off the trail into the woods later – maybe a turkey. I saw a Great Crested Flycatcher (had never heard of one before that day), and then finished the Caledon section of the trail!
Most memorable encounter with other hikers/runners: I met Christopher L from the Bruce Trail Facebook group, who is also working on completing the entire trail from south to north. I had seen his posts on the group, then he recognized me one day on the trail just south of Hockley Valley. Plus we randomly colour coordinated outfits, so there’s that too.
Christopher L!
Neat finds: Cheltenham Badlands – represents geological processes that have occurred over the last 450 million years
Roads: The Caledon section of the trail had a lot of road running. I’d rather be in the woods, but the road made for easier running.
Green: This section brought the end of snow and the beginnings of new growth in the forest!
I’ve now completed 3 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
December 8, 2018 – Crawford Lake, Milton to Hilton Falls Conservation Area, Milton – 13k (to just north of the northern end of the Iroquoia section)
January 25, 2019 – Hilton Falls Conservation Area, Milton 5k north towards Speyside and back again – 10k (solo)
March 3, 2019 – Scotsdale Farm, Georgetown, to Silver Creek Conservation Area and back again – 11k (solo)
March 8, 2019 – Speyside south to Hilton Falls, and then north past Speyside to 17 Side Road – 18.3k (solo)
March 16, 2019 – 17 Side Road, Milton to Scotsdale Farm, Georgetown – 17k
April 22, 2019 – Silver Creek Conservation Area to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park – 22.9k (solo)
Alasdair and I just about to enter Hilton Falls.
Run stats
# runs: 6
# solo runs: 4
# runs with my husband Alasdair: 1
# runs with friends: 1 (Laura)
shortest run: 10k
longest run: 22.9k
average length of run: 15.4k
Run highlights
Most fun section to run:from Speyside south toward Hilton Falls, because of this section’s curvy, twisty little ups and downs.
Most decorated trees: From Hilton Falls north towards Speyside, there was one spot with many trees marked for removal.
X marks the spot.
1st time climbing a stile in spikes: Between Hilton Falls and Speyside (I was extra careful, thinking I may get caught in the gaps of the wood!).
I initially thought this had disaster written all over it.
Longest stretch without seeing another person on the trail: 18.3k when I ran from Speyside south toward Hilton Falls, then north up to 17 Sideroad and back to Speyside.
Most wildlife encounters: From Silver Creek Conservation Area to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park I saw 2 wild turkeys, 1 turkey vulture, 2 riders on horseback, 1 hawk, 1 garter snake, butterflies, chipmunks and squirrels, and a beagle that chased me, and I heard lots of spring peepers and other pond critters.
1st signs of spring on the trail: On April 22nd – flowers (and spring peepers!)! However, there was still ice on one section just south of Forks of the Credit.
Most memorable encounter with others on the trail: a beagle that chased me, getting very close and barking at me – I had to keep yelling “no!” to get it to back off. Eventually it’s owner called it away (property backs onto the trail).
Neat finds:Limehouse Conservation Area, with narrow passages through steep rocks faces and little caves.
Hardest section to run: from Silver Creek Conservation Area to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, because of the rocks, mud, washed out trail, and a sore knee after I fell hard on it at the 10k mark! My knee really didn’t like the final steep descent to Forks of the Credit.
I’ve now completed 2 sections of the Bruce Trail (there are 9)!
What’s the Bruce Trail? According to the Bruce Trail Conservancy website, the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Running along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail spans more than 890 km of main Trail and over 400 km of associated side trails.”
Hardest section to run: First part of Ball’s Falls run because of the ice (we hadn’t brought our spikes).
Most puzzling sign: “Passive Use Only”? I’ve since looked it up and understand what it means!
Most waterfalls: From Short Hills Provincial Park to Tremont Drive (Swayze Falls on the left, below… not sure if the right one is named).
Scariest moment: As I was running along Warner Road, I heard thundering footsteps and was scared half to death when a big coyote ran out of the woods and right in front of me (20 feet?) straight across the road at full speed and into the woods on the other side! Wow! It ran too fast and I was too spooked to grab my phone.
Wildlife sightings: The most memorable wildlife sightings were of swans, a super friendly little goat, and a coyote (see “Scariest moment”) .
With my new friend.
Windiest run: On February 8, we ran with a bitter cold wind, which was awful when running along exposed areas like roads!
A super windy area beside an open field! There was no snow anywhere else – it all blew here.
Most surprising part of the trail: I was surprised to see that I had to walk through running water in a tunnel, but I managed to keep my feet dry by staying far right and walking on the ice.
Muddiest run: February 8th starting at Ball’s Falls (after we got through the ice!).
Strangest things encountered: Mascot in St. Catharines and a shoe in a tree near Brock University.
Iciest run: It’s a toss up between the last two runs, when it was spikes on/spikes off over and over again!
Love my Kahtoola microspikes!
Favourite photo: Laura jumping!
Neat finds: Log box at 30-Mile Creek
First trail angel: My running buddy Laura’s mother-in-law Jean is responsible for a part of the trail in the Niagara Section. She drove me from the Southern Terminus at Queenston Heights Park to the start of my run at Tremont Drive, allowing me to finish the Niagara section with a big run (rather than 2 out and backs on my own). Thank you Jean!
Up next is the Toronto section!
Here I am at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show (with Brooke from the Bruce Trail front office), pointing to Milton on the Bruce Trail map, where I’ll be running next.
Kyra On The Go 