Tochi's Hut

GCZZZ2.  Bruce Trail Hike Event - Caledon Hills Section Part I.

The Bruce Trail is a scenic nature trail stretching over 800km along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara Falls to Tobermory.  This past Saturday, I attempted the first part of Caledon Hills section, which stretches 37.1km.

Day started off with a couple quick caches in the dark.  In a moment of carelessness, I got this 2 inch long shallow cut starting half-a-cm from the corner of my eye towards my ear.  Eek.  Close to losing my eye! 

The GPSr routing was kind of useless, as it led me down some side roads that were not winter maintained.  Given the snow storm we had this past Thursday, the roads were covered with snow and ice.  One section in particular featured a downhill S-curve.  I couldn't see the downward slope in the dark, so I approached the first turn a little faster than I should have.  I didn't get a chance to equip my car with winter tires yet, so I knew I was in trouble when I saw the second bend.  My car slid on the ice.  Fortunately, I knew to pump my brakes and was careful not to over-steer.  TochiMobile regained control and came out of the turn safely.  Afterwards, I realized how close I was to going off the side of the road.  The years of winter driving experience do make a difference, and I was lucky to not have panicked during that turn.

Well, that wasn't the last episode for TochiMobile.  Met up with Fababoo later at the Trans-Canada trail.  Fababoo and I were going to leave our cars at the end of the hike, so we could shuttle people back afterwards.  As he got to the trailhead, he slowed down his car.  I was behind him going 15km/h.  I applied the brakes and TochiMobile skidded again.  This time though, Fababoo was in front of me!!   In a split second, I decided that bailing out was better than rear-ending someone.  Spotted a nice big snow bank on the side and calculated that I was going slow enough to not take any damage. I guided TochiMobile towards the bank.   Poof.  TochiMobile stopped.  Reverse.  Vooooom.  Vooooom.  TochiMobile was stuck in the bank!  Good thing Rover3 and Goju were there to help push.  TochiMobile was back on the road in no time.  Three close calls to start the day.

Team Goju took us to the start of the hike.  Met up with the 10 other fellow hikers/cachers and a bunch of paparazzi and fans.  Took photos with the official banner and we're off!  The hike started off at a nice pace.  NorthernPenguin led the way and we passed through some forested regions.  Caught a quick glimpse of the hilly badlands.  The trail was covered with maybe an inch or two of snow.  Didn't really notice the impact of the snow yet.

At one point, we came out onto Grange Sideroad.  We looked around and couldn't spot any of the Bruce Trail blazers.  Backed tracked a bit to find the trail leaving the driveway we had walked down.  Must stay on the trail!  Fizbot came by to check up on us.  On the downhill slope, his car had a tough time coming to a complete stop.  First time I saw car curling!

Passed by some large properties and saw some a couple equestrians coming down the road.  Who needs horses when you have your own pair of feet?  Pfft.  The next point of interest was Devil's Pulpit.  A sharp drop of about 100m about 9.5km into the hike.  The main descent consisted of a couple switchbacks of steep slopes with cable guardrails and a length of very narrow steps.  Pretty glad that I was only hiking down this drop, instead of coming up.

Coming out of the pulpit, we decided to take a side trip to the ruins of some old lime kiln for a cache.  I had read that this was a beautiful, little explored area.  It is now more accessible since the Bruce Trail Conservatory built a side trail to the ruins.  We opted to follow the railway tracks, as it was a few hundred meters shorter than the trail.  Branched off the tracks and into the forest.  As we emerged from the trees, we came upon the entrance of this trench.

Wow.  What an unique area.  Stone walls on both sides, with little furnace holes embedded into the wall.  A tall square tower rose on the left hand side, which was apparently the chimney for some of the furnaces.  I always enjoyed visiting ruins, like Mayan ruins or some of the remains by Austrian countryside.  However, these kiln ruins were quite special, as they almost blending in with nature - doesn't have that touristy polished feel to it.

Came back out along the tracks, and crossed the bridge over Credit River.  Many tiny islands of ice interspersed the river, making for an amazing sight.  I wish NorthernPenguin had his "good" camera and tripod.  Would have loved to see what he could have done with an HDR shot.

Moved along into Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.  Saw some spectacular trails and scenery, capped off by views of the Cataract Falls.  The icicles on the far side of the valley was amazing. 

At this point our party of eight hikers had split into two groups of four.  I was in the first group.  The next section of the trails consisted of some intense uphill climbs, though nothing compared to McGregor [:P].  We were probably about 13km into the hike. The distance was starting to take its toll on my left leg.  We crossed along the top of some very spectacular ridges.  Reminded me of the days of Ridge Running, though I was in no shape to do any running at this point.

We continued on for another couple kilometers and finally met up again with HikerT, who had left us earlier.  She had her car parked about halfway into the hike, as a bail out vehicle.  We chatted for a bit and continued down the road.  After a few hundred meters, we were stopped by another car, with the familiar license plate NAWTY.  "Where are you guys going?" "Err.  We're hiking on the Bruce Trail?" "This is not the Bruce Trail." "WHAT?"  We had missed the proper trail entrance by HikerT's car.  Good thing Nawty arrived just in time!

The terrain changed quite a bit now.  Smaller vegetation and open fields became more dominant in this section of the hike. The snow was also getting much deeper, probably averaging about 2-3 inches. Compounded with our increasingly tired legs, our pace slowed down quite dramatically. At first, we were a bit concerned that the second half of the hike had large sections of road. On any other day, we would have definitely preferred the trails over roads. However, today the roads were cleared of snow and were definitely a welcomed relief for our aches and pains.

At one point, the trail map told us we were suppose to following the Escarpment Side Road.  However, the blazers led us into a forest off the road.  What is this?  A new reroute of the trail?  Being Bruce Trail purists, my fellow hikers and I did not even complain about the new challenge.  The trail went through a pine forest followed by a road section for a kilometer north.  At this point, the sun was starting to set, so I decided to put TochiCam away.  The blazers led to east across the edge of this farm field.  I took one step onto the field and plunged.  The snow drifts were up past my knees.  I let out a true "Oh My God".  A combination of "JEEZ!" and "You've Got to be Kidding Me!"  Things weren't getting any easier.  The eastward portion lasted for 600m before turning back south.  At this point, I said, "If this leads us a kilometer back to the Escarpment Side Road, I'm going to be pissed".   Indeed, that was the case.  This southward portion was very hard to walk on.  The terrain was uneven and my legs shock absorbers (a.k.a. knees) were both shot already.  Getting increasingly painful.

Despite the aches, we pressed forward with each of us taking turns leading.  The leader would effectively clear a trail making it easier for the fellow hikers behind him.   After coming through the next section of hills and valleys, I had commented that "It's so tough seeing those hills and valleys up ahead of you, and knowing how much they are going to hurt."  To which Fababoo replied, "I know, but that DETOUR through the farm was so uncalled for!!"  No one could disagree.

We followed the road a bit more.  Some quick stops for caches.  First time I was ever caught searching for a cache.  Fababoo and I were scouring around a tree off the road when this van pulled up beside us.  "What are you doing?  Do you guys need any help?"  "We're okay!  We're just searching for something we lost on the side of the road!" 

After a couple kilometers of roads, we finally hit the final 2.5 km section of trails.   At this point, I had no idea the hardest hike of my life was up ahead.  The entire section was an uphill battle all the way.  My thighs and knees were already screaming in pain and refusing to bend.  As the distance slowly dropped, the steps were becoming harder and harder.  At one point, I had 700m to go.  Normally, I could easily run 700m, but I was just concentrating on one step at a time now.  Head down.  Left foot forward.  Right foot forward.  It was quite a relief as we came over the last hilltop and spotted our cars parked on the road below.  In Rover3's words, "A special hats off to Fababoo and Tochi for finishing in good spirits as they seemed to really be in great pain for a good part of the way."

We were the first group to finish.  Gave a call to the second group and found out they had just entered the last 2.5 km of the hike.  We sat in rover3's car to warm up.  I had discovered a present that TOMTEC and Telly left for me.  TochiMobile now sported a new rear tire cover!  I had no idea what that was doing there or what I'd do with it.  When I first saw it, I thought someone had stolen my spare tire!

An hour later, we saw two lights slowly come down the road.  It was the multicolour1 duo, who we had been separated from in the first couple kilometers of the hike!  They were always on the back of our minds and we were glad to see them make it safely, albeit walking on the roads instead of the trails.  Another half hour later, the second group arrived.  We stayed for a group photo, chatted before parting.

To sum up.  My GPSr clocked the overall hike at just 41km.  11 started, 10 finished.  Total time spent hiking: 11 hours 36 minutes.  Half way towards my BT Caledon Hills badge. 

Fababoo summed up the hike the best: "Congratulations to all that made the attempt and to all that made it to the end. You've accomplished something that not many would even dare trying."  A definite challenge for both the mind and body.  So easy to give up; so great to have persevered.

ETA:

Miscellaneous Charts of interest.

GPSr Track Record:

Elevation Chart: