Welcome to Winter! Winter THE QUARTERLY OF THE TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Vol. LII No. 4. by Brent Michaluk

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1 Winter THE QUARTERLY OF THE TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Vol. LII No information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Welcome to Winter! by Brent Michaluk Winter will soon be upon us, and, for some, that means an end to outdoor activities until Spring. But it need not be so! Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing offer the chance to enjoy that most Canadian of seasons, and keep one s self in great shape throughout the year. I took up snowshoeing last winter, mainly due to my interest in earning the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club s winter badge (yes, I m one of those people). I thoroughly enjoyed the series of four hikes (two in the day time, two at night); we were rewarded with an amazing moonlit night on our last hike which made braving the snow and cold well worth the effort. I won t go into very great detail about gear: skis, boots, bindings and poles for cross-country; snowshoes (with a heel lift bar if available; they really help on uphill sections), winter hiking boots (which I heartily recommend) and trekking poles with snow baskets (also highly recommended by yours truly) for snowshoeing. Put on those gloves and toques, dress in layers (made from synthetics or wool ideally), wear nice thick socks, and you re all set! Many clubs offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities over the winter months, including your own Toronto Bruce Trail Club; see page 4 and the activity schedule in this edition of Footnotes for more details. Conservation areas and provincial parks are other places to look if you so choose. I wish everybody the best of the winter season as I mark my first year (so to speak) as editor of Footnotes. Winter Fun! Photo of the author taken by Brent Melanson

2 Table of Contents Welcome To Winter! Hike Leader Training President s Pen Hiking Director s Notes P1 P1 P3 P Ski and Snowshoe Program P4 General Information Activities Calendar Looking Forward Other Hikes Winter Scenes (photo collage) Hiking Award News P5 P6 P16 P16 P17 P18 P20 Log in to the Members section of the Club website using your BTC membership number and your own password Publication Deadlines ISSUE: ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL Spring 2016: Dec.15/Dec.20 Summer 2016: March 15/March 24 Fall 2016: June 15/June 24 Winter : Sept. 15/Sept. 24 Send advertisements to: information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Footnotes is published quarterly by the Toronto Bruce Trail Club PO Box Dundas Street West Toronto, Ontario M6P 4E7 information@torontobrucetrailclub.org ISSN A member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped in the production of this issue. Send address changes to: The Bruce Trail Conservancy PO Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N For missing copies of Footnotes call , Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Opinions expressed in Footnotes are not necessarily the views of the TBTC unless stated as such. Advertising does not imply endorsement by the TBTC. Footnotes Resource Support (not members of the Board) Footnotes Editor: Brent Michaluk Proofreaders: Marilyn MacKellar Kathryn Emirzian Advertising & Mail Coordinator: Jude Keast Activities Editor: Victor Ramautar Webmaster: Stephen Kamnitzer e-notes Editor: Brent Michaluk Archivist: John Drew Information Line: Judy Leeney City of Toronto Liaison: John Hough Halton Hills Chapter: Janet Le Lievre The Toronto Bruce Trail Club is one of nine clubs making up the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is dedicated to the conservation of the Niagara Escarpment. You are invited to visit the Toronto Club s website at Toronto Bruce Trail Club Board of Directors President: ToddBardes, tbardes@rogers.com Vice-President: John Grandy johncgrandy@gmail.com Past President: Peter Leeney, peter.leeney@utoronto.ca BTC Director: Marlis Butcher, m.butcher@live.ca Hiking Director: Wayne Crockett, wayne.crockett@gmail.com Secretary: Melanie Bissett, mbissett_to@yahoo.ca Treasurer : Malcolm Sanderson, malcolm.sanderson@sympatico.ca Public Relations & Education: Magdalena Van Der Kooy Mvkooy@gmail.com Trail Maintenance: David Paape, dpaape@sympatico.ca Land Owner Relations Paul Vanhanen, pvanhanen@sympatico.ca Land Stewardship: Vladimir Bosnar, bosnar@sympatico.ca Fundraising: Patricia Peel, patriciapeel@hotmail.com Land Management Committee Chair; Land Securement Secretariat BTC Representative: David Tyson, tyson.consult@sympatico.ca Volunteer Co-ordinator: Kevin B. Warburton, kbw4343@gmail.com Membership: Sima Patel, Members at Large: Tanya Cora Oonagh Maley 2 Winter Club Info Line:

3 President s Pen by Todd Bardes The Bruce Trail is a great source of wisdom and knowledge about nature which is important for the preservation of the wildlife of southern Ontario for future generation. It s up to all of us to carry on a tradition of conservation for our children and grandchildren so they may enjoy this wilderness that is so close to our homes. Children need to be able to learn and understand about wildlife in a natural setting. As they go to schools which are faced with cut-backs, reduced nature study, and very limited field trips, it is difficult to develop a strong understanding of nature and an appreciation of conservation. Along the Bruce Trail there are more than 400 rare species that need to be protected. In a recent field survey, 68 species at risk were identified on Bruce Trail managed properties. I would be willing to bet that most of us would not be able to identify many of these plants and animals, much less conserve them for the future. In an article by Robert Bateman, he stated that he was told that the average young person today can recognize more than a thousand corporate logos, but they d be hard pressed to name even a relatively small number of wildlife species. In addition to our youth, new residents to southern Ontario need an opportunity to develop the knowledge and education about the nature along the Escarpment. Bateman goes on to say, This oh wow appreciation of nature is OK, but you cannot protect biodiversity if you don t know the names of the species you want to protect. It s kind of like when Ronald Reagan, as the story goes, said, A tree is a tree. How many more do you need to look at? with reference to the protection of the California Redwoods from a proposed development project. We in the Toronto Bruce Trail Club need to bring the Trail and nature to life for our whole population including our youth. Back in the late 1990 s York University conducted a study that concluded that less than 10% of the residents of Ontario were able to identify the Bruce Trail. In a June 2014 survey conducted by Ipsos Reid Marketing, for the TBTC, we found out that 33% of the respondents were aware of the BTC but only 14% knew about the TBTC. We have progressed over the past 15 years, but we have a real endeavor to share the knowledge of the Escarpment, nature and the love of the wilderness along the Bruce Trail if there is any hope to pass this biosphere onto future generations. If we hope the experience and understanding of nature will be part of our children and our grandchildren s lives, we need to develop an educational process to meet the challenge of maintaining biodiversity. Maybe you can help? Philip Gosling said, The Bruce Trail didn t just happen. It came about because the early vision of protecting the escarpment, not just for a few but for future generations. Hiking Director s Notes It has been an interesting first few months in the chair of the Hiking Director for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. I particularly want to thank the members of the Board of Directors for nominating and confirming me in the position in the period between AGMs and John Grandy for helping to convince me to take this on. And I want to thank the many members of the Club who have offered their congratulations and support since then. As I write this I am still getting a handle on the ins and outs of the position but I hope to make a difference in the way we manage our hiking program. Change but change for a purpose. I believe we offer a great value to our members and the public in our program both in terms of cost and the many, more intangible, things that get us out on the Trail. In the short to mid term, by Wayne Crockett thanks to Deborah Brander, there will be major changes to the back of the website to make it more intuitive and user friendly both for hike leaders in creating events and our members and the interested public in getting information on them. In addition to this I would like to involve the members to a greater degree in the development of the hiking program. I am seeking advice from you about what you would like to see in the kind of hikes that interest you and how you would improve the way we do our business. You can write me at wayne.hikes@gmail or hikedirectortbtc@gmail.com with your input. I am not a blue sky brain storming advocate but you the members are a great resource for practical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a hike you have been on and you would like to discuss the matter with me please me at either of the addresses above. I ll keep it short and just wish you all a happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous new year in I hope to see my many friends and loads of new hikers on the trail. Wayne Crockett, TBTC Hiking Director. information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

4 2016 Cross-country Ski and Snowshoe Program Ontario s forests offer an abundance of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, and you don t need a car to reach them. In the winter of 2016 join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club s cross-country ski and snowshoe outings. On Saturdays from January 9 to March 19 we will run coach trips to provincial parks, conservation areas and resorts across southern Ontario. All destinations have trails groomed for classic and skate skiing, and most have marked snowshoe trails. The full schedule is given below. We go wherever snow conditions are the best, so destinations may change on short notice. Snowshoers can join guided hikes (on or off resort), or enjoy self-guided tours. All ski tours are self-guided. Beginners are welcome, and we offer complimentary beginner classic ski lessons on some trips. Registration Registration starts at 9 pm on the Sunday before each trip. Please pre-register online. New members can register by ing Martina (martinabeatrice@hotmail.com). Cancellation Policy The cancellation deadline is 9 pm on the Wednesday before each trip. If you cancel after this time you will have to pay the bus fare. If you cancel twice you will no longer be allowed to sign up. Departure Location Groups travel in luxury highway coaches that depart from the bus pick up area on York Mills Rd, northeast corner of Yonge St and York Mills Rd. Departure times vary so read the schedule carefully. More Information Coach fare is $28 for members, $35 for non-members, and $10 for children 12 and under. Per-person coach fares are increasing to match increases in coach costs in For trail fees and rental rates see the Club s website. If you have questions contact Martina ( , or at the address given above under registration). Date Destination Departure Return Leader(s) Rentals Food Time Time Sat Jan Wye Marsh 9:00 18:00- Wayne Crockett Yes Limited 9 19:00 Sat Jan Highlands 8:30 18:00- David Royle & Yes; Snowshoes Yes 16 Nordic (Duntroon) 19:00 Wayne Crockett available for on resort use only Sat Jan Hardwood Ski & 9:00 18:00 Geri Poulouski Yes Yes 23 Bike Sat Jan Mansfield 9:00 18:00 Sophie Yes Yes 30 Chuchra Sat Feb Kawartha Nordic 8:00 18:00- Sarah Hopton & Yes No 6 19:00 Ted Iseman Sat Feb Horseshoe 9:00 18:00 Wayne Crockett Yes Yes 13 Resort Sat Feb Scenic Caves 8:30 18:00- Al Brown & Ed Yes Yes 20 19:00 Brown Sat Feb Highlands 8:30 18:00- Sarah Hopton & Yes; Snowshoes Yes 27 Nordic (Duntroon) 19:00 Ted Iseman available for on resort use only Sat Wasaga Nordic 9:00 18:00 Peter Leeney & Yes Limited March 5 Sat March 12 Sat March 19 Scenic Caves 8:30 18:00-19:00 TBD 8:30 18:00-19:00 Louisa Lee Sophie Chuchra Yes Yes TBD TBA TBA 4 Winter Club Info Line:

5 Comfortable Hiking Holidays (416) PATAGONIA March 5 to 17, 2016 Explore both Chile and Argentina! In Chile, visit penguins on Isla Magdalena, then journey far south into the heart of Torres Del Paine NP for magnificent views of the central lakes and the Paine s Horns, a stunning hike on the shores of Grey Lake to witness the icebergs floating in the water, and the famed hike up to The Towers. In Argentina, travel to El Chalten and El Calafate for hikes in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hike over to view Mt. Fitz Roy and even visit the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. This exciting adventure concludes in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. AMALFI COAST April 18 to 30, 2016 Italy never fails to captures the hearts (and stomachs) of its visitors, and the Amalfi Coast lives up to that reputation - towns perched impossibly on mountainsides, one of the most famous stretches of coastline in the world, sapphire-blue water in every direction, an infamous volcano and some of the finest Limoncello anywhere. Come hike in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and on Capri. CORFU, GREECE May 9 to 21, 2016 This Greek island is the perfect combination of European flare and tranquil sea-side living. Hike to the heavens to visit holy monasteries and trek in shade of ancient olive groves. We promise - you will never tire of the deep, deep blue of the sea that surrounds you. Opa! THE CAMINO April 25 to May 7, 2016 The Camino de Santiago is an iconic trek covering some 800km across the north of Spain. Our journey encompasses the last 152km from O Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela, including many extras in order to make it a complete Galician experience. Thousands of pilgrims have walked before us, and it is time to add your footsteps to this famous trail. TICO # General Information Bus Hikes Hikers are discouraged from meeting bus hikes at the Trail in their own vehicles, unless the hike description includes this option. Meeting Place: For maps, see under General Information on Bus hikes. York Mills subway station: buses park on Old York Mills Road near the south exit of the station (not the exit for TTC buses) Islington subway station: buses wait at the Beer Store on Bloor Street, two short blocks west of the subway station and opposite the TTC parking lot Clarence Square: located south of King Street, north of Front Street, at 49 Spadina Avenue on the east side (south of the gas station). Buses wait at the west side of the Square. Return: usual return time is 6 pm; late returns are noted in the listing Seating: based on a first-come, first-seated basis guests are welcome check the listings for exceptions leaders may give priority to defined groups some outings involve extra costs; some require advance registration Bus Fare (includes $1 donation to the Escarpment Legacy Fund): $17 members, $23 non-members; $5 children under 12 Long distance fares (over 140 km one-way) $22 for members and $28 for non-members Car Hikes meet at the point stipulated in Footnotes and travel by car shuttle to the starting point; contact Hike Leader if you have questions Car-Pool Hikes meet at the point listed in Footnotes and ride or drive to the starting point as a group; save fuel and reduce pollution passengers are expected to contribute to the driver s costs (the suggested amount is $10, which should be offered the driver should not have to request it) Map References the 28th edition of the Bruce Trail Reference is used Things to Remember Call the Club Info Line ( ) to check for updates. Changes are also posted in the Members section of the website ( Members log in using their BTC membership number and their own passwords. all Club events are non-smoking carry your BTC membership card at all times bring a lunch, 2 litres of water, suncreen and insect repellent arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time for any hike dogs are not permitted on bus hikes with the exception of registered guide dogs. Dogs may only be taken on urban and car hikes if published in advance by hike leaders. Pre-registration ( Online, or Phone ) You must pre-register even though the meeting time and place may be listed.please register using the listed method before the deadline. information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

6 Activity Calendar Winter Notice to Participants All Hike Leaders are volunteers. You are welcome to take part in their activities, but you do so at your own risk. Only written complaints against a Hike Leader or end person will be considered. Complaints (or commendations) may be addressed to the Hiking Director, Toronto Bruce Trail Club, PO Box 597, 2938 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON M6P 4E7. The focus of the complaints policy is on improvement rather than discipline. Please note that the maps and kilometre references in this listing are from the 28th Edition of the Bruce Trail Reference. Saturday, December 5 -- Brampton (Map No Map) Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 9 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9 am, Brampton Soccer Centre. South West corner of Sandalwood Parkway and Dixie Road. Mike Dhesi, musaferbaba@gmail.com Tony Edmonds, (416) Mon-Wed 7-9 pm or edm235@gmail.com The trail follows a stream. Many interesting plants and animals along the trail. Saturday, December 5 -- Dufferin Hi-Land, Mono Cliffs, End of 2015 Season Hike (Map 19) Level II Bus hike Duration of Hike: 4.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. Dropout at 7 km, Hiking boots, Pub stop after, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 8:30 am, Islington. Wayne Crockett, waynehikes@gmail.com Join me for my annual hike around Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. We will start with the Splitrock Side Trail and work our way south through a combination of the Main Trail and the variety of side trails available. The actual length of the hike will depend on weather and trail conditions but expect about 4 hours on the trail. After the hike we will walk to the Mono Cliffs Inn for a late lunch (2:30-3:00 start). They can only accommodate 30 people in the private room. You can chose the luncheon or to visit Peter Cellars Pub in the same building. Please bring snacks to keep you going during the hike, the food at the Inn is exceptional. Excluding drinks the luncheon menu averages $15 or $16. Saturday, December 5 -- Caledon Hills (Maps 15/16/17) Level II/III Car Pool hike Length of Hike: 19 km, Pace: 4.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Refreshments after, Depart 9 am, At km Directions: Highway 10 north to Escarpment Rd. Go west on Escarpment to the intersection with willoughby. Smadar Junkin, (905) or smadarjunkin@hotmail.com An opportunity to explore a beautiful section of the Trail in the early winter. Saturday, December 5 -- Dufferin Hi- Land, Boyne Valley & Murphy s Pinnacle (Map 20) Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Bring icers, a snack, and something to drink. Depart 10 am, County Rd 19, Prince of Wales Rd, where the Primrose Loop Side Trail crosses it the second time. GPS co-ordinates N , W Take Hwy 10 north from Orangeville to Primrose, then continue north for 1 km on County Rd 19, parking carefully on the roadside. Bob Humphreys, (519) pm or walk2tobermory@gmail. com An opportunity to get away from the craziness of the holiday season and relax in the quiet of the woods. A double loop hike, we will use the Primrose Loop Side Trail, the Boyne Valley Side Trail, and a section of the Main Trail as time and the elements permit. Saturday, December 5 -- Toronto Section, Hilton Falls (Map 11) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 22 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, Depart 8:30 am, Map 11 Parking Lot at 9.2 km on Sixth Line. 401 north on Hwy 25 left on Campbellville Rd and right on Sixth Line about 3.0 km. Ron Granger, (519) pm Loop Hike Hilton Falls Side Trail and the Main Trail. Sunday, December 6 -- Toronto Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Maybe some steps. No dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs, Refreshments after, Pub stop after. Depart 12 pm, College Subway Station. Go to street level and wait outside Tim Hortons where there will be a large group of us. We will look for a suitable place for lunch. Bring your own if you so prefer. There are SUSQUEHANNOCK LODGE and TRAIL CENTRE Hiking in the Highlands of North Central Pennsylvania NEW YEARS Dec. 28- Jan 1, 2016 Time to ourselves after the hectic season. Outside everyday and a little longer by the fireplace. EASTER March Welcome spring on the trails. The Lodge is located in Potter County, Pennsylvania, 2.5 hours south of Buffalo. There is no agriculture or industry in the area, just great trails. Daily hikes of 10 to 15 km are led through hardwood forest, many beside mountain streams. Our lodge provides comfortable accommodation & excellent meals for $70.00 semi-private or $75.00 private USD per day per person. These outings have proven to be popular with the lodge filling quickly. For more information, including driving directions, please see or contact Greg Vincent at or vincent.greg@gmail.com For reservations call Carol Szymanik at Winter Club Info Line:

7 Activity Calendar many places for ice cream, snacks and food courts. Jacqueline Holmes, (416) EXPLORATION...We re going deep into the bowels of Toronto, into part of the 30 km of PATH - Toronto s underground pedestrian walkway. During these winter months I plan a series of these walks..so stay tuned. Reference on your computer.. Path where there is information and maps. For this first one meet at College Subway Station at Tim Hortons. Tuesday, December 8 -- Toronto, Christmas Market in the Distillery District Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Pub stop after, Dress to suit the conditions. Depart 9:30 am, Broadview subway station (street level). Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm Ruth Dorey, pathway.tech@sympatico.ca Enjoy a short hike from Broadview subway station to the Distillery District. We should be at the event in time for lunch. Eat there or bring your own, and enjoy the Xmas festivities. Stay as long as you want. This is a one way hike. Thursday, December Woodbridge Level I Car hike Length of Hike: 7 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. No dropout, Beginners, No dogs, Refreshments after. Depart 10 am, Pierre Berton Library. Meet in the Pierre Berton Library parking lot, 350 metres east from the intersection of Islington Ave and Rutherford Rd. Tessa Shelvey, (905) before 9 pm or tjshelvey@yahoo.com Nice winter hike in Boyd Park. After the hike we will go to the Sunset Grille near Vaughan Mills where they serve all day breakfast. This is a joint hike with ORTA. Cell on day of hike Saturday, December Culham Trail - Mississauga Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. No dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs, Refreshments after, Depart 10 am, Vic Johnston Community Centre - Church St, Streetsville- lower lot near ball diamond. From Hwy 401 come south on Mississauga Rd. Pass Argentia Rd and, at the next lights, turn left to stay on Mississauga Rd. Follow 3 km into Streetsville (where Mississauga Rd becomes Queen St) and turn left on Church St. OR, From QEW or Hwy 403 come north on Erin Mills Pkwy, then â just south of Erin Mills Town Centre Mall â turn right on Eglinton, then left at lights on to Mississauga Rd. Follow for 2 km to right turn at Church St. Peter Leeney, (905) Mon-Thur before 10 pm or peter.leeney@utoronto.ca Judy Leeney, (905) Mon-Thur before 10 pm From Streetsville, we will hike north along the Credit River for approx. 4 km and then return. One or two hills. Saturday, December Waterfront Trail Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 9 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at anywhere, Refreshments after. Depart 9:30 am, Grenadier or Starbucks as mentioned above. The Grenadier is 10 minutes walk south of High Park subway station. Starbucks and the yacht club locations have excellent public transit available. Volunteer clean-up assistance would be appreciated. Tony Edmonds, (416) Mon-Wed 7-9 pm Peter Tomlin, (905) Mon-Wed, 7-9 pm Vladimir Bosnar, (905) pm Joint shorter hike to the clubhouse with members of the Lakeshore Yacht Club to be followed by the regular seasonal celebration and a $6 chili lunch. Hikers can start from the Grenadier restaurant in High Park OR from Starbucks on Lakeshore Road West in Port Credit. Sunday, December Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 13 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after. Depart 9 am, Map 13 Scotsdale Farm. 401 to North on Trafalgar Rd. Ron Granger, (519) pm Loop hike on the Bennett Heritage,Great Esker and Main trails. Saturday, December Toronto Section, Speyside (Maps 11/12) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky. Dropout at 3, 9 km, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Ice footwear may be needed, Hike Difficulty Levels Our level of difficulty ratings follow these general guidelines: Level Average Pace Distance Terrain I 3 km/hr 10 km Easily managed II 4 km/hr 15 km Variable III 5 km/hr 20 km May be difficult These are general guidelines. In rating their hikes, hike leaders use a two out of three rule. For example, a Level II hike could correspond to the table above for average pace and terrain but be considerably longer or shorter than indicated there. Be sure you look at both the rating and the description to decide whether the hike suits your abilities and preferences. Hike only along marked routes. Do not take short cuts. Do not climb fences - use the stiles. Respect the privacy of people living along the Trail. Leave the Trail cleaner than you found it. Carry out all litter. No open fires are allowed on the Trail. Use a portable stove. Trail Users Code Camp at designated camp sites. Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy. Do not damage live trees or strip off bark. Keep dogs on a leash and under control at all times. Do not disturb wildlife. Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs. Obey all signs. information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

8 Activity Calendar Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 9:30 am, Islington. Barbara Euler, (416) before 10 pm or A walk along the edge of the Escarpment with great views. We ll include the Restoration Side Trail. Depending on conditions, pace may be slower. Pickups are at Clarence Square at 9:30 am followed by Islington about 20 minutes later. Saturday, December Toronto Section, Limehouse, to Speyside (Map 12) Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, bring a snack lunch, something to drink and ice footwear. Depart 10 am, Sideroad 15 in Speyside at km11.9, GPS co-ordinates N , W Take Highway 25 north from the 401 to Sideroad 15 in Speyside. Turn right and drive for 500 metres and park carefully on the side of the road. From there we will drive to the start and hike back. Bob Humphreys, (519) pm or walk2tobermory@gmail.com The quiet of late December is a great time to enjoy the quiet of the woodlands. We will hike part of the Black Creek Side Trail, Caledon s New Guidebook 37 Loops Buy your copy at NicolaRoss.ca and the Canada Goose Side Trail, linked together by sections of the Main Trail. Sunday, December Toronto Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, maybe some stairs. Dropout, Beginners, Families, No dogs, Refreshments after. Depart 12 pm, Dundas and Yonge, inside - at the corner of Dundas and Yonge. Take Yonge subway and get off at Dundas - take escalators to street level, Yonge and Dundas...wait inside. Jacqueline Holmes, (416) Another PATH Toronto downtown underground pedestrian walkway event. Get more information from PATH on your computer. I will be supplying history and various general information. There may be a quiz at lunchtime. This time we will be entering at Dundas St, street level main entrance Dundas and Yonge Sts. Plenty of options for snacks, lunch - but bring your own if you desire. Wednesday, December Oak Ridges Trail, Long Sault Conservation Area (Map ORTA 7) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots, Bring along some ice footwear, Pre-registration by to Leader. Depart 9 am, Long Sault Conservation Area parking lot. Hwy 401 Exit 431 at Waverley Rd. Travel north for 17 km on Regional Rd 57. Turn right at Regional Rd 20. After 2 km, turn left at Woodley Rd and travel 2 km to conservation area parking lot. Bring some toonies/loonies for the parking meter. Remi Fahy, before 9:00pm or bgfahy@mccain.ca Brandon Fahy, (416) before 9:00pm or bgfahy@mccain.ca A loop hike in forest-covered rolling hills, typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. No car shuttles required. We return to the parking lot for lunch so that people can leave if they only want to hike half day. Friday, December Toronto, Christmas Hike with Lunch Level II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 2.5 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at as you wish, Hiking boots, No dogs, Refreshments after, Dress for weather conditions of the day, including icers if necessary. Depart 8 am, High Park subway station main entrance on Quebec Ave. Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm We will depart from High Park Subway Station at 8:00 am. After our hike we will arrive at the Old Mill Restaurant for an 11:00 am sitting. I have reserved a round table for 8 people in the Terrace Room. No pre-registration for the hike, but call me if you wish to be one of the eight for an unlimited buffet luncheon. (about $65 tax and tip included) Merry Christmas. Saturday, December Toronto, Toronto Island Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at any time, Hiking boots. Depart 10 am, Ferry Dock. Meet at 9:30am inside waiting area for ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm David Royle, (416) Avoid the Boxing Day crowds. The islands are quiet in winter. We will catch the 3:15 or 3:45 pm ferry to be back in Toronto about 4 pm. Ferry return fares: $7.00 adult, $4.50 student/senior, $3.50 junior. An opportunity will be provided to make a donation to the Escarpment Legacy Fund. Friday, January 1 -- Toronto, Leslie Street Spit Level II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout, No dogs, Refreshments after, Pre-resgistration will facilitate waiver sheet signing but is not mandatory, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 1 pm, Tim Horton s Leslie St. This year we will meet at Tim Horton s 8 Winter Club Info Line:

9 Activity Calendar on the west side of Leslie St., just south of Eastern Ave and North of Lakeshore Blvd. This is about 1 km North of where we used to meet at Leslie and Unwin. Lots of parking spaces available or walk down south from the Queen St. streetcar. Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm Victor Ramautar, Before 9 pm Repeat of an annual event to start the New Year off on the right foot. There is usually quite a crowd, so arrive at least a half hour before departure so we can leave on time. An opportunity will be provided to make a donation (bills only) to the Bruce Trail Escarpment Legacy Fund. Saturday, January 2 -- Iroquoia, Crawford Lake (Map 11) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 14 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, Depart 9 am, Crawford Lake Conservation Area. 401 south on Guelph Line to Crawford Lake Conservation Area. Parking fee required. Ron Granger, (519) pm Loop Hike the Crawford Lake,Main Trail and Rattlesnake Point overlooking Nassagaweya Canyon. Saturday, January 9 -- Toronto, Theater Hike Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, 4 steep staircases. Dropout at any time, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 3 pm, South east corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave. West. From Runnymede subway station take the 79 bus to the meeting place. For bus frequency and times call the TTC at: ( INFO) Parking is available east of Runnymede station, north of Bloor on side streets. Do not park at the starting point of the hike. We finish the hike at the south side of Bloor and Runnymede. Miriam Stevens, (416) pm or stevensmiriam1@gmail.com This hike is for members only. Bring your valid Bruce Trail Conservancy card. Will walk along the Humber River Park southbound and Swansea Village via ravines and city streets. We will have dinner at 6 p.m. at a local restaurant and then attend the Village Playhouse Theater at 2190 Bloor St West (lower level) at 8 p.m. to see Mauritius: light drama by Theresa Rebeck. Call the theatre directly to reserve your ticket ($22.00 regular and seniors) and state that you are with the Bruce Trail Hiking Club. You may hike only, join in for dinner or just come to the theatre performance - or, do all. The only reservation required is for your ticket to the show with the Village Playhouse. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases and one hidden path with obstacles. Saturday, January 9 -- Toronto, Theater Hike Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, 4 steep staircases. Dropout at any time, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 3 pm, South east corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave. West. From Runnymede subway station take the 79 bus to the meeting place. For bus frequency and times call the TTC at: ( INFO) Parking is available east of Runnymede station, north of Bloor on side streets. Do not park at the starting point of the hike. We finish the hike at the south side of Bloor and Runnymede. Miriam Stevens, (416) pm or stevensmiriam1@gmail.com Ray Berzins, berzinsg@sympatico.ca THIS HIKE IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY. Bring your valid Bruce Trail Conservancy card. Will walk along the Humber River Park southbound and Swansea Village via ravines and city streets. We will have dinner at 6 p.m. at a local restaurant and then attend the Village Playhouse Theater at 2190 Bloor St West (lower level) at 8 p.m. to see Mauritius: light drama by Theresa Rebeck. Call the theatre directly to reserve your ticket ($22.00 regular and seniors) and state that you are with the Bruce Trail Hiking Club. You may hike only, join in for dinner or just come to the theatre performance - or, do all. The only reservation required is for your ticket to the show with the Village Playhouse. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases and one hidden path with obstacles. Saturday, January 9 -- Caledon Hills, Hockley Valley (Map 18) Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Dogs welcome, Bring something to drink, a snack lunch, and ice footwear. Depart 10 am, Parking location on 3rd Line E.H.S., GPS co-ordinates N , W Take Highway 10 north from Orangeville, turn right on Hockley Rd (County Rd 7), follow to 3rd Line E.H.S. and turn left. Roadside parking 1 km north on right hand side. Bob Humphreys, (519) pm or walk2tobermory@gmail.com We will hike the Isobel East, Tom East, and Glen Cross side trails, linked together by the Main Trail. All old favourites, but note we are starting from a different location. Note, depending on the snow coverage, we will either hike or use snowshoes. Dogs are permitted, but must be leashed and owners scoop the poop. The Toronto Hiking and Conservation Club organizes Sunday hikes in the countryside surrounding Toronto Hikes leave each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. (unless stated otherwise in the program) from the parking lot on the northwest corner of Yonge and York Mills, via car-pools. Hikes usually end around 3 p.m. and return to York Mills around 4 p.m. See our program at or call for more information information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

10 Activity Calendar Saturday, January 9 -- Wye Marsh Wayne Crockett, (647) pm or waynehikes@gmail.com Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Snowshoers: Join Wayne for a guided hike or snowshoe on your own. This wildlife conservation area offers about 10 km of trail for snowshoers along marsh and through the woods. Generally flat, a good place to get those snow muscles loosened up for the challenges of the season. You can do part of the group hike and return to the Centre for warmth and your lunch indoors or stay out with me for lunch on the trails. You ll have time to drink something warm and put on dry clothing before we head back to the city. Skiers: Enjoy 25 km of mostly flat trails groomed for classic skiing. Beginners - start the season off right with a complimentary lesson. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available on site. Warm and cold beverages, snacks and washrooms are also available. Saturday, January Kortright Centre - Woodbridge Level I Car hike Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. No dropout, Beginners, No dogs, Icers. Depart 10 am, Kortright Centre. From Hwy 400 exit Rutherford Rd. Travel West for 3km to Pine Valley Dr. Turn right and follow for 1km to the entrance on your left. Drive to the end of the road and park in the main parking lot. We will gather inside the visitor s centre by the gift shop. Tessa Shelvey, (905) before 9 pm or tjshelvey@yahoo.com Nice easy winter hike on trails around the Kortright Centre. Length of hike will vary depending on snow conditions. Admission fee of $6.50 applies, payable at the gift shop. Cell on day of hike Saturday, January Iroquoia, Crawford Lake to Rattlesnake Point (Map 11) Level II Car hike Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. No dropout, Hiking boots, Bring icers, a snack lunch, and something to drink. Depart 10 am, Crawford Lake Conservation Area, GPS co-ordinates N , W Take Guelph Line to Conservation Rd, and park in the outer parking lot. Note that an admission fee will need to be paid in accordance with Conservation Halton policy. Bob Humphreys, (519) pm or walk2tobermory@gmail.com A double loop hike, we will be using the Leech Porter Side Trail, the Canyon Bypass Side Trail, and the Crawford Lake Side Trail, all linked together by the Main Trail. Depending on the snow conditions we shall either hike or use snowshoes. Snowshoe rentals available at the visitors centre. Dogs permitted, but must be leashed and owners scoop the poop. Saturday, January Highlands Nordic (Duntroon) David Royle, royle_david@durham.edu. on.ca Wayne Crockett, waynehikes@gmail.com Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Snowshoers: Join David and Wayne for a 12 km there and back hike on the beautiful Bruce Trail. A good workout as we traverse hills and walk through forests. All levels of snowshoers are welcome! Or explore GUIDED WALKING IN CUBA 2016 Escape another cold winter Go walking in sunny Cuba $3250 Cdn (plus air fare) Explore historic Old Havana Walk in a nature lover s paradise at Vinales Spend six nights at a beachfront hotel on an incredible beach Hike in the remote Sierra del Escambray with expert local guides Discover colonial Trinidad on foot Toast Hemingway with a Cuba Libre Visit the site of Che Guevara s Battle of Santa Clara Add an optional 3 rd week on a cruise around Cuba or at a beach resort WALKERS WORLD ( a division of TEACHERS TRAVEL SERVICE LTD). 21 St Clair Ave East # 1002 Toronto, ON M4T 1L9 Phone TICO # info@teacherstravel.com 10 Winter Club Info Line:

11 Activity Calendar the resort s snowshoe trails on your own. Skiers: Enjoy 20 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing at one of southern Ontario s best nordic ski resorts highlandsnordic.ca/ Classic and skate ski rentals available. Snowshoes can be rented for on resort use only. Sunday, January Toronto Section, Silver Creek (Maps 13/14) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky, Some hills. Dropout at 7, 13 km, Hiking boots, Ice footwear or snowshoes may be useful, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 10 am, Islington. Barbara Euler, (416) before 10 pm or bjeuler@rogers.com Terra Cotta to Scotsdale Farm using the Main Trail and side trails. This area is lovely in the winter. If there is heavy snow or icy conditions, pace will be slower and distance may be shortened. No refreshment stop so we should be back in the city before 5 pm. Saturday, January Iroquoia, Hamilton (Maps 7/8) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 18 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, Depart 8:30 am, Map 8.Km 45 Tiffany Falls Parking. Tiffany Fall parking area enter from Wilsom St 1 km south of Main St E. Ron Granger, (519) pm or ron.granger1@yahoo.com Car shuttle to Km 27.2 Map 7. Hike back along the escarpment to Tiffany Falls. -- Hardwood Ski & Bike Saturday, January 23 Geri Poulouski, giftingconcerns@rogers. com Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Snowshoers: Join Geri for a guided hike on the Ganaraska Trail or explore the resort s trails on your own. Skiers: Enjoy over 25 km of trails groomed for classic information@torontobrucetrailclub.org and skate skiing, with terrain suitable for beginner to advanced skiers. Classic and skate ski rentals, and snowshoe rentals available at the chalet. Sunday, January Toronto, Earl Bales Park Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 11 am, North York Subway station. From the subway station, follow the signs for Yonge St West side and North York Civic Centre. Meet inside the City Centre Mall, 5150 Yonge St, street level, in front of the Food Court. Monica Feran, (416) Before 9 pm or mferan@teksavvy.com Ray Berzins, (647) before 9:30 pm Beautiful park for a winter walk. We will walk from the North York subway station to Earl Bales park and return to the subway. Bring lunch, we will stop at the Earl Bales Community Centre (indoors). Ice footware recommended. Please check with the leader if it is a very cold day. Sunday, January Toronto Section, Scotsdale Farm (Map 13) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Rocky, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 9 am, Scotsdale Farm parking lot. Take Trafalgar Rd exit off Hwy 401 and travel north on Trafalgar Rd through Stewarttown and continue to lights at merge with Hwy 7. Turn left at lights and continue traveling north for about 4 km where Hwy 7 carries on to left and Trafalgar Rd exits on right. Continue north on Trafalgar Rd and after about 2 km turn right into Scotsdale Farm. Drive east along the gravel road to the parking lot on the left in front of the farmhouse. Brandon Fahy, (416) before 9:00pm or bgfahy@mccain.ca Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm A loop hike: we will use the Main Trail and a selection of side trails. No refreshment stop so we should have an early return. Saturday, January Toronto Section, Speyside (Map 12) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 10 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, Bring water, a snack, snowshoes optional., Depart 9:30 am, Nassagaweya-Esquesing Townline - roadside parking where Hilton Falls Side Trail crosses the road. From the exit north onto # 25. At the lights at Speyside, 15 sideroad turn left, then left onto Nassagaweya-Equesing Townline. Doris Harper, do not call after 10:00pm or dorisharper@rogers.com Walk or snowshoe this 10 km loop hike along part of the Hilton Falls and Vanderleck side trails and a scenic part of the Main trail. Winter

12 Activity Calendar -- Mansfield Outdoor Centre Saturday, January 30 Sophie Chuchra, Martina Furrer, or Snowshoers: Join Sophie for a guided hike along the river. The hike is suitable for intermediate snowshoers. Note there are no marked snowshoe trails at Mansfield. Skiers: Enjoy 40 km of trails groomed for classic skiing with routes suitable for beginners to experts. There is also a 10 km skate skiing loop. Sunday, January Muskoka Wilderness Snowshoe Adventure Level II/III Bus hike Duration of Hike: 6.0 hrs, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, Late return (after 6pm), Long distance bus fare applies, Depart 7:45 am, York Mills. Lucy Leung, (647) or hikeontario@gmail.com Come join us for a fun and challenging backcountry snowshoe adventure and add some pizazz to your winter. Stomp across snow covered ridges and frozen ponds and soak in the splendors of the Muskoka wilderness. This guided day trip is a combined outing of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club and Five Winds Backcountry Ski Club and our route will depend on the prevailing snow and weather conditions. If you enjoy wilderness hikes, you will appreciate this opportunity to explore the iconic Canadian Shield winter wonderland. We travel by highway coach arranged by Five Winds and bus fare is $35. There are several bus pick up locations including York Mills. Click here for details: skifivewinds.org/content/bus-pick-schedule. This is a Member s only event and group size is limited to 16. If you are interested to come along, please Hike Leader to pre-register. Prerequisites: (1) A strong hiker in good physical condition with prior experience snowshoeing 5 to 6 hours in deep snow of one metre or more. Participants will hike on snowshoes and carry adequate gear to travel safely in winter. (2) An aggressive pair of backcountry snowshoes with front and rear crampons as well as secure bindings that will provide traction traversing in steep and rugged terrain. Late cancellations after Friday January 29, p.m. and no-shows will have to pay the $35 bus fare charge regardless. Saturday, February 6 -- Iroquoia, Kelso (Map 11) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 18 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, No dogs, Pub stop after, Depart 8:30 am, Map 11 Km 120. Kelso Conservation Area parking lot enter form Tremaine Rd between Steeles Ave and Highway 401.West end of parking lot. Ron Granger, (519) pm Car shuttle to km 102 Map 11. Hike back through Crawford Lake and Kelso Conservation Areas. Saturday, February 6 -- Kawartha Nordic Sarah Hopton, sarah.hopton@gmail.com Ted Iseman, cell phone or ted.iseman@gmail.com Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Snowshoers: We will split into two groups going in opposite directions on a 7km figure 8 trail rolling through open woodlands. Our lunch stop will be at the wood stove heated cabin on the trail. Here chickadees and nuthatches will come to your hand to take the birdseed offered: a delightful experience. Anyone who wishes will have the opportunity to lead. Skiers: Enjoy 34 km of groomed classic trails, 13 km of groomed skating trails, and 10 km of wilderness trails in the Peterborough Crown Game Preserve. There are trail side cabins along the ski trails too. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. Sunday, February 7 -- Toronto Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 4.0 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 11 am, GO-Viva Bus terminal, north of Finch subway station. Meet at the GO-Viva bus terminal, on Yonge street, east side, just north of the Finch subway station. Monica Feran, (416) Before 9 pm or mferan@teksavvy.com Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm We will walk through ravines and parks, starting at Finch subway station, towards Don Mills and York Mills. Bring lunch and water. Lunch is indoors. Please check with the leader if it is a very cold day. Ice footware recommended. 12 Winter Club Info Line:

13 Activity Calendar Saturday, February Horseshoe Resort Wayne Crockett, Martina Furrer, or Snowshoers: You can join the group or do you own thing. Wayne will take the group out to the Beaver Pond in the morning, an easy but very scenic route. After that you can do some loops on your own, return to the chalet for lunch and warmth or join Wayne for lunch on the Ridge Trail (Wayne s name for it) which is more challenging but offers great views of the winter woodland. You ll have time to drink something warm and put on dry clothing before we head back to the city. Skiers: Explore the Copeland Forest on 40 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. There are trails for all levels of skiers, and Horseshoe has some of the best grooming around. Monday, February Toronto Islands Level I/II Urban walk Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat. Dropout at anytime, Beginners, Families, Snowshoes optional. Depart 9:45 am, Inside the waiting area at the Ferry Docks at the foot of Bay St. Streetcar from Union Station to foot of Bay St. Ray Berzins, (647) before 9:30 pm or berzinsg@sympatico.ca Avoid the crowds on Family Day! The Islands are quiet in winter. We shall cover the entire Toronto Islands from Wards Island to Hanlan s Point and back. We should return on the 4:15pm ferry, to be back in Toronto about 4:30pm. Ferry return fares: $7.25 adult, $4.75 senior/ student, $3.50 junior. Bring a lunch and a warm beverage. Donations to the Escarpment Legacy Fund will be gladly accepted. Saturday, February Erindale Park, Mississauga Level I Urban walk Length of Hike: 8 km, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, gravel path, one hill. Dropout at any time, Beginners, No dogs, Pub stop after, Depart 10 am, Erindale Park parking lot. Main parking lot of Erindale Park on the north side of Dundas St, about 200m east of Mississauga Rd. Tessa Shelvey, (905) before 9 pm or tjshelvey@yahoo.com There and back hike along the scenic Credit River. One hill. Bring icers. Lunch after at a local pub. Pre-registration required via so that you can be contacted in case the hike is cancelled due to poor driving conditions. Please indicate in your if coming for lunch after the walk. Cell Saturday, February Iroquoia, Hamilton (Map 7) Level II/III Car hike Length of Hike: 12 km, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Variable. No dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots, Refreshments after, bring water and a snack, hiking boots recommended, Depart 9:30 am, Felkers Falls parking ot on Ackland St. Hwy 6 south to 403 west. Exit at 64 Lincoln Alexander Prkwy. Exit at Stonechurch/Mud St turn L onto Winterberry, continue onto Paramount Dr and turn onto Ackland St or Red Hill Valley Prkwy to Mud St exit, Paramount Dr Ackland St. GPS coordinates Doris Harper, do not call after 10:00pm or dorisharper@rogers.com Enjoy a scenic urban waterfall hike. After Birding Colombia: The Central & Western Andes Tour: Colombia is a visually stunning country with a myriad of ecosystems and home to nearly 20% of all bird species and the number is still rising! Featuring two coastlines, three immense Andean ranger or Cordilleras, three main inter-andean valleys, Llanos plains and two tropical rainforests, Colombia has truly become a magnet for neo-tropical birders who are looking to add to their life lists, ticking off the small-range endemics and species or just have a wonderful experience. Join Kristen Martyn of Natura Tours on this unique birding and nature tour. One departure only for a maximum of 16 travellers. February 20 to 29, 2016 Almost all inclusive at $3,890 per person with return air from Toronto Black Sea and Danube Birding: Exploring the Wild Side of Romania: Kristen Martyn of Natura Tours escorts this small group to the relatively unknown, western shores of the Black Sea, one of Europe's major migration areas. Farmland along the Black Sea coast feeds an excellent array of birds on their way from and to their breeding areas in Northern Europe and also a diversity of birds that breed in the area. The wonderful Danube Delta with it s extensive reed beds, channels and lakes is one of the little known birding areas with ever changing conditions featuring local harbor wetland birds, a large variety of passerines and birds of prey. We also go in search of Eurasian Brown Bears and visit Dracula s Castle in the village of Bran! Departing Toronto on September 10, this inclusive tour for 16 travellers is attractively priced at $3,495 p.p. double. Walking the Carpathians: Foothills in Romania and Moldova: You are invited to join Charles Whitlock of Walkaway Treks as he explores the Eastern European treasures of Romania and Moldova. Departing September 24 from Toronto our fully-escorted tour includes return air flights, very interesting accommodation, almost all meals, and some of the most scenic walking in Europe. The tailor -made itinerary will be especially well-received by those looking for a visually spectacular late fall tour in the company of a small group of walkers. As always, you will have the opportunity to independently extend your travel in Europe at the end of the tour. September 24 to October 5 priced at $3,680 p.p. double. Frederick Travel Waterloo Worldwide Central Trips 572 Weber Street North, Unit 1, Waterloo, On N2L 5C6 TICO: (519) ext 303 (800) to: scotta@ftwaterloo.com Scott cell (519) information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

14 Activity Calendar viewing Felker s falls, hike the Main Trail, Mohawk Side Trail, Mountain Brow Side Trail, back to the Main Trail and the parking lot by Felker s Falls. Along the way we pass Buttermilk and Albion Falls. Saturday, February Scenic Caves Alex Brown, thumperhead@sympatico.ca Edmond Brown Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Join us for a great winter day at Scenic Caves. Snowshoers: Join Al and Ed for a guided hike or explore the resort s trails on your own. Skiers: Explore 27 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing with spectacular views of Georgian Bay. Sunday, February Toronto, Lawrence to Edwards Gardens Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 11 am, Lawrence subway station. Meet at the NE corner of Yonge and Lawrence. Monica Feran, (416) Before 9 pm or mferan@teksavvy.com Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm Beautiful park for a winter walk. We will walk from the Lawrence subway station to Sunnybrook park and Edward Gardens. Optional extension to Bayview and York Mills. Bring lunch.we will have lunch indoors. Ice footware recommended. Please check with the leader if it is a very cold day. Sunday, February Dufferin Hi- Land, Mono Cliffs (Map 19) Level II Bus hike Length of Hike: 17 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Some hills. Dropout at 12 km, Hiking boots, Ice footwear or snowshoes may be useful, Pre-registration Online using Website. Depart 10 am, Islington. Barbara Euler, (416) before 10 pm or bjeuler@rogers.com We ll explore some of the scenic trails and lookouts in the provincial park. If weather or trail conditions are unfavourable, hike will be shortened to 12 km and pace will be slower. No refreshment stop so we should be back in the city before 5 pm. Saturday, February Toronto, Theater Hike Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, 4 steep staircases. Dropout at any time, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 3 pm, South east corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave. West. From Runnymede subway station take the 79 bus to the meeting place. For bus frequency and times call the TTC at: ( INFO) Parking is available east of Runnymede station, north of Bloor on side streets. Do not park at the starting point of the hike. We finish the hike at the south side of Bloor and Runnymede. Miriam Stevens, (416) pm or stevensmiriam1@gmail.com THIS HIKE IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY. Bring your valid Bruce Trail Conservancy card. Will walk along the Humber River Park southbound and Swansea Village via ravines and city streets. We will have dinner at 6 p.m. at a local restaurant and then attend the Village Playhouse Theater at 2190 Bloor St West (lower level) at 8 p.m. to see Foxfinder a chilling tale set in the not to distant future, by Dawn King. Call the theatre directly to reserve your ticket ($22.00 regular and seniors) and state that you are with the Bruce Trail Hiking Club. You may hike only, join in for dinner or just come to the theatre performance - or, do all. The only reservation required is for your ticket to the show with the Village Playhouse. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases and one hidden path with obstacles. Saturday, February Toronto, Theater Hike Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.0 hrs, Pace: 3 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, 4 steep staircases. Dropout at any time, Beginners, Families, No dogs. Depart 3 pm, South east corner of Scarlett Rd and Eglinton Ave. West. From Runnymede subway station take the 79 bus to the meeting place. For bus frequency and times call the TTC at: ( INFO) Parking is available east of Runnymede station, north of Bloor on side streets. Do not park at the starting point of the hike. We finish the hike at the south side of Bloor and Runnymede. Miriam Stevens, (416) pm or stevensmiriam1@gmail.com Ray Berzins, (647) before 9:30 pm or berzinsg@sympatico.ca THIS HIKE IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY. Bring your valid Bruce Trail Conservancy 4 Easy Steps to get Footnotes, hike schedules and updates by 1. Visit brucetrail.org and click on Subscribe to Newsletters 2. Login as a member (or create a member login first) 3. Add or update your address 4. Choose to receive any or all of the following by BTC enews, Trail Change Notices, Footnotes Newsletter, Updates from the Toronto Club 14 Winter Club Info Line:

15 Activity Calendar card. Will walk along the Humber River Park southbound and Swansea Village via ravines and city streets. We will have dinner at 6 p.m. at a local restaurant and then attend the Village Playhouse Theater at 2190 Bloor St West (lower level) at 8 p.m. to see Foxfinder a chilling tale set in the not to distant future, by Dawn King. Call the theatre directly to reserve your ticket ($22.00 regular and seniors) and state that you are with the Bruce Trail Hiking Club. You may hike only, join in for dinner or just come to the theatre performance - or, do all. The only reservation required is for your ticket to the show with the Village Playhouse. Please bring a flashlight. It gets dark early and there are a few steep staircases and one hidden path with obstacles. Saturday, February Oak Ridges Trail, Long Sault Conservation Area Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 17 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Variable. Dropout at 9 km, No dogs, Depart 9:30 am, Long Sault Conservation Area. Hwy 401 towards Bowmanville. North on Durham Regional Rd. 57. East on Durham Regional Rd. 20. North on Woodly Rd. to Long Sault CA parking lot. Glynn Richardson, (905) pm or glynnr@hotmail.com We will be hiking a series of loop trails in the mature forests, meadows and wetlands of the Oak Ridges Moraine. We will hike the western loops (9 km), break for lunch back at the parking lot (dropout point) then hike the eastern loops(8 km) which will return us back to the parking lot. Contact Glynn Richardson, pm or at glynnr@hotmail.com Pay parking $5.00. Bring change. Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water in addition to hiking boots, icers and/or snowshoes based on conditions. Saturday, February Highlands Nordic (Duntroon) Sarah Hopton, sarah.hopton@gmail.com Ted Iseman, ted.iseman@gmail.com Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail. com Snowshoers: There will be a guided snowshoe hike on the Bruce Trail between km 35.9 map 22 and km 43.0 map 23. Anyone who wishes will have an opportunity to lead - snowshoeing on ungroomed trails involves breaking trail through the snow. For those who would like an additional challenge we will loop on the Standing Rock and Caves Side Trail. Of course you may choose to hike independently on the resort trails. Skiers: Enjoy 20 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing at one of southern Ontario s best nordic ski resorts ( highlandsnordic.ca/) Classic and skate ski rentals available. Snowshoes can be rented for on resort use only. Sunday, February Muskoka Wilderness Snowshoe Adventure Level II/III Bus hike Duration of Hike: 6.0 hrs, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Variable, Challenging. No dropout, Hiking boots, Late return (after 6pm), Long distance bus fare applies, Depart 7:45 am, York Mills. Lucy Leung, (647) or hikeontario@gmail.com Come embrace winter and unleash your sense of adventure. Enjoy the day exploring the pristine Muskoka backcountry in an energizing snowshoe hike. This is the second combined outing of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club and Five Winds Backcountry Ski Club this winter. If you enjoy wilderness hikes, you will be thrilled to experience the marvels of backcountry snowshoeing and appreciate this opportunity to explore the iconic Canadian Shield winter wonderland. We travel by highway coach arranged by Five Winds and bus fare is $35. There are several bus pick up locations including York Mills. Click here for details: skifivewinds.org/content/bus-pick-schedule. This is a Member s only event and group size is limited to 16. If you are interested to come along, please Hike Leader to pre-register. Prerequisites: (1) A strong hiker in good physical condition with prior experience snowshoeing 5 to 6 hours in deep snow of one metre or more. Participants will hike on snowshoes and carry adequate gear to travel safely in winter. (2) An aggressive pair of backcountry snowshoes with front and rear crampons as well as secure bindings that will provide traction traversing in steep and rugged terrain. Late cancellations after Friday February 26, p.m. and no-shows will have to pay the $35 bus fare charge regardless. Sunday, February Oak Ridges Trail, Long Sault Conservation Area (Map ORTA 7) Level II Car hike Length of Hike: 15 km, Pace: 4 km/hr, Terrain: Hilly, Challenging. Dropout, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 9 am, Long Sault Conservation Area parking lot. Hwy 401 Exit 431 at Waverley Rd. Travel north for 17 km on Regional Rd 57. Turn right at Regional Rd 20. After 2 km, turn left at Woodley Rd and travel 2 km to conservation area parking lot. Bring some toonies/loonies for the parking meter. Brandon Fahy, (416) before 9:00pm or bgfahy@mccain.ca Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm A loop hike in forest-covered rolling hills, typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. No car shuttles required. We return to the parking lot for lunch so that people can leave if they only want to hike half day. information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

16 Activity Calendar LOOKING FORWARD: Saturday, March 5 -- Wasaga Nordic Peter Leeney, peter.leeney@utoronto.ca Luisa Lee Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Snowshoers: You can explore the resort s trails on your own or join Peter and Louisa for a guided snowshoe hike. This will be approximately an 8.0 km Level I snowshoe hike on the Blueberry Plains loop trail. The group will be walking through an area of Rare Pine Savanah and Sand Dunes (hopefully covered with snow). Depending on snow conditions the group hike may also include part of the Ganaraska Trail in this area. Skiers: Explore the Wasaga Dunes on 30 km of trails groomed for classic skiing. Sunday, March Toronto, Along the East Don River Level I/II Urban walk Duration of Hike: 3.5 hrs, Pace: 3.5 km/hr, Terrain: Mostly flat, Variable. Dropout, Beginners, Families, Hiking boots. Depart 11 am, Leslie subway station. Leslie subway station, Leslie exit. Meet on the SW corner of Leslie and Sheppard. Monica Feran, (416) Before 9 pm or mferan@teksavvy.com Larry Haigh, (416) before 8 pm We will walk from Leslie subway station, north along the East Don River, to Steeles. Lunch at Cummer Community Centre. The walk will continue with an optional loop, north of Steeles, finishing at Steeles and Don Mills. Bring lunch. Ice footware recommended. Please check with the leader if it is a very cold day. Saturday, March Scenic Caves Sophie Chuchra, sophie88@bell.net Martina Furrer, or martinabeatrice@hotmail.com Join us for a great winter day at Scenic Caves. Snowshoers: Join Sophie for a guided hike or explore the resort s trails on your own. Skiers: Explore 27 km of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing with spectacular views of Georgian Bay. For membership information, call the Bruce Trail Conservancy Head Office at HIKE ( ) 8:30 am -4:30 pm Monday - Friday or visit Other Hikes 1. Independent outings: Independent outings are not sanctioned by the Toronto Bruce Trail Club (TBTC). The TBTC accepts no responsibility for how these events are run, nor is it involved in the collection of funds or administration of these events. The events listed here are not commercial operations but are offered by members of the TBTC on a cost shared basis. 2. Commercial Trips: FOOTNOTES has a number of advertisements from commercial hiking and outing organizations. Friday, February Peninsula, Tobermory Family Day Weekend at Tobermory Feb The days are longer, there is lots of snow and we enjoy this mid winter break at the Tip o the Bruce Tobermory. We stay and have our meals at a comfortable hotel overlooking Little Tub Harbour. We will snowshoe the trails in the area with lots of views of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. New to snowshoeing? we will help you. Contact Greg Vincent by vincent.greg@gmail. com or Winter along the Trail. Photograph by Brent Michaluk 16 Winter Club Info Line:

17 Winter Scenes All photographs taken by Brent Michaluk Winter

18 Hiking: An Investment In One s Own Health by Victor Ramautar Hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness, is convenient and economical, and requires no special equipment. As a hiker one can walk as far as one wants and there is no physical strain unless the walk is among hills or mountains. Hiking can be a very addictive activity and before you know it, you will want to increase the length and difficulty of your hike. Eventually, you will realize that you are interested in consecutive day hiking and then multi-day hiking adventures! Hiking, for many people, is an escape back to nature and a great way to get a good workout while forgetting all about the day to day hassles of city life. Hiking could be your average Sunday walk through the park or it could be a three-week expedition through any mountain range. Many different words are often used for hiking depending on the conditions, hike length and terrain. Trekking, backpacking, bushwhacking, are all terms that could be seen as hiking disciplines. In their most basic forms, these activities all boil down to walking. Hiking is easy to start as it does not require high-tech equipment: a solid pair of hiking boots, some basic (outdoor) clothing, and a small hiking backpack to carry water and something to eat will be enough to get you started on basic day-hikes. A well-rounded and experienced hiker is an outdoor expert with the physical fitness level, knowledge, and mindset needed to deal with anything nature can throw on his/her trail. Why Hike? Hiking can be defined as a recreational activity. For many people walking/hiking is part of their fitness routine. For others hiking/walking is a great body exercise which has greatly improved their overall physical condition. This natural walking motion not only provides one with a relatively low impact and effective workout but also enables one to set the exact pace and length of the workout. Hiking is a great way to explore nature, as it brings many people back to nature. Hiking can take one to the most beautiful places on earth and bring one into contact with amazing plants, wildlife, and landscapes; including beaches, deserts, woods, jungle forests, hills, and mountains. All offer different hiking conditions, each with its own unique appeal. We are fortunate in these parts to have four distinct seasons, which makes hiking an ideal year round activity. In fact, being able to hike in different conditions is one of the activity s most appealing and challenging factors. Fall leaves, the new sparkling winter snow, the new green of spring and the heat of summer - one can go hiking in any season. Readers of Footnotes and other supporters of the Bruce Trail Conservancy who are thinking of adding hiking into their fitness program (especially those who have not done any hiking) should introduce hiking gradually by preparing their bodies for the challenges that lie ahead and start out slowly. One might be a great swimmer and in great physical condition, but one should not fool oneself into believing that one can hike for hours on end. Hiking uphill and hiking downhill on varying terrains and conditions are pretty specific fitness exercises that strain your body in ways that it may not be used to. Strapping on a 30-pound backpack will suddenly change your entire experience. Remember that you are walking for enjoyment so it is okay to push your boundaries, but do not go too far. The key to training oneself lies in slow but steady progress. Start with small 2-4 km (1-3 miles) hikes on regular intervals (1-2 times per week) under moderate conditions. Steadily increase the length of your hikes until you are able to comfortably make a 15km (9 miles) hike. At this stage you will most likely already be carrying a day pack with some snacks and lots of water depending on the weather. With a dedicated proper training schedule, one should be able to carry up to 25-30% of one s body weight in a backpack. Solo or Group hiking Often times we hear of hikers getting lost or, at worst, never returning home. Many of the most fervent walkers choose to walk alone. It guarantees them the greatest freedom as they are free to go where they want and do not have to adapt to other people s wishes or hiking pace. They also enjoy the total silence and solitude of walking alone. With the technology present in mobile phones one can still keep in touch with friends and loved ones on a regular basis while on a solo hike. So if you do persist in hiking alone; make the best possible preparations and make sure you know everything about the hiking conditions and what you may encounter on the chosen trail. Group hiking on the other hand has some definite benefits. There is safety in numbers. If you are not as fit or skilled as your hiking mates, you will soon find yourself doing all you can to keep up with their pace and do what they do. Group hiking provides a safe training environment for increasing your hiking skills. 18 Winter Club Info Line:

19 Hiking with a group provides the perfect opportunity to either meet new people or become more familiar with the hikers you already know. Hiking under extreme weather conditions you discover what people can really do. Besides, hiking in a group gives you an increased feeling of security. If you fail to prepare, then you are preparing to fail Physical and mental preparation is essential for your own safety, the safety of your hiking group, and of course the enjoyment of the trip. The community of hikers in the Bruce Trail Conservancy often set extreme hiking goals and challenge themselves on a regular basis. Many consider themselves physically fit. But as we age (mid-40s, 50s and into the golden years) it becomes increasingly difficult to stay physically fit. But what is physical fitness? With hiking in mind it is probably the ability of the human body to function with vigour and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to engage in leisure activities, and to meet physical stresses. It is not about being thin, having a small waist, or having bulging muscles. It is a combination of qualities that enable us to be at our full potential in performing vigorous physical activities. But can we say that a person who is in good health is also physically fit? Well good health and physically fit might influence each other, but they are not the same. Healthy people could be physically unfit due to lack of exercise: whereas physically fit people perform their everyday tasks effortlessly. Being physically fit also influences our mental and emotional development since what we do with our bodies also affects what we can do with our minds. Being physically fit goes back to time immemorial The evolution of fitness can be attributed to man s need for survival and can be traced back to the beginning of mankind. Our primitive ancestors needed to be physically fit to be able to go through their journey to hunt for food and water. In ancient civilization people started relating physical activity with physical well-being. In China, for example, through the philosophical teachings of Confucius, they associated certain diseases with physical inactivity. The result of this belief lead to the development of Kung Fu gymnastics. During the same period, Yoga was developed in India with the emphasis on spirituality. Later on it became evident that working to be physically healthy was as important as developing the mind. And it was during this time when gymnastics with music gained popularity from the idea that exercise is for the body and music is for the soul. The Persian Empire and Spartans are good examples of empires that made strong demand of fitness for military purposes. The Romans also regarded fitness as important for military service. But the Roman civilization fell into the hands of the Barbarian tribes. Their downfall may be attributed on their lavish lifestyles which caused a decline of interest in physical fitness. Cashing in on the investment Today s medical advancements can produce your desired body and good looks to some extent, but there is still no real substitute for Fitness Exercise. Scientific evidence, without a doubt, confirms that the best way to achieve your desired physical fitness is through regular exercise. Being physically fit is your cheapest insurance. You have now become that well-rounded experienced hiker; the outdoor expert in physical fitness, and you are now reaping the dividends from your investment as you have now reduced the risk of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes. Staying physically active not only prolongs your life, it also improves your quality of your life. You are able to enjoy the finer things in life, things that really matter. Not only does it help you set off with more energy, regular physical activity also improves your quality of sleep and ability to cope with stress. You have also reduced your chance of dying from coronary heart disease. The mild to moderate depression periods have disappeared. Appetite has improved, no more overeating and you are enjoying your partner s company like never before. Both serious and recreational athletes who tend to be in tune with their bodies often notice changes in their performance that can indicate a medical problem. There s not a pill on earth that can bolster your life expectancy as a daily program of vigorous exercise. As you can see, there s no shortage of health benefits to be had from hiking. I believe it s important to incorporate a variety of exercises into your routine. Ideally, you ll want a comprehensive fitness program that includes aerobic, anaerobic, and resistance training as well, in addition to flexibility and core-building exercises like yoga. Finally, a healthy diet and proper sleep will increase the dividends from your wellness program. information@torontobrucetrailclub.org Winter

20 Award News Calypso Orchid Award by Marlis Butcher This year the Bruce Trail Conservancy awarded the Calypso Orchid Award for demonstrating a significant contribution to the restoration and preservation of the Bruce Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, or significantly enhance the education of users or potential users of the Trail and/or Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, to Kevin Warburton. Besides volunteering as Land Steward Director and Volunteer Co-ordinator, Kevin was central in creating the Toronto Bruce Trail Club s Conservation Committee; whose mandate is to provide opportunities beyond hiking, to participate in the conservation of the Niagara Escarpment. Kevin also co-ordinated the TBTC s Earth Day event with guest speakers in the conservation field, and with the planting of 2000 Common Milkweed plants to provide habitat for Monarch butterflies. 150 people participated in this event. For his hard work and effort, we thank Kevin. He truly deserves the Calypso Orchid Award! TBTC BTC director Marlis Butcher handing the Calypso Orchid award to recipient Kevin Warburton. Photo by George Lennon of the Conservation Committee. Susan Oleskevich Award Heartfelt congratulations as well to the Toronto Bruce Trail Club s own Rose-Mary Mitter, who received the Susan Oleskevich award as Bruce Trail Maintenance volunteer of the year. As Trail Captain Co-ordinator, Rose-Mary and a crew of dedicated volunteers help to keep the trail clear of debris, in addition to maintaining bridges, steps, stiles, and keeping those blazes freshly painted. Thank you Rose-Mary! 20 Winter Club Info Line: