We will drive to the start near Duntroon and walk to Frank’s Kiln, an archeological treasure where we will see how settlers in the 1800’s converted escarpment limestone into cement. After viewing the restored kiln, we will walk through a pretty hardwood forest past interesting crevices to a viewpoint over a gigantic quarry where limestone is actively being mined. Most of the hike is on land conserved by the Bruce Trail Association, some is on land generously made available by Walker Aggregates.

We will carpool and drive to Meaford (approx. 30 minutes) and park at Beautiful Joe Park on the south side of town. From there, Probus member Michael Coward will lead us along the banks of the Bighead River past the ruins of a power dam that once energized Meaford. Continuing along the river, we will reach the site of Trout Hollow Mill, where John Muir lived and worked in 1865 during the U.S. civil war. Michael has studied Muir’s life and will provide interesting commentary while we stroll through history.

We will carpool to the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area near Singhampton and follow the Bruce Trail through shady forest to a limestone outcrop where an optional side trail leads to a unique hole in a limestone wall known as the Key Hole. It does require being on hands and knees…just for a few feet! You will want to return with your grandkids! The trail then winds past a scenic overlook before returning to the carpark.

We will carpool to a roadside parking area near Dunedin and follow the Bruce Trail through a BTC Nature Preserve. The pathway wanders through a variety of habitats: a secondary mixed forest, an open meadow, a cedar bush and a crystal-clear babbling brook. The trail loops back to the road and then climbs a good-sized hill to a farm field, a natural meadow and a scenic lookout with a bench that invites a sit-down. We then retrace our steps back to our cars.

We will carpool to a Bruce Trail access point on the 6th sideroad near Gibraltar. The “highest point” is covered with huge maples which hide the expected view. Further along the trail there are commanding views over the Pretty River Valley that compensate nicely for the non-view at the highest point and offer a photo op. Most of the terrain is through mature hardwood forest with typical escarpment outcrops and crevices appearing at regular intervals.

We will carpool to a Bruce Trail parking lot on the West Church 33/34 sideroad a few kilometres west of Nottawa and begin a loop hike through the popular Pretty River Provincial Park. Our trek will range from 5 to 8 kilometres depending upon the options chosen by the group. Two big hills are included that we will ascend slowly. On one we will be climbing uphill right beside a stream taking the easy downhill route. Much of the trail is through maple forest that should be dropping colourful leaves.