Timing: February 25, Saturday, 9:30 am (2-3 hrs)

Description:

Strap on snowshoes and explore a most lovely stretch of our Bolton to Palgrave trail in wintertime, for a completely different look (it is hoped!). We will start at Castlederg Road and snowshoe northward and back. This hike will traverse several kms, and will probably take around 2-3 hrs (all estimates subject to local snow & weather conditions for that day, naturally).

This section is one of the most ecologically diverse parts of the HVHT, winding through a mature hardwood forest with scattered hemlock, spruce & cedar trees. Here and there hikers will pass by farm fields and reforested slopes of red & white pine trees.

Dress in layers (not a big parka) that can be removed as you warm up, one layer at a time, and carried in a knapsack. Bring water, a snack, sunglasses and your camera. A thermos of hot tea is worth considering also!

If you don’t have a pair of snowshoes and would like to join us, contact our Hike Leader at email address given below….apparently Bob has some extra pairs which he is more than happy to lend out for this hike.

Hike Leaders:

Bob Slack (bslack14@yahoo.ca)

Directions:

• Take Hwy 50 (or Duffy’s Lane) north from Bolton and turn west on Castlederg Road.
• Park where HVHTA trail crosses Castlederg, about 3 kms west of Hwy 50 and less than one km west of Duffy’s Lane.

Timing: February 11, Saturday, 9:30 am (1.5-2 hrs)

Description:

The group will split in two – hikers and skiers. With access to 200 hectares of conservation land, this is a great opportunity to get out on your skis. Scenic trails through open fields and forests with gentle slopes provide a great opportunity for fresh air and enjoyment of nature. We’ll ski/hike for 1.5 hours but you are welcome to stay longer. This is perfect terrain for cross country skiing!

Whether waxed or waxless, old or young, come out and enjoy the winter wonderland on your skis. Assistance will be available for both equipment and technique.

Please contact hike leader early with your preference for hiking or skiing.

Hike Leaders:

Barry Westhead (bwesthead@solacon.net)

Directions:

We will explore conservation land just northwest of Kleinburg, at end of Kirby Road. Turn west from Highway 27 onto Kirby, and park at the dead end.

Timing:  9:30 am, Saturday, January 7   (1.5-2 hrs)

Description: 

Our first hike of the New Year will take us to a new location perhaps unfamiliar to most HVHTA members, although it’s mere kilometers north of our own Bolton to Palgrave trail.

The Tecumseth Pines Loop Trail is located just across Caledon’s northern boundary, at the southern edge of Simcoe County. The main trail is about 4 kms in distance, fairly level for all but the middle section…which features a low wetland and some steep, pine-topped hills.

The Trail loops through most of the Tottenham Tract of the Simcoe County Forests. Hikers will experience a lovely reforested portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine, dominated by Red and White Pine trees that were planted several decades ago. In some spots younger deciduous species such as Sugar Maple, Black Cherry, Beech, Elderberry and Chokecherry are flourishing in the forest understory.

Depending on winter conditions, this hike may require snow boots and suitable winter outerwear (wear layers that can be removed one at a time & carried in a knapsack, along with a water bottle, camera, etc).

Hike Leader:

Heather Stewart is a Kleinburg Chapter board member residing in Schomberg (heather7stewart@gmail.com)

Directions:

Follow Hwy 9 west out of Schomberg for about 10 kms and turn north on Tottenham Road. At this point you will see the County Forest on your right, and will soon cross a railway track. Just past the tracks you must turn right (east) at the first rural intersection, which is at the 2nd Line. Traveling east you will almost immediately cross the same railway again, and parking is just over the tracks on the right (south side).

TUESDAY, APRIL 12: 7 – 9 PM

HVHTA members, hikers, Kleinburg and area residents, and friends are invited to join us for our 7th annual general meeting, with keynote speaker Jinho Lee.

In addition to feature presentations we’ll have visual presentations and updates on our progress with the trail north of Kleinberg. We’ll provide information about upcoming hikes and elect the Board Members for 2011.

Come early and renew your membership to qualify for great draw prizes! We’ll provide snacks and beverages. Think spring, get involved and meet your fellow neighbors and outdoor enthusiasts.

Timing: 9:30 am, Saturday, December 10 (2 hrs)

Description:

Join us for the second of two autumn walks in the Happy Valley Forest. In September we explored the southern forest edge, and this time we will venture into the middle portion which straddles the watershed peak of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Apart from walking in glorious woods, you never know what we may find. There are lots of winter birds and we might see other wildlife. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the black bear whose footprints were found in this area a number of years ago!

Hike Leaders:

David Love (Executive Director of the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto) & Ann Love (local artist and writer) with HVHTA hike leader Mark van Stempvoort.

Directions:

Meet Ann & David Love at the dead end of the 7th Concession Road, just north of the 16th Sideroad in King Township.

One approach is to follow King Road east out of Nobleton, turn north (left) at the second rural road (last one before Weston Rd), and go roughly 3 kms north to where it dead ends in a parking area.

TIMING:  9:30 am, Saturday,  December 11
 
DESCRIPTION:
Explore our lovely trail loop north of Nashville under early winter conditions. Much of this circular route meanders through an older growth hardwood & conifer forest, before the trail rises to an upland meadow section and finally descends back into the valley to recross the Humber River.
The walking pace will be easy, the distance traversed about 4 kms, and hike will last around 1.5 hrs.
Dress in layers appropriate to weather conditions, and consider wearing winter boots if we have snow on the ground.
 
DIRECTIONS: 
Park near trailhead at junction of Huntingdon & Kirby Roads, a couple of kms north of Nashville Road (same distance east of Bolton).

HIKE LEADER:  Mark van Stempvoort

Timing: 9:30 am, Saturday, November 12 (2.5 hrs or 5 hrs)

Description: (8 kms or 15.5 kms)

Join us for our 2nd scheduled “end to ender” hike on the Caledon section of the Humber Valley Heritage Trail, starting in Bolton at the south end (the April hike started at the northern extremity). Built and maintained by Bolton Chapter, our trail is becoming well known as one of the best hiking opportunities in the GTA.

Our November hikers will experience the Valley as it prepares for the long winter season ahead…deciduous tree leaves will be carpeting the forest floor, while evergreens such as pine, hemlock and spruce will be more prominent. This is a beautiful trail route, passing through a variety of terrain with signs of deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

For those hikers who prefer a shorter outing, a vehicle will be shuttled to Castlederg Road approx. 8 km along the trail to provide a halfway exit point.

Bring water, and take a lunch if you are planning to hike from end to end. Well-behaved dogs are most welcome.

Directions:

We will meet near Palgrave on Humber Station Road, about 3 km north of Old Church Road. This is the intersection with the Caledon Trailway and is the northern terminus of the Humber Valley Heritage Trail, and some cars will be left here. We will then drive to Dick’s Dam Park in Bolton, leaving the cars of those people who wish to only hike 8 km at Castlederg Road, the drop out point.

Hike Leader: Bob Slack (905-584-2360 or bslack14@yahoo.com)

START TIME: 9:00 AM

DISTANCE:  8 km &

DURATION:  3.5 hrs &

DESCRIPTION:  Enjoy the autumn colours on this annual walk from Bindertwine Park in Kleinburg to Boyd Park in Woodbridge. Adults and children alike will enjoy this amble through forests, meadows and riversides of the Humber Valley with several footbridge crossings of the Humber River.

The walking pace will be easy, the distance traversed about 8 kms, and hike will last around 3.5 hrs.

Wear a good pair of walking shoes or boots; bring water, a snack, and your camera…

DIRECTIONS:
Meet in Kleinburg at Bindertwine Park, located on Stegman’s Mill Rd.
For return trip: Drivers can get a ride from Boyd back to Bindertwine at finish of hike.

HIKE LEADER: Iain Craig (craigers@rogers.com)

START TIME: 9:00 AM

DISTANCE:  4 km

DURATION:  2 hrs

DESCRIPTION:  An autumn’s morning walk for families through southern Happy Valley Forest to look for evidence of past peoples and present wildlife. Led by David Love (Executive Director of the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto) & Ann Love (local artist and writer), who live on the edge of Happy Valley, and are amongst it’s most pasionate advocates..

Bring your cameras and water.

LOCATION:  Meet Ann & David Love at the intersection of the 7th  Concession and the 16th Sideroad in King Township.

HIKE LEADER:  Ann and David Love (& Geoff Simpson)

START TIME: 9:30 AM

DISTANCE: 3 – 5 km

DURATION: 1.5 – 2 hrs

DESCRIPTION: Description to come

LOCATION: Location to come

HIKE LEADER: Heather Stewart