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THE SITE: Mono Cliffs Provincial Park contains some of the oldest, intact, old growth White Cedar forests in eastern North America. Research has shown that some cedars have survived on the escarpment face for over 700 years and are now the oldest living trees in Ontario. Despite their age, they may be no more than five centimeters thick and a metre high. The cedars have endured the worst elements of cold and constant winds that rob the shallow soil of moisture, carry away nutrients and leave the roots exposed. Their twisted shapes are testimony to their struggle. This 750 ha. park also contains some 450 plant species including rare ferns. The Bruce Trail passes thru the park and there are a number of marked trails through the park that interconnect. The t rails here are enjoyable any time of the year but are especially lovely in the fall when the maples and beeches in the park exhibit spectacular colour. You are asked to stay on marked paths to protect the environment.
Prime attractions include walks through mixed hardwood forests and above and below tall cliffs. There are two prominent outliers, crevice caves, a glacial spillway, a kettle lake and a kame moraine. The park also features the phenomenon called Jacob’s Ladder and the fabulous views from Lookout Point. This park is sure to be one of your favourite hiking destinations. There is a small parking fee.
THE HIKE: There is a large trail map where the access trail begins at the parking lot. The trail climbs a hill and circles an open meadow before entering the forest. A trail marker indicates the South Outlier Trail is to your left. The South Outlier is a piece of the escarpment that broke off from the main scarp. This trail climbs a slight slope along a stone wall before entering a dense white cedar forest and an imposing cliff face with a steep zig zag path up to the top. Exert caution in climbing this cliff as some parts can be scary. Still one sees many families climbing the trail without incident.
At the top, the South Outlier trail goes both ways but take the path to your left. The trail passes thru a young maple forest and reaches a rocky area that provides a good lookout for the surroundings and continues thru a mix of pine, beech and maple trees. The trail passes between two very large old maple trees along the remains of a log fence before continuing on into the woods This trail arrives at the main Bruce trail with its white blazes and a large hydro tower staring at you straight ahead.. Go right and follow this main trail.
The trail passes through an open area along a wire fence to the left of the trail and some large  specimen Spruce trees to the right. At the trail intersection continue along the main Bruce Trail to your left. The trail descends a slope down to an open area and to the right you find the beginning of the Cliff Top trail. Follow this trail along the edge of a large stagnant pond on your left before passing by two large attractive pond areas on both sides of the trail with benches and lookout areas. The trail then climbs up a rocky area and then swings right and climbs up a long gradual incline. The trail passes through a meadow-like open area of mixed shrubbery and grasses with much chicory and milkweed. The trail then climbs a hill and at the top there is great 360 degree panorama view of the surroundings.
The trail passes through a jungle of raspberry bushes and then continues along the path thru a grassy, shrubbery area. The trail enters into a more wooded area and meets a gravel road. The Cliff Top trail continues along this gravel road to the right downhill on a wide busy trail. Pass by the beginning of the McCarston’s Lake Trail to your left as we will first continue on along the Cliff Top trail before retracing our steps to the McCarston’s Lake Trail. The trail comes to a few lookout platforms on the right affording great views of the pond below and the rolling lands that stretch out many kilomtres eastward.
 Soon the trail reaches a set of metal steps down to the impressive rock phenomenon and deep fissure known as Jacob’s Ladder. A wooden boardwalk takes you trough this area of overhanging rock. This rock was the base of a large inland sea some 400 million years ago. The fossilized remains of some sea creatures can be seen in parts of the rock face. This rugged rock features crevice caves, slopes and chimneys formed by the falling rock. Stunted white cedars cling to the rock face with rare ferns and mosses among the fallen rock at the base. Hiking is not allowed past the gate to preserve the delicate and rare plant life.
Retrace your steps back to the branch of the McCarston’s Trail that we passed earlier and follow this trail into the woods. The trail comes out into an open brush area with many milkweed plants. The trail climbs a slight hill and a trail sign directs you right through a wooden fence gate. The trail descends through the forest and curves around along a wide path through a thinly populated forest area. At the trail sign go left and follow the blue markers for the Lookout Trail. The blue markers end abruptly leaving this side trail poorly marked for some reason. Below through the vegetation you will see the pretty kettle lake that names the trail. Be sure to stay on the path here which reaches a rocky area. Climbing to the top of this rock brings you to a magnificent lookout area providing great views of the area to the south, east and west.
Leaving Lookout Point continue along the trail which descends steeply through a pine tunnel before arriving at an open meadow. Turn right onto the gravel trail and continue along this path down a long rocky slope. At the bottom turn right onto the Bruce Trail avoiding the Spillway Trail. At the next signpost turn right along the main trail which brings you to a small pond with the spillover flowing out the far end and down into the area below.
The trail soon arrives at a swampy area featuring old wooden tree trunks reaching for the sky and curves around this area. The trail then turns right crossing a small flat wooden bridge over a small creek and then continues along a dirt path thru the wooded area with overhanging branches on both sides of the trail forming a leafy tunnel. This trail continues for some distance on a wide dirt path thru the woods. There are areas of high stone cliffs along the way some of which feature caves you might wish to explore.
Upon arriving back at the South Outlier Trail signs, continue straight ahead along this trail leaving the Bruce Trail which swings right. This branch of the South Outlier Trail follows the top edge of the Escarpment face through a maple forest of very high trees. This is a very interesting branch of the trail not to be missed. Soon the trail meets the other branch of the trail at the top of the cliff face that you climbed at the beginning of the hike. Now you must descend the trail. Use great caution in doing so. With care you will have no difficulty. At the bottom of the cliff follow the path back to the main access trail. Turn right to retrace your steps to the parking lot.
Enjoy the hike and the day.
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