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START Lat/Long

N43.774180
W079.944473

LAST HIKED:

05 Oct 2004,
07 May 2005

HIKE LENGTH:

about  11  km

TOTAL ASCENT:

 about 200 m

FEE:

none

RATING:

beginner -intermediate

TIME:

3 h

TERRAIN:

rolling hills - (route revised 2007 -see below)

LUNCH SPOT:

Quarry near waypoint (005)

FACILITIES:

none; limited roadside parking

THE SITE:

“Badlands” is a geologic term for an area of soft rock devoid of vegetation and soil cover that has become molded into a rolling landscape of rounded hills and gullies. Such areas are rare in Ontario and this is one of the best examples. They exhibit the reddish hue of the Queenston Shale that forms them. It is the presence of iron oxide in the shale that accounts for the red colour. The narrow greenish bands that can be seen throughout the shale are due to the change of red iron oxide (iron III) to green iron oxide (iron II) brought on by the circulating groundwater. The relatively soft shale is essentially clay and easily eroded by water. This site was acquired by the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 2000 and is under the care of the Bruce Trail Association. NOTE: The Russell Cooper Side Trail is closed for regeneration (2007).

WAYPOINT
INTERVAL

DISTANCE
km

WAYPOINT-TO-WAYPOINT TRAIL DESCRIPTION

001 - 004

0.3

From the roadside parking area climb up to see the Cheltenham Badlands. The Russell Cooper Side Trail (blue-blazed) which skirts around the badlands has been temporarily closed for regeneration needs by the Caledon Hills BTC. Do not hike on this trail. Instead, view the Badlands and then either walk along Olde Baseline Road to waypoint (004) or drive and park at (004).

004 - 005

3.8

Cross the road and continue on the Credit Stone Side Trail through a marked environmentally sensitive area which should not be hiked in wet muddy conditions. Please stay on the trail. The trail enters a mature forest and begins a gradual but lengthy uphill climb past a few sawn off tree trunks. The route winds through a forest with little undergrowth due to the dense overhead canopy, and after you pass a log across the trail, watch for the signs indicating the trail goes off to the right as a more used trail goes straight ahead. The path becomes more rocky and passes through a wet area along a rock strewn trail. At a Y- intersection follow the main Bruce trail which heads left. At the edge of a ridge the trail turns right and follows the ridge top before swinging left through another rocky area and passing over a small ravine and through the woods into an area of newer growth. Descending down a rocky step, the trail continues through the bottom of the valley and back into the woods. Passing a wet swampy area left of the trail beside some large flat rocks, the trail moves through another rocky area to higher ground before descending a winding trail to a wooden bridge over a wet creek. After a winding climb upwards, the rocky path continues deeper into the woods to a fence post and a wire fence beside the trail (005).The trail continues straight ahead but you might want to investigate this old shale stone quarry area as it is most interesting and leads past a stone ridge to an old abandoned work camp and rusted out auto. A good place to rest and have lunch. Be careful crossing some of the rickitty bridges here if you decide to take a look. (2005 -bridge collapsed; can view area beyond by going over rocks around the pond on the right)

005 - 006

4.5

Continuing straight ahead from (005), travel back into the woods thick with undergrowth and quite dark. The trail winds through an area of dense young growth, across a bridge and turns right into an open area with reddish clay soil followed by an area where you need to stay clear of the prickly spined trees. Across a couple of platforms over wet areas, the trail passes another single-sided plank bridge over a dry gully. Climbing gradually uphill we pass a post with a white marker and travel under a power line overhead to arrive at Chiguacousey Road (006). A rerouting map is posted here but it does not apply to this hike.

006 - 007

5.0

Turn right and walk downhill on the road to the Intersection with Olde Baseline Road (007).

007 - 008

5.7

Turn left on Old Baseline Road and follow the walkway on the right side of the road until you come to a paved trail climbing a hill up to the right to the Caledon Trailway sign (008).

008 - 009

6.6

Follow the Caledon Trailway across a wooden bridge over a road to the golf course below. The golf course can be seen to the left as you walk along the Trailway. The Trailway crosses Chinguacousey Road (009).

009 - 010

7.2

 Continuing straight ahead along the Caledon Trailway you will soon arrive at Boston Mills Road (010).

010 - 011

8.3

Continue ahead crossing three creeks flowing under the Trailway that are barely visible (see Trail Map). The Trailway now reaches Kennedy Road (011).

011 - 012

8.6

Turn right on Kennedy and follow Kennedy to Creditview Road (012).

012 - 013

9.3

Turn right onto Creditview Road and continue walking along this low traffic paved road. The sound of loud barking dogs breaks the country silence as they always seem to resent your presence in the area. Eventually the barking fades with the road dipping and then climbing back up to Boston Mills Road (013).

013 - 014

9.9

At house # 15196 on Creditview, a Bruce Trail sign can be seen on the right as the trail leaves the road (014).

014 - 003

10.2

This Main Bruce Trail marked with white blazes crosses a few wooden plank bridges over some wet areas to arrive at (003). Stay on the main Bruce Trail as the Russell Cooper Side Trail is closed.

003 - 004

11

Continue along the main trail following the white blazes until you reach Old Baseline Road (004).

004 - 001

11.3

Retrace your steps back to the parking area for another look at the badlands (001). Enjoy the hike and the day.