START Lat/Long

N43.556904
W079.984213

LAST HIKED:

14Jun03; 31Mar10

HIKE LENGTH:

 19 km

TOTAL
ASCENT:

 NA

RATING:

intermediate

TIME:

 6h

FEE:

none

TERRAIN:

Typical Bruce trail terrain with many dramatic features making this a great hike and one to be remembered. Many wet areas so not recommended in mosquito season.

LUNCH SPOTS:

A few good places along the escarpment edge or at the display area at the Dufferin bridge (no shade)

FACILITIES:

On the 19 km hike, one portajohn unit at waypoint (008).

THE SITE:

The large mixed forest of the area includes wooded swamps, beaver ponds, streams, wetland pools and upland hardwood bush. This rich environment creates a habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species. Significant plant species include walking fern and yellow lady’s slipper. Over 100 species of birds are known to breed here including 22 kinds of warblers such as the Nashville Warbler. The area also supports a large population of white-tailed deer as well as mammals such as the northern flying squirrel, beaver, and the American water shrew. As well four species of salamander can be found in the same wetland pools. This trail skirts around the very large Dufferin Quarry and sounds of the quarry operation can be heard occasionally.

WAYPOINT
INTERVAL

DISTANCE
km

WAYPOINT-TO-WAYPOINT TRAIL DESCRIPTION

001 - 002

0.6

The Townline Road is closed just past the Bruce Trail crossing for quarry work. This whole section of the trail between 001 and 004 is quite a wet boggy area and mosquito breeding ground so beware in mosquito season. From N-E Townline the trail continues to wind easterly through a rocky wooded area  and meets a farm access road (002).

002 - 003

1.1

Turn left on this road and immediately come to a creek flowing underneath the roadway. In wet season this creek overflows the road but it is not too difficult to pass most times.  Continue ahead until you see a blue marker on a tree indicating to turn right and head uphill.  The trail arrives at a very picturesque setting of a large pond with a weir and limestone cliff walls as backdrop.  The trail passes a small creek and climbs a stone outcropping before arriving at a wide creek. This may be difficult to pass in wet season as the creek is about 5 m wide and very fast flowing. Still using a hiking pole for stability and stepping from rock to rock should get you across without getting too wet. Once across the creek the trail soon arrives at the intersection with the Vanderleck Side Trail (003).

003 - 004

3.8

Turn right uphill to continue on the Hilton Falls Side Trail. The trail heads over a rocky outgrowth, heads downhill to a large pond with an old tire wheel. At this T-intersection turn right. The trail passes a swampy area with a lot of red dogwood along the wetland edges.  Just before an open metal gate and fence line, the trail swings left and continues through the woods. At an access road, quarry construction can be seen to the right at another fence and gate while the trail heads straight ahead into the woods. The trail begins a gradual climb and meets a fence line which it follows uphill until it crosses an access road and continues through the woods. The trail descends and continues through a very wet area with large pools of water on both sides.  Just past this area where the trail climbs uphill, be careful to watch for a left turn. Parts of the trail from this point on are not as well marked as they could be so keep your eye out for blue blazes. The trail makes a bit of  U-turn at the top of the area. Looking down to your right you can see a very large wetlands pond. The trail becomes increasingly rocky and undulating with more wetlands areas.  The trail enters an area of Spruce as it heads downhill and skirts yet another pond. The trail crosses a flat plank bridge over a creek and soon crosses another bridge and doubles back along the far side of the creek. The trail now enters a coniferous woods and crosses a sagging bridge and continues through the coniferous woods.  Leaving the woods the trail enters a more open deciduous woods. The trail soon meets the Bruce Trail at a T-intersection (004).

004 - 005

6.4

Turn right and follow the main Bruce trail with its white blaze markings. Soon the views open up with some very dramatic views of the plains far below. The path winds dangerously close to the edge with a sheer drop. A gold course can be seen below along with views of the tall buildings in Mississauga. As the path heads south and then curves west, there are excellent views of rattlesnake point that towers over the town of Milton. The path soon arrives at the Dufferin Quarry Bridge which is a marvel of engineering. Before crossing the bridge take time to look at the display on your right that discusses the history of the bridge and the quarry (005).

005 - 006

9.7

Cross over this long footbridge and follow the trail as it once again swings towards the escarpment edge. Although very rocky many wildflowers border the trail. The trail now begins to descend through a series of ridges along the edge of the cliffs past a collection of ancient cedars clinging to the cliff edge and face. There are some remarkably twisted tree growths here. Be carefully as there are patches of poison ivy in this area. You will pass through some rock crevices and cave like overhangs as you descend abruptly onto 6th Line. Carefully cross busy 6th Line and continue ahead as the trail descends between two large rock faces and skirts around another large rock formation. Emerging into a field the trail crosses a small bridge and then over a stile.  From another open field you can see Hwy 401 ahead and a horse farm down below. The trail skirts the field past the transmission lines and enters back into the woods. The main Bruce Trail meets the Hilton Falls Side Trail which goes off to the right (006).

006 - 007

10.2

The Hilton Falls Side Trail wanders through the woods skirting the southern tip of the quarry and crosses over a stile before meeting the Red Oak Trail in the Hilton Falls CA (007).

007 - 008

11.1

Turn right onto the wide Red Oak Trail and stay on the trail through this area. You will come to an intersection marked “E”. (008)

008 - 009

11.8

Keep right here and follow the wide trail to point “F”  (009) where you keep left leaving the blue marked side trail.

009 - 010

14.0

Turn left to follow the Beaver Dam Trail through a rocky area and across a bridge over the creek. The trail continues over a curved wooden bridge over a pond area with a creek running over some rapids on the right. The trail passes the Wally & Beaver bicycle track wandering through the woods as it narrows down substantially. Soon you will see a gravel bridge with a culvert running underneath to allow Sixteen Mile Creek to pass through from the large beaver meadows pond on the right. At some times of the year you may have to wade knee-deep across this bridge which can be flooded. The trail passes another low wet area which is sometimes covered by water. However a small trail to your right skirts around this wet area on higher ground. Soon this trail meets up with the Hilton Side Trail as evidenced by the blue blazes (010).

010 - 011

14.6

Look for the blue side trail markings  on a trail to the left and then left to enter the woods. Follow the blue side trail blazes and when the trail meets a fire road go left.  [This road leads to a small parking lot at 6th Line.] (011)

011 - 012

15.0

Follow the blue blazed trail across a gravel bridge over a stream.  Shortly after the stream take the path to your right (012).

012- 013

16.5

The trail continues through the woods before arriving at a T-intersection go right and follow the path north-east to where it eventually emerges into another parking lot on 6th Line.
(013)

013 - 001

19.0

From the small parking lot on the side of 6th Line, cross the road to the east side and look for a small wooden bridge over a marshy area. The trail is marked by the blue blazes of a Bruce Trail Side Trail. The trail heads eastwards through the forest past lush growths of ferns, wild rhubarb and other vegetation. Here the trail is relatively flat with a gentle climb along the fence line. The trail does a quick jog north at one point before continuing eastwards where it meets Townline Road (001).

Enjoy the hike and the day!        Revised: 05 Apr 2010