L11F Shorthills Provincial Park Trails 456

L11_IMG_6351

Trail Map	Elevation	Satellite	Road Map	Photos	Locator	GPS Log	Trail Guide

Trailhead:	N43.108157 W079.287102
Hike Length:	15.3 km
Time:	about 4.5 h -flexihike
Difficulty:	Intermediate
Total Ascent:	NA
Terrain:	The many slopes on these Shorthills Provincial Park trails are the result of drainage patterns which undercut the soft sediments left after the last period of glaciation almost 11,000 years ago.
Parking/Fees:	No park fees; free parking
Facilities:	Basic concrete block washroom at parking lot. Some picnic tables and benches through the park. Free parking in the parking lots.
Lunch Spot:	Bench at location (006); Terrace Creek Falls (011)
Last Hiked:	17 Oct 2003; 04 May 2004; 08 Jul 2008; 17Jul 2010
Other:	Not wheelchair accessible except as noted
Updates:	Main Bruce Trail rerouted through the park
Flexihike:	There are many opportunities to adjust the length of this Shorthills Provincial Park hike. To shorten it you can omit Loop 5 or Loop 6 to the right of trail 2. From waypoint (010), you can also quickly return to the start point by following Hog’s Back Rd.
Highlights:	Terrace Creek Falls; lookouts; rolling hills; open meadows
Wintertime:	Unknown

The Site: Shorthills Provincial Park -Trails 4, 5, 6

Short Hills Provincial Park contains an extensive trail system for visitors to enjoy at any time of the year. The trails are classified by the use that is permitted on them. Three of the trails (Terrace Creek, Scarlet Tanager, and Hemlock Valley) are classified as Hikers Only, and are indicated by blue markings. Three other trails (Swayze Falls, Very Berry, and Black Walnut) are classified as shared use and are marked in yellow. The activities that are permitted on these trails include biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The remaining trail is the Palaeozoic Path which has been developed with the beginner hiker in mind. The Palaeozoic Path has a hard surface which is covered in gravel to give people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the park.

All of these three trails are designated for hikers only. Horeseback riders and bikers are not allowed on Trails # 4, 5 & 6 but are allowed on Trail #2 which leads to these. The main stream which runs through this section of the park forms a tributary of the Twelve Mile Creek and winds its way through the valley. Wildflowers abound along the trail. In spring look for Blue Cohosh, Bloodroot, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. In summer, sunny open areas sport Brown-Eyed Susans, Elecampane and Queen Anne’s Lace. The Hemlock Trail (#5) is named for the rare hemlock stand found in this section of the park. To the west of the boardwalk lucky hikers may spot one of the wild turkeys that were introduced into the park. Deer are also a familiar site along the trail. The Terrace Creek Trail (#6) leads to Cataract Woods and the Terrace Creek Falls.

My hiking buddy, John, who accompanies me on many hikes helping to record data taken along the trail, has often declared that the Shorthills Hikes are his favourites, bar none. He likes the great mix of experiences from the beauty of the rolling hills to the colourful open meadows between woodland areas along with the walk along the ridge top overlooking Terrace Creek below and on to Terrace Creek Falls where you can stand at the crest of the falls and easily take the trail down to the base of this small falls.

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