Hiking & Exploring Wye Marsh

We've been fortunate that it's been a warm fall. As such none of the winter activities like snow shoe rentals have opened, even north of Toronto yet. It will likely be another week or two before they do. Because of this, and because we needed to get outside, we ended up breaking our "no hiking unless it's at least six degrees outside" rule. It was worth it, even though it was close to -10 with the wind chill.

This past Saturday we hiked 5KMs worth of trails at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre.

Wye Marsh boasts being open 362 days a year and is located just north/west of Orillia in Tay, Ontario.

Entry is $12 for adults and $9 for kids and is well worth it. Covered in your entry is some bird seed to allow you to feed the Chickadees while you wander the grounds.

Wye Marsh is a charitable organization that houses 3,000 acres of wetlands and woods. It is also home to 12 birds of prey, 6 turtles, and 2 snakes who require special care and would not survive in the wild. We were particularly taken with the snapping turtle, white owl, and bald eagle.

We spent over two and a half hours exploring the grounds, hiking, and enjoying the company of our chickadee friends.

Seeing the ducks and swan gather on the pond while ice began to form around the edges was pretty, especially since we don't get out into the wild quite as much this time of year. 

When my sister in law saw the photos she mentioned that we all officially became Disney Princesses with adorable birds eating out of our hands. I argued that we were maybe a little more like the bird lady from Home Alone 2, but it was an amazing experience just the same.

The kids explored a lean-to shelter along the hike.

The boardwalk hike provided an easy to follow path for us.

One of the benefits of masking up for COVID-19 prevention is that your mask also keeps your face warm.

Along our path we spotted a small dock spider looking for somewhere to wait out the winter. Can you see him?

Wye Marsh is also home to bees. You can even buy their wild flower honey from their gift shop.

Such a pretty, frosty day. I'm happy to report that our new thermal gear worked and not once did anyone complain about being cold. We will definitely be back here, maybe in the spring and summer to enjoy some of the sites via a canoe rental and may try some snow shoeing here come winter. We are happy to support this amazing home for so many wonderful creatures! You can buy an annual membership, day pass, or simply visit their gift shop for some amazing purchases.  We think the kids will remember this specific hike for quite some time!

Walls of the Cave - Hiking Hamilton at Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

When people hike Hamilton and the Niagara Escarpment they usually have one thing in mind - waterfalls. While I like waterfalls as much as the next hiker, I know they draw big crowds and have less flow when we've had particularly dry weather.

Parking was $5 and this well kept secret of a trail meant that we only ran into a handful of other hikers during our hour and fifteen minute adventure filled with sinkholes, caverns, passages, and caves oh my!

From the roadway the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area looks like almost nothing, but don't be fooled by this hidden treasure. The paths are dirt, gravel and cement. You'll want to stay on them and wear long pants as there are several warnings about poison ivy and ticks.

We chose the most popular 2.5km Karst Features Trail loop to explore because it offers several side paths of interest and caves to cool off in. Grab a map from the Visitor Centre display because many of the markers on the trail are faded and can be a little confusing. With the side paths you're probably hiking closer to 3KM.  The kids climbed along the Old Quarry early on our hike.

Looking down on a balancing rock into Pottruff Cave.

The old trees bent here to make passages and "caves" of their own.

The kids sitting above the flowing water in one of the many sinks to cool off. I think this one is atop Pheonix Creek Sink (yes it's spelled that way).

Climbing into Nexus Cave Entrance to see what's down below.

Looking down at the Cave Explorers.

Like something out of a story the Nexus Cave Window is at the base of a tree.

Naturally they had to climb into that too.

The area is known for the wildlife. We spotted many chipmunks, squirrels, birds and butterflies (and Ted had a blast chasing them). We also saw a dragon fly and a small snake hanging out in the rocks near the entrance to the hiking paths. We overheard another family say they had spotted a weasel on their journey. The area is known for owls and while it was too early to see an owl, we saw evidence of owls along the paths in terms of 'owl pellets' of the remnants of bones and fur from their former meals. Much of this hike is accessible, save for the side trails to some of the caverns and sinks. Molly said this trail ties the Limehouse Side Trail with the honour of "best trail" we've hiked so far this spring/summer. I must admit, at just 45 minutes away from Toronto I would come back here again in an instant!