Chasing Waterfalls - Hiking Chippewa Falls

 Earlier this summer we took a driving trip to Northern Ontario, gradually meandering our way to Wawa and back. To break up some of the long spells of sitting in the car we'd plan roadside stops and short hikes. Chippewa Falls is one of the best road side stops we've ever taken. Here's six reasons why:

Located directly off the Trans-Canada highway this popular road stop requires no extra driving time (provided your route is on the Trans Can). This hike offers maximum beauty for minimal time spent. 

This viewing spot can be easily seen at a distance from a viewing platform, or from a short 0.50 KM out and back trail. We opted to do both. Bring a pair of solid running shoes so you can billy goat around the rocks and explore the waterfall completely. Most kids over 4, who will listen to parents on the rocks should be able to handle this hike.

Since this is a popular spot, it means it has a picnic area and washroom available for use.

This spot is truly as beautiful as it seems. It's also the subject of art from Group of Seven Painter A.Y. Jackson. A true gem of Canadiana history. 

For those really pressed for time, the view from the platform is gorgeous, but if you have 20 - 30 minutes to spare I highly recommend climbing the falls.

In addition to being the a gorgeous spot, this also marks the half way point for the Trans Canada Highway, which is pretty cool.

I would come back here in a second!

Hiking at The Tree Museum, Gravenhurst

Now that things are beginning to open up we've been able to hike and explore outside of the Greater Toronto area. This past weekend we were able to explore a hike I've been excited about for a while, The Tree Museum in Gravenhurst Ontario an outdoor art exhibit site and hiking trails. It did not disappoint!

There is no fee for parking here and a small parking lot. When we arrived one other car was leaving, so it appears this trail isn't that popular, particularly since we arrived mid-morning on a Saturday.

It is about a 1.5KM walk into the art installations from the parking lot, so with walking around the grounds to explore the art you can expect to log anywhere from 7-11KM depending how adventurous you're feeling. There may be some times when the gate is open so you can drive direct to the art installations and shorten the hike dramatically, but that wasn't an option while we were there.

The roads and trails were buggy, but we'd been warned in advance, so we came armed with plenty of bug spray and wore our bug nets over our hats to protect our faces while we hiked.

The trails are well marked and the art installations are in a loop, with signs making it easy to explore.

Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated while you check out the art.

Exhibits ranged from large in size, like this stone house, to small, like reflectors placed in wooded sections to enhance the light in particular sections of the trail.

This stone house would be a great place to stop for a snack mid-hike.

One of my favourite exhibits was this mirrored box where you could "disappear" into the forest arond you, although it translates better in person than in photograph.

These cars have become a part of the land in this installation

An upside own shed.

Although the bugs were really distracting and a nuisance (5 days later I still have quite a few bites I'm dealing with), Molly said this hike still made her top 15 favourite hikes. I know we missed a few exhibits, but we couldn't handle the bugs and heat anymore. I plan on returning for a fall hike sometime when (hopefully) the bugs aren't so bad. I was also happy that my new hiking boots allowed me to confidentaly cross new terrain with very little blisters and breaking them in pain. This hike is worth adding to your list, but only if you have kids and/or adults who are prepared to hike the 7-11KM required to see everything.

10 Lessons From a Decade of Hiking with Kids

In the time before kids we'd spend many a weekend going for 10-14KM hikes with our friends. The spring and summer that I was pregnant with twins, that went on the back burner. Hikes with babies and toddlers were quite a bit shorter, timed for naps, and involved a baby strapped to each of our chests.

When the kids reached three to four we graduated to 2-3KM hikes without carriers, and by the time they were seven or eight we graduated to 3-5KM but never got anywhere near our pre-kid hiking adventures.

This past year we've turned a corner. We have been hiking more during COVID and our once upon a time 10 degree minimum temperature rule has been thrown out. We bought thermal socks and underwear and sucked it up. Hiking has been a good release and fun way to stay active. The kids rarely complain about a hike until we hit six or seven KM and I'm loving all of it.

While I'm happy to push all of us to the next level, longer, pre-kid level hikes, I understand that I need to balance this want to keep everyone happy.  Hiking with the family for years now has been a good reminder about making this activity an experience that all of us can enjoy, and I'm trying to stay good to my word, even though I'd love to start to tackle the long, long, hikes again. 

Hiking at Lynn Canyon in BC circa 2016

10 Important Lessons from a Decade of Hiking with Kids

1. Stop and let them climb that stump, tree, or rock
Hikes aren't about making the best time, they're about enjoying nature.

2. Teach your kids to keep their eyes to the ground, particularly on hikes with lots of rocks and tree roots
This will prevent tripping and allow them to find more wild life. We've seen plenty of frogs, turtles, snakes, slugs, and caterpillars thanks to little eyes on the path.

3. It's all about the snacks

Our kids love nuts, jerky, apple sauce tubes, crackers, and favourite fruit to nosh on when we stop at look outs. Stopping for snacks in 10 minutes can be a good motivator to get tired kids further along the trail.  Remember it's also about the water. There is nothing worse than running out of water, particularly when a hike lasts longer than you expect. Kids also backwash and no adult wants to have to drink that water, so bring your own bottles.

The early days of baby hiking

4. Play it looks like & get Counting

Rocks, trees, clouds, can all look like other things. Embrace the pareidolia and see who can find a face or an animal in something we come across on one of our adventure. We also like to count on our hikes. Sometimes it's types of birds or flowers we see, other times it's the total number of creatures we see. During some hikes we take bets and see who is closest. 

5. Practice Calculated Risk Taking

Let your kids climb like billy goats, jump over a crack (supervised) and teach them how to stay back from overlooks and obeying the signs around them. They get so proud when they climb down a giant rock or make it across a pond and I get proud of us grown ups for trying it too.

6. Nothing Beats a Post Hike Nap

I learned this before I had the kids. But I love the physical exhaustion naps that come after a long hike. I enjoy mine at home, while the kids usually have theirs in the car on the way home.

Molly being a bridge on a bridge at Rattray Marsh Last Year

7. Distraction is King

When it's buggy, you make a wrong turn, or it's rainy and miserable, you need to keep them distracted. Sometimes we tell stories, other times we play the alphabet game (Name Disney characters whose name starts with A,B,C, D until you make it all the way through the alphabet).

8. Let Them Share Their Enthusiasm

If you're on a hike and see something cool, tell other hikers as you pass them. They'll keep their eyes out and it helps build on the camraderie of the the hiking community.

9. Get Them Involved in the Planning Process
Find out which hikes your kids like best and why and plan more that meet that criteria, whether it's hikes with birds, waterfalls or caves. Let them know what excites you too.

10. Stop & Smell the Roses & They'll learn to do the Same

Last summer we went on a hike where there was an awesome waterfall. I wanted to swim in the bottom and no one else was interested, but I went ahead and did it anyway. The kids still talk about that time mom swam under a waterfall. This way when they want to stay at an outlook a few minutes longer or try something the rest of us don't, they won't let it stop them.

Happy Trails everyone! Remember, take only photos, leave only footsteps!

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!

Waterfalls - Hiking Beamer Conservation Area

In our efforts to get outside, stay healthy, and remain socially distanced we've begun going on early morning hikes and exploring new trails. In terms of keeping kids attention what could be better than cliff side views, breathtaking lookouts, and, wait for it, WATERFALLS.

This week we headed to Grimsby to visit Beamer Conservation Area to hike the lookout trail (a 25 - 30 minute loop) along with a portion of the Bruce Trail tie in to visit Upper Beamer Falls.

The parking lot is currently open for free parking and the conservation site is open to enter the paths. With current COVID-19 rulings there are no washrooms here open. We left early enough in the morning that it took us less than an hour to get here.

This is the section of the Bruce Trail that leads to Beamer Falls. They are much prettier in person and with the low flow of water right now their beauty doesn't quite translate into photos.

Photo from the bottom of the falls. To access the falls you'll need to take the paths out to the road way following along the river bank and walk a small section of road before re-entering the path system to get to the waterfalls. 

Travelling along the rocky path

Heading back from the falls we ended up climbing a rock face. it was steep enough that Chris and I had to hoist our dog Ted up to each other. There is a longer, easier route around. Lucky for us Ted trusted us enough to lift him over the steepest portion of our climb back up.

The lookout trail was breathtaking and I've already sent myself a calendar alert to come back here late September early October to check out the fall colours.

These views are amazing, particularly for such a short hike, but hikers be warned there are a lot of huge drops and cliffs that are not fenced in. If you're travelling as a family you need to make sure your kids will listen and not go too close to the edge.

Our hiking rule of single file travel on this trail with an adult in front and an adult behind was a great way to ensure safety. While we were on this trail we saw a couple of families with kids aged 3 to 5 who were just too young to understand the dangers. Both families seemed really stressed and had resorted to carrying their kids to avoid them wandering too close to the edges of the cliffs.  I wouldn't have been comfortable here with Molly and Jack until they were about six years old.

This trail is rated moderate, mostly because of the climbs, cliff edges and rocky terrain.

This forest had many huge trees and some interesting fallen trees to check out. Don't forget your bug spray as this was the buggiest trail we've done to date in the 2020 hiking season.

We spotted this little guy on our way back. After a lengthy debate on whether he was a frog or a toad, we'll be implementing some reading for homeschooling next week to learn how to tell the difference.  We also spotted a hawk soaring above one of the cliffs.

Our hike lasted for about an hour and a half to two hours including stops for snacks and water. Molly said her favourite part of the hike was the waterfall, while Jack loved exploring and seeing our friend the toad. By the time we left, mid-to-late morning the parking lot was packed with cars parked along the highway, so our early morning hikes have been a good way to get out and avoid others while on narrow trails.  Stay safe and healthy.  Happy Hiking Everyone!

A Hiking We Will Go - Sixteen Mile Creek Trail

We don't get out much these days.  We're doing everything we can to properly self-isolate and social distance to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario.

When we heard the weather was going to be warm this weekend, we wanted to explore somewhere new, but also make sure we would go somewhere open given current restrictions and guidelines and without the risk of stepping into an overcrowded outdoor space.

We found a wonderful urban hike in Oakville on the way to drop off groceries to the grandparents called 16 mile creek and were excited to get exploring.  We got up earlier than we do on most weekdays to make sure it was only us around during our journey.  It was worth our early morning!

Sixteen Mile Creek Trail in Oakville runs from either side of Oakville Harbour to Dundas St. at Lions Valley Park.  It features dirt a combination of dirt and paved paths.  The total length of the trail is 8.5KM however portions of the trail are closed this spring to help keep down numbers in the park.

We explored for an hour in the early morning Saturday and had the place mostly to ourselves, seeing only a handful of other people (who were all practicing social distancing and respectfully kept their distance).

On our way into the park we saw a wild rabbit.


One of the best surprises of this hike was that locals have started hiding sweet inspirational rocks throughout the trails.  During our journey Molly found 38 rocks and this trail will forever be known as "the fairy rock trail" to our family.  Since both kids got a rock painting kit for Christmas we plan to head back and leave a few painted rocks of our own to add to the collection the next time make a supplies run to Oakville.

The path headed along the river is much more narrow and rugged than the other path, so you wouldn't want to explore right now unless you knew you were the only ones on it.

For tips on how to get outside responsibly please check out this link.

Stay healthy and safe!

Hiking Murphy's Point Provincial Park

One of my favourite things about Instagram is the hiking ideas it gives me.  When I realized that Murphy's Point, a provincial park I discovered thanks to Narcity, near(ish) to Ottawa would make a great break on along driving day I was set.

When we go on road trips we try to find something fun and active to do every two to three hours (particularly on long driving days) and Murphy's Point was perfect.

Murphy's Point used to be an old mining community.  For $15.50 we bought a day pass for our family to the park (and because it was the weekend in the summer) our entry included actors in period clothes 'working' in the mine along our 2.5 km hike to explain about the area when it was a mine.  All of the ground along the hiking path is sparkled thanks to the Mica mined in the area.

 Taking the path to past entry points of the mine (Our handy hard hats were provided for us to borrow from Murphy's Point for our journey)

Heading into the depths of the mines.  This was the most challenging part of the hike.

Exploring the depths of the cave can be slippery and cool.  I'd recommend wearing running shoes even though we saw a number of people in sandals.

Learning how rocks were drilled, broken down, and removed from the mine for processing.  Kids started working in the mine as young as 14.  Before a 15 horsepower machine was used in this mine, a single horse would need to help miners haul giant tubs of rock out of the mine.

Back at the bunkhouse Molly rings the bell to let the miners know that it's time to go in for lunch. 

Murphy's Point Provincial Park participates in a program to help protect, tag, and track local wildlife, including snakes.  This gray rat snake was about a metre long and was found at the park.  He was brought in to be tagged so the next time they see him they can scan him and track his growth.  He should grow up to be about 2 metres long.

The park was a perfect break where we spent about an hour and a half of the day.  I'd recommend calling or emailing in advance to schedule your trip for when the actors are working and the mine is running because we learned so much.  People who want to stay longer and explore other trails can camp at the park in the summer.  There are grassy spots to picnic all over the park.  They also sell rocks which can make a perfect souvenir.  Jack bought a piece of Mica for $1 and Molly bought a quartz crystal for $3.  The park is just over an hour away from Ottawa city Centre and just over three hours east of Toronto depending on the traffic.  

If you have any hiking recommendations please share!  We'd love to try them out.