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!

Happy Trails - Limehouse Side Trail

In Halton Hills somewhere vaguely between Milton and Georgetown is this beautiful 2.3KM loop trail  called Limehouse Side trail that my kids just adored.  By getting up early and hitting the trails before 10AM we were able to guarantee that we don't run into too many people on the trails.

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 (although I'm not certain there ever are). 

It took us about an hour to hike the loop including several stops for climbing exploring, and moving to one side to let the few others we passed on our journey pass by while we observed social distancing.

 The cool 16 degree high today meant that it was only just over 10 degrees when we hit the trail, which gave us all the more space to enjoy a nice quiet (as quiet as you can get with two eight-year-olds) hike.

We lucked out on picking our direction, but when you hit the first fork in the trail, consider going left. This will put the hole in the rock highlight of the hike near the very end, meaning if you're travelling with kids you won't hit the peak of the hike until close to the end.

Cross the boardwalk to get to the rock cliff for the best views of the hike. 

Climbing the hill to get to the hole in the rock.  This area doesn't exactly look like it leads to the climax of your hike, but it's definitely worth putting your billy goat climbing skills to the test.

Going through the crevice then up to the top. 

At the top of the big climb.

A view from below.

The kids can't wait to go on this hike again.  Right by the parking lot is open field space with a baseball diamond, perfect for a snack or picnic. The kids were really excited for their first trail jerky of the year. Located just 40 minutes outside of Toronto this is a great way to go out with kids and enjoy nature. This trail has plenty of shade and would be a nice way to keep active during the warmer weather. Stay safe and healthy. Happy Hiking Everyone!

Walk of Life - Hiking the Elora Gorge

One of my 101 in 1001 'bucket list' goals for the next couple of years included hiking the Elora Gorge.  This past weekend we gave it a shot before the heat wave we're experiencing took full effect. In planning our summer vacation time, we wanted to see how well Chris's back would hold up before figuring out which trails to hike in the Catskill Mountains. While the hike didn't feel like much at the time, I must admit my hamstrings have been feeling it for days now, which means maybe it's time to work even more hiking into my workout schedule. 

The kids had a blast exploring, although Jack wasn't a fan of the bugs or 'getting sweaty' but that's nothing proper timing and some decent bug spray can't fix.  The paths are very well groomed and there are a lot of stairs so you don't need to worry too much about the steep inclines.  In the summer months they have a launch spot and rentals for a lazy river for anyone who wants to explore that.  I think we're going to wait until Molly and Jack have passed another swimming level or two before we give that one a go.  The cost was $20 for the four of us, which seemed like a bargain for the views.

Here are some of our best photos from our trip to help inspire some of your hiking, vitamin nature loving wanderlust.

Walking along the water edge

Looking for fossils in the rocks

Checking out the Caves

To look at photos from our 2017 Algonquin hiking click here

To check out my progress on my 101 in 1001 goals click here

Happy Wanderer - Hiking at Ball's Falls

Crisp air, cool mornings, and fall colours have us motivated to get outside and enjoy nature with Molly and Jack.   I'm still wistful with memories of pre-children days when weekends included lengthy, challenging hikes, followed by even lengthier afternoon naps.  The minions can now handle an hour to hour and a half hike alongside us, particularly if we bring snacks.

This weekend we set our sights on Balls Falls, located near Beamsville (between Hamilton and St. Catharines) to enjoy the fall colours, some exercise, and each other.  We probably should have researched our path a little more, and the weekend, as it ended up being the Thanksgiving Festival, which meant our hour and ten minute drive there was more like a two hour journey.  However, it also meant we could bribe the minions with promises of hot dogs and time shooting down the inflatable slide after they slugged it out on the hike along the Bruce Trail.  Cost of entry was $6 for adults and free for kids.

The skyline from our journey into the Conservation area

Our  pathway

The creepy tree Chris named the Stranger Things Portal to "the Upside Down"

Our hike was great, not too many people at the festival were interested in the paths along the Bruce Trail, so we had the space to ourselves.  Since the section of the trail we were on didn't have loops we ended walking out for around 35-40 minutes and then turning around to ensure the kids wouldn't get too tired.  

Following the leader, Molly always wants to be at the front of the crowd

There are spectacular views here, especially as the fall colours come out.  Be warned that people with kids need to be particularly careful since there are numerous big drops and cliffs along this trail.  We ended up playing a few games of red light/ green light on the hike to ensure Molly didn't get too far ahead.

Plenty of logs to use as balance beams

Balancing together

In a week or two these colours are going to be brighter and better, and it will be a much shorter journey from Toronto, since there won't be any festivals in town.  Hikers be warned, this was a really dry summer, if you're hoping to catch a flowing waterfall, this isn't the place to go.  The falls are non-existent right now, but the changing leaves are spectacular.  I'd come back here again, probably in the spring when there is hopefully some movement on the waterfall.  Stay tuned for more fall pictures and hikes!

The still waters at the top of Ball's Falls

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