Hiking the Bruce Trail - Series and Movie

End to End : Hiking The Bruce Trail, A Journey Across Ontario Season 1, Episode One : “And So It Begins” In this first episode the long and beautiful journey begins. The first steps are taken at Queenston Heights - the Southern Terminus of the Bruce Trail - not far from Niagara Falls which itself breaks over the Niagara Escarpment, the rocky ridge that the entire length of the Bruce Trail is built on. A cliff that transforms into rolling hills and cliffs again as it travels up and across Ontario all the way to the tip of the Niagara Peninsula, where it descends into Lake Huron, 900 km or 550 miles from the start. Episode One covers the first 90 km, through the Niagara Section of the Bruce Trail to Cline Mountain Road in Grimsby. Hiked in early Spring 2021 over 3 ½ days, the snow had mostly melted and the rivers and creeks were flowing well – with beautiful waterfalls in fine form along the way. Travel across the Niagara Peninsula through Thorold, St.Catherines, Jordan, Lincoln, and Grimsby, with scenes from Woodend Conservation Area, the Welland Canal of 1887, Short Hills Provincial Park, Rockway Conservation Area, Louth Conservation Area, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Twenty Mile Creek, Cave Springs, Mountainview Conservation Area, Forty Mile Creek, Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Grimsby Mountain, and Grimsby Point. Season One covers the first 450 km of the Bruce Trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 1-5 Total Map Distance : 90.4 km Step Counter Distance (always greater than the map distance) : 106.8km Music: Features the songs “Seems So” and “Silent Stream” from the album Upland Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/ #BruceTrail #Hiking #NiagaraEscarpment #Conservation #TrailHike #CanadianHiking #SectionHike #Niagara #Woodend #ShortHills #Rockway #Louth #BallsFalls #CaveSprings #Mountainview

Season 1, Episode 2 : “Hamilrock” In this the 2nd episode documenting a 900km / 550 mile journey across Ontario on the Bruce Trail, we pick up at Cline Mountain Rd. in Grimsby and head to Hamilton. I am joined by Kanaka Lui for a day, then I’m on my own through Hamilton to Tiffany Falls at the edge of the Dundas Valley. The total distance covered is 38 km or 24 mi. Hiking through the Iroquoia Section of the Bruce Trail, the path runs along the escarpment ridge through Woolverton, Winona and Vinemount Conservation Areas skirting below the Devil’s Punch Bowl, to Felker Falls Conservation Area, nestled in the suburban landscape of Stoney Creek. The trail heads down into the Red Hill Valley after which it weaves through the city of Hamilton. The Bruce Trail remains a “thin stretch of green” that runs through the largest city in the entire length of the trail. In West Hamilton the trail runs through Chedoke Park and then hugs the escarpment with the magnificent Dundas Valley coming into view. Hiking through Iroquoia Heights affords some beautiful views, then the trail crosses highway 403 to the stunning Tiffany Falls to end the day. Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 5-8 Total Map Distance : 38 km Step Counter Distance (always greater than the map distance) : 47 km Music from the Episode: “A Spell” from the album Steve Welch 2019 and “Stealin’” from the album Upland Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

Ran into a porcupine out on the Bruce Trail. Was it hiking the entire 900km? We were - and we ran into another the next day. Check out End To End : Hiking the Bruce Trail on Rumble for episodes dropping weekly.

Season 1, Episode 3 : “Into The Dundas Valley” What a day this was. In the 3rd episode of ‘End to End : Hiking The Bruce Trail”, we enter the magnificent Dundas Valley. It was a hot day in June to hike 25 km up and down the escarpment - 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) and not a cloud in the sky. Thankfully there was plenty of water, at least for the first half of the day, from the many creeks and waterfalls that run through the valley. I think I drank close to 8 litres that day and ran out of water at one point. It was a hot one. The day started just below Tiffany Falls where the trail runs through a jumbly rocky forested section and then emerges at Old Dundas Rd, at Ancaster Creek. I took a quick trip up to see the stunning Sherman Falls, then continued, entering the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. There is a deep beautiful forest through this stretch, with great cliffs and crevasse’s to explore. Eventually it leads to the Hermitage, stone ruins that hold stories, history and legends from the Dundas Valley. In fact the whole area steeped in history. We make a short stop at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and check out the old Canadian National Railroad cars on display – then head back into the woods making our way along the railway tracks, eventually taking a turn off the beaten path, and up to the Dundas Lookout. Here I carefully edit out the monstrosity of a fence / barrier recently built atop the Dundas Lookout, a historical and incredible place to connect with nature and view the giant expanse of the Spencer Gorge. I remember bringing my young daughter there when she was only a few months old, when I lived in Dundas, and held her up to see the view like a scene from the Lion King. There was no fence then. The hike continued up and down and back up the escarpment on Sydenham Rd, past Borer’s Falls, light in water but heavy in beauty, and along the escarpment edge beyond into the Royal Botanical Gardens. Here we start to get some great views from the West side of the Valley, at the landmark “Skyway Bridge” that crosses Hamilton Harbour and has been in view off and on since Grimsby, and scenes of Burlington, Hamilton and Lake Ontario. The day ends down the steps at “Old Guelph Rd.” (HWY 6). Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 8-9 Total Map Distance : 20.7 km Step Counter Distance (including side trips) : 25.4 km Music from the Episode: “Country Road” and “Things Are Happening” from the album Upland “Long Way Down”, and “Love Travels Far 2019” from Steve Welch 2019 Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/ #BruceTrail #Hiking #Dundas #TrailHike #CanadianHiking #SectionHike #TiffanyFalls #DundasValley #ShermanFalls #Hermitage #DundasLookout #SpencerGorge #RoyalBotanicalGardens #NiagaraEscarpment #Waterfalls Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land.

Season 1, Episode 4 : “The Legend Of Smokey Hollow” This episode marks the return (from the future) of my good friend Steve Hayes. We had already been hiking together on the trail as you will see in future episodes, but had to come back to finish this section. We walked under HWY 6 through a well graffiti’d tunnel, and through the beautiful Clappison Woods, over the railway tracks and across Snake Rd where we descended into the deep Grindstone Creek Valley. Walking up Grindstone Creek we took some time to explore and adventure among the giant slabs of rock, and many small waterfalls cascading down the creek. We came across a fantastic and magical art project – someone (or a group of people) had made hundreds of towers of balanced rocks over a sprawling area along the river bed. It was really amazing to see, and a beautiful tribute to the land. We made our way up to “Smokey Hollow”, the spot where Grindstone Creek becomes Great Falls and majestically slips over the escarpment and onto the jumbled rocks below, creating the “hollow” which used to fill up with smoke from the mill that was once there, hence the name, Smokey Hollow. At that site is an old millstone, once used at the mill, donated by my Grandparents Robert and Rose McNairn, longtime residents of Waterdown who lived just up the hill across from Smokey Hollow. We continued across Waterdown Rd. along a weaving trail through town, that eventually led to Waterdown Woods for a pleasant jaunt. Approaching Burlington we walked through Kerncliff Park, nestled in a beautiful revitalized quarry. We crossed Dundas St (HWY 5), and further Cedar Springs Rd. and Guelph Line with an extended road section to end the day, a nice walk with an escarpment view, and continued up Walkers Line where the day ended, at the base of Mt.Nemo. Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 9-10 Total Map Distance : 21.5 km Step Counter Distance : 26.1 km Music from the Episode: “Plantation” and “Bleasdell’s Boulder” from the album Steve Welch 2019 “Drumtree” from the album Upland Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

Season 1, Episode 5 : “Mt.Nemo” In this episode, take a journey up the iconic Mt. Nemo. This remarkable rock outcrop is the dominant feature on the Western skyline if you are anywhere near Hamilton Harbor on Lake Ontario and was the closest access to the Bruce Trail from where I grew up in Burlington. If I needed an escape, this was often where I went. Not much can be said, other than enjoy the beautiful views of the sprawling lowland countryside and Lake Ontario to the east and Rattlesnake Point and the Nassagaweya canyon to the west. As the wind rips along the cliff edge, the turkey vultures whip by and play in the strong air currents that come up through the valleys. From there the hike heads past a beautiful old quarry on Colling Road and leads to a nice country walk down Blind Line between Lowville and Cedar Springs where Bronte Creek flows through. Lots to explore in there, and some magnificent big trees in that valley. This short but beautiful hike ended at Twiss Rd. and No.8 Sideroad. Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 9-10 Total Map Distance : 21.5 km Step Counter Distance : 26.1 km Music from the Episode: “Right Here Right Now” from deep in the Steve Welch archives and “Algorithm” from the album Upland Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

End to End : Hiking the Bruce Trail, A Journey Across Ontario Season 1, Episode 6 : “Nassagaweya” This episode continues the journey hiking the Bruce Trail north and takes us through Yaremko-Ridley Park, Crawford Lake, through the Nassagaweya Canton to Rattlesnake Point. The day started with some rain and hail. It didn’t last long, before the beautiful beaming sun came out. There is no parking on the east side of this park, so there were not many people in that gorgeous stretch. I had a short road walk to get there. The trail exits Yaremko-Ridley Park at Twiss Road and enters what I can only call a spiritual place (for me at least), the Crawford Forest Tract which precedes Crawford Lake Conservation Area. This lesser used trail section sits next to the popular Crawford Lake, and brings a unique feeling of magic and solitude to hikers and explorers walking among the cliffs, crags, and crevasses. Crossing Guelph line, the trail passes through Crawford Lake Conservation Area. The Bruce Trail does not pass beside Crawford Lake itself, which is a natural and deep lake that is a fascinating gem in the area, kind of like a time machine, so if you want to check it out, you’ll have to take a side trail. The trail leads to another valley, known as Nassagaweya Canyon, descending the escarpment through a chaotic jumbled pile of rocks to the valley floor. The views are fantastic from the edge of the cliff as you approach the valley, and the vultures circle and play, with Mt.Nemo fading further into the distance as the miles pass, and Rattlesnake Point, the east side of the Milton Outlier, jutting out majestically on the other side of the valley. What an incredible vantage point. The Bruce Trail doesn’t take you to the Rattlesnake Point overlook , so leave some time for a side trip if you want to check out another great view. Lots of memories here from my childhood and youth and a special place for me. Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 10-11 Total Map Distance : 15 km Step Counter Distance : 19 km Music from the Episode: “Fine Thread” from album Steve Welch 2019 Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

Season 1, Episode 7 : “Kelso” This section of the Bruce Trail travels over the top of the Milton Outlier – the towering isolated mountain of escarpment rock that has Rattlesnake Point to on the east side, and Glen Eden Ski Area to the West if you want to zip down the mountain. Kelso Conservation Area is a popular mountain biking spot, with many interweaving bike trails criss- crossing the Bruce Trail that runs through it. The trail runs through a flat deciduous forest before popping out at the dramatic Kelso cliff which stands so majestically facing the busy traffic travelling up and down highway 401 in the distance. The trail follows the cliff edge and the ever present turkey vultures rip through the air currents as usual. There are some fascinating lime kilns buried in the forest just off the trail, a common feature along the Bruce Trail – which itself is made of limestone once used in the kilns. The trail works it’s way through Glen Eden Ski Area, across the train tracks, past 16 Mile Creek (where on the next hike we will see it’s masterwork : Hilton Falls), under the 401 and to an inconspicuous spot in the woods where the Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail officially ends and the Toronto Section begins. It’s here we end our hike for the day, and gear up for the mega Hilton Falls Loop featured in the next episode. Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 11 Total Map Distance : 10 km Step Counter Distance : 13 km Music from the Episode: “Alive Healthy and Free” from album Upland Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

Season 1, Episode 8 : “Hilton Falls Loop” I was on my own on this beautiful day in May – I wanted to complete a section of the Bruce Trail through Hilton Falls Conservation Area – but had no shuttle – so I embarked on an ambitious loop through Hilton Falls, and back up the Bruce Trail. This would turn out to be one of my longest hiking days yet – by the end my step counter read 37 km, completed over 10 hours. I parked at 15 Sideroad and started down the Vanderleck Side trail, which eventually enters Hilton Falls Conservation Area, and merges into the Hilton Falls side trail. This route took me right to the falls, something you wouldn’t see if you stuck to the Bruce Trail. I hiked through the park and around the Hilton Reservoir where I found some cool caves to explore, eventually connecting to the Bruce Trail where I had left off on my last hike through Kelso. The Bruce Trail portion is amazing here (as are the side trails) following the escarpment edge, with views of Kelso, the 401 passing through and the GTA. It included passing Dufferin Quarry – the “famous” gap in the escarpment that can be seen driving West on Highway 401. The quarry is fascinating and the bridge crossing the gap is a blessing. I pushed through into Speyside and to the parking area on 17th sideroad where I exited the Bruce Trail and ventured back on the Vanderleck side trail, walking slowly and arduously back to my car to complete this epic day. “I bit off more than I could chew” as the saying goes, but with a few days of recovery, all was well. Notes Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds. Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series. Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land. Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated. Details: Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 11-12 Bruce Trail only distance : 13 km Step Counter Distance for the day (Complete Hilton Falls Loop) : 37 km Music from the Episode: “Waves of Joy” from album Steve Welch 2019 Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs) Help Support Independent Music and Film Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com) Other Social Media Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stevewelchontario/

Take a waterfall tour across Ontario - beginning with the great and majestic Niagara Falls - then travel along the Bruce Trail for the first 17 Waterfalls on this iconic 900km footpath, with many rivers, creeks, and streams along the way. The Niagara Escarpment, which the Bruce Trail follows, is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, and for good reason with seemingly endless cascades over the Limestone cliffs. Including : Niagara Falls, beautiful Tiffany Falls, Sherman Falls, picturesque Hilton Falls, and many other inspiring natural monuments from this great land we call "Ontario". Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and check out the Bruce Trail series "End To End : Hiking the Bruce Trail - A Journey Across Ontario". visit : stevewelchontario.com for more Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SteveWelchOntario