2013 Hike Schedule
Page Index
A few Things of Interest | April Hikes | May Hikes | June Hikes | July Hikes | August Hikes | September Hikes | October Hikes
Tuesday Hike News - Avon Trail Tuesday morning hike on January 1st, picture taken on Sandhills Road at km 75.3 of the trail. A dozen Tuesday hikers started out the New Year (2013) on the right foot.
TUESDAY HIKES
Each Tuesday throughout the year the members of the Avon Trail Hiking Club meet with their guests for a morning walk usually on a small section of the 100 km Avon Trail - see Hike Schedule for details. This walk is multi-purpose mostly to keep the hikers in trim between major hikes. It also serves as a way of keeping an eye on the trail for maintenance purposes but at the same time the walkers enjoy the camaraderie whilst taking in the country air. [Notes by Dennis and Picture by Julia]
A Few Things of Interest
1. We car pool.
We want to have the least amount of cars on the road sides as possible – this is why we encourage car pooling with a rendezvous. But if you do not live in Stratford, consider meeting us at the end of the hike‘s location.
2. 
6th Edition Guidebook
It comes with coloured maps and will be available at the members meeting March 20th and at the various outlets afterwards. The cost are $10 for members and $ 15 for others. The outlets are listed on The Avon Guide web page.
3. Hiking Each Tuesday/Tuesday Morning Rambles - Year Round
All are weather dependent. Meet in the parking lot (off Lakeside Dr.) at the William Allman Memorial Arena,
25 Morenz Drive, Stratford by 9:00 a.m. to decide hike locations. Casual easy hiking. Coffee time usually follows.
4. Looking for Shorter Hikes?
Avon Trail has compiled some suggested walks in the Stratford and surrounding area. Look here.
Note: ‘GVTA HIKE’ - hikes organized by the Grand Valley Trails Association. Membership in the GVTA is not required but is encouraged.
HIKE POSTPONED
Thursday, April 11, 2013 – GVTA HIKE: Elora/Fergus Hike 1 of 3: Gorge Loop. Level 2: Moderate ~ 6.8 km.
Meet at EB Games, 1051 Ontario Street for a 7:30 a.m. car pool departure. Leader: Jamie Hember. Depart 9:30 a.m. from the parking lot at the Elora & District Community Centre & Arena, 21 David St. W., Elora [43.684097,-80.435839]. From Waterloo follow Northfield Dr (Waterloo Rd 22 which becomes Wellington Rd 18) to the traffic light at Wellington Rd 7 on the outskirts of Salem. Turn right and follow Wellington 7 for about 1.25 km & turn left on David St. W. From the confluence of Irvine Creek with the Grand River we walk the west side of the Gorge on the GVT to the lower bridge and then back on the east side. See Google Maps for directions.
HIKE POSTPONED Due to Inclement Weather The Stratford Side Trail hike scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday April 13 is postponed to a later date, to be announced.
The ice storm has left parts of the trail impassable with fallen limbs, and excessive rainfall has flooded the river valley, making
parts of the trail unsafe. There will be a good deal of trail grooming required.
We apologise for the inconvenience.
Saturday, April 13, 2013 – Stratford Side Trail, east to west, (km 0.0-11.7), Level 2, Moderate, 11.7 km/3 hrs. Depart 9:00 am from EB Games, 1051 Ontario St; car pool Leader: Bernard. Bring water, snack, appropriate foot wear; sections may be quite wet underfoot. Contact 519 273-1468.
Thursday, April 18, 2013 – GVTA HIKE: Elora/Fergus Hike 2 of 3: Museum Loop. Level 1: Moderate ~ 8.6 km.
Depart from EB Games, 1051 Ontario Street for a 7:30 am car pool departure.
Leader: Jamie Hember. Depart 9:30 a.m. from the parking lot at the Elora & District Community Centre & Arena, 21 David St. W., Elora [43.684097,-80.435839]. See Hike 1, April 11th for directions. We walk from Lover’s Leap in Victoria Park to the 1877 limestone "House of Industry & Refuge" (Wellington County Museum & Archives) and return to Elora using a different route crossing the river twice on a rail trail & the GVT.
Saturday, April 20, 2013 – Kissing Bridge Trailway, 1 of 4, Millbank to Posey Line, Level 2, Moderate, 13 km/~3.5 hrs. Depart Giant Tiger, 477 Huron St. (north-west corner), 9:00 am, car pool to starting point (Anna Mae’s Bakery, Perth Line 72 in Millbank). Leader: Bernard. Enjoy the arrival of spring in the lush farmland of Wellington County in the Linwood area. Bring water, snack & lunch. Contact – 273-1468
Thursday, April 25, 2013 – GVTA HIKE: Elora/Fergus Hike 3 of 3: Fergus Loop. Level 1: Moderate ~ 8.5 km.
Meet at EB Games, 1051 Ontario Street for a 7:30 am car pool departure.
Leader: Jamie Hember. Depart 9:30 a.m. from the County Library, Aboyne Branch parking lot [43.693888,-80.399318] behind the Wellington County Museum & Archives, 0536 Wellington Road 18. From Zuber Corners (Google Maps directions), east of West Montrose on Line 86, take Waterloo Rd 23/Wellington Rd 21 through Inverhaugh to the traffic light at Wellington Rd 7 (just past casino). Go straight through the traffic light to a roundabout & exit the roundabout onto Metcalfe St, over the river and right on East Mill St/Wellington Rd 18. Follow Wellington 18 to the Museum/Wellington Place & turn left and up the lane past the museum to the library parking lot at the back [43.693888,-80.399318]. Today we pass through the Lions Club arboretum, past the Theatre on the Grand, through Templin Gardens, cross the Grand River on the Milligan pedestrian bridge to the Fergus Market area and eventually to the north-west end of Fergus before returning on the Elora Cataract Trailway and on a combination of streets with some heritage houses.
Saturday, May 4, 2013 – Trillium Walk on the Avon Trail, (km 18.1-26.8) Level 2, Moderate; 6.7 km/2 hrs. Depart MacDonalds, 709 Erie St. 9:00 am. Leader: Karen. Bring water and a snack. There are some hills and the ground may be slippery. This is a beautiful section of the Trail as it borders Trout Creek through a mature deciduous woodlot. Contact: Karen@quadro.net
Saturday, May 11, 2013 – Trilliums, Woodlots & Potluck BBQ. Luke’s property, 1592 Perth Rd. 139, RR#6 St. Marys. ~4 km, Level 1, Easy. Depart MacDonald’s, 709 Erie St. 10 am. Leader: Bernard. Bring water & $5 for BBQ following the walk at Luke’s – hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks provided; bring a salad or dessert. Contact: 273-1468
Saturday, May 18, 2013 – Kissing Bridge Trailway, 2 of 4, Wallenstein section, Level 2, Moderate, 13.4 km, ~3.5 hrs. Depart Giant Tiger, 477 Huron St. (north-west corner), 9:00 am, car pool to starting point (where Posey Line crosses the Trailway, ~ 3 Km south-west of Wallenstein). Leader: Shirley. The walk includes stunning views of the Conestogo River Valley; enjoy a cold drink from the Wallenstein General Store. Bring water, snack, lunch and wear supportive footwear. Contact: 273-2513.
Saturday, May 25, 2013 – Silver Creek section of Avon Trail, (Km 61.2-66.9) Level 2, Moderate, 6 km, ~2 hrs. Depart EB Games, 1051 Ontario St., 9:00 am, car pool to start. Leader: Dennis. Bring water & snack; wear waterproof boots as this section is one of the last to dry out in the spring. This hike travels through Perth County lush farmland, along Silver Creek, through hardwood bush and over several stiles and creek-crossing bridges. A lovely section of the Trail. Contact: 273-6798
Saturday, June 1, 2013 – Amulree section of Avon Trail, (Km 57.8-55.1), Level 2: Moderate, 4.6 km, ~1.5 hrs. Depart EB Games, 1051 Ontario St., 12:30 pm, car pool to start or meet … Leader: Robert. at 1:00 pm on Perth Road # 107 at Km 57.8 Boots a necessity. No drop-out. No dogs. Just enthusiasm from those wishing a leisurely pace. Bring water and a healthy snack. Contact: robsen14@bell.net
Saturday, June 8, 2013 – Ironwood section & Periwinkle Path,(Km 27.2-35.4), Avon Trail, Level 2, Moderate, 7.2 km/~2.5 hrs. Depart MacDonalds, 709 Erie St. 9:00 am, car pool to start Leader: Liz. Bring water, snack and good footwear as path includes hilly sections. This section features a notable stand of blue-beech trees or Ironwood, as well as lush swaths of periwinkle; much of the route hugs the edge of Trout Creek. Contact: 271-8794.
Saturday, June 15, 2013 – Kissing Bridge Trailway, 3 of 4, West Montrose section, Level 1, Easy, 7.7 km/2.5 hrs. Depart Giant Tiger, 477 Huron St. (north-west corner), 9:00 am, car pool to start (in Elmira, 500 m north from Church St. E./Regional Rd. 86, where Trailway crosses Arthur St.N/Regional Rd. 21). Leader: Shirley. Bring water & snack. The hike, a shorter distance than the other 3, allows for a leisurely pace and time to detour through West Montrose to see the famous bridge, the last covered bridge in Ontario. Contact: 273-2513.
Saturday, July 13, 2013 – Lake Victoria Walk and Potluck, Level 1, Easy, 3.5 km/~1 hr. Meet at Shirley’s,
26 Glendon Rd., Stratford at 3:00 pm. Leader: Shirley. Bring water, sun protection, and either salad, casserole or desert; bring dish, cup and cutlery. Drinks (punch & coffee provided). Enjoy a leisurely pace around the Lake and return to Shirley’s for a potluck and social event. Contact: Shirley, 273-2513
Sunday, July 14, 2013 - Thames Valley Trail Association 40th Anniversary Badge Hike Series. Hike 1 of 4
Open to public. Details here (PDF).
Saturday, July 20, 2013 – Kissing Bridge Trailway, 4 of 4, West Montrose to Guelph, Level 2, Moderate, 12.4 km/~4 hrs. Depart from EB Games, 1051 Ontario Street 9:00 am, car pool to starting point (Regional Rd. 23/Katherine St.N, 650 m. North of Regional Rd. 86) Leader: Bernard. Bring water, snack and lunch; wear comfortable footwear and bring sun protection. Enjoy the last leg of this walk, taking time for an ice-cream on the porch of the Ariss Village Variety store. Contact: 519-273-1468.
August 17, 2013 – Hickson Rail Trail, Corn Roast & Potluck, Level 2, Moderate, 6 km/~2 hrs. at Ross & Dorothy Campbell’s farm. Depart from EB Games, 1051 Ontario Street 1:30 pm, car pool to Campbell farm, 516346 11th Line, East Zorra, Tavistock, (west of Hickson one concession). Leader: Bernard. Bring water, sun protection, and either a salad or dessert plate. Hot dogs, corn, drinks, and cutlery provided. The old rail trail from Woodstock to Hickson is quite well shaded so should be comfortable hiking even in hot weather. $5 per person to cover costs.
Saturday, August 24, 2013 - Thames Valley Trail Association 40th Anniversary Badge Hike Series. Hike 2 of 4
Open to public. Details here (PDF).
Sunday, September 15, 2013 - Thames Valley Trail Association 40th Anniversary Badge Hike Series. Hike 3 of 4
Open to public. Details here (PDF).
Sunday, October 20, 2013 - Thames Valley Trail Association 40th Anniversary Badge Hike Series. Hike 4 of 4
Open to public. Details here (PDF).
Bruce Trail - Beaver Valley Hikes. The following information is for the benefit of those who wish to make their own arrangements for more challenging hiking activity: Join us for one of two hiking opportunities in 2013 to celebrate Beaver Valley's 50th Anniversary and receive the special Beaver Valley 50th Anniversary Badge.
1) May and June 2013
We will be leading 8 hikes on 2 weekends in May (May 4-5 and May 25-26) and 2 weekends in June (June 8-9 and June 22-23) to complete the Beaver Valley End-to-End. All hikes are 15 km or less and will be moderately paced. A barbeque will also be held at Epping Lookout on the Saturday of the last weekend.
2) End of Summer 2013
We will also be holding the biennial Beaver Valley End-to-End on 2 weekends at the end of Summer. Full information will be available in the Summer 2013 Bruce Trail Magazine and at www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org.
To register for either of these hiking opportunities contact Joëlle Martin at 519-538-5766 or joellem@bmts.com.
