A two for one trip where we'll be visiting one of the most interesting but unheard of hikes that's close to Toronto followed by a trip to the famous town of Creemore.
We'll begin with an 8km hike at a conservation area that takes us along a forest and meadows before leading through a rock face that will require a bit of a squeeze to emerge on the other side of a cave. This is a pretty easy hike with one steep section that leads us to an incredible view over the surrounding area. This hike and the caves will be even more beautiful coated in a layer of snow making it a winter wonderland.
Once we're done with our hike, we'll drive to nearby Creemore, where we'll visit the famous brewery, wander around, pop into cute shops, and soak in the small-town vibes.
Hike Length: 8km
Terrain: A generally easy hike with a couple of steeper sections. We'll be on a mix of forested trails, farm land, the edge of marsh land and walking through caves.
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours with breaks and exploration time.
08:50: Those taking the van meet at the Petro canada next to Keele Subway Station.
09:00: Shuttle leaves from Petro Canada at Keele Station. Please note that we leave dead on 9am and can't wait for latecomers.
10:45 : Meet self-drivers at trail head. Navigate to Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area. Do not be late! Fair warning, the van may end up being a few minutes late but self-drivers shouldn't come later than the van or they won't be able to join the hike.
10:45 - 13:45 Hike, stopping for lunch en route
13:45 - Drive to Creemore to explore the town
15:45 - Leave Creemore
17:45 - Anticipated return to Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop. Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine.
We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram. A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you.
The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
Winter Hiking packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
A daily parking pass of $10 is required by self drivers - these can be purchased before hand at https://hotspotparking.com/ReservationKiosk/home/133 - Select Nottawasaga Bluffs
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Nations who still have connections to the area are the Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation the Petun, the Anishnabe and Haudenosaunee.
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