2021 Fall Hiking Schedule:
You can download a printer friendly version of the activities by clicking here.

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Covid update for NL members from the Board of Directors

Our group is starting to once again become active, however, unfortunately Covid 19 continues to be an issue of great concern. As a result, your Board of Directors has established a policy, effective immediately, that all participants of NL sponsored events be fully vaccinated.

It is disappointing to have to implement a policy of this nature but in light of the increasing number of cases both in the Simcoe-Muskoka Region and the province, we feel it is the appropriate step for us to take at this time.

We ask that if you are attending an event or activity you have proof of vaccination to ensure access to the event venue. In addition, it is still important you have a mask and continue to practice social distancing.

The Collingwood library is presently offering to print off and laminate your vaccination certificates at no charge. If you do not have a copy of your proof of vaccination you can go to the provincial government website and print it or download it to your phone.

To implement this policy, the easiest way for you to do this is to mail to our Nature League address to the attention of the Corporate Secretary or email our Corporate Secretary, a copy of your proof of vaccination, confirming your second dose (which should be dated at least 2 weeks prior to an event). A suggestion would be to take a photo on your phone of your vaccination receipt and send by email to Pat. This information will absolutely be kept confidential.

Email: Patricia Purcell
ppurcell1007@gmail.com

Until such time as our records are updated, effectively immediately should you wish to attend an upcoming hike or walk please bring proof of vaccination with you, as well as for any guest who may accompany you. Once we have received your proof, it will be recorded for all events.
Please note unvaccinated members are asked not to attend and may be asked to leave a hike, walk, or event.
As always this decision was made with much serious deliberation by your board, in the best interests of your health and safety.

We thank you for your cooperation.



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The Fall Program is resuming in concert with Ontario's three-step plan for reopening. While the province is in Step 3 of re-opening, hikes are open to Nature League members with a capacity limit of 100.

PLEASE MEET AT THE TRAILHEAD AT THE DESIGNATED TIME AND ON ARRIVAL CHECK IN WITH THE LEADER FOR A HEAD COUNT.
Any questions/additional details on directions should be directed to the leader of each hike. Please no Pets. If the Weather conditions are unfavourable, you will be notified by 9 a.m. at the latest the morning of the event, so PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAILS.

To those who wish to follow someone to the hike destination, commencing September 29th, we will meet each Wednesday at Home Hardware (High and 6th Street) at 10 o'clock.

Wednesday, September 1

BOYNE VALLEY SPRINGS

Meet at Trailhead
Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

Directions:Take Hwy.124 south through Singhampton and Redickville to Dufferin Cty. Rd. 17, turn left, meet at east side of Hwy 124 ( stop light)

2.6 km. loop-hilly, not rocky. Very pleasant walk, views, streams and endangered butternut trees.

Leader: Robert Brand 705-444-2692

September 8, 9, 10

EVERGREEN RESORTS

Wednesday, September 15

SIEGERMAN SIDE TRAIL - HEATHCOTE

Meet at Trailhead.
Start time 10:30 a.m.

Directions: Take Hwy.26 west to Cty. Rd. 40 ( Walters Falls road.) Turn left on 40 and left again on Cty. Rd. 13, drive through Heathcote. The next intersection is Sideroad 22C. Drive west ( right ) on this road to the next intersection the 3rd line and park on the side of the road.

Approx 3.2 km. loop hike, steep hill to start road allowance then gradual decline, one rocky section. Great views. Lunch at top.

Leader: Rose Feaver (cell: 705-446-5204)

Wednesday, September 22

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Details sent to Nature League Members by email August 24, 2021

Wednesday, September 29

CLENDENAN DAM & SIGNAGE CEREMONY – CLARKSBURG

Meet in Parking Area
Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

Directions: Follow 6th St. west to Osler Bluffs Rd. (Grey Rd. 19,) turn left, and then right to follow 19 up the hill. Proceed to Grey Rd. 2, turn right and drive to Clarksburg St. and turn left. When you get to Clarksburg continue straight ahead over the bridge and go a short distance to the 10th Line. Turn left on the 10th Line and follow the road curving to the right at the bridge to parking lot at the dam. (10th Line sign is to the right at the intersection but hard to see.)

New Sign Recognition (unveiling) ceremony begins at 10:30 am. The new sign is a result of a co-operative effort between the Nature League and Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. Following the ceremony take part in an easy walk, led by an official of G.S.C.A., through the woods by the river and a nice chance to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace. Lunch by the river. There is a bench dedicated to Malcolm Kirk ( a long time NL member) overlooking the pond. The protection of Clendenan Woods next to the dam is, in large part, the result of “Mac's” efforts and his life's passion to preserve precious land. He is recognized in the new signage.

Leaders:Gary and Lois Cauthers : 705-466-2272; email: glauthers@rogers.com

Wednesday, October 6

OLD BALDY AND KEN YOUNG SIDE TRAIL

Meet at Trailhead
Start time: 10:30 a.m.

Directions: Take 6th Street to Osler Bluff Rd. Turn left and then right onto Grey Rd. 19. Go up the hill and cross over Grey Rd. 2, Continue on Sideroad 9, jog right then left at 10th line and continue on Sideroad 9 which eventually becomes 10 D .Continue to sideroad 7B, and turn right .Proceed to the corner and park on right at the entrance to the Ken Young Side Trail. This is a 1.5 km easy trail through open woodland, returning to our parked cars .We will then proceed to the parking lot for Old Baldy.

This is a moderately easy walk 3.5 km going uphill through woodlands to the lookout and spectacular views of the Beaver Valley .The downhill section is more of a challenge being very rocky. Bring lunch.

Leader: Marlene Esson: 705 445 5793
I will wait at Grey Rd. 2 and Side Rd 9 until 10.10 a.m. to convoy to trailhead for those who wish.

Wednesday, October 13

MINGAY TRACT – CREEMORE NATURE RESERVE

Meet at Trail Head
Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

Directions:Take Hwy # 124 to Duntroon. Turn left on Hwy 91 and continue along 91 for approx Turn Right onto Concession Road #6 & drive along Concession 6 for about 10 km. passing Side Rd. 15-16 intersection on the way until you reach the T – intersection at County Road #9.
Turn Right & drive 1/2 km. to Concession #6 on the Left ( road veers off suddenly to the left & up a steep hill). Proceed to the parking area. Room for approx. 8 cars

Terrain moderate with some hills. Distance 4 km

Leaders: Lois & Gary Cauthers; 705-466-2272 email; glcauthers@rogers.com

Wednesday, October 20

HOGGS FALLS

Meet at Trailhead
Start time: 09:45 a.m.

Directions: Take 6th Street and Turn left on Osler Bluff Road and right on Grey Road 19 Turn left onto Grey County Rd 2 (signs for Feversham) Turn right onto Grey County Rd 4 (signs for County Road 4) past Grey Road 13, Turn right onto E Back Line 900 m Turn right onto Lower Valley Rd and follow Hoggs Falls signs to parking lot on left.

4.8 km loop, hills, moderate Lunch by the falls.

Leader:Noella Rusk: Cell 705-816-6635

Wednesday, October 27

KOLAPORE UPLANDS

Meet in Parking Lot
Start time: 10:30 a.m.

Directions: Follow 6th St. west to Osler Bluff Rd. (Grey Rd. 19,) turn left, and then right when 19 goes up the hill, follow to Grey Rd. 2 and turn left. Proceed approx. 1.5 kms., to Kolapore north parking lot on the left.

Approx. 4 kms.,mainly level, some rocks. Interesting 2 km. walk through woodlands, ferns, wildflowers, picnic lunch optional at boardwalk over stream, return along same path.

Leader: Noella Rusk; Cell 705-816-6635

2021 Fall Nature Walks:

We meet at the trailhead for a 10:30 a.m. start.
Our walks are saunters in Nature, slowing our pace when interesting flora or fauna catch our attention. Bring cameras, apps or books for bird, tree or plant ID. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge of the environment.

Registration is not required. Bring masks in case there are areas where distancing may not be an option. Signing waivers is not required but check in with Migs Baker on arrival at the trailhead.

Questions- Migs Baker 705-445-4097     migsbak18@hotmail.com

Wednesday, September 15

HENS AND CHICKEN TRAIL COLLINGWOOD

From Collingwood take Hwy 26 west to the lights at Harbour St. Turn right and continue to the end where there is parking. From Thornbury take Hwy 26 to Harbour St. and turn left.

We will walk Hens and Chicken trail and Whites Bay trail both of which are flat with views of Georgian Bay and the marshes. Picnic lunch behind the Bear Estate.

Wednesday, September 29

CLENDENAN CONSERVATION AREA- CLARKSBURG

Take Hwy 26 west from Collingwood in the direction of Thornbury. Just before Thornbury turn left on Grey Rd 2 and then almost immediately turn right on Clark St. When you get to the stop sign in Clarksburg continue straight ahead over the bridge and go a short distance to 10th line. Turn left on 10th line and follow the road curving right at the bridge to the parking lot at the dam.

An easy walk in the woods and along the river. Bring a picnic lunch

Wednesday, October 6

ENCHANTED FOREST – ALPINE

Take the Scenic Caves road past Blue Mountains to Banks. Turn right at Banks and continue on that road until you come to a 90 degree turn. You will park along the road at this corner where we will begin our hike.

It is a beautiful walk through a forest and a vista when you arrive at the top of Alpine Ski Hills There is one short downhill and uphill again but most of the walk is on level ground.

Leader: Janet Peters 705-444- 6125    janet.peters33 @gmail.com

Wednesday, October 13

Castle Glen
Note change of location to Castle Glen

From Collingwood – Take 6th St. out of town to the stop sign at Osler Bluff Rd. Turn left. In 1km. turn right onto Grey 19. In 3km. turn right onto Osler Lane. At the stop sign turn right onto Northmount Cres. Stay on Northmount as it curves up the mountain. Just past #172 Northmount you will see the sign to Castleview Rd.
Turn right and continue to the end of the cul-de-sac to #123. There is parking in the circular driveway or in the cul-de-sac.
From Thornbury – take Grey 2 to Grey 19,Turn left onto Grey 19 and continue to Osler Lane and make a left turn. Continue as above.

Hiking boots and poles are recommended. We will walk back to the lake and up a slight incline to the castle ruins. And then continue along the trail on the top of the Escarpment.

Bring a picnic lunch.

Wednesday, October 20

BEAUTIFUL JOE PARK- MEAFORD

Take Highway 26 west to Meaford. As you enter the town turn left on Edwin St. Take Edwin St., as it curves left and then right. In half a km. #162 Edwin St. and the entrance to the park will be on your right.

We will be met by a member of the board of the park who will take us on an interpretive walk of the park. The path is all on flat ground and will take about an hour. We will then explore Big Head river where John Muir lived at Trout Hollow.

There is a pavilion at the park where we can have our picnic lunch.

If you haven’t already submitted Proof of Vaccination to Pat Purcell or Migs Baker please bring it with you.
If the event has to be cancelled due to the weather you will be notified.

Wednesday, October 27

HARBOURVIEW PARK

Take Birch St. north off First St. Parking in the boat ramp area. We will walk these waterfront trails enjoying the views of Georgian Bay, the Labyrinth, the boardwalk and marshes.

Optional lunch at the Beaver and the Bulldog.

We will continue walks into November weather and Covid permitting. Suggestions for walks and offers to lead are appreciated