Hike #12: Mountainview, Beamsville to Grimsby Lions Pool

Hike #12: Mountainview Rd, Beamsville to Grimsby Lions Pool

Today we embarked on our final hike of the Niagara section of the Bruce Trail. We started at Mountainview Conservation Area (free parking) and ended on Elm Street at the Grimsby Lions Community Pool (free parking and portable toilets).

Our dog Chloë came along for the hike today

From the Mountainview Conservation Area parking lot, the trail enters a mixed forest (consisting of cedars, pines and deciduous trees) then climbs to the top of the escarpment.

Chloe looking for trolls hiding under the bridge.

In the Mountainview Conservation Area we crossed a small creek adorned with majestic pines.

A lean-to we found amongst the pines - not the first, nor the last.

In this area, there are a couple of side trails that loop and rejoin the Bruce Trail. This would be a great spot to explore at a later date.

Parts of the trail went quite close to the edge of a steep ravine. Watch your step as muddy conditions can make the terrain quite slippery.

One of the many of varieties of mushrooms we saw on this leg of the journey. The warm fall temps and ample rain provided the ideal conditions for mycologists to study fungi.

It was a pleasant stroll along Walkers Road past an organic farm with self serve tomato plants and garlic. This is not a heavily trafficked road.

If you're feeling sore after a long hike how about taking a soak in this hot tub at 9 Acres Organic Farm on the Walker Rd section of the trail.

9 Acres Farm

The trail follows Walker Rd for almost 1km, then enters the forest again just before Thirty Rd. From here, the trail descends slightly and crosses Thirty Mile Creek at a waterfall.

Educational placard placed at the top of the falls at Thirty Mile Creek.

Thirty Mile Creek

A view down the falls at Thirty Mile Creek

The falls at Thirty Mile Creek

Some more fungi encountered on the trail today.

We saw several active squirrels foraging for nuts and a baby chipmunk hiding out in a tree stump.

A young chipmunk we encountered on the trail.

Park road would make a good place to stop if you don't want to continue all the way to Elm Street. It's about 6kms from Mountainview Rd in Beamsville. Keep in mind there is no designated parking at this point. This is a very short section on a busy road. Head up Park Rd (south) turning right on Ridge Rd (west) and you immediately re-enter the woods.

Advertisement for a pick your own apples farm on Russ Road. We plan to check it out next weekend.

Nearby Apple Farm

This portion of the trail passes close to private property. The planks were necessary to stay dry in this low-lying section of the trail.

After "walking the plank" the trail briefly opens onto a landscaped backyard. It continues for another 50 meters, then reenters the woods. Here the trail takes you up and down several wooded hills and passed a forest pond.

Interesting Fungi

This pond was likely the source of all the blood sucking mosquitoes. I'm generally not bothered by these vampiric pests but today I might have considered using Deet.

Forest Pond

The trail will take a sharp turn left (south) to pass between two homes before exiting onto Ridge Rd. The trail follows Ridge Rd westward before turning north on Russ Rd. This 600 m stretch on the road is quite busy and has a narrow shoulder. Make sure to walk facing traffic. The trail continues on private property (essentially someone's driveway) and then delves back into the woods.

The trail runs between two residences before exiting onto Ridge Rd.

A portion of the trail running through private property before exiting onto Ridge Rd.

The trail continues through the woods, skirting the base of the escarpment. There are many rock formations and boulders to see here. The trail does have some climbs and descents and crosses a ravine or two. Along the way we observed a strange 2" long insect. Any ideas what this giant hornet like insect is? Post in the comments if you know!

Hornet or Wasp???

Pedestrian bridge crossing one of the ravines in the woods between Russ Rd and Mountain Rd, Grimsby.

Another ravine, another stoney creek on the trail between Russ Rd and Mountain Rd, Grimsby.

Again, the trail through this section crosses a few ravines, some boasting running water. The trail will turn left (south) to climb half-way up the escarpment, exiting at the side of Mountain Rd., Grimsby. This road has many sharp bends and is quite busy. You must cross the road to reenter the woods on the opposite side, where the trail begins its steady descent to the base of of the escarpment - exiting at Mountain Rd.

Another ravine, another pedestrian bridge, another wonderful view of the escarpment and the surrounding woods.

The Bruce Trail map indicated that we were to walk down Mountain Rd. (north) then turn left (west) onto Gibson and take the pedestrian bridge across Forty Mile Creek; however, due to the bridge being closed, the trail actually continues for one more block on Mountain Rd before turning left (west) onto Elm Street. Fortunately there was no Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy didn't make an appearance!

The Niagara section of the Bruce Trail ends on Elm Street at the Grimsby Lions Community Pool. This section of the trail brings you to the base of the escarpment and right into downtown Grimsby. It is a short walk to the downtown where you will find shops, restaurants, and cafés.