Hike #22: Artaban Road to Davidson Boulevard, Dundas



Artaban Road to Davidson Road, Dundas


Todays hike started at the Artaban Road parking lot ($11 parking for the day). We parked our second car on Davidson Boulevard in Dundas (free roadside parking). There are no facilities at either location; however, there are washrooms at the trail centre in Dundas Valley Conservation area. On our last hike (Dec 12th) we accidentally went past our terminus on Artaban road and continued along the Bruce for about a kilometre before turning around and heading back to our car. The first couple of pictures are from the Dec 12th hike. Conditions today were very icy, despite the mild temperatures. I definitely recommend being prepared with spikes and poles as conditions on the trail can differ greatly. 
 



About a kilometre from Artaban Parking, after a stone staircase climb up the escarpment, the Bruce Trail runs alongside Canterbury Falls. I've included pics from both our Dec 12th hike and Dec 22nd hike.

Canterbury Falls (photo taken on Dec 12th)


Canterbury Falls (photo taken Dec 22nd)


Forget the Throne of Swords!  Enjoy a seat in a much more forgiving the Throne of Wood!



Taking a break!





The Bruce Trail enters the Dundas Valley Conservation Area on the Heritage Trail and then follows the Main Loop. Many of the trails are multi-purpose and although we didn't see any today, we have seen equestrians using the trails on previous visits. 



The Dundas Valley is near the northern boundary of the Carolinian Life Zone. Many of the plants and animals found here are not found anywhere else in Canada. The Bruce Trail  in this section is abundant with pine trees, vines and rolling hills. 

 






Should you want to complete a circuit you can choose take the Artaban Road Side Trail (3.2 km loop) back to the parking lot. This side trail was formally the Bruce Trail hence our confusion/detour on our previous hike. The maps we printed from the Bruce Trail website (edition 30.0) still show the Artaban Side Trail as part of the Bruce Trail. The Bruce Trail actually is merged with the Canterbury Falls Side Trail.




Bridge over Hermitage Creek

Benches are placed at the top of many of the gentle climbs in the Dundas Conservation Area should you need a rest. 





There are a couple of Heritage Buildings in Dundas Conservation Area including Griffen House, The Hermitage and the Train Station. 



The Hermitage was the summer home of Irish born Scottish immigrant George Gordon Browne Leith. The ruins are all that remain after a fire in 1934.





Hermitage Ruins



Hermitage Ruins




Hermitage Ruins



Hermitage Ruins




Hermitage Ruins



Sulphur Creek


Below you can see a map of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The Bruce Trail joins the Main Loop in the Southeast corner and follows the Main Loop around to the Trail Centre on the Northern tip.




Crossing Hamilton/Brantford Railtrail





Equestrian Block

A Replica of a victorian train station is the Trail Centre for Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Here you will find washrooms and trail maps. 




Once you get to the Trail Centre, you will be continuing on the Bruce Trail which joins with McCormack Trail before reaching Governors Road. 



Section of McCormack Trail through copse of pines



Bridge over creek




Once you cross Governors Road you will continue east and then turn north alongside Valley Farm (open by appointment only). 






Valley Farm


Valley Farm

Valley Farm


Valley Farm


McCormack's Pond

Boardwalk, on McCormack Trail section of Bruce Trail


Hike #22

Date:                       Dec 22nd, 2021

Start:                       Artaban Parking Lot     

Finish:                     Davidson Boulevard

Distance:                8.8 km 

Time:                       2 hours 32 minutes

Difficulty:               Gentle Rolling Hills

Trail Use:                Multi-purpose (some sections hiking only)

Total kms hiked:     138.2 kms

Kms remaining:      773.7 kms


Points of Interest in the Area: I definitely think that The Dundas Conservation Area is one of the key points of interest in Dundas and it's a bonus that the Bruce Trail runs right through it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bruce Trail End to End #42 Forks of the Credit: Chinguacousy to McLaren Road

Image
  Chinguacousy, Cheltenham to McLaren Road, Forks of the Credit We started today's hike where we left off last time, parking our car on Chinguacousy. Initially we were going to park at our end destination on Highway 11 and Uber back to Chinguacousy; however, roadside parking was closed due to a bike race. As a result we continued through Forks of the Credit Provincial Park to McLaren road instead of looping back around to the #11 parking spot. From McLaren we called a cab service in Orangeville (Al's Yellow Cab) to transport us back to Chinguacousy ($22.70).  We tried Uber but no driver picked up the ride. There are restrooms along the Bruce Trail in Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. Roadside parking on Chinguacousy Road (northwest end) Trail Head at Chinguacousy Road At Chiguacousy Rd the trail continues northwest through the woods, passing through some low lying areas that look like great spots for breeding mosquitoes.   Looks like Thor dropped his hammer while ...
Read more

Hike #8: Rockway to Louth Conservation

Image
  Our trek today started at Rockway Community Centre. We parked our second car at the Staff Avenue Parking Lot (base of the Louth Conservation Area).  Both locations had free parking but no washroom facilities. There was limited parking at Staff Ave (12 cars) Rockway Side Trail We took the Rockway Side Trail to the Bruce Trail which leads towards the bottom of the Rockway Falls. When we got to the bridge we strayed from the Bruce Trail and headed south on the left side of the river to the base of the falls.  This is the only way to see the falls as you cannot see them from the top at the Rockway Community Centre or from the Bruce Trail. This involved a bit of a detour (about 500 metres each way) on an unmarked trail. Be cautious of falling rocks. Bridge at the base of the Gorge In order to get to the falls you will have to climb a couple of rock ledges.  Rock ledge on route to base of the Falls The second rock ledge is difficult to climb; however, there is a conceale...
Read more

Hike #59: Devil's Glen to Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Park

Image
  Hike #59 Devil's Glen to No 26/17 Nottawasaga Side Road Today we parked on No 26/27 Nottawasaga Side Road and took an Uber to our starting location at the Devil's Glen parking lot (spots for 10 cars). There is roadside parking on No 26/27 SR. We almost had to cancel our Uber as he attempted to approach via Concession 10 South, and 26/27 was not accessible from that direction without four wheel drive. Fortunately, he was the same Uber driver that we tipped very well the previous week so he found an alternate route to us. I suggest if you are taking an Uber from this spot that you walk approximately 1.5 Kms to Osprey Clearview Townline Road. This parking spot would not be accessible in winter; however, you would be able to access the trail from the Devil's Glen Parking Lot. There were no washroom facilities at either parking location. Devil's Glen Parking Lot From the parking lot, the trail continues along Highway 124 at the top of the Devil's Glen Ravine before ent...
Read more