Bruce Trail End to End #40: 8th Line to Heritage Road, Terra Cotta

 

Hike #40: 8th line to Heritage Road, Terra Cotta

We parked our car on Heritage road and hitched a ride with my parents to our starting point on 8th line. There are no facilities at either location; however, there are facilities in Terra Cotta Conservation Area. A detour from the trail is required to access them. 


The first set of pictures were taken during our journey through Silver Creek Conservation Area at the base of the escarpment. This sections has numerous side trails, boardwalks and bridges. 






We passed the Bennett Heritage Side Trail on our previous hike through Scotsdale Farm Area.  The 9.3 km loop rejoins the Bruce Trail in Silver Creek. 







After crossing a series of bridges, the Bruce Trail begins a steady ascent to the top of the escarpment.



About 3 kms from 8th Line there is another roadside parking access on Fallbrook Trail Road.




The Robert Side Trail crosses a wide boardwalk around the edges of a shallow pond. The boardwalk protects the habitat of the endangered Jefferson Salamander.


The Irwin Quarry Side Trail forms a 1.2 km loop with the Bruce Trail and descends below the Escarpment before climbing steps to rejoin the Bruce. 



In addition to bridges and boardwalks, the Bruce Trail through Silver Creek and Terra Cotta has quite a few moderate ups and downs. Combined with the rocky terrain, this leg of the Bruce is a bit more difficult than the easy flat sections we've traversed lately.





Lookout over Silver Creek Valley



Robert Side Trail Rejoins the Bruce






Meadow in Silver Creek Valley

In the distance the you can see the escarpment ridge where we just descended from. 




After a short stretch along Tenth Line we reenter the woods into Terra Cotta Conservation Area.





While we didn't take the Walking Fern Side Trail, we did see some walking ferns while hiking the Bruce Trail. 

Walking Fern





As we entered Terra Cotta Conservation Area we could clearly see where the conservation area and small town of Terra Cotta gets its name. It's here where we see the first glimpse of red soil (due to iron oxide).




Tributary of Rogers Creek




Surprisingly the mosquitoes weren't too bad even in areas with standing water. We brought the bug spray but left it in the pack.  


The Bruce Trail follows the Escarpment Trail along the southwest perimeter of Terra Cotta Conservation Area.



In Terra Cotta Conservation area there is a Bruce Trail overnight rest area. Fires are not permitted here and there are no facilities. 




Bruce Trail Rest Stop


As you exit Terra Cotta, you enter one of the Peel Board of Educations Field Centres. 


chipmunk posing for a pic





Be careful when crossing Winston Churchill as the traffic is quite busy. From here it is about 2 kms to the roadside parking on Heritage Road.





We passed through a brief section of pine forest with an ethereal quality and ground so white it looked like snow. 






The roadside parking on Heritage Road was about 200 metres south from were we emerged from the trail. The continuation of the Bruce Trail northbound is at the roadside parking. 












Hike #40
Date:                            August 18th, 2022
Start:                            8th Line (at 27 Sideroad)
Finish:                          Heritage Road 
Time:                           3 hours 17 minutes
Distance:                    12.82 kms
Difficulty:                   Moderate
Trail Use:                    Hiking                 
Total kms hiked:       249.6 kms
Kms remaining:        662.3 kms

Point of Interest in the area: Pop into the Terra Cotta Inn and enjoy lunch or dinner on their beautiful patio overlooking the Credit River. The grounds are spectacular! Reservations are recommended. 


Grounds at Terra Cotta Inn



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