Hike #47: Hockley Road Parking to Dunby Road, Mono

 

Hike #47 Hockley Road to Dunby Road, Mono


After being unable to find a ride on previous hikes we've officially given up on the Uber/Taxing back to our starting location. The downside is that we're back to driving two cars, upside is that we can bring our Papillon Chloe with us. We might revisit 'ubering' (yes I just used uber as verb) once we get into more populated areas. We left one car at todays terminus on Dunby Road (parking for 6 cars) and the other Hockley Road Parking (spots for 100 cars). There are no facilities on this stretch of the trail; however, the Black Birch Restaurant is across the road from the parking lot and a great option for a nice lunch. 



Black Birch Restaurant, as viewed from the parking lot


After a short 250 metre walk along the road (via Hockley Road Side Trail), we arrived at the junction for the Bruce Trail. 


Hockley Road/Bruce Trail Junction


As the Bruce Trail turns into the woods, the trail continues up a short staircase. Due to the gentle rolling hills, switchbacks and plateau sections, in general, todays hike was relatively easy. We were thankful for this after the intense ups and downs we encountered on our previous hike. 


As the trail curled around to the north we looked back and could see our car parked at Hockley Road Parking lot as well as the Hockley Valley Ski resort in the distance. 

View of Hockley Road Parking lot from the trail


Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Preserve has several options for looping side trails connected with the Bruce. This makes for a great option if you are hiking in and out as opposed to doing a continuous section of the Bruce Trail. The first looping trail that we came across is the Tom East Side Trail which forms a 4.5 km loop with the Bruce.






Bright Orange Fungi

Another one for the road (and the blog)! We still continue to be amazed at the abandoned vehicles nestled deep in the woods. This one appears to be a late 30's or 40's vehicle, possibly a Buick with a straight 8 model engine.


Recent high winds have left a lot of downed trees and debris on the trail. This is something to keep in mind during off seasoned hiking as trails are not maintained during the winter. This was a relatively minor obstacle. Some of the others required a bit more care navigating. Unfortunately I didn't snap a picture of the major trail blockage.






Tom East Side Trail rejoins the Bruce Trail


After a gentle descent on a well groomed trail we reached a tributary of the Nottawasaga River. We followed alongside the winding river for about a kilometre. The river and trail criss cross a couple of times facilitated by a series of three wooden bridges.

Tributary to the Nottawasaga River


Bridge #1

Bridge #1




Tributary of Nottawasaga River



Bridge #2

Bridges #2 and 3


After the 3rd bridge, the Bruce Trail continues away from the river and out of the valley as it ascends the escarpment by way of a staircase and switchback. 



After reaching the top of the ridge the trail turns back on itself and descends through a valley crossing on another wooden bridge. The trail continues to ascend up to the top on the opposite side of the valley. 







The Isabel East Side Trail links to the Glen Cross Side Trail forming a 4km loop with the Bruce Trail. 




River crossing at the bottom of a ravine



At this point the Glen Cross Side Trail rejoins the Bruce Trail. The Glen Cross Side Trail leads to a small parking lot on Mono 3rd Line before intercepting Isabel Side Trail completing a 4km loop with the Bruce.




Cam Snell Side Trail (2.6 km loop)

Cam Snell Side Trail rejoins the Bruce Trail








After a brief stretch through a pine forests, the Bruce Trail opens into a meadow.  This section of the Bruce runs along a plateau at the ridge of the escarpment.



We walked through the meadow where the Bruce Trail Conservancy reforestation project is underway planting trees. There are also several bird boxes to provide protected space for nesting birds.

Pastel Bird Boxes



Dunby Road Parking






Hike #47

Date:                           January 1st, 2023
Start:                           Hockley Rd Parking
Finish:                         Dunby Rd
Time:                           2 hours 23 minutes
Distance:                    10.64 kms 
Difficulty:                   Easy: rolling hills, some inclines and switchbacks
Trail Use:                    Hiking Only               
Total kms hiked:       323.4
Kms remaining:        588.5


Points of Interest in the Area: Black Birch Restaurant (adjacent to the Bruce Trail parking lot on Hockley Road),  Hockley Valley Ski Resort, Avalon Lavender Farm, Mono Centre Brewing



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