Hike # 61 Pretty River to Castle Glen Estates


Pretty River to Castle Glen Estates



Today we parked our car at County Rd 19 and 2nd Line (space for 3 cars) and took an Uber to Pretty River Road where our previous hike left off. Our Uber ride cost about $17. The hike starts off easily with a nice walk through pine forests alongside Pretty River before a 2km climb up the escarpment towards the highest point of the Bruce Trail. After the 2 km climb the trail leveled off we enjoyed beautiful vistas of the valley and Nottawasaga Bay. There is a rocky section as you traverse the Osler Bluff. There is a Bruce Trail reroute before reaching 2nd line. After the reroute the trail heads west through the Petun Conservation Area.  Instead of following the Bruce Trail towards 3rd line, we walked up 2nd line cutting a few kms off the trail due to the extreme heat. I think I was suffering the effects of heat stroke (nausea and dizziness). Make sure to bring gallons of water and gatorade. Oh, and don't forget the bug spray! 





Pretty River (section north of Pretty River Road)










From this point the side trail heads east.



John Haigh Side Trail to the highest point of the Bruce Trail  (we skipped this today)


The destination of this short cut is displaced by a reroute.

View of the Nottawasaga bay valley (facing east)



This section of the Osler Bluff had many crevices and boulders.





Intersection with Bruce Trail reroute.

Reroute takes us north then west towards Petun Conservation Area.


While the trail is for hiking only we did encounter mountain bikers on the trail today. 








This road allowance did not appear on map 23


This side trail marks where the Bruce turns from north to west to traverse Petun Conservation Area.




There were several plaquards like this in the Petun Conservation Area.


The Black Ash Creek Side Trail leads to a parking lot off 2nd road

Continuing west to 2ns line.


View northward on 2nd line.



So true!  There is no access south of here in the winter.  We know from first hand experience!

Entrance to parking lot of 2nd line that is connected by the Black Ash Creek side trail.







Start         Pretty River Road 
Finish:      County Rd 19 and 2nd Line 
Time:                          3 hours
Distance:                   8.39 kms
Difficulty:                  Easy to moderate with a steady 2 km climb
Trail Use:                    Hiking Only               
Total kms hiked:       442.6 kms
Kms remaining:        469.3 kms


Points of Interest: Osprey Museum, Blue Mountain Village, Wasaga Beach

The Village at Blue Mountains

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