Hike #66 Kolapore Uplands to Duncan Crevice Caves






Hike #66 Kolapore Uplands to Duncan Crevice Caves


Today, after leaving a bike locked up at Duncan Crevice Caves on Side Road 9, we began our hike on Regional Road 2, north of Kolapore. The Kolapore parking lot has ample space and a portable toilet. We took the most obvious trail leading out of the parking lot without paying attention as to whether it was the direction we were meant to be heading. It wasn't. The trail we took lead us 200 m in the wrong direction towards the Kolapore nordic ski trails. Fortunately, we realized our error early on and turned around to walk the 650 m on the road heading North from the parking to the trail head. 

Skier's parking on Grey Road 2 (30 cars)

Parking Lot Porta-Potty

Posing for a selfie at the trail in the parking lot heading in the wrong direction



From Grey Road 2 the trail skirts a horse farm then treks through several different types of forests in an easterly direction.  The forests are broken up by small meadows and open tracts.  The trail crosses Mitchell's Hill and then turns sharply south at the entrance of the Chuck Grant Side Trail to head towards Metcalfe Rock.  

We decided to take the Metcalfe Crevice Side Trail which forms a loop with the main trail.  Despite it being a very warm day, the air was chilly in the Crevice.  Indeed, there was a perpetual mist in the lower areas of the crevice and several caves had ice on their walls!  A natural refrigerator!

Stile to enter horse fields

Entering the Bruce off Regional Road 2, about 650 m from the parking lot



Read the comical message on the cattle barrier...

Cedar forest

The last of the trilliums




Jack in the Pulpit

Did I find my prince? I'm not kissing him to find out!





Lots of wild forget-me-nots in bloom (I'm no botanist!)

We turned south here to follow the main trail.




Stunning views of the Mill Creek Valley from Metcalfe Rock.

Summit of Metcalfe Rock




We opted to take the 300 m Metcalfe Crevice Side trail that parallels the Bruce Trail. The Metcalfe Crevice Side trail plummets down to the famous "Ice Cave," where humid cave air creates patches of mud-covered ice even in the 30 degree summer weather. I highly recommend this detour.  Be careful, the rocks are damp, moss-covered, and can be very slippery. Hiking boots are a must!
 




Peter standing in front of the famous "Ice Cave"

Ice Cave (note the ice on the walls)






End of Metcalfe Crevice Side Trail

From the Metcalfe Crevice Side trail, the Bruce trail heads east, crossing 10th Line, then descends through the Mill Creek Valley.  Once the creek was forded, the trail climbed back up to enter the Duncan Crevice Caves Provincial Nature Reserve.

Ford at the bottom of Metcalfe Rock

Fire Pit and possible camp spot?  Located just past bridge in previous photo.


Trail crossing 10 Line.

10th Line (view southward)

Trail skirting another farmer's field before entering the woods again.

Bride fording a tributary of Mill Creek




This bridge was very impressive in construction and lenght!


View of farmer's fields through the woods.

Silkworms





After crossing the bridge, switchbacks take you to the top of the valley, past a waterfall to Pinnacle Rock.  From there the trail turns north to exit the nature reserve at 9th Sideroad.

Chipmunk.  Many were out today!

Waterfall in Pinnacle Rock within the Duncan Crevice Caves Nature Reserve

Pinnacle Rock

Pinnacle Rock

This side trail leads to roadside parking on Townline Road

This was the first time we saw helpful signs such as this one indicating how far we had to go to key points on the trail (excluding the signs that mark out side trails)...

Yellow Lady Slipper, a protected orchid.

View of the lands surrounding the Duncan Crevice Caves Reserve from the trail.


More things that shouldn't be on the Bruce Trail

This is where the trail meets up with the Chuck Grant Side Trial again.


Small lot on Side Road 9 (5 cars)

Overall, this section of the Bruce through Duncan Crevice Caves, with its stunning summit views and deep cool crevices will likely remain one of our most memorable hikes.  

Bike locked at todays terminus

At the end of our hike, Peter embarked on the 7km bike back to the Kolapore parking lot to retrieve our car. The ride included steep inclines on gravel and paved roads. 




Date:    June 5th, 2026
Start:    Kolapore Uplands

Finish:  Duncan Crevice Caves

Time:   3 hours, 31 minutes
Distance:  10.6 kms 
Elevation Gain: 291 m
Difficulty:  Moderate, rolling hills, gentle climbs, gravel path and rocky trail, meadows
Trail Use:    Hiking Only               
Total Bruce Trail kms hiked: 483.6 kms
Total Bruce Trail kms remaining: 428.3 kms

Points of Interest:  The Utopia Market in Feversham 







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