Hike 67: Duncan Crevice Caves to Old Baldy Conservation Area




Duncan Crevice Caves to Old Baldy Conservation Area

Today, after leaving our bike locked up at the parking lot of Old Baldy Conservation Area (parking for 15 cars) we began our hike on 9th Sideroad, north of of the Duncan Crevice Caves and east of the town of Duncan.  The trail followed 9th Sideroad west then turned right on to the Blue Mountains - Euphrasia Townline to continue north just passed Fox Ridge Rd.  From here the trail turned left (west) into the woods through the Eberhard Leistner Nature Reserve passing through forests interspersed with meadows.  The terrain undulates quite a bit here (climbs and descents).  Snaking towards the west, the trail eventually turns south to intersect Fox Ridge Rd, then heads west for 1.4 kms towards roadside parking at the end of of Fox Ridge Rd (5 cars).  From here the trail turns south on a road allowance to enter the foothills of the escarpment through a split in the rock face.

Parking lot at Duncan Crevice Caves on 9th Sideroad



View westward down 9th Sideroad from parking lot.





Historic plaque about Duncan at Sideroad 10D where 9th Sideroad intersects with Blue Mountains - Euphrasia Townline


View northward on Blue Mountain - Euphrasia Townline


Some unusually mounted mailboxes




Where the trail turns to enter the EL Nature Reserve
=
Entering Eberhard Leister Nature Reserve


Passing through meadows

Ruins of an old farm house?








Several of the meadows in the Nature Reserve offered a view of the surrounding area





An assent southward back into the woods

















View of farmers field from trail (heading south towards Fox Ridge Rd).




View westward down Fox Ridge Road





View of escarpment (south) from Fox Ridge Rd.

Terminus of Fox Ridge Road (roadside parking for 5 cars - do not block driveways!)

Following a road allowance south, the trail ascends steeply to the top of the escarpment.  There were excellent views of rock formations here.  The trail continues along the top of the escarpment, offering some views of the surrounding areas, heading southward. The trail descends to the base of the escarpment then turns left (east) to climb quickly through a natural split in the rock face.  It then proceeds south towards McCluskey's Rock where a bench, sign and spectacular views of the Beaver Valley await hikers.

Road allowance heading south.

Trail entering woods at end of road allowance (sharp left term)



Mixed birch and maple forrest.


Cedar forrest.







Trail descending

And descending some more!



Lots o' large ferns in this section of the trail at the base of the escarpment.


Trail ascending sharply through a natural pass (rock split).



Sign at McCluskey's Rock


View west of Beaver Valley.

The trail continues south along the top of the escarpment, passing the Ken Young Side Trail.  Continuing south, the trail spill out onto Sideroad 7B.  Continuing south, the trail continues on a road towards the parking lot at Old Baldy Conservation Area (parking for 15 cars).  Note: there is a re-route here.  Out Ed 30.0 map indicates that the trial should continue down Sideroad 7B to Grey Road 13, but that is not the case.  The trail now continues directly through Old Baldy Conservation Area, exiting via Sideroad 4B (as described in our next blog...).




Picnic Spot


















Heading west down Sideroad 7B




Parking at Old Baldy (as of June 2026, was $11.30 for the day)

Peter getting ready to bike the 7kms to our car at Duncan Caves

Interesting flora and fungi


Date: June 13, 2026
Time:   3 hours, 5 minutes
Distance:  10.8 kms 
Elevation Gain: 310 m
Difficulty:  Moderate, rolling hills, gentle climbs, gravel path and rocky trail, meadows
Trail Use:    Hiking Only               
Total Bruce Trail kms hiked: 493.8 kms
Total Bruce Trail kms remaining: 418.1 kms

Points of Interest: Flesherton Bakery




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hike #60: Nottawasaga Lookout to Pretty River Valey

Image
  Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve to Pretty River Valley Provincial Park Today we left a bike (in case we couldn't get an Uber) at the head of the Pretty River Access Trail on Pretty River Road (roadside parking   for 5 cars). There was no signal to call for an Uber so we traveled another kilometre east down the road to park our car at  Snowdrifters Parking Area  (20 cars).  At Snowdrifters Parking Area we had enough of a signal to request an Uber which took us to 26/27 Sideroad Nottawasaga   where the Bruce Trail enters the southern boundary of the Nottawasaga Lookout PNR (roadside parking for 5 cars).   Note that 26/27 Sideroad is only accessible by car from the west.  Most of the road from Concession 10 North towards Clearview Townline road requires a serious off road vehicle (e.g., ATV or monster truck).  From 26/27 Sideroad the trail heads north through the Notawasaga Lookout PNR, curving westwards towards the intersec...
Read more

Hike # 61 Pretty River to Castle Glen Estates

Image
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 spra...
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