Hike #71: Grey Road 30 to Side Road 13A (Beaver Valley)

Grey Road 30 to Side Road 13A (Beaver Valley)

Today we got up at the crack of dawn and Leslie from Rocklyn Inn Bed and Breakfast  accompanied us to Bruce Trail Parking at Side Road 13A to drop off our car and then shuttled us to our starting location at Grey Road 30. We opted to skip breakfast in order to get to the trail and complete our hike before the pending storm. 



Our hike started with a short walk west along Grey Road 30 before turning north into the woods. 


After hopping the guardrail, going through the ditch and over a style we are met with a grassy trail before entering into denser forests. Mosquitoes were out in full force. Wish we had remembered to pick up some bug spray...we just ran out!

From Grey Rd 30, the trail heads due north through Bowels Hill (Beavery Valley Ski Club area) and then the Wodehouse Karst before intersecting with Sideroad 7A.  This section of the trail includes many steep climbs and descents through the ski club lands.


View of ditch and stile on north side of Grey Rd 30.





We were up early enough in the morning to see the sun rising above the escarpement.










Entering the Beaver Valley Ski Club area







The Bruce Trail crosses and climbs ski slopes at The Beaver Valley Ski Club. Note that this section of the Bruce Trail is closed from Nov 1st to May 1st. 






One of many climbs in this area!









Not sure who came up with the name for these ski trails but I feel like there's a story behind the Exhibition involving an Eager Beaver in Andy's Playground as they reach Paradise before a quick snack at The Keg. 






One of many trails that cross perpendicular to the ski runs

Beautiful view of Beaver Valley from the west heights



After crossing the Beaver Valley ski area, the trail continues north through the Wodehouse Karst.

What is a Karst you ask?  Well its a landscape of soft rock that has been etched, scoured, and shaped by the action of water.  This often leads to sink holes, vertical shafts, fissures, underwater caves and steams, etc.









This is in the middle of the Wodehouse Karst lands.



This trail is at the northern edge of the Wodehouse Karst lands.


This side trail is not listed on our Ed 30 BTC map...






Crossing at Sideroad 7A

The trail follows Sideroad 7A up the escarpment for a short stint, and crosses through a parking lot associated with the former Talisman Ski Resort, before continuing north.  This section of the trail hugs the edge of the escarpment and included several descents and ascents.  There were many rock face views along this section.  The trail continues north through the Wodehouse Creek Management Area and the southern half of the Herman McConnel Memorial Forest before hitting our destination at Sideroad 13A (road side parking for 8 cars).


View northward up Sideroad 7A, which turns west at the top.


Edge of parking lot at top of Sideroad 7A.  Parking for 20 cars.


More views of Beaver Valley from the western side of the valley.


Trail continuing north through the abandoned Talisman Ski Resort.






Trail quickly descending the escarpment (former Talisman Ski lands)




Abandoned ski lift chair lost in the woods.




View from bottom of escarpment




One of many rock faces visible in this section.




















Fish eye view of roadside parking at the end of Sideroad 13A (20 cars)


Roadside parking affording a view of Beaver Valley (from the west).





Date: August 12th, 2026
 Start:   Grey Road 30

Finish: Bruce Trail Parking at Side Road 13A

Time:   3:11:59
Distance:  10.66 kms
Elevation Gain: 499 m
Difficulty:  Moderate (rolling hills, steep climbs, gravel paths, rocky trail)
Trail Use:  Hiking/Biking (on some sections of the trail as marked)       
Total Bruce Trail kms hiked: 539.8 kms
Total Bruce Trail kms remaining: 372.1 kms


Points of Interest in the Area: Beaver Valley Ski Club , Rocklyn Inn Bed and Breakfast 

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