Go Outdoors on Father's Day Weekend

Father’s Day is fast approaching and the nice weather has arrived. I have many great memories of getting outdoors with my Dad for a hike. I have compiled several locations close to Toronto that would be great to get the family out for a few hours or for the day.  

My Dad and I at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area 2009

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek has so much to offer, from hiking and biking trails and much more. The park is 684 hectares (1690 acres) in size. The park is divided by the Bronte Creek. The valley was carved by the water of melting glaciers approximately 14, 000 years ago. Water rushed towards Lake Ontario and cut through the shale of what is now the park, leaving the large valley and creek. There are 10 kilometers of trails, a nature centre, children’s barn, 1.8 acre pool, turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 144 campsites.

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/bron.html

http://www.brontecreek.org/



Spruce Lane Farm



Fields in Bronte Creek

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

I have been visiting Crawford Lake since I was 16 years old and have explored most of the property. With over 16 kilometers of hiking trails, great place to get outside. Don’t forget to check out the 15-century Iroquoian village that has been reconstructed and the lookouts on the Nassagaweya Canyon.

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1083





Crawford Lake



Long House at Crawford Lake Conservation Area



Stockade around the Village

Lookout on the Stockade

Mountsberg Conservation Area

This is a great place to hike and check out the Raptor Centre. With 16 kilometers of hiking trails, visitors centre and Mountsberg Reservoir there is something to do for everyone. The Raptor Centre is home to many species of raptor such as bald eagle, owl, turkey vulture and hawks.

www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1088

www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1455




Mountsberg Conservation Area - Raptor Centre



Bald Eagle at the Raptor Centre - Mountsberg

Owl at the Raptor Centre

Great trails to walk at Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Reservoir

Waterfalls in Hamilton Ontario

In the Hamilton-Burlington area there are over 100 waterfalls that plunge over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. I have visited many of the waterfalls and they are worth the visit.

www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca/

www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/




Albion Falls, Hamilton Ontario



Albion Falls, Hamilton Ontario

Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Conservation Area is a unique place to explore the outdoors. With over 472 hectares of space to explore, hike and enjoy, it is a great place to go for the day.

The top things to do when visiting Mountsberg are the Raptor Center, great hiking trails and the diverse assortment of waterfowl attracted to the reservoir.

The Raptor Center is home to over 15 species of raptors native to the area. Some of the resident birds of prey are injured and could not survive on their own in the wild. Many special projects are planned and run from the Raptor Center. From the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Project to Adopt-A-Raptor, many things are happening at Mountsberg.

Mountsberg Reservoir



Great signage at the Raptor Centre



Bald Eagle



Fantastic trails and beautiful scenery

About Outdoor Adventurers

Welcome.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce my new blog entitled Outdoor Adventurers. This blog will focus on many different things, mainly outdoor activities, places and things to do. My interest in hiking and camping will play a large role in defining what Outdoor Adventurers will become. I hope to provide interesting stories, great commentary and cool photographs of some of the places and things I will share within the blogosphere.

 

What usually happens with most people writing a blog, is they start with one idea and it turns into something completely different. I expect that will happen with Outdoor Adventurers too. I will plan for mostly organic growth and guide it towards a place that readers will want to stop in and check out on a regular basis.

 
Like any great adventure it starts with an idea and the first step. I would like to leave you with two fitting quotes. 

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller 1880-1968

"We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character”  Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

Exploring Mountsberg Conservation Area - Outdoor Adventurers!