Exploring Mono Township - Mono Ontario

Each weekend Margaret and I decide to explore a new area of Ontario. This particular weekend it was Mono Township. Located about 40 minutes north of Mississauga and Brampton, you will find yourself in the middle of the Hills and Headwaters area of southern Ontario.

Bruce Trail running through Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Dog prints in the snow

There are many areas the see and explore while in Mono. There are great hiking trails at the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park and the Bruce Trail runs through the park. If you want to go for a leisurely drive and explore the local area, you will be surprised by the beautiful scenery.

Interesting shot between two birch trees

Margaret on the Bruce Trail at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Ontario hardwood forest in the winter

 A little to the south of Mono Centre, is the Hockley Valley. Very picturesque and really worth the drive in all four seasons.


We continued further north and checked out Boyne Valley Provincial Park. The area has fantastic topography and many hiking trails to explore. Along the way, stop at Ponton Mills. The remains of an old grist mill stands along the Boyne River. It was built in this location in 1896 by George H. Shepherd and operated until the early 1900s.

Ponton Mills

Curvy turns and rolling topography

Check out these other sites for more information:

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/carriage-trail---mono-cliffs-provincial-par

http://www.torontohiking.com/tohi/boyne-river-provincial-park.html

http://brucetrail.org/

Coordinates:

UTM 17N  574808 E  4874147 N

Conservation Halton Parks - Halton Region Ontario

Since I was the age of 13, I have hiked and enjoyed Conservation Halton parks.  They offer many outdoor activities such as, boating, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and so much more. The best part is they are located just a short distance from major population centers.

Conservation Halton owns and operates six conservation areas, including Crawford Lake, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mount Nemo.

Mount Nemo from Rattlesnake Point

Crawford Lake Conservation Area – 468 hectare park that has a meromictic lake and a 15^th century reconstructed Iroquoian village. My favourite hiking trail is the Woodland and Nassagaweya Trail.

Reconstructed Iroquoian Village

Crawford Lake 

Mountsberg Conservation and Wildlife Center – 472 hectare park with over 16 kilometers of nature trails, a 202 hectare water control reservoir and home to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre. My favourite hiking trail is the Lakeshore Lookout Trail and visiting the various birds of prey at the Raptor Centre.

Mountsberg Reservoir

Owl at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre

Kelso Conservation Area – 980 acre park that includes a dam and reservoir that offers swimming and boating. It has over 16 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. My favourite hiking trail is the Escarpment Trail.

Kelso Conservation Area Lookout

Kelso Escarpment Trail

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area – 727 acre park that showcases the Niagara Escarpment sheer cliffs, crevices, caves to name a few.  My favourite hiking trails are the Vista Adventure Trail and the Buffalo Crag Trail. 

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

Hilton Falls Conservation Area – 1592 acre park that has 33.5 kilometers of incredible hiking and biking trails. A trip to Hilton Falls is very worthwhile. My favourite hiking trails are the Red Oak Trail and Beaver Dam Trails.

Hilton Falls

Limestone outcrop at Hilton Falls

Mount Nemo Conservation Area – is a great location to explore the edge of the Niagara Escarpment for lookouts and the natural limestone ecosystems. My favourite hiking trail is North Loop Trail. Don’t forget to visit Brock Harris Lookout.

Brock Harris Lookout - Mount Nemo

Margaret beside Crawford Lake

The next time you are trying to decide where to go for outdoor activities, visit one of these great locations.

Some great resources check out:

www.escarpmentfund.ca

www.escarpment.org

www.brucetrail.org

Hogg's Falls - Grey County Ontario

Several weekends ago, we stumbled upon a spot called Hogg's Falls. It is located at the extreme south end of the Beaver Valley in Grey County near Flesherton, Ontario. The falls is about 7 metres high and is part of the Boyne River system.

Hogg's Falls Trail

Hardwood forest

The falls was named after William Hogg. This is the same family related to Toronto's Hogg's Hollow.

Boyne River

Wild flowers near river

Trail leading to Hogg's Falls

Hogg's Falls

The brink of Hogg's Falls

Great location to hike and just enjoy the outdoors. Some other falls to check out in the vicinity would be Eugenia Falls, Indian Falls and Inglis Falls.

Another resource if you are planning a trip to Grey County, Ontario is www.visitgrey.ca

Location Coordinates:  UTM  17N   536539 E   4904036 N

Ontario Summer Trips

Summer in Ontario is not complete without planning a trip to a cottage, provincial park or just visiting a town or city somewhere in our vast Province. I have assembled a list of three different destinations that are great experiences that I have personally enjoyed and would recommend as a Summer Trip.

Evening at Port Burwell Provincial Park Beach

I have broken down my three recommended destinations into Day Trip, Weekend Trip and Week-long Trip.  All of the listed destinations offer many different activities that can be enjoyed individually or as a family.

Day Trip

Port Burwell, Ontario

Port Burwell was originally surveyed in 1830 by Lieutenant-Colonel Mahlon Burwell, a surveyor for Colonel Thomas Talbot. Situated at the mouth of Big Otter Creek on the north shore of Lake Erie, it has over 1000 residents. Like many of the Ports along Lake Erie, it is known for its fresh perch and pickerel. 

It is also home to one of Canada’s oldest wooden Lighthouse. Standing 20m (65ft) in height visitors can climb to the top.

Port Burwell Lighthouse

Port Burwell

Monument to Fisherman lost on Lake Erie

Port Burwell Provincial Park

The park has 232 campsites, great trails for hiking and many other activities. I think it has one of the best beaches in Ontario. I love camping here or just visiting for the day.

Beautiful day at the Port Burwell beach

Location Coordinates:  42° 38′ 48″ N, 80° 48′ 10″ W    UTM  17N  516167 E   4721598 N

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.elgintourist.com/Tourism/Port-Burwell

www.ontarioparks.com/english/portb.html

Weekend Trip

Algonquin Provincial Park

 

Algonquin Provincial Park holds the title of being the oldest provincial park in Canada. It was established in 1893. Encompassing about 7653 square kilometres, it is bigger than the state of Delaware or Prince Edward Island. Over 2,400 lakes and thousands of kilometres of rivers and streams are located within the park boundaries.



Algonquin Provincial Park Plaque



There are many places in Algonquin that are fantastic to visit - two of my favourite are the Lookout Trail and Whiskey Rapids. The view from Lookout Trail granite outcropping is breath taking and really worth the hike. Whiskey Rapids are worth exploring for the sheer beauty of the surroundings. Once you visit Algonquin Park you will be planning another trip soon.

Barron River Canyon in Algonquin





Canoeing on the Barron River

 

Whiskey Rapids in western Algonquin Park

Location Coordinates:   West Gate  45° 26’ 34.16” N   78° 49’ 14.98” W   

                                      UTM  17N  670416.12 E   5034464.80 N

Check out these links for more information:

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

www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Week-long Trip

Killarney Provincial Park

Once you arrive at Killarney Provincial Park you are surrounded by what makes Ontario one of the best places to live - beautiful lakes, Georgian Bay and the La Cloche mountain range.  There are only a few places on earth that have taken my breath away. Killarney is one of them. I think I waited too long to finally make the trip.  It was really worth it.



The natural beauty of Killarney





Great trails to explore





Aspen and Birch forests





La Cloche Mountain Range with white quartzite





Canoeing in Georgian Bay





Pink granite dominates the shore





Large eastern white pine



Location Coordinates:   46° 5′ 0″ N    81° 20′ 0″ W     UTM 17N  474228 E  5103360 N

Check out these links for more information:

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

http://friendsofkillarneypark.ca/joomla/

Kelso Conservation Area - Milton Ontario



Limestone Edge - Kelso Conservation Area

Stretching over 3.97 square kilometers, Kelso Conservation Area is a great place to explore anytime. If you are looking for a place to cool off during the summer, check out Kelso Lake with its sandy beach or bring the canoe, kayak or dingy.



Kelso Lake Beach

The property was sold to Conservation Halton in 1961. Kelso Lake helps provide flood control for the Sixteen Mile Creek and makes sure the town of Milton Ontario remains dry. The water control dam was built several years after the purchase for $325,000.



Eastern White Pine



Turkey Vulture riding on the breeze

Kelso has over 22 kilometers of marked trails that travel through meadows and forest nestled along the Niagara Escarpment. There are hiking trails with ranging from easy to extreme difficulty.




Trail Markers



Margaret at the Escarpment Lookout

Several kilometers of the Bruce Trail runs through Kelso Conservation Area heading north to Tobermory or south to Niagara. 

Coordinates:   43° 30’ 40” N    79° 56’ 45” W             UTM   17N  585208 E  4818115 N





Bruce Trail

Trail up the Escarpment



The Escarpment Trail and Bruce Trail



Milton Outlier Plaque