Halton Outdoor Club Bulletin Boa

HALTON OUTDOOR CLUB BULLETIN BOARD

This Week's News

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 @ 9:20 a.m.

CYCLING TRIP UPDATE: Ride on the Lakefront Trail, starting in Burlington at the Beachway Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20th is on.

PADDLING!

1. Saturday, June 22- Day of 1000 Canoes

Message from Dorothy: Technically this is a non-club event, but I've done this trip twice now and had a blast both times so I'd like to run it again, preferably with enough paddlers to qualify as a team.

This is a fund raiser/charity event put on by a group in Caledonia with the aim of promoting the Grand River and surrounding area. There is a registration cost (which varies, depending on what you are doing, but for one kayak and one paddler, it's approx $43). The main focus of the event is a paddle from Caledonia to Cayuga, with a stop at York, which is a very shallow and easy section of the Grand (I've seen composite boats do this but I don't recommend it!). Total time to paddle is approx 4 hours or slightly less, depending on the current.

The highlight for me is the world's only Tim Horton's Paddle Through - yes, I said Paddle Through....and its just like the Drive Through: you paddle up, tell them how you take your coffee and they will pass you a travel mug of coffee placed in a specially built canoe paddle server!

Coffee and mug are free with registration, along with a tee shirt and various other items. There will be entertainment and a variety of exhibits at York and Cayuga and there is also a BBQ and beverage tent in Cayuga for an after paddle party. Details are still being finalised, but last year, there was a Native ceremony prior to the launching at Caledonia, a Kinsmen breakfast, valet launching & landing, photo opp, a pirate show and tree planting along the river....and I'm pretty sure I saw a mermaid! At the end of the route, there will be a shuttle bus to return you to your vehicle in Caledonia.

For non-paddlers there is also a hiking/cycling component that follows the Riverside Trail.

I have registered as the Team leader for the Halton Outdoor Club (if we get 10 people, they will give us team tee shirts, with the club name on them!) so when you register, you need to do so as a team member and make sure you provide the team code: Halton Outdoor Club

Because of the entry fee, each participant must register himself, but please do so as a Team Member and provide the team code: Halton Outdoor Club. The launch time is already set for between 9 and 10 AM.

Details on the festival can be found at www.1000canoes.com

Registration is found at: https://www.onlineregistrations.ca/1000canoes/

If you don't have your own boat, or need to rent something in poly, rentals can be arranged from Grand River Kayak in Dunnville, or from Grand Experiences in Paris. I'm not sure if Grand River Kayak delivers, but I know that last year, Grand Experiences did deliver a big trailer load of canoes & kayaks!

Once you've registered, let me know, and we can set up some car pooling.

2. Sunday, June 23- MEC Paddlefest- Burlington

The MEC Paddlefest is a celebration of all things paddling related and this year it will be held at the Christie Lake Conservation Area, 1000 Hwy 5 West, Dundas. It is a festival with something for everyone and features informative clinics, kid's activities, paddling demos, a place to swap your gear, the latest gear and gizmos from paddling retailers and manufacturers, community paddling groups and gear giveaways. More info to follow as this is just a heads up. Please google the MEC Paddlefest Burlington to sign up for some great clinics at the very reasonable price of $10 plus tax per clinic.

HIKING

This Week's Day Hikes

1. Monday, June 17- Toronto Island Loop- 10 km.

Meet at Toronto's ferry dock to catch the 10:00 a.m. ferry to Hanlon's Point. Hike around the Toronto Islands and return via Ward's Island Ferry. Toronto hikers can meet us at Union Station lower level near GO transit ticket office at 9:10 a.m. Hiking boots, no dogs. Medium loop hike- easy.

2. Thursday, June 20- Alexander Graham Bell Homestead- 6 km- 3 to 4 hours

Meet for a 10:00 a.m. start at the home of Alexander Graham Bell. From 403, go south to Brantford and exit left at Garden Ave N. This becomes Brant Rd.18. Turn right onto the Cockshutt Road which is also called County Rd 4 at the fourth set of lights. Turn left onto Tutela Heights Rd. Locates at 94 Tutela Heights Road. Hike the Grand Valley trail. Lunch at the Homestead Cafe or enjoy your own picnic lunch on the grounds. After lunch tour the Homestead. Cost is $5.25. Bring water, bug repellent and sunscreen. Hiking boots. Mod.-3.

3. Saturday, June 22- Mountsberg Conservation Area Loop- 13 km

Meet for a 1:30 p.m. start at the Mountsberg Conservation Area, Milborough Line, north of Campbellville Road. We will hike a loop including Pioneer Creek Trail, Sugarbush and Lookout Trails. Parking fee in effect or use your Conservation Area Pass. There is a reduced rate for Bruce Trail members. Wear hiking boots and bring a snack and water. Hike will not proceed if raining. Med.-3.

4. Monday, June 24-Caledon/Hwy 124/Alton ST. Loop- 12 km

Meet for an 8:45 a.m. exit at Trafalgar Rd./Hwy 401 parking lot, northeast corner. Move some cars to Hwy 124 and Alton ST. Map 15. Hike along ST to Alton and the Pinnacle and return. Hiking boots, no dogs. Med.-3

N.B. YELLOW BUS HIKES- The yellow bus hike to Forks of the Credit originally scheduled for Sept.8, 2013 has been cancelled. In its place, the Club is running a yellow bus hike to Backus Woods on Sept. 15,2013. If you have already signed up for the Forks of the Credit hike, we will transfer your cheque and registration over to this Backus Woods hike. See the upcoming June newsletter for further information.

Hiking America's Grand Circle: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon- Sat. April 26 to Thurs. May 8, 2014

Gayle Laws plans to lead Club members(26) on a return visit to these spectacular canyons. There will be daily hikes on a variety of trails at four different national parks and day hiking around Page, Arizona. There are choices of easy/moderate or more strenuous trails to maximize your enjoyment. The trip price of this customized guided tour is $3120 US double occupancy (airfare not included. The tour includes 12 nights accommodation, land transfers in the US, 11 days of guided touring and hiking with 2 guides including the Monument Valley Navajo tour led by local native Navajo guides, all land transportation in the US and all entrance fees to parks, breakfasts, lunches water and snacks while on tour, option to spend the night at Phantom Ranch below the Grand Canyon rim, visit to Hoover Dam, tips to guides. Not included are dinners, and all meals in Las Vegas.

Reservations are confirmed a year in advance since this is a high tourist demand area. To reserve your spot, please send a deposit cheque of $850 made out to the Halton Outdoor Club. Final payment including flight cost is due 90 days prior to departure, directly to the travel agent, Teachers'Travel, and can be made by credit card. Your $850 deposit is refundable up until 90 days prior to departure, provided that someone is found to take your place. The final payment is non-refundable. Teacher's Travel can advise you about medical/cancellation insurance and can also make arrangements if you want to extend your trip. For a complete itinerary, please email Bonne at outdoor@spectranet.ca . If you have further questions about this trip, please contact the leader at gayle.laws@rogers.com

CYCLING

Yahoo! Those crazy Thursday night rides are back! Starting Thursday, June 6 and happening every Thursday throughout the season, both Trail Riders and Road Tourers can meet up and do an out and back along the Waterfront Trail. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Beachway Pavilion on the Burlington side of the lift bridge. The route is an out and back along the Waterfront Trail and you can go out as far as you wish and then turn around and come back. Optional pub/coffee stop afterwards. Ride always goes unless it is raining heavily, or there is extreme heat. Always check this web site bulletin board after 5:00 p.m. right before the ride to determine whether or not the ride is on.

TRIP UPDATE: Trip is on. Weather looks good. Hope to see you there.

Attention all Trail Riders and Road Tourers. Please always email the trip leader to let him/her know that you are coming. In addition, the trip leader will email you in the event of inclement weather forcing a trip cancellation. This helps to keep you all informed of last minute happenings.

Trail Riders

1. Sunday, June 23-Niagara River Recreation Trail from Fort Erie to Chippawa and back- 46 km.

Meet at the parking area in Fort Erie at 9:20 for a 9:30 a.m. departure. Take the QEW-Fort Erie portion, and get off at exit #5, Gilmore Road. Turn left on Gilmore Road. Follow Gilmore until you reach the Niagara Parkway. Turn left at the Parkway and continue for about 1 km. Pass under the Railway Bridge. After the bridge look for Jarvis St. on the left. Opposite Jarvis St. is the free parking area on the right hand side of the Parkway. Please RSVP the leader: pgautreau@cogeco.ca

RoadTourers

Weekly Monday Morning Training for the Findlay, Ohio ride Sept. 7-8

The rides for the month of June are all at Valley Park with a departure of 9:30 a.m. Distances range from 50 to 60 km. See schedule on link from home page for further information. Although for some riders, the goal is to participate in the Findlay trip, this ride is open to all who wish to get out and enjoy this great weather. Leader is rinkrunner@shaw.ca

1. Sunday, June 23- Kathy's ride - 30-50 km

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Kathy's home. Riders will do a pleasant loop ride which is mostly downhill on the way back. Bring your favorite snack for a social at Kathy's afterwards. Please RSVP the leader so that she knows you are coming and she can give you the address of where you are to meet: toadiejones@cogeco.ca.

See cycling schedule for other planned rides.

In Other News!

Membership Information

If you would like to join the Club, go to the home page and click on the “picture link” for “membership application” to call up an application form, and then fill it out, print it and send it to the Club for processing. Membership renewal forms will also be available in the September newsletter. The membership fees are as follows: $50 for an individual, $85 for a couple or family, and $30 for students. Annual membership expires Oct. 31 of each year. If you are a first time member, you are eligible for partial year membership fees when joining after May 1: $25 for an individual, $45 for a couple or family and $15 for students. These rates DO NOT apply to renewals or people who have been members in the past.

Upcoming Extended Trips

HIKING TRIP TO BRITAIN-JUNE 20-JULY 3,2013

FINGER LAKES TRIP- CYCLE, HIKE, KAYAK- JUNE 27-JULY 2, 2013

FALL COLOURS HIKE TOUR OF PENNSYLVANIA GRAND CANYON AND ITHACA NEW YORK- OCT. 11-15,2013

TRIPS RECENTLY TAKEN

HIKING, BIKING, KAYAKING TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND

HIKING TRIP TO ICELAND

CYCLING, KAYAKING AND HIKING TRIP TO GENEVA, NEW YORK,

HIKING TRIP TO HONG KONG

HIKING TRIP TO NEWFOUNDLAND

SKI TRIP TO CANMORE, ALBERTA

ITALY SKI TRIP AND HIKING TRIP TO THE DOLOMITES

SILVER STAR SKI TRIP TO BRITISH COLUMBIA

OTTAWA WINTERLUDE SKI TRIP

HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS SKI AND SNOW SHOE TRIP

SKI TRIP TO ROYAL GORGE AND LAKE TAHOE

SKI TRIP TO LAKE PLACID

MARCH BREAK TRIP TO QUEBEC CITY

LETCHWORTH STATE PARK HIKING TRIP

VERMONT BIKE TOUR

KAYAK TRIP TO THE BENJAMIN ISLANDS

HALIBURTON HIKING FESTIVAL

BIKE TOUR OF UPSTATE NEW YORK AND LETCHWORTH PARK

SKI TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIE

SKI TRIP TO STOWE VERMONT

SKI TRIP TO THE YUKON

HIKING TRIP TO PENNSYLVANIA

CYCLING TRIP THROUGH NORTH HOLLAND

SKI TRIP TO VAL DAVID

SKI TRIP TO NORTH BAY