Pre-Hike 🌲 Saturday's Bridge Viewing

The weather forecast calls for 100% chance of having a 20 mm rainfall tomorrow. That made today a great day for a pre-hike of Saturday's hike.

The sun was trying hard to make its way through the clouds as we headed out this morning.

This route is dear to my heart. Last fall, 5 Pine Ridge Hiking Club handymen built a bridge on this stretch of the Ganaraska Trail. This morning, we parked at the trail head on the 4th Line of Hope, about 1 km west of Hwy 28. (Details at end of post). The trail follows an abandoned rail line in this section. Flat as a pancake here.

We wore icers and my hiking buddy used her hiking poles. We knew that there would be some tricky parts a little further down the line.

This hike is totally off road. It goes through mixed mature forests....

.... and cedar swamps.

Today's sponsor was the sounds of an early spring. Water trickling, chickadees chirping.

There are some tricky parts getting nearer to the creek. Be sure to wear your icers and bring along poles to help you navigate down the steep bank of the rail line. It might be icy on Saturday after Thursday's rainfall and subsequent cooler temperatures.

On Saturday, our president will host a little ceremony at "the bridge". One of the landowners may join us. We will be installing two signs on the bridge which will let hikers know about how it came to be. That is what I am guessing. I actually have no idea what is written on those signs. 🥴 If you join us, you will be able to read the signs for yourself.

After the bridge we'll be walking on that narrow path where you see the dog-walker in the distance. That is another tricky portion of the trail. We will take our time navigating that stretch.

No hike over this section is complete without viewing the old bridge. Those somewhat horizontal poles are what used to be the bridge.

And, here's that narrow path where the dog-walkers were.

After those slightly challenging portions, we were back to a flat trail.

This hike ends where the trail meets the 5th line of Hope Twp. We stopped and went back from whence we came.

Back over the narrow track on the hill.

Back over the abandoned rail line.

Today, the sun won the battle with the clouds near the end of our hike. Saturday's forecast looks like this: ☀️. There should be blue skies above all throughout our two hour hike as we go back.....

.... to the entrance.

But that is not how our story will end. Back at the entrance, a tail-gate kitchen will have been set up with steaming hot-chocolate, maybe some cider too and best of all.... sweet treats! Be sure to bring along your hiking chairs or lawn chairs. We'll set them up right where my hiking buddy was walking below. We'll be able to enjoy the hot chocolate and treats and company of fellow hikers ...... in the sunshine and on.... snow? MUD? Who knows. Looking forward to hiking with you!

Here's a map which shows access roads from all directions.

We will start at that black dot on the map.

what3words co-ordinates: tearooms.locate. pleased

911 sign nearest to entrance: 6210

Directions: Hwy 28 north to 4th line. Turn west (left) and travel approximately 1 km. If you see the chicken barns on the south you've just passed the trail head. Please park on the same side of the road as everyone else. You never know what farm equipment might like to pass by.

More stuff you might need to know:

4.85 km hike.

Bring: poles, icers, water, lawn chair/camp chair, smile.

Please join us for eats at the end