November 2023
What a month we've just had, with beautiful temperatures and gorgeous fall colours. A hiker's paradise! And now we move into November with a full slate of stories.
Here's what you'll find in our newsletter this month:
- Talking with our Hiking Director: Our President, David Royle, interviews Tom Swales about the impressive developments in our hiking program.
- Save the Date for 2024 AGM: We're planning far ahead so you can plug this into your calendar. We have a great speaker lined up, too.
- How do you say Moose in Farsi?: Or in Malayam, or Tamil. We sure had a lot of languages represented on the Algonquin-bound bus last weekend.
- One Tough Crew For a Tough Tree Job: Hats off to this tree-care company who helped us take care of some tricky "leaners" along the Maureen Smith Side Trail
- Humans of the Bruce Trail: Meet Vinod Pant, who says he learned back home in India that "your first parent is Mother Nature"
- Will you join our leadership team?: We're looking for new board members with leadership skills and passion for the trail. Terms begin in April next year. Will you be the one to step up?
- Trail captains wanted: We have an immediate need for trail captains. Check this article for a description of duties involved.
- Terra Cotta Bridge work results in detour: This is a heads-up if you're planning a hike in this area.
- Hikes Calendar tips and tricks: With more and more hikes in our calendar, you'll want to read Tom Swales' excellent tips for narrowing down your search results
- Winter Coach Program: It's coming back in January - our wonderful winter coach program for skiers, snow-shoers and hikers. Martina Furrer helps get you in the mood.
- Naturalist Badge: This badge is unique - it's about what you see along the trail more than the distance you cover. Have you earned it yet?
- New Year's in Pennsylvania: Jeanette Vincent, wife of the late Greg Vincent, continues his legacy with a new holiday outing.
- Mark your Calendars: We bring you highlights of our hiking program as well as other upcoming events, listed here to help you plan.
Happy November, everyone.
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An interview with our Hiking Director
By David Royle, President, Toronto Bruce Trail Club
 “ We could really use more hike leaders,” I said to Tom Swales, as he began his term as Hiking Director for the Toronto Club.
After less than two years, I am impressed with not only the number of hike leaders, but with more different hikes throughout our area of operation. On a recent hike I had the opportunity to interview Tom to find out how he has achieved so many positive changes to our Hiking Program.
David: People often enjoy a hike when they have a competent leader. What qualities do hike leaders need to have?
Tom: They need to be good at planning and organizing, and be flexible enough to adapt when circumstances require. They need to be able to think ahead about possible situations, and if the unexpected happens, to make decisions with the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of the hikers as the top priorities. A good hike leader observes how everyone is doing on the hike and adjusts things or provides encouragement as needed. Always, the hike leader needs to make sure every hiker, whether a regular or first timer, feels welcome.
David: I have noticed a greater interest in hikers coming forward to train to be a hike leader. How have you achieved this change?
Tom: One thing I try to do is to stay engaged with the hike-leaders-in-training from the day they decide they want to become a hike leader right through to the time they begin to plan and lead their own hikes. This extends beyond the training course and the required apprentice hikes. I have seen things from their perspective and I know some direction, assistance, and encouragement is helpful when moving on to the next step. I believe this is one reason why our Club has recently seen a good rate of hike leaders completing their apprenticeship and posting hikes to the hiking calendar. For some of our hike participants, when they observe this in action on the trail, it becomes the seed for them to think about taking the hike leader training themselves.
David: Tell us about the variety of hikes that hike leaders are planning.
Tom: There are many types of hikers, and I am very pleased that the hike program is starting to reflect this. Each of our hike leaders has brought their own brand of hikes and their own ideas to the hiking program. I'm very grateful. It wouldn’t have been possible without them.
I can give you many examples of this variety, like Monica’s family friendly hikes that reach out to an audience we haven’t offered much until recently. Another example is new opportunities for hikers who would like to complete an End-2-End hike but can only handle a moderate pace and distance. I’ve always liked the idea of theme hikes. In addition to the urban “Theatre Hikes” we now have Andrew’s pumpkin pie/Meadowvale history hike, Sajedeh’s Toronto Ravine Fall Colour hikes, Brian’s Don River Steeles to Lake Ontario challenge, Danny’s Downtown Toronto walk. Also, each of Monica’s family hikes has its own theme (from apple picking to Christmas trees). Leonora has a hike coming up with some Yoga along the way. The biodiversity team has offered shorter hikes with a focus on nature, ecosystems, and indigenous people’s history. Returning this year is a Christmas luncheon bus hike December 2nd with Martina at Nottawasaga Bluffs.
Urban walks have included evening walks, and some, by using GO Transit, have stretched beyond Toronto to places like Oshawa and Hamilton. Several bus hikes offer two choices: a hike with a faster pace for a longer distance or a more moderate hike. I hope that we will be able to offer more of those in the future.
I love when I see a selection of different hikes on the same date so hikers can choose.
David: Hiking has the ability to help more people connect to the outdoors and to each other. This is more apparent for hikers from visible minority groups. How has this been achieved?
Tom: Firstly, I say that everyone must be made to feel like they belong when they attend one of our hikes. I have always believed this, well before it was the theme of this year’s Bruce Trail Day.
When I look at the list of hike leaders that have come on board in the last couple of years, I’m seeing more women for one thing, and I’m also seeing hike leaders who are much more diverse ethnically and racially. This is definitely helping the club become more inclusive.
We’re on the right track but should continue to reach out to less represented communities to understand their needs and what type of programming would attract them. As we do this, we will continue to build on a hiking program with something for everyone.
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Save that Date! The Toronto Club’s AGM Sunday, April 21, 2024
 The Toronto Club will be welcoming members back to another live event at the Kortright Centre on Sunday April 21, 2024. We know you won’t want to miss it! The theme for our A.G.M. is ‘A Sense of Belonging’.
The AGM offers an opportunity to hike before the meeting, learn about Club activities, hear from our dynamic guest speaker (see below) see old friends and make new ones, ask questions, explore volunteer opportunities, and wander the grounds of the lovely Kortright Centre.
After the morning hikes, a full lunch is offered! Check-in is at 11:00 a.m. with lunch at 11:45 a.m. Then you’ll proceed to the auditorium at 1 p.m. for the Annual Meeting.
Guest Speaker Shimeem Al-Ayash - A Sense of Belonging
Shimeem Al-Ayash is the Volunteer and Outreach Assistant at the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC).
As part of the Community Engagement team at the BTC, Shimeem works with all nine Bruce Trail Clubs to raise awareness about the Bruce Trail, encourage support for and participation in the BTC, and develop new initiatives to reach new audiences. Shimeem chairs the BTC’s inter-Club committee for Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).
Before joining the BTC in 2021, Shimeem worked in a variety of roles including as an Office Assistant, Translator, Interpreter and Cultural Advisor with the British military, where she made use of her second language, Arabic. Shimeem has traveled extensively, living and working in several countries. Drawn to the outdoors, she began volunteering with the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club soon after moving to Canada. She eventually joined the BTC staff team where her interests and experience are helping to support the BTC mission and its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
At our A.G.M, Shimeem will explore what it means to foster a sense of belonging as it relates to the Bruce Trail, drawing from her personal experiences as a newcomer to Canada and her professional roles both at the Bruce Trail Conservancy and throughout her career.
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What’s a Moose in Farsi?
On our recent coach trip to Algonquin Park – which was a great success, with lots of happy hikers, no rain, and a moose sighting – we did a very unofficial survey to see how many languages were spoken on the bus. Twenty-four out of 43 hikers (56 %) spoke a second language.
Here is what we found: Croatian, Farsi (3), French (2), German, Hindi, Italian, Malay, Malayalam, Portuguese, Mandarin (2), Kashmiri, Marathi, Polish, Shanghainese, Spanish (2), Swiss German, and Tamil (2). Our wonderfully mixed group included about 10 hikers who were excited to be visiting Algonquin Park for the first time.
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For Tough Tree Jobs We Call in the Professionals
 The Club’s Trail Director Laurent Thibault has lots of experience felling trees, but when they are particularly difficult to dislodge, he calls on some professional help. Former board member Matt d’Oliveira is a professional forester with Conservation Halton and he is sometimes able to lend a hand.
Laurent also has been assisted by Silver Creek Tree Care, thanks to Andy Jefferies, the owner. On Tuesday Oct. 24, Andy and his team were out on the Maureen Smith Side Trail to take down some “leaners” that might fall on unsuspecting hikers. With his crew, two dead elm trees were cut down and removed, using throw lines, chain saws and roping and pulling the large trees.
“Andy and his team are just great – the trees like this are very hard to get. They were prepared to climb to the top to get at one leaner, but luckily the ropes and sawing worked,” says Laurent. We really appreciate that they spent so much of their morning with our team, as volunteers. We’d recommend them to anyone who lives in the Halton Hills area for their services,” he says.
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Humans of the Bruce Trail, featuring Vinod Pant
 On a regular basis, we will introduce you to members of the Club. We are, after all, humans of the Bruce Trail, joined by our love of the outdoors, and hiking.
1. Where do you live?
Mississauga
2. Why did you join the Toronto Bruce Trail Club?
I originally come from the Himalaya ranges in India. Nature flows through my blood. Being a member of Bruce Trail Conservancy and participating in their hikes maintains my original nature of oneness that I learned in my childhood. Back home they say, "Your first parent is ‘The Mother Nature’. She nurtures you and you take care of her," In the future, I would like to do volunteer work with Bruce Trail.
3. Most memorable outdoor experience?
It was August 17, 2019, when I began my Bruce Trail End-to-End hike from Queenston. It was raining and I was wearing Jeans, T-Shirt and my sport shoes as if I was going to a mall. With the time and with advice from experienced hikers, I learned more hiking tips and about proper hiking gear. This has made me a more mature hiker today :-)
4. Favourite words to live by?
Worrying is like paying a debt that you don't owe - Mark Twain
5. Hobbies and interests?
Hiking, reading psychology and past life books, Yoga.
6. Most admired person and why?
Larry K. My friend in Canada who explained to me many good teachings of Buddha.
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Club Director Positions - Openings for April 2024
The Toronto Bruce Trail Club is welcoming applications for 3 Board positions whose terms will begin in April 2024, following the Annual General Meeting. Some knowledge and background of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Toronto Club is preferred for each of these positions. If you are interested in any of the 3 positions, please submit your resume and cover letter to our Nominations Committee Chair, Margaret Corner at mcorner@sympatico.ca. The deadline for submissions is November 21, 2023.
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for preparing agendas and recording minutes for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club Board meetings and the Club AGM and Board of Director administration. The specific duties of the Secretary are available for viewing on our website.
We are seeking someone with strong people and communications skills who is organized and detail-oriented. Prior board experience with a not-for-profit would be an asset.
Public Relations and Education Director
The Public Relations & Education Director is responsible for promoting and increasing public awareness of conservation education and hiking among members, communities, and the general public. The specific duties of the Public Relations and Education Director are available for viewing on our website.
We are seeking someone with strong people, event planning and communications skills. Experience with traditional and digital media is an asset. The role requires an individual who is both a leader and is well organized.
Special Events Coordinator
The Special Events Coordinator supports the Toronto Bruce Trail Club in scheduling, coordinating and executing special events. The Special Events Coordinator will demonstrate our commitment to and focus on ensuring inclusive practices. The specific duties of the Special Events Coordinator are available for viewing on our website.
We are seeking someone with superior interpersonal, communication and organizational skills with experience in leading and managing teams. This individual should be comfortable with budgeting, contracting resources and obtaining donations.
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Volunteers Needed - Trail Captains
 The Club has 115 kilometers of main trail and side trails, all of which require ongoing maintenance.
Each of our dedicated Trail Captains is responsible for the basic maintenance of an approximately 2-kilometer long sector of trail. As a Trail Captain, your work will involve:
- Clearing branches and weeds encroaching onto the trail at least twice a year.
- Ensuring the blazes are visible, repainting when required.
- Removing litter to keep the trail clean.
- Reporting any significant issues such as fallen trees or structures in need of repairs.
- Conducting formal inspections of trail conditions three times a year and submitting reports.
Training, tools, and equipment will be provided to Trail Captains. However, it is essential for Trail Captains to have their own transportation to and from their assigned trail sector.
We currently have a few trail sectors that require new volunteer Trail Captains. If you are interested in maintaining a trail section and have the necessary ability to perform this work, please contact us via email at volunteer@torontobrucetrailclub.org.
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Rebuilding of Terra Cotta Conservation Area Bridge Creates Detour
From mid-November to March 2024, there will be bridge reconstruction in Terra Cotta that will impact the Toronto Section main trail.
The Credit Valley Conservation bridge over Rogers Creek on the main trail (about 250 meters north of Tenth Line in the Terra Cotta Conservation Area) is being rebuilt. As a result, the main trail will be closed at the entry point on Tenth Line. This will also impact hikers at the junction of the main trail and the Terra Cotta side trail, on the other side of the bridge. This closure will be in effect from mid- November 2023 to the end of March 2024.
Hikers heading towards Caledon will have to turn around at Tenth Line where there is roadside parking. Hikers heading towards Milton will have to turn around at the junction of our main trail with the Terra Cotta Side Trail.
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Hikes Calendar: Tips and Tricks
by Tom Swales, Hike Director
Did you know the Bruce Trail Conservancy Hike Calendar offers three alternative views of the hike listings in addition to the default calendar view? Also, you can use filters and a powerful search function to limit the list to the hikes that you are interested in. Open the calendar and have some fun with the tips below.
The coloured BTC club buttons at the top of the calendar narrow the list down to hikes of the selected club. Below these are filters for terrain, pace, and distance. Select the terrain and/or pace and click “filter” to narrow your results. You can also enter a specific distance in km.
Below the month title are four options for displaying the hike information. The three alternatives to the calendar view display the hikes in an "at a glance" format with the full hike details displayed including the registration link. The List View displays a list of the hikes for the current month in chronological order, the Week View displays a list of the hikes for the current week (starting on Sunday), and the Posterboard View displays all the hikes for the current month on one page. Click on the date/month at the top right corner of the calendar to move forward to the next month or week.
To the far right of these buttons is a magnifying glass that opens a search box.
Enter a hike leader’s name, click on the magnifying glass again (or click enter) and only the hikes that hike leader is leading will be displayed. Enter “Bus Hike” and only bus hikes will be displayed. Enter an area name like Terra Cotta, and hikes in that area will be displayed. You can search by anything that appears in the hike title or hike description to filter the list down to the hike listings you wish to find.
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- advertisement -
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Cross-country ski and snowshoe with the TBTC this winter
by Martina Furrer
 Join us for winter fun in southern Ontario’s best Nordic ski centres. Coach trips will run every Saturday from January 6 to March 16, 2024.
Snowshoers: Come on our guided hikes or explore the resorts’ trails at your own pace. Snowshoeing is easy to learn; if you love hiking you will have fun on snowshoes too. Fit beginners are always welcome.
Skiers: Glide through forests, fields, and dunes on trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Ski solo or team up with new and old friends. Beginners are welcome to participate in our complimentary classic ski lessons or sign up for lessons with the resorts’ professional instructors. To ensure you have a super fun day it’s probably best to come with a buddy, so you have someone to practice your new skills with.
All the parks and resorts we visit offer marked snowshoe trails and groomed ski trails. They have washrooms and chalets to warm up in. Most also sell food and beverages and rent skis and snowshoes. If you ski or snowshoe on your own, then you can enjoy your lunch beside a cozy fire. If you join a guided snowshoe hike, come prepared to eat on the trail.
Each resort offers something special. At Scenic Caves enjoy awesome views of Georgian Bay while crossing southern Ontario’s longest suspension bridge and warm up with a hot chocolate at the Lookout Café on top of the escarpment. We also have our own log cabin (with private washroom) at the trailhead that’s ideal for our après ski and shoe potluck party. Kawartha Nordic offers trailside warm up huts at different locations along the trails; they’re the perfect place to enjoy your lunch and feed the chickadees on a cold winter day. At Highlands Nordic the guided snowshoe hike usually takes place on the Bruce Trail where you’ll pass through forests and fields, with views of the Bay. Highlands’ expertly groomed trails are a joy to ski and offer a mixture of hills, flats, and awesome views. End your day with one of their delicious home-baked treats. In Arrowhead Provincial Park you can add ice skating to your winter adventures. Skate along a 1.3 km trail that winds through the magical Muskoka Forest, then warm up by an outdoor fire.
Every trip is different. For full details check the trip descriptions in the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s (BTC) online calendar, or click on the destinations in this table on our website.
Departure locations: 10 York Mills Rd (York Mills station) and HWY 400 and Major Mackenzie Dr. Park and Ride
Coaches: We travel in 56-seat luxury highway coaches with ample leg room, overhead bins to stow packs, luggage bins for skis and snowshoes, and a washroom.
Schedule: The planned schedule is subject to change on short notice. We go wherever snow conditions are best. When there’s lots of fresh fluffy snow, you’ll have a super fun time on snowshoes. If the snow is hard packed or icy, then microspikes may be more appropriate; some days you may find all you need is a good pair of hiking boots. For skiing you will need different wax depending on temperature and snow conditions. If it’s icy or mild, wax-less skis (skins or scales) may be best.
Registration: Registration starts at 8 PM on the Sunday before each trip. Register through the BTC online calendar. Coach fare is $36 per adult, $20 per child (12 and under) and must be paid when you register. Trail fees vary by resort and will be collected in cash on the coach.
Cancellations: To cancel, login to the BTC website, go to “My Hikes”, then select the cancel option. Please note that coach fares are non-refundable.
Trips will run if there is enough snow to ski on. Non-skiers come prepared to hike or snowshoe. Should the Club need to cancel a trip due to lack of snow, the BTC will refund your coach fare.
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Sign up for a New Year’s Trip to Pennsylvania’s
Susquehannock Lodge & Trail Centre
 The legacy of hike leader and nature lover Greg Vincent continues. You may want to join Jeanette Vincent’s Relaxed Hiking Holiday Weekends adventure for this New Year.
Daily hikes of 10 to 15 km are led through hardwood forest, many beside mountain streams. The Lodge is located in Potter County, Pennsylvania, 2.5 hours south of Buffalo. There is no agriculture or industry in the area, just great trails. The lodge provides comfortable accommodation and excellent meals. Stay as many days as you wish. Further details below:
NEW YEARS - Friday, Dec 29 to Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
A great way to unwind after the hectic holiday season. We will hike or snowshoe every day. The variety and time out on the trails will depend on the weather; snow or other trail conditions. You will have time relaxing in front of the fireplace. Ed promises a special New Years Dinner, I will continue Greg's tradition of promising a martini and my speciality after a hike, a cup of ginger honey black tea.
USD Price $86 (shared bath), $90 (private bath, double), $116 (private bath, single) per person per day with breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and lodging. For information and driving directions—Jeanette Vincent vincentjeanette1604@gmail.com or 519-588-5916. For reservation call Carol 814-435-2163, susquelgcarol@penn.com www.susquehannock-lodge.com
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