The Halton Outdoor Club upcoming events

Paddling Phillip Edward Island (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Paddling Title	Phillip Edward Island
Type of Trip	Backcountry Trip
Date(s)	Tues July 14th to Sat July 18th
OVERALL RATING FOR THIS TRIP	GRADE D (COMFORTABLE INTERMEDIATE)
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP Skills required to deal with the following anticipated conditions.	Grade D (Comfortable Intermediate) Confident forward stroke; Confident reverse stroke; Confident turning ability; Confident with performing an assisted rescue as swimmer within 2 attempts and as a rescuer ; Confident self rescue ; Comfortable to tow another paddler *
Anticipated Trip Conditions
Wind	Grade C (Intermediate) Moderate 21-30 kms/hour
Waves, Breaking Waves, Swell	Grade C (Intermediate) Waves to 3 feet; Breaking waves to 2' (Waves to paddle tops; some whitecaps; waves becoming longer)
Current	Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) Mild currents; Up to 2-3 kms/hour
Open Crossings	Grade D (Comfortable Intermediate) More than 3 kms
Landing Type	Grade C (Intermediate) Steeper slope; narrower landing zone; rocky; slippery; OR Docks
Landing Frequency	Grade D (Comfortable Intermediate) More than 5 kms between landings
Total Distance Per Day	Grade C (Intermediate) Up to 20 kms
IMPORTANT HOC TRIP RATING INFORMATION AND CANCELLATION	We can only anticipate what the trip conditions will be prior to the trip; and they are subject to change based on the weather information for that day; therefore, the overall trip rating and the required skills needed to safely attend the trip, may be upgraded on the day of the trip. This eventuality includes the possible cancellation for some or all its participants; or the postponement of a trip for the following day. By signing up for a club trip, the participant assumes the risk that such a cancellation may occur, even as late as on the shoreline. HOC Paddling Trip Rating Tool-2024-02-29
Important Trip Details	While the club has previously organized paddle trips to the Phillip Edward Island area, this time the island destinations will be different and will include more demanding open water crossings. There will be a pre-trip meeting, either virtual or in person at the discretion of the trip leaders to review additional trip details. This is a self reliant trip for all equipment, food and garbage. If their is any backcountry gear you do not have, please contact the trip leader to see if the Club or other trip members can assist.
Body of Water	Georgian Bay
Registration Opens	Backcountry camping - 8 weeks before the trip start date
Registration Opens on this date	May 19 (a stroke past midnght on May 18)
Name of Volunteer Trip Leader(s)	Anne Marchildon, Lise Sorensen
Email of Volunteer Trip Leaders(s)	anne2243marchildon@gmail.com lisesorensen369@gmail.com
Contingency Phone, Name	Lise Sorensen 905-630-2358 Anne Marchildon 416-399-9520
Trip Address	Chickanishing Creek Boat Launch, Killarney Chikanishing Rd, Killarney, ON P0M
Google Pin of Parking	https://maps.app.goo.gl/yMe1R6a62FHCqDPRA
Paddling Vessels Permitted	Recreational kayaks are NOT permitted
Google Pin of Boat Launch	https://maps.app.goo.gl/yMe1R6a62FHCqDPRA
Arrival time - To get boats, equipment ready for launch	9:30 AM
TIME - SHORELINE SAFETY MEETING (PRE-LAUNCH) (PDFs on; Kayaks, equipment on the shore, ready to go)	10:30 AM
Maximum number of paddlers including leader(s)	8
Bathroom Facilities	Bathroom facilities on location
Trip Safety Requirements, What to Bring	Kayak with sealed fore and aft bulkhead compartments unless the paddle has been specified to permit recreational boats; Inflatable boats are not permitted; A properly fitting PFD or lifejacket must be worn at all times while in your kayak; Inflatable PFDs are not permitted: One (1) buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) long; One (1) bailer OR One manual bilge pump; One (1) pealess whistle; If paddling before sunrise or after sunset or in periods of restricted visibility like fog, one (1) all-round light (A light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees); For multi day trips, one (1) magnetic compass (handheld or deck); For kayaks over 6m (19’8”): One (1) watertight flashlight with working batteries AND Six (6) flares of Type A (Rocket parachute flare), Type B (Multi Star flare) Type C (Hand flare) Type D (Smoke Signal), however, only two (2) can be Type D; A minimum of one spare paddle per 2 participants; A spray skirt is required unless you are in a recreational boat (a boat which lacks either a fore or aft sealed bulkhead) or on a Grade A trip; Each participant must have completed their wet exit practise within the past 12 months Please note the club does not provide equipment. If rentals are noted above, it is at the expense of the club member. Please read the details.
Trip Cost Per Participant	Each Participant is responsible for parking costs at Chickenishing Parking Lot
Incidental Costs	Additional expenses may arise on this trip and the participant assumes the financial responsibility. These are costs which have not been factored in the trip budget and will typically, but not exclusively, entail unforeseen expenses, such as evacuation, ambulance, treatments, food, lodging due to illness.
Trip Cancellation Policy - Extended Trips, No Payment to the Club	For extended trips with no cost, please self cancel. Go to the club website. From the menu, select: ATTEND EVENTS > HOW TO SELF CANCEL

Cycling LEVEL 2: Beat the Heat Ride: Grays Rd. Stoney Creek to Brant St. Burlington (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:15:00 GMT

RIDE	LEVEL 2: Beat the Heat Ride: Grays Rd. Stoney Creek to Brant St. Burlington
DATE	Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 7:15 am-10:00 am
RIDE LEADER	Melanie Baroch
RIDE LEADER CONTACT	melaniebaroch@gmail.com 416-797-2922
CADENCE/PACE	Level 2 average 18 km/hr
DESCRIPTION	Paved, flat trail.
DISTANCE	25 km+/-
MEETING PLACE & TIME	Confederation Park Parking Lot 7:15 for a 7:30 start
MEETING PLACE MAP	https://maps.app.goo.gl/6aVVCVGNR7ZWLJ988
START POINT	Entrance to trail out & back
SOCIAL	We will stop at Lakeshore Coffee House, mid way our turnaround spot.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED	Yes. It’s important. Leaders appreciate early registration but you can register at the last minute. Trip leaders will be able to email you with updates and last minute changes.
TO CANCEL	Self-serve online. Leader will be checking the website list to see who to expect.
REGISTRATION OPENS	2 weeks before the ride
IMPORTANT REMINDERS	Water, snacks, lunch if not purchasing, Helmet, tire repair kit including spare tube

Ride Types and Descriptions:

Level 1 - In general, shorter, more gentle rides (20-40km) with frequent stops, up to 15km/hr on average. Check the ride description for more details.

Level 2 - Medium, faster paced, with fewer breaks, these rides will vary from 40-60km with stops as needed, up to 18 km/hr on average. Check the ride description for more details.

Level 3 - Long, with breaks as needed, these rides are over 60km, more than 18 km/hr on average or road rides where speeds are always over 20 km/hr. on average. Check the ride description for more details.

Attention Non-Members: If you are thinking about becoming a member, The Halton Outdoor Club invites you to take part in up to two (2) club activities as a Non-Member. After that, please join our club so we can welcome you as a member.Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.

Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.

Hiking Favourites of Niagara (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:15:00 GMT

The difficulty of a hike is determined by the speed, distance, elevation gain and terrain. Please read the template to determine if the hike is right for you. More descriptors are included in the Guiding Notes below the template.

HIKE TITLE	Favourites of Niagara
DATE	Tuesday July 14, 2026
HIKE LEADER(S)	Dave Somerville
LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER	Cdsomerville4@gmail.com 289 556 6707 (text morning of hike)
MEETING TIME and START TIME	9:15 a.m. for 9:30 start
MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION	Kinsmen Park 3820 Frost Road, Beamsville KM 68.5 Bruce Trail Guide Map 4 Exit QEW @ Ontario St. Beamsville South towards Escarpment Left on King St., Right on Mountain Road Left on Kinsmen Rd., Left on Frost
MEETING MAP (link)	Kinsmen Park
ENTRANCE FEES	Free
DISTANCE	13 km
DURATION OF HIKE	4 – 5 hours
SPEED Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less Moderate: 3-4 km/hour Fast: 4-5 km/hour	Moderate / Fast
ELEVATION GAIN Low: mostly flat - a few hills Moderate: some ups and downs High: lots of hills, steep and/or long	Moderate / High
TERRAIN Easy: wide trail, usually good footing Moderate: some areas of tricky footing Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing	Moderate / Challenging Bruce Trail! Lots of rocky sections.
TYPE OF HIKE: i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination	There and Back with a few LOOPS.
GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION Points of Interest and Special Notes	A great hike on the Niagara Bruce Trail and small loops on The Beamsville Bench Side Trail and The Mountainview Side Trail. A great spot overlooking 30 Mile Creek for a break.
Other Specifics to Your Hike i.e. social to follow hike	PREPARE for Mother Nature! A stop in Beamsville afterwards.
REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.	Up to 30 hikers may register. Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
CANCELLATION	• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot. • The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
WHAT TO BRING	• Wear supportive hiking boots with good tread. • Hiking poles will be helpful. • Dress in layers according to weather; wear/bring waterproof rainwear. • Bring snacks and enough water for the duration of the hike. • Sun and bug protection as required.

GUIDING NOTES:

HIKE PACE - Pace refers to the speed of walking. Rest stops are not figured in to the overall pace, however they are figured in to the Duration of the Hike. These paces represent an average and may vary depending on the terrain, weather, group size, etc.

Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less.

Moderate: 3-4 km/hour

Fast: 4-5 km/hour.

TERRAIN – This refers to the footing on the trail itself and is influenced by the presence of rocks, roots, step-ups and step-downs, as well as the width of the trail. Please note variations can be expected with wet or icy conditions.

Easy: wide trails, may be paved or hard packed, mostly good footing, i.e. rail trails, waterfront trails

Moderate: some tricky footing, i.e. Bruce Trail, Dundas Valley, Conservation Areas, RBG trails

Challenging: significant areas of tricky footing (some parts of the Bruce Trail, some trails in Short Hills, up and down the escarpment).

ELEVATION: This refers to the accumulated elevation gained over the course of the hike.

Low: route is mostly flat but may include some gentle ups and downs

Moderate: route has hills, a few may be steep and/or long, but also some flat areas

Challenging: route has lots of hills, some of which are steep and long and few areas that are flat

Attention Non-Members: If you are thinking about becoming a member, The Halton Outdoor Club invites you to take part in up to two club activities as a Non-Member. After that, please join our club so we can welcome you as a member. Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.

Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.

Cycling LEVEL 2 Copetown to Mohawk Park (15 Jul 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:45:00 GMT

RIDE	Level 2 Copetown to Mohawk Park
DATE	Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 8:45 am-1:30 pm
RIDE LEADER	Heather Wilson
RIDE LEADER CONTACT	heatherwlsn249@gmail.com, 289-259-5099
CADENCE/PACE	Level 2 up to 18 km/hr on average
DESCRIPTION	Hard packed, gravel trail
DISTANCE	40km +/-
MEETING PLACE & TIME	Meet at the Summit Bog parking lot on Hwy 52 at Power Line Rd West (525 Hwy 52), Copetown at 8:45 for a 9:00 start. There is a $7.50 parking fee at a Pay & Display machine. Credit & debit cards accepted.
MEETING PLACE MAP	Summit Bog parking lot (Rail Trail Parking)
START POINT	Parking lot out & back
SOCIAL	We stop for picnic lunch in Mohawk Park so bring your lunch.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED	Yes. It’s important. Leaders appreciate early registration but you can register at the last minute. Trip leaders will be able to email you with updates and last minute changes.
TO CANCEL	Self-serve online. Leader will be checking the website list to see who to expect.
REGISTRATION OPENS	2 weeks before the ride
IMPORTANT REMINDERS	WATER, Helmet, tire repair kit including spare tube

Ride Types and Descriptions:

Level 1 - In general, shorter, more gentle rides (20-40km) with frequent stops, up to 15km/hr on average. Check the ride description for more details.

Level 2 - Medium, faster paced, with fewer breaks, these rides will vary from 40-60km with stops as needed, up to 18 km/hr on average. Check the ride description for more details.

Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.

Hiking Ice Cream Treats Evening Walks: Burlington Waterfront (15 Jul 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:15:00 GMT

HIKE TITLE	Ice Cream Treats Evening Walks: Burlington Waterfront
DATE	Wednesday July 15, 2026
HIKE LEADER(S)	Rita Weerdenburg Debbie Martin
LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER	rita.weerdenburg@gmail.com 905-339-8529
MEETING TIME and START TIME	Meet at 6:15 pm for a 6:30 pm start
MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION	Meet at Locust Street No. 7 parking lot, just south of Caroline Street. City of Burlington parking is free after 6:00 pm
MEETING MAP (link)	Locust Street Lot 7 (Google Maps)
ENTRANCE FEES	None
DISTANCE	Approx. 7 km.
DURATION OF HIKE	2.5 hours
SPEED Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less Moderate: 3-4 km/hour Fast: 4-5 km/hour	Leisurely
ELEVATION GAIN Low: mostly flat - a few hills Moderate: some ups and downs High: lots of hills, steep and/or long	Route is mostly very flat
TERRAIN Easy: wide trail, usually good footing Moderate: some areas of tricky footing Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing	Mostly paved surfaces. There is usually a lot of pedestrian and bicycle traffic on warm summer evenings.
TYPE OF HIKE: i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination	There and back.
GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION Points of Interest and Special Notes	Ice Cream Treats evening strolls -- It’s all about getting the most out of our always too short Ontario summers! Join your fellow HOC members for some exercise and fresh air, walking and talking and of course, stopping for an ice cream treat. We will start the series with a walk along the always popular Burlington waterfront trail. Starting at the Locust Street parking lot, we will proceed through Spencer Smith Park and along the waterfront trail to the Burlington lift bridge. This will be an out-and-back walk, with a return stop at Lakeshore and Brant Street where you will have your choice of several establishments serving delicious ice cream and very yummy gelato.
Other Specifics to Your Hike i.e. social to follow hike	We will stop for ice cream at the end of the walk.
REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.	Up to 15 hikers may register. Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
CANCELLATION	• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot. • The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
WHAT TO BRING	• Sensible walking shoes. • Dress according to the weather. • Lots of water, especially on warm evenings. Sun and bug protection as required