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 |
Fall Colours: Rattray Marsh Conservation Area |
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DATE
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Friday, October 9, 2026
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HIKE LEADER(S)
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Rita Weerdenburg
Debbie Martin
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LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER
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rita.weerdenburg@gmail.com 905-339-8529
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MEETING TIME and START TIME
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Meet at 10:15 am for a 10:30 am start
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MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION
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Meadow Wood Parking Lot
100 Apple Ln, Mississauga, ON L5J 2T2
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MEETING MAP (link)
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Meadow Wood Parking Lot (google maps)
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ENTRANCE FEES
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None
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DISTANCE
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Approx. 7.5 km
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DURATION OF HIKE
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2.5 to 3 hours
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SPEED
Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less
Moderate: 3-4 km/hour
Fast: 4-5 km/hour
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Moderate
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ELEVATION GAIN
Low: mostly flat - a few hills
Moderate: some ups and downs
High: lots of hills, steep and/or long
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Route is mostly very flat.
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TERRAIN
Easy: wide trail, usually good footing
Moderate: some areas of tricky footing
Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing
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Terrain is varied and includes hard packed and paved trails, boardwalks and some road walking.
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TYPE OF HIKE:
i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination
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A loop, with a few out-and-back trails.
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GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Points of Interest and Special Notes
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It’s the best time to hike our local trails! From the time the first hint of colour emerges, to the peak of oranges and reds, to a carpet of gold on the forest floor, there’s nothing quite like the splendour of fall.
This is an easy hike offering a diversity of trails and views, including wooded areas, some road walking through well-treed, quiet residential areas, along Lake Ontario waterfront and boardwalks through Rattray Conservation Area and the popular Rattray Marsh.
We will stop for a lakeside lunch break at around noon at Jack Darling Memorial Park.
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Other Specifics to Your Hike
i.e. social to follow hike
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REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.
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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.
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CANCELLATION
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• 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.
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WHAT TO BRING
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- Hiking boots or sensible walking shoes.
- Hiking poles are optional.
- Dress according to the weather.
- Bring a lunch and enough water for the duration of the hike.
- Sun and bug protection as required
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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.
