NEWSLETTER
FALL 2025


Active & Energized Together Outdoors


In this issue

Stay in the loop

with our Events Calendar

Stay connected

with our Forums

Share your photos

to our Photo Gallery

A welcome to new members from your Club Manager, Cheryl McCarney

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new members – you have joined a dynamic, inclusive, non-competitive and social club that is active and energized together outdoors. 

Make sure to frequently visit the website at www.haltonoutdoorclub.ca, as events are continuously added throughout the month in all sports. I suggest you check the Events Calendar every couple of days so you don’t miss a scheduled activity. If the event registration is full, make sure you join the waitlist. Typically, registration for most events opens 2 weeks in advance of the start date, however, if there is a cost associated with the event, then the registration open date will be further out. Check the event for the specific date that registration will open.

Consider trying something new: if you joined for cycling, consider joining a hike. We offer various levels/distances in our activities so we can appeal to a novice as well as the experienced. Be sure to read the general description of the activity and what to bring before registering. If you have questions or aren’t sure if you should sign up for an event, reach out to me or the trip leader for further clarification. 

Ask questions, we are here to help you in any way we can!

Some useful tips about our website:

Home Page provides a general overview of what the Club has to offer. Lessons are available for paddling and cross-country skiing. Consider trying out a new sport and participating in the lessons – even the best paddler/skier can improve on their technique, and we offer various levels of lessons for that reason. 

Attend Events Tab includes the Events Calendar, but also a wealth of information on how to self-cancel a registration, extended trips, sport guidelines, information about lessons, etc. 

“Members Tab” includes a wealth of information about the Club as well as access to Club Forums. Subscribing to the Forums will keep you updated on Club happenings (instructions are on the Forums page):

“HOC Talk” is an online discussion forum to chat with other members and is often used to announce new events added late to the event calendar.

“Marketplace” is the place to buy, sell or trade gear with other members

Mobile App  We encourage all members to take advantage of the "Wild Apricot for Members" mobile app, to make your Halton Outdoor Club experience even more convenient. Further information and guides on how to use the app can be found on our website under the Members Tab. 

You will receive the Club’s Newsletter quarterly. You will also find an Updater in your Inbox every few weeks. As the name implies, the Updater provides up-to-date information about current and future events. Make sure to update your profile so that you receive these publications. Contact me if you require help doing so.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns at manager@haltonoutdoorclub.ca  905 332 4318

Back to "In this issue"

Message from the Chair, Maureen Healey

After a hot, glorious, busy and active summer, Halton Outdoor Club’s attention turns 'back to business' this Fall with a call for new Board of Director members.  Check out the job descriptions and reach out to chat if you're interested in learning more. In October we host the Fall Information Fair where there is a chance to learn more about a new sport to try. It is also a fun way to introduce your family and friends to the Club as we're always looking to grow our membership.  Our year culminates with the Annual General Meeting in November. In between there are new hiking programs to try and the winter ski/snowshoe season to prepare for.

See you on the trails!

Back to "In this issue"

Welcome to our new Membership Director

By Maureen Healey


A familiar face in a new role: thanks to Sue Mansfield, our new Membership Director, who stepped into this role when a vacancy arose.  She was formerly the Marketing Director - and is still managing a few projects while we recruit a replacement.  With a passion for data and analysis, Sue had already done a deep dive analyzing how, why and when members engage with our programs, so she was the perfect fit for this position.  She'll be focused on both retaining current members and recruiting new ones.  Thanks Sue for continuing to volunteer in a key leadership role!

Back to "In this issue"

From your Hiking Co-Directors, Patti Blair and Debbie Martin

Should I use hiking poles?

The use of poles while hiking is often a topic of debate. If using poles, should you go with one pole or two? The content in this article comes from personal experience and conversations with club members. 

PROS:

  1. Reduce Joint Stress: Proper use of poles reduces the amount of shock that would otherwise go to your hips, knees and feet ultimately meaning less stress on these joints when going uphill and downhill.

  2. Activate your core: Each time you push off with your poles, some tightening occurs in your abdominal muscles and core. Giving this core engagement, mindful consideration, especially when going uphill, can increase core activation.

  3. Improved posture: Using poles encourages a taller and more upright stance, which helps to counteract the forward lean and rounding forward that comes with walking forward and wearing a backpack.

  4. Extra propulsion: When using poles there is an extra boost that comes from using your upper body. Think of cross-country skiing where you would not consider going up a hill without using poles. Why not apply this same concept to hiking?

  5. A more complete body work-out: By using poles, your upper body muscles such as latissimus, triceps, deltoids and trapezius are engaged, along with the muscles of your lower body.

  6. Reduce fatigue: When the work is spread out over more muscle groups, there is less fatigue on any one muscle group, helping you to feel more energized over the course of the hike.

  7. Balance: There may be instances where poles provide extra stability. Examples are on a muddy, slippery trail, when crossing a creek, or anywhere that some extra control might be helpful.

  8. Reduce swelling in the hands: When using poles your hands are held higher and they are active, which can reduce swelling that often occurs when your hands hang by your side.

  9. Emergency gear: If you run into trouble on the trail, hiking poles may be useful for creating a stretcher, or putting up a shelter.

  10. Clear the air: If you are first in line along the trail, your poles can be helpful in clearing those pesky cobwebs or holding back vegetation. 

CONS

  1. Cumbersome: Some people feel that using poles adds another component that must be managed while hiking. Admittedly there may be some sections of trail where the terrain is not conducive to poles such as trails that are: narrow, recessed and below ground level, thickly overgrown with vegetation, rugged (requiring a scramble), constructed with boardwalks where the pole tips can get caught between the boards.

  2. Cold: In cold rainy weather, keeping your hands warm can be a real challenge. One of the few ways to keep your hands dry and warm is to tuck your hands up inside the sleeve of your raincoat. In this instance, poles can be a hindrance.

As you can see, the PROS win out over the CONS, 10 to 2! This is assuming, however, that the poles are worn and used effectively. There are plenty of proper poling techniques available for viewing on YouTube. Better yet, join Sue and Frank Elias on one of their Nordic Walks, where you will get plenty of hands-on learning (pun intended!) about good poling techniques. Although there are a few differences, most poling techniques used in Nordic Walking can easily be transferred to using poles on a hiking trail.  

As for the question: Should I use one or two poles? Why do something that’s good for one half of your body and not the other? Need we say more?

Back to "In this issue"

Caledon hiking series-50%

By Dave Somerville

There is always the challenge of finding new hike ideas. That’s why it is great to have The Bruce Trail which has been around for decades. As a group, we have conquered the Iroquoia Section (2022), the Niagara Section (2023) and the Toronto Section (2024). The Caledon Section in 2025 was the next logical step. 

Hike #1 was scheduled for a Saturday so we could enjoy a Spirit Tree Estate Cidery apres-hike reward of bakery goodies and wood oven pizzas (closed on Tuesdays in the off-season). 24 members enjoyed a cool breezy 15 km spring hike with the highlight being The Cheltenham Badlands. 

Hike #2 returned to the usual Tuesday morning time slot and was also the first hike of the year where the word humid was used. One of the most intense climbs of the entire Bruce Trail is located in the area south of Forks of the Credit Provincial Park (FCPP).  With lots of encouragement 15 hikers were able to conquer The Devil’s Pulpit! 

One of the wonders of spring hiking is the many trilliums that can be seen in the woodlots of Ontario. Hike #3 in FCPP did not disappoint. On the descent from Meadow Trail along the main Bruce Trail there was a carpet of white with the odd splash of purple. As we followed the river, bug spray became very necessary and even “11-zee” (that’s the time of first break) was cut short. 

Caledon can be one of the most picturesque sections of The Bruce Trail with ravines and amazing forests.  There are, however, numerous hikes that require road walking. Hike #4 was one of them.  When you throw in a little “Hot, Hazy, and Humid” (HHH) it proved to be a very challenging hike; 19 km with 10 km on the road. 

Weather forecast for Hike #5 was HHH so we will return in November.

One of the hurdles of Caledon is to get beyond Highway 9. Hike #6 covered the area to the south and passed through Glen Haffy Conservation Area.  Although there was some HHH, the tree canopy of the mature forests along with a slight breeze made the hike very enjoyable.  We were also reminded of mid-summer hiking and the presence of deerflies. SWAT, SWAT!  The finishing 38 degree humidex reading was rewarded with a stop in Inglewood at The Coywolf (one of my favourite stops in Caledon) for lattes, danishes, scones and toasted sandwiches. 

Hike #7’s morning started with a smokey drive up Highway 10.  The air slowly cleared as 4 hardy hikers tackled the 15km. An early 11-zee with Max the Moose and an appearance by “golf ball man” made for an entertaining morning.  The afternoon was highlighted with views overlooking The Phillip Gosling Memorial Forest. 

What does the future hold for the rest of The Caledon series?  Cooler temperatures!  Amazing views over golf courses and ski hills! Spectacular fall colors!  And lots of Great UPS and DOWNS. The journey continues.  Come out and enjoy fall hiking in Caledon for the second half of the series!

Back to "In this issue"

Yukon hiking trip 

By Sandra Hager 

When I saw this trip posted on the Halton Outdoor Club events calendar, I knew I wanted to participate.  I signed up without really knowing anyone.  Most of us arrived at the airport at the same time and while in the check-in line for Air North I was introduced to my roommate and the others in the group.  Everyone was very welcoming.  We landed in Whitehorse and through the windows of the airport terminal, I could see the natural beauty of Yukon starting to emerge.  I took a deep breath knowing that it was going to be a great trip.

The entire week we were awestruck by the mountains, rivers, lakes, wildlife and wildflowers.  Every time you turned your head, there was yet another stunning view and another opportunity to take photos.  

We very quickly learned mountain hiking was different from hiking on the Bruce trail.  It was very humbling.  Our hikes were timed, and we always reached the viewpoints we were aiming for.  It didn’t matter how difficult the ascent was, once you passed the tree line and the expansive beautiful views started to emerge, all the difficulties were forgotten.  

The first hike was at Fish Lake. As we proceeded to the summit, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and the rain started. 

The next day, we headed to Skagway, Alaska to ride the White Pass Yukon Trail train to the Laughton Glacier stop.  We dismounted and hiked, through a rainforest, for as long a time as permitted. It was majestic.

Canada Day was celebrated hiking the Mountain Hero/Sam McGee trail in Carcross. We sang ‘O Canada’ and felt proud to be Canadian.

We then went to Haines Junction and Kluane National Park for the next few days.  We hiked at St. Elias Lake where the mountains appeared after the rain on the first day.  We spotted two black bears on the highway eating Fireweed.  We then experienced the mountains on Auriol Trail the second day and the dried riverbeds of Alsek Valley on the third day. Again, we were awestruck by the natural beauty surrounding us. 

We were lucky to be able to go on to our last stop, Dawson City. Our guide Joe was serenaded by us with his own song about going to Dawson City as we boarded our minibus.  

Our last hike was Grizzly Lake Trail in Tombstone Park. Again, we started in the forest and climbed above the tree line to the breath-taking view of Monolith Mountain.  We sat at the top and enjoyed lunch and sun. Who wanted to leave this paradise? Not us.

There are not enough words to describe the vastness of wilderness and beauty that Yukon holds.  Until the next time! I would like to thank: Madeline Davidson, who assured us of the best experience and trip, our guides, Allan and Joe who made the Yukon come alive, the other hikers in our group and lastly, the Breakfast Club-the best way to start every day.  

Back to "In this issue"

Not what it appears on the map

By Judy Gast

When I signed up for the July 5–7 Introduction to Wilderness Camping kayaking trip in Massasauga Provincial Park, I thought it would be a great way to paddle for a few days, enjoy the wilderness, and reconnect with some paddling friends. 

Upon arrival Saturday morning, we were greeted by Ken and Ed, our seasoned leaders. The paddle to campsite 314 was stunning. Massasauga’s landscape is a maze of rocky islands, narrow inlets, and thick woods. Ken led the way through the labyrinth, and at one point, we crossed a wide channel in a straight line.  I reflected on how impressive eight brightly coloured kayaks cutting across the water in formation like synchronized swimmers must look to passing boaters. 

Our campsite was roomy, flat, and well-treed, with space for all eight tents.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself until I opened the bag of the tent I had borrowed only to discover it had no poles!  Ed came to my rescue, scanning the group for someone with a large tent and a generous heart.  That turned out to be Margaret, whom I’d never met before.  She had a three-person tent with two doors (backcountry luxury!).  I moved my things in and was warmly welcomed.  Margaret didn’t complain about anything except for the bee that stung her after I left the tent door open.

Evenings on kayak trips are always special.  We circled around the picnic table to compare our meals, everything from $20 per pouch astronaut food from Mountain Equipment Company to homemade gourmet creations cooked over a flame with fresh herbs and exotic spices.  (If you’ve ever camped with Paul Leppik, you know the bar is set very high.) 

Sunday was our day to explore Massasauga.  I volunteered to help Ken navigate.  I learned quickly that wilderness navigation is not the same as following street signs.  Every cove looks the same, every island seems to lead to a dead end, and the sun is of limited help when the sky is cloudy.  Ken, with his calm patience, helped me read the map’s legend, match island names to the blurry shapes in front of us, and spot landmarks: a buoy, a red-roofed cottage, and a peculiar dip in the treeline.  Our paddle toward what we thought was an orange campsite marker turned out to be a woman in an orange shirt.  This was a lesson in perspective: not everything is what it appears on the map. 

Early Monday morning, a heavy rain rolled through.  Over a slow breakfast, we shared leftovers, packed up soggy gear, and prepared for the paddle back.  We reflected on what we had learned.  I discovered that things are not always what they seem on a map or in life.  I learned the value of experience, the beauty of patience, and the power of asking for help.  Most importantly, I rediscovered how energizing and joyful it is to be active outdoors, working together, laughing through the surprises, and truly connecting with old and new Halton Outdoor Club friends.

Back to "In this issue"

Smooth trails, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels & apple fritter triumphs

By Gerry Ruygrok

Earlier this summer, seventeen spirited souls from our Halton Outdoor Club set out on a mid-week Stratford Musical Ride that turned out to be as smooth as the G to G rail trail itself (Guelph to Goderich), and twice as fun.  Under blue skies, our trusty leader Sue Dane gathered us bright and early in Milverton, Ontario, for what would become an unforgettable “Stratford Musical Ride: A Two Day Cycling and Theatre Adventure”!!

Tuesday morning couldn’t have been more perfect: fresh air, sunshine that warmed but never roasted, and a trail so well-kept that the 40 kilometers flew by.  There were some huge chipmunks on the trail but none were spotted, just their sink holes.  We pedaled from Monkton to Millbank and back, seventeen bicycles crunching rhythmically along the rail trail.  Conversations floated back and forth, everything from upcoming trips to local gossip and jokes, while the countryside rolled gently by in a blur of green forests, fields and horses.  

Our lunch stop was at the famous Anna Mae’s Bakery & Restaurant.  Fate smiled upon us: not a single flat tire, crash, or navigational misstep.  Even the bugs kept a respectful distance, although Nancy and Gail misplaced their car.

The day’s adventures worked up a healthy appetite, so we pointed our bikes (and our rumbling stomachs) to the Best Western, and then walked toward Stratford’s Mercer’s Restaurant.  It proved to be the perfect pit stop: the food was spicy, varied, and so delicious that even the normally chatty among us paused to savour every bite.  Bellies full, spirits high, and slightly unbuttoned waistbands in tow, we walked to the Avon Theatre.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered: hilariously vulgar, delightfully clever, and packed with music and dance numbers that had us grinning from ear to ear.  A few of us even wondered aloud if swindling rich vacationers on the French Riviera might be a better retirement plan than cycling Ontario’s backroads.

Wednesday dawned with a stubborn drizzle, and most of us retreated to Stratford’s indoor delights, Romeos Restaurant.  I heard the eggs Benedict was to die for.  After a lot of coffee, stalling and talking ourselves out of putting on rain gear, we checked out of our nice hotel.

Our rain proof leader, Sue, however,  and one other brave and trusting cyclist, Melanie, set off undeterred, earning honorary waterproof hero status. The rest of us explored hidden gems like The Wild Hog Country Market, local fromageries, bakeries and Baden Coffee Roasters.

On behalf of the Ocean 17, I would like to thank Sue for leading and organizing an amazing cycle trip and theater outing in Stratford.  Thank you to the Halton Outdoor Club for supporting another successful and fun trip.


Back to "In this issue"

Massasauga Provincial Park & Wolf Den paddle adventures

By Bonnie Spillane

Being on the water always makes my heart and soul feel at peace.   

We had an incredible time on the backcountry Massasauga trip with leaders Virginia Martin & Paul Leppik.  We were blessed with mild weather, a fantastic campsite, excellent company and some great paddling.

It was my first time sleeping alone in a tent, and for anyone who knows me, I'm afraid of the dark and things that go bump in the night.  I set my tent up on the rocky hill and the view was divine.  I was able to keep the fly on my tent partially open to star gaze and watch all the fireflies dance around. It was magical.  

The best thing about paddling with others are the stories you hear, both kayak-related and personal; everything from meal ideas, navigation tips, trying out each other’s boats and paddles, future destination dreams and past trip adventures.  

I most definitely would travel with this bunch again.

Afterwards, I came home, aired out my stuff and packed up for the next adventure: Wolf Den Retreat with leaders Bob Annis & Paul Leppik. This time it was more of a car camping trip; an interesting contrast. 

There were no tents, just a clean, rustic cabin with a fridge and freezer.  Leave your spam at home and pack up your steak!  Boy, did we ever eat well.  Bob fed us a fantastic group meal upon arrival that was so delicious and clearly a passion project for him. 

It was decadent to pack up any food we wanted for meals, not having to worry about bears or spoilage: delicious desserts from Henrietta's Bakery, a soft bed to fall into at the end of the day, dry towels and a warm shower to wash off the daily grime.  

We explored 3 different lakes with the sun on our face, lunch in our hatch, bathing suit and towel in our dry sacks.  All were great paddling experiences with Cache Lake being my favourite.  

I felt lucky that I was able to experience both of these trips and face my anxiety about signing up for a trip as a single traveler.  I had a wonderful time and gained: 12 new paddling friends, 100 great ideas, 50+ photos on my phone to remind me of how nature grounds me and stronger paddling skills. 

To my surprise, as much as I appreciated all the comforts of the cabin, I missed the solitude and sanctuary of my tent at Massasauga where I had to confront my fear of the dark and the creatures that moved around me at night.  I missed the glow of the moon and the stars.  The sounds of the night and fireflies that kept me company.  

Thank you to Halton Outdoor Club and volunteers for making these experiences fun, enjoyable and educational.  You are all amazing and I feel lucky to be a part of this community.  

Hope to see you all on the water again soon with paddle in hands. 

Back to " In this issue"

Martin Goodman trail ride

By Liz Gibbon

After 3 days of scorching heat, the day of our ride is cloudy, cooler, and windless.  A cyclists paradise, in fact.  We assemble at Saddington Park in Port Credit, ready to ride the waterfront trail to points east of Humber Bridge.  A five minute shower does not dampen our spirits and we set off eagerly behind our leader Gloria.  This has long been one of my favourite urban rides: paved, no hills (very important for me) and lots of variety.  It includes suburban streets, waterfront trails, parks, charming wooded areas,  special bike trails along the busy Lakeshore Boulevard, and eventually, great views of Toronto as we cross the Humber River.

Today does not disappoint.  Our first ‘wow’ moment is in Port Credit as we look out over the lake: flat calm with a pinky translucent haze.  We have to stop to admire the view.  Continuing on, we eventually arrive at the Adamson Estate, originally a 300 acre summer property belonging to the Cawthra family which is now a public park owned by the City of Mississauga.  We cycle through woodland paths, hardly believing that we are still part of a large city.  Later on a small hiccup occurs when we encounter a substantial chain link fence across the path.  Where do we go now?  Gloria and Sue soon find a diversion and we continue on our way.  

Eventually we reach the Martin Goodman trail (now we are really in Toronto) and cycle on past the waterfront condominium towers and marinas.  We cross the Humber Bridge, and soon we see the grassy parks which line this part of the lake.  Lunch!  This is almost my favourite part of any ride: a chance to socialize, feel good that we have come so far, and of course, eat.  We find a shelter with tables, nearby washrooms and after a suitable break are ready to cycle the return journey.  

We arrive back at Port Credit and check that we have done 40 enjoyable kilometres.  Such fun to ride with like-minded people who love outdoor activities.  For me, I am glad to have a) enjoyed the ride b) kept up and c) not fallen off.  Thanks to Gloria for leading, Sue for navigating diversions, and Patti for being the sweep and watching my back.

Back to "In this issue"

Moose, men, menopause...and women talking!

By Judy Gast

What do men, moose and menopause have in common?  Well, there were no men, moose or signs of menopause on the Algonquin paddling trip! But there were six women talking!


As I had not  paddled in Algonquin Park, I knew it would meet my desire for discovery and connection.  With car camping (vs. wilderness camping) you can throw everything in your car for a luxurious camping experience! There was a Taj Mahal tent, a cot with a thick sleeping pad, rocking chair, cooking equipment to bake Sandy's birthday cake, and lots of good food and wine. 

I dutifully sorted through my camping bins to figure out what I needed and what was pure luxury.  OK, that is an exaggeration. I just stuffed everything in my car!  (This time I at least ensured that my tent had poles.)  We met at the visitors centre, checked in and headed to Canisbay Campground, our home for the next four days.  

The arrival day and night is about setting up, getting ready, anticipating, and chattering about gear (with some gear envy).  We helped Viera set up her big kitchen tent that would ensure we kept dry and could cook and eat without bugs or bears.

On day one Judy led us on a hike at Booth Rock and we had great weather and limited bugs.  I agreed to write an article for the newsletter if she produced a moose or a bear so I would have content (the Northern lights would work too).  She smiled and said she would try.  The hike was great although no moose or bear were to be seen. 

Day two I woke up to hear women talking! I laid in my tent hearing every word.  They were telling stories of menopause (theirs and others) and there was lots of laughter.  I emerged from my tent and told them that I now had content for an article.   

Day three was beautiful kayaking on Canisbay Lake, followed by a swim, dinner, and more women talking.  We got beyond gear talk and menopause stories and yakked about men, adventures and mishaps from past trips, colonoscopies, and taking care of aging parents (the usual stuff).  I felt a connection, like my life was normal, indeed wonderful.   

The next day kayaking we saw several loons.  Seeing them touched something special in me as for many years I had spent a lot of time at a cottage on a lake admiring their grace. 

The last day we packed up, shared our leftover food and went on a short hike.  Although we never saw a moose, bear, or the northern lights, we definitely had a great time talking.  The hiking, paddling and camping all worked out well too.   

I look forward to my next Halton Outdoor Club trip with or without moose, bears or men.  I am sure it will be an adventure with lots to discover and great people to connect with.   

Back to "In this issue"

HOC on the road again.... August weather and the City of Ottawa did not disappoint 

By Melanie Baroch



We had 24 enthusiastic cyclists out and about in the City of Ottawa, resulting in great moments. Our hosts did a great job, breakfast everyday and the canal on our doorstep, at Ottawa U. 

Due to the extreme heat, we added an early bird canal ride (6am) to beat the heat. The bike infrastructure offered wonderful rides over the 4 days of riding.

We also made good use of the various water features to cool off. Britannia Beach offered us swimming and an outstanding ice cream shop to relax on the shaded patio. The NCC River House offers an amazing experience of facilities on the edge of the Ottawa River. With great views, change rooms, showers, café, boat rentals, sailing lessons and dozens of red Muskoka chairs throughout the property to enjoy. Best of all wonderful the interlocking dock setup to enjoy a refreshing dip or laps with swimming lanes.


The Ottawa Valley offered a great trail ride through the “Hallmark worthy” towns of Carleton placed and Almonte with optional exploring of the founder of Basketball James Naismith’s home town and the Textile Museum. 

Our group guided tour of Rideau Hall (The Governor General’s Residence) was impressive and educational.

The ByWard Market offered us all great spots for get-togethers over dinner. 

We were fortunate to be entertained with the firework competition display on Parliament Hill. 

Thanks to Loraine and Sue for putting this together and to Heather and Maureen for assisting to plan and lead through changing trip conditions.  Thanks also to those who helped nurse, lead and sweep our group through the capital area to make this trip a success!  


Back to "In this issue"

Hidden treasures: paddling Achray/Barron Canyon

By Carol Bailey

On August 14th, I had the opportunity to experience an area of Algonquin Provincial Park I had never been to before. Achray Campground was originally a logging camp accessible only by train. In the 1970’s, a 45 km gravel road was built making this an area more accessible to canoeists, kayakers and campers.  One of the things the area is famous for is the lookout where “The Jack Pine” was sketched by Tom Thomson while he was working here as a fire ranger.

Our first day was spent paddling along the shores of Grand and Stratton Lakes with our destination being High Falls, a beautiful area with natural rock slides and pools. And yes, we portaged 7 kayaks 419 metres to get there!  On Day 2, we explored Grand Lake in the opposite direction.  In the evening, some of our group enjoyed a performance by a local folk singer at the amphitheatre who told stories about the area’s history through song. 

The adventure continued on Day 3 when our kayakers turned into canoeists.  The goal was to see Barron Canyon and this we did from two different perspectives.  The first was from the Barron Canyon trail which took us to the cliff’s edge to overlook the spectacular section of the canyon we would be paddling.  The second was from the water itself looking back up at the rocky cliff walls.  It was a peaceful paddle and the necessary portage around Cache Falls was a lot easier with kevlar canoes than kayaks!

A huge thank-you to the Brunatos for sharing this area of Ontario with us. On the last night they hosted us back at their cottage property so we didn’t need to make the trip back home so late in the day!


Back to "In this issue"

Please consider writing a short piece for your Club Newsletter 

Share your thoughts, experiences and photos with other members

Newsletter submissions are welcome at any time - share your experiences, photos or thoughts about the Club with your fellow members. And we like it short – no more than 500 words!! Preferably with some photos.

The Newsletter is published 4 times a year with submission deadlines of February 12, May 12, August 19 and late November (1-2 weeks after the AGM). 

Details, including where to send, can be found  at Guidelines For Newsletter Submissions 

Back to "In this issue"


Board of Directors

Club Manager:

Cheryl McCarney

manager@haltonoutdoorclub.ca

Assistant Manager:

Donna Cowley

info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca

Chair:

Maureen Healey

Vice Chair:

Loraine Walter

Treasurer:

Bob Annis

Secretary:

Kathy Grant-Munoz

Membership Director:

Sue Mansfield


Hiking Co-Directors:

Patti Blair

Debbie Martin

Winter Sport Director:

Jim Blair

Cycling Director:

Sue Dane

Paddling Co-Directors:

Ed Brunato

Paul Leppik

Marketing & Communications Director:

Sue Mansfield

Information Technology Director:

Susan Gower

Photo sources

Some of the images in this issue of the Newsletter have been used from our Halton Outdoor Club Website Photo Gallery. We would like to thank you for your photos and we love sharing your smiles with other members.


Some of the images in this issue of the Newsletter have been emailed to us from the author of the article. We would like to thank you for taking the time to share your HOC moments in both words and happy faces!


Some of the images in this issue are from Pexels.com. Pexels allows photographers to upload their images to their site, knowing that their images will be reused by others. Donations are accepted and appreciated by the original photographer.


Back to "In this issue"

Membership advantages

Click on logo to visit their website

Discounts will vary for selected services and products depending on vendor.

Adventure Attic

28 King Street West, Hamilton

All the Right Gears

442 Millen Rd Unit 16, Stoney Creek

Brant Cycle

892 Brant Street, Burlington

Canadian Outdoor Equipment

199 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga

The Complete Paddler

919 Oxford St, Toronto

Cyclepath Oakville

507 Speers Rd, Oakville

Highlands Nordic

1182 Nottawasaga Concession 10 S, Duntroon

Ontario Sea Kayak Centre

6 Harmony Lane, Parry Sound

Pierik's Cycle


Rack Attack

3145 Dundas St West, Mississauga

Rock and Road Cycle

2501 Guelph Line, Burlington

ScoutTech Outfitters
239 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga

Soleil Sports
Oakville


SAIL
2208 Industrial St, Burlington

SAIL Discount Details

Join Us Membership Sign Up

Email Us info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca

Call Us  905-634-2012

Mail Us 3023 New St.
P.O. Box 91565
Burlington, ON L7R 4L6

View our policies: Terms of UsePrivacy Policy, Refund Policy

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software