Mabel Davis Conservation Area (Newmarket)

This was one of those bone chilling days in late winter, just approaching spring, when we decided to check out another trail to walk off some calories after our AYCE lunches.  We decided to go to Mabel Davis Conservation area as the map showed us it was close.

You can enter the kilometre trail here either from Bayview Parkway or off of Davis Drive.  We started from the Davis drive location where we were able to find some parking off the side of the road.  

The trail is south of the Rogers Reservoir,  which I had blogged before (you can search for it to see some nice pictures of Holland landing).

This 7 hectare area is surrounded by city development, but you can still find a wide range of animals like rabbits, muskrats and raccoons.  Of course this time of year, the geese, ducks and drakes are in full swing totally acclimatized to the winters here in Canada.  

One of the most unique features of this trail however are the trail markers.  They are known as 'doodems' and they all use natural elements and are inspired by the Ojibwe ancestors.  There are 10 'doodems' in total.   I only captured 1 of them.  The OWL (GOOKOOKO'OO(G) - Which means wisdom and foresight.  Keeper of sacred knowledge.  This may largely be due to the fact that the owl is a great foreteller of weather conditions and are creatures of the night.

By the time we got as far as the Newmarket Radial Arch bridge, the sky had washed out creating a sombre feel (at least that's how I viewed it).  The Radial Arch bridge was built in  1909 by the Toronto and York Radial Railway company and is known to be one of the earliest reinforced concrete arches.  Standing on it's own now as a piece of history, it once supported part of a trestle bridge spanning the Holland river and Grand Trunk railway tracks. 

Newmarket is very proud of this parabolic arch which has a clear span of 15 metres and a rise of 7 metres.  The railway was discontinued in the 1930s, but since the arch was one of few of its kind, it was preserved in 1979 by the town of Newmarket.  I am not going to say I was impressed as today's standard architecture and engineering leaves this little archway paling...but considering the tools and technology we have today I will respect what I saw nonetheless. 

My final thoughts are this is a must see trail when the leaves are out and you might be able to catch some wildlife.  Also, I'd like to see all the 'doodems' when I have more time.

Oh, and who was Mabel Davis?  She was a lifetime resident of Newmarket who donated a strip of land to the Conservation Area.   She was the namesake for this trail.

Thornton Bale Conservation Area -(Joker's Hill)

It was a seasonal afternoon, when temperatures almost crept up into the double digits when we both had the afternoon off.  I've been wanting to go to Thornton Bales Conservation Area for quite some time now since I heard about "Joker's Hill".  The name intrigued me, here we are.

Thornton Bales is located near King, Ontario and has some parking closeby for the public.  The map on entrance of the trail shows a 4.2 kilometer loop which is perfect to bring us out and back with an hour or so.   

The trail itself was wet and at times slippery or muddy but generally in good hiking condition.  It is considered moderate because there are plenty of hills, slopes and valleys to conquer.  The beauty is rugged and undeniable. 

Here's the interesting part and I will get to the 'Joker's Hill" in a second.  This land was donated by Drs. Murray and Marvel Koffler and encompasses 350 Hectares of ecosystems, with 50 hectares accessible all year around to the public for hiking and trail blazing.  Scientists and students come from all over the world to this area called ANSI which is the Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.  Quickly you'll notice a 54 metre drop up ahead from the southwest corner to the north boundary nicknamed "The 99 Steps"   

So the bulk of this donated land is used by the University of Toronto to investigate critical environmental issues such as biological invasions and climate change and to study the basic biology of the region's diverse plants and flora life.  You will see marked areas such as 'research in progress' All they really ask is that you avoid those areas so the scientific studies to continue.

The Koffler Scientific Reserve which it is called, hosts many activities such as for the university involving their coursework or even public nature walks.  So this is called Joker's Hill.  Still don't understand why it's called that :)

Their mission: Building a sustainable future through  research and education on the environment, in the environment.




We had to use the GPS, much to my husband's lament because the marked trail didn't follow the loop in my all trails app, and I am pretty sure would have gotten lost without it.  Part of the problem is that the markers can be confusing and there are so many forks at times.  Beautiful woody trail.  I really think they could remark some of the areas.  

We met up with a lot of people who were lost from the Bathurst entrance.   So it turned into quite the adventure after all.  I wouldn't trade this experience though and I think I would prefer to be here on grey wet days and it seems to suit the mood of the dark wood much more than the bright warmth of the sun.

Great trails, amazing views .  I will definitely come back again in the fall.