Warden Woods trail

Spring, Summer or Fall, Warden Woods is a beautiful trail located in the east end of Toronto.  I'd say it's not big, not small, just big enough to feel like you've escaped the rush of a city into the balance of nature for a while.



Warden Woods is a heavily forested trail covering a land space of 56 hectares.  From the corner of St. Clair and Warden to Pharmacy Avenue, it follows the Massey Creek which flows into the Don River.  I've been here before (see Warden Subway Station on this blog) but didn't walk through the entire trail because at the time most of the paths were muddy and sloppy.  It's now late autumn and a lot of vibrant fall colours are disappearing into browns, tans and greys.  The reminder of course that winter is not far long, but this trail will still be utilized in the winter for snowshoeing and hiking.  

If you keeping on the asphalt pathway, there are many examples of beautiful scenery to take pictures of, worthy of framing!  The valley was formed by erosion caused by Massey creek through glacial deposits and the path can be winding and hilly at times.  You'll see some heavily forested areas which I suspect are much lovelier in the late spring/summer months when the green foliage is out. 

The Taylor Massey creek is protected and preserved by volunteers of the 'Taylor Massey Project'.  For those interested in learning about how to get involved yourself or just finding out more about project goals and objectives Click Here

 

Even though it is virtually impossible to get lost in Warden Woods because you are always just minutes from civilization, while in it, it really does feel like a different place in time.

Happy Trails!

Fir Valley Woods

Chances are if you're doing a search on Fir Valley Woods you won't find much; that's probably because if you blink you'll miss it. 

Fir Valley Woods is a small spot of forest off Warden Avenue between St. Clair and Danforth avenues.  There are no bike paths, or concrete foot paths anywhere, but that isn't to say that Fir Valley isn't without its unique charms. 


There is a broken bridge that overpasses the Taylor (or Massey) creek and I suspect that this trail is pretty much left unattended by the City of Toronto, unless there is some unforeseen danger or emergency which takes place here. 


The Fir Valley Woods covers a land space of approximately 1.5 hectares.  It contains a watershed tunnel, a steep hill, a small cluster of fir trees (of course) and an exit adjacent the Warden subway station. 

If you follow out towards St. Clair Avenue you will get to the entrance of a much larger trail called Warden Woods.

Fall Colours at Taylor Creek

 The Taylor Creek Park trail (also known as the Massey Creek trail) were named from two well known families that had historical ties to the area in the early 1800's.  The Trail follows a major stream that forks and flows to form the Lower Don River (the East Don, and this tributary).  

It is such a peaceful and beautiful area with entrances that are so secluded from the Cities core, it just feels like your own private forest.  By travelling southwest on the trail you will end up at Lower Don Trail which will take you parallel to the Don Valley parkway and downtown Toronto. 


Taylor Creek Park and trail is 16 kilometers long and runs from the Sheppard and Victoria Park and flows diagonally under Hwy 401 at Pharmacy.  It continues with on and off watershed and diverted interruptions until it spills out into the Don River.  

Since 1993 with the help of citizens and other environmental groups called, "Friends of the Don East (FODE), there has been much pressure put on the City to reduce the storm water flow into the Taylor Massey Creek much.  In 2003, the City implemented the Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan which will do just that and improve the habitat in the creek for fish and other water organisms living there.

Halloween Screeemmers

 It's that time of year again at the Toronto Exhibition Place, where "Canada's Ultimate Haunted Houses' are showcased in SCREEMERS!' THE SCARE IS EVERYWHERE! 

Thats me in the back, lookin at my camera!! My pretty niece in the front!

Your first scare may happen when you see the prices at the ticket booth! Luckily I met up with family and my sis in law had coupons which are available, so check in advance to see where you can pick some up.  Once inside, you'll find the Queen Elizabeth building is pretty spacious for the event.  Ghouls, Slashers, Ghosts and Mad-men wandering around aimlessly.  Mock cemeteries and fortune tellers.   There are 6 Haunted Houses to go through and we were only really able to get to 3 of them - !  The Asylum, DARKNESS (my fave) and The Slasher Wax Museum.  What was really enough to make you SCREEEEM were the long lineups getting into these houses! 

Long line ups : (  for each haunted House!

The Free Rides!!

Okay for the good news...Yes!! I SCREEEMED - many times actually much to my surprise, and yes, the 'actors' who make this event really fun did a great job! There was a lot of attention to detail as well.  As well there are free rides that are available to everyone, once you are inside and you can go on the 'ScRaMBleR' or the Ferris Wheel, or the "Freak Out" (yes that freaked me out)!! I found this on YouTube that someone else had recorded of the same exact ride The Freak Out Ride 

My brother lookin a HIS camera (hey it runs in the family :)

Just your average ghoul

My Black Widow Costume

We all had a great time and I really don't think you can be too young or old to enjoy HALLOWEEN!! What isn't there to like? All the candy you can eat and dressing up to be anything you want to be! This year I am "the Black Widow"


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!