Vista Trail (Rouge Valley CA)

 Vista Trail is one of a series of 8 hiking trails in the Rouge Valley Conservation Area (Cedar and Orchard Trails are 2 more explored previously -see this blog).

As you can see from the pictures, this trail is a great work out, with lots of steps and steep footpaths covering 1.5km one way.

I had some issues before starting this trail today because of the weather.  I expected it to be a lot sunnier and warmer than it started out, but by the time we started moving on the trail, my body temperature started rising and my spirits lifted.  That's the funny thing about being out for walks in the woods, it always make one feel like the weight of their problems become lighter.  Maybe its the adrenaline rush, or the fresh air, or nothing more than the beauty of nature but whatever it is it works.

There was the familiar posting of 'watch out for coyotes' in this area.  I've seen it all over the trails in the GTA and Hamilton this year, and don't think this was typical every year.  If you look at this link, it shows that these carnivores are not new to the urban life and it's possible this trend my someday affect even larger carnivores.  This shouldn't be too much of a shock to us, as our population grows and continues to move outwards breaking into deeper rural areas; We are moving into their territories forcing animals out of their natural habitats.  The outcome of this leaves predators with less food and smaller habitat areas.

The Vista Trail begins The Pearse House .  This is located in the north close to the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo (see blog) and will follow you down to Twyn Rivers Drive in the south end of the trail.   You won't believe the panoramic views from the top of the bluffs looking down at the Little Rouge Creek and Rouge River Valleys.

There are a few interesting sites along the Vista Trail.  One is the overhanging tree which has bent over almost in a horizontal position for years, and has refused to fall into the bluffs below.  You will also notice a bi-level wooden platform that will gives you some awe-inspiring views looking east across the valley.

Abundant plant and animal life here in the rouge valley.  There are some very steep grades as you continue through the trail so be sure to use caution as there are deep drops.  For a 1.5 km walk you will not be disappointed and with so many other trails in the same area, you can easily spend a day hiking here in the Rouge Valley.

Orchard Trail (Rouge Valley)

Majestic Jack Pines

I loved the Orchard Trail in the Rouge Valley much more than "Cedar Trail" The paths are more concise and you won't have any problems on the trail if you follow the white blazes marked on the trees.

The Orchard Trail was carved out of remnants of an agricultural past and coins the phrase 'hope springs eternal' as you can see even in a short span of two years nature reclaiming the land.

I used to frequent the Tommy Thompson Park quite a bit and one of the things I thought was the most interesting was the way the geography was transformed by  growing over piles of rubble.  This had created hills and valleys and the excavation of the nearby soil would produce wetlands when it was removed to cover the rubble.

You can see this very phenomenon from the north trail head.  

Another interesting bit of information was that I found out that back in the 50's there used to be a hotel on the South trail head (at Twyn Rivers Drive).  You can still see pieces of the old concrete dam that was once used to back up the Rouge River for swimming for the guests at the hotel that once stood there. It was apparently a popular vacation spot in its time equipped with a ski hill as well.  A search didn't produce any pictures of the hotel itself, though perhaps if I have a little more time I will have closer look.

One of the obvious features of the Orchard Trail

The Rouge River

Site of the remains of the dam and Hotel

is of course the orchard that belonged to residents that once lived here.  I took some pictures of some wild flowers, and snails that started from the ground (eggs that are laid) and somehow found themselves resting on the top leaf of a wild plant four feet up the stalk.  Now that is what I call perseverence!

Near the entrance of the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre, where you cross the front of the house to start the Orchard Trail you will see various sign postings that claim some safety tips in case you encounter a coyote, as well as the possibility of spotting white-tailed deer.  I saw neither, although my camera was in position and would have loved that, other people on the trail were too noisy to ever make any animal feel like peeking out of its hole.

Scrap metal from old car

Spotted some scrap metal of a car, and a box spring from a back seat.  This may have been left over from the local residents.  No one bothered to remove it and it just makes for a unique feature point.  

Now the bees were odd to me.  They moved so slowly, and as I zoomed into two of them hovering around a particular purple flower, I noticed their movements becoming slower and slower and I wondered if they were being poisoned with pesticide sprayed in the area.  I hope not, I would be disappointed if I thought the bees were being harmed by this.

The Orchards

The loveliest site of all in the Orchard Trail to me was the tall Jack Pines.  Majestic and slender, they are in the running for my favorite tree now, along with the Willows.

The entire trail from beginning to end is over 4km both ways.    Unlike the Cedar Trail this one starts at the Conservation Centre and will easily take you back again without leaving you in the middle of nowhere after your descent into the valley.  This one is very accessible with only moderate slopes so great for running and hiking.  Biking is not allowed in any parts of the Conservation Area. If you can manage a two hour trek though, this is one I recommend.

Exploring the Bowmanville Zoo

The Bowmanville Zoo may not be Canada's largest zoo, but it is certainly Canada's oldest private zoo, founded in 1919 in Bowmanville, Ontario.

This zoo has some pretty impressive creatures considering it's size.  Including the gorgeous Bengal Tiger named Jonas from the movie "Life of Pi" (which I saw and thoroughly loved!!).  Jonas was no where around.  He was either getting a massage, or busy brushing up on his part in another movie spot.  Did you know that the Bowmanville Zoo is Canada's largest supplier of Hollywood movie animals? 

Limba the Elephant is the only Elephant at the zoo, and although animal activists claim that she is or must be unhappy, evidence goes to the contrary.  She is 50 years old and is in excellent health.  At one time there apparently were 6 elephants that lived in the zoo, but Limba shied away or fear them.  She never interacted with them even though elephants are believed to be social animals.  As time went, it was proven that she simply just didn't bond with them.  

She loves people and they know this by the clicking sounds she makes or the way she moves towards the people instead of away from.  She often accompanies her keeper giving rides on her back in the zoo and she is often an attraction for families at the Bethesda House.  The Bethesda House is an organization that helps families deal with domestic violence.
  

The Camels at the Bowmanville zoo are also stars here and are treated very well.  Some of them have been there over 15 years.  They also were in a movie called, 'The 13th Warrior" starring Antonio Banderas (lucky camels..)  Although they are not as smart as elephants, they are still wise and are hard working.  These animals are trained, as well as their keepers to take all precautions possible for the safety of the people who ride them.

The cutest attraction here is the goats, great for kids (kids...) but watch your paper maps.  We witnessed a goat grab our map, and continue to chew on it while onlookers laughed.  I was horrified thinking it would get sick, but apparently there is enough fibre in the paper and the zoo keeper assured me the ink was non toxic and it happens all the time?

But the baby goats roam freely and are tame to pet.


The children will enjoy "Funland" and "Splash-bash" as well as the elephants rides.  

I've got a few more ideas coming up, but for me I won't be visiting a zoo again for a very long time.  I realize these animals are treated well enough and cared for but I still believe that wild animals are meant to be kept wild to do their thing and humans really have no place to that end, other than to serve and protect them in order for them to continue their life in the wild (ie. if they are in threat of extinction by way of commerce or culture)  They are not put on this planet to be caged up for me or anyone else.  

There are hundreds of different ways to help out animals in the wild, there are activists groups that focus on a specific species, or groups helping endangered, abused or abandoned animals.  Either way I think it our responsibility to support the species that share our planet, and that includes our own species as well.   

Cedar Trail (Rouge Valley)

If there's anything that can heal me it's a good long walk through the woods or a soul-search over the fields of wildflowers, day-old hay and the sounds of a distant locomotive.  

How could I have known that my life has been easy and blessed until this year, which I will always remember as one of the worst?  It is true that tragedy brings forth pain and challenges, and if you can rise to it, you will be stronger.

While I long for the simpler days again, never realizing that simple is good and not to complain, it is in the wake of these challenges that I appreciate the buzzing of the bees and the flight of the birds overhead and the birth of regrowth that shows me life is going on all around me.  I'd love to walk here alone, but I can't.  I have to share myself with others that need me and maybe I might need them too.

I'm not done with this as there are still many obstacles ahead, but why not walk here undaunted, if not for answers, but for peace alone.  So I did.

My camera isn't working as well as it used to. I focus into something small and close, but it doesn't want to sharpen the view.  It's time for a new camera, but I still love taking pictures.  I have plenty I haven't cataloged yet, and some posts have been put off until now.  I have decided to balance worry with wisdom, heartache with hope.  

This is another series of trails in the lovely Rouge Valley Conservation Area.  This one is called Cedar Trail.  It's all off-road; no vehicles allowed here, so no point in looking back, but I will say one thing, the trail ends at a very inconvenient place in the middle of nowhere really.  So if you are on foot, you are looking at about an 8-10 km trek back to the city of Toronto, unless you want to turn around and go back the way you came.  I personally don't like to hike that way, and quite a few others are the same.  Moving forward without backtracking is pretty common.  But these trails aren't designed for that as they are in the middle of a conservation area which is a non-profit charitable organization that offers hikes and educational tours.  It is designed to have you come back to them, so that you can donate, share, assist, learn and restore.

The Rouge River flows through it from near McCowan Road to 19th Avenue.   It begins in the Oak Ridges Moraine in Richmond Hill and goes by Markham northwest, central to south and into a few other smaller conservation areas.  It flows like chocolate milk as it picks up mud and debris traveling south.  

Cedar Trail is one of 5 trails in the conservation area.  This particular one is 2.2 km through old growth forest.  Even while it was sweltering out and the sun was hot and humid, the lush valley was cool by comparison.   There are some steep grades on the trail and several wooden staircases taking you down into the forest floor, which is yet another reason, I personally don't wish to go back up where I came from.  I had no idea that what lay ahead was 2 hours of walking to get back into the suburban core.  It's rural country out here, next to the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, which shares land space.  Passing several hectares of unripened corn crops and long two-laned highways it was quite the hike.   The Rouge Valley Conservation area is not for biking either.  

So, come here to escape,  belong to nature again and watch out for the coyotes (warning posters have been in every trail from Hamilton to Eastern Ontario).  When you go into the valley, expect to come right back up in this place, otherwise expect a 2-3 hour journey along Beare Rd up to Steeles almost as far as Markham Road.

Was it worth it? Yes.  You can expect to see small streams that flow into the Little Rouge Creek.  You will see all kinds of wetland and meadow species near southern sections of the trail and forest species in the north.  

If you haven't had a chance to challenge yourself in a while, I suggest starting with a place where you can't look back.