Scarborough Bluffs

I have often wondered if they had ever done a yearly analysis on the erosion rate of the Scarborough Bluffs, since I had noticed over time a substantial decrease in the height of the mountainous height of sand level. I did find this from a study in 1979. 

"Bluffer's Park, a 2.41km reach of Lake Ontario shoreline in the Borough of

Scarborough, was used as a case study.  The erosion rate, being an annual measure of a volume of material eroded from a linear metre of shore linehaving a bluff height of 1 metre (m3/m/m/yr), was found to be 0.34m3/m/m/yr.)  This rate is an average over the face of the bluff and is in the same range as the rates normally associated with other areas of Scarborough Bluffs. "

.

Springs first thaw has created flooding in certain parts of Toronto this year.  I've never seen the bluffers with so much overflow, leaving muck piles everywhere.  Water is rising due to global warming and I've heard the cottage is flooded, but we'll wait until we can get closer to check it out.

There are certain looks that the Bluff cliffs give that makes me think of Arizona for some reason? 

The layers of sand and clay exposed in these cliffs display a remarkable geological record of the last stages of the Great Ice Age. Unique in North America, they have attracted worldwide scientific interest. The first 46 metres of sediments contain fossil plants and animals that were deposited in a large river delta during the first advance of the Wisconsinan glacier some 70,000 years ago. They are covered by 61 metres of boulder clay and sand in alternating layers left by four subsequent advances and retreats of ice. The final withdrawal of the glacier occurred some 12,000 years ago.

They also found clay minerals int he triassic rocks in the colorado plateau, which would explain why I relate the two North American sites.

Glen Rouge Campground

Lately, it certainly doesn't feel like camping weather, but it's nice to plan ahead sometimes and dream about warmer days even though it seems they'll never come again!

Located at 7540 Kingston Road is Toronto's only campground.  Even in winter, there are tons of trails to hike each with an average of about 1.5-2.5 km taking you through valleys, meadows, orchards, along creeks and streams and vista overlooking the Rouge River.

It was a cool afternoon after a nice lunch, and I was burning up calories to make up for the chocolate ice cream I had for dessert.  A lot of the Rouge Valley is perfect for camping and this place has its fill of customers from May - October.  It's far enough from the city (about a 20 minute drive) to get a look at the stars at night.  I think one of the bonuses of the Glen Rouge Campground is that it's close enough to home (just in case an emergency comes up) and yet it doesn't feel like you're in the city at all when  you are meandering through the forests.  Even in the winter, the trees are alive with birds, most of which never migrate.


I hadn't walked over to the beach area and why would I in January? However in mid-summer, you'll enjoy sandy beaches and if  you have kids, there's a few swings in a small playground for them and plenty of power stations and water at every camp site.


My favorite trees last all year long here, and this is really what I love about this place, the Jack Pines.  It's really a toss up between them and the melancholic willow tree.

 Funny to see a little woodpecker, I think that's what it was.  It was a little blue bird, with a long beak making a rat-a-tat-tat sound against the trees.  If anyone knows what kind of bird it is, feel free to send me a line.


Other activities besides hiking, and swimming at the beach are paddling on the creek, cycling on a few of the trails and for a change a scenic drive though the valley along Reesor Road, Lapps Cider Mill (built in 1872), Glen Eagles Vista, Bailey Bridge (1954) and through Bob Hunter Memorial Park.

So that's about it, it took an hour or so to finish a trail stopping to take the occasional picture.  If you are interested in checking out this campground this year, they take reservations as early as January, so get your name in there soon before it fills up.

Happy Trails!